postpartum
5 Things Midwives, Doulas, and Postpartum Moms Love
As I was in the shower today, after two births in 24 hours–one in the hospital as a doula, the other at home as a student midwife–I was appreciating the perfect temperature of the water, the smell of my shampoo, and the utterly clean feeling I had when I stepped out onto the mat. I…
Read MoreTop 10 Things I’d Do If I Were Pregnant Again
We all have things we’d like to hit the rewind button for. Today, I thought I’d share the top ten things I’d do differently if I were to miraculously find myself pregnant again. Why not? It’s not something I’ve shared before on this blog. I don’t often get very personal, but I’d like my readers…
Read MoreInconsistent Breastfeeding Advice = Consistent Frustration for Moms & Babies
I was excited to see this issue addressed at Best for Babes, because it is something I have seen over and over in pretty much every hospital birth I’ve attended as a doula. When a woman hears one thing from her L&D nurse, another from the baby nurse, and still another from the lactation consultant,…
Read MorePostpartum Preparation
Planning and preparation toward the postpartum period is very important. Sometimes it is even more important than pregnancy and birth preparation due to circumstance or birth outcome. Too often labor, delivery and perhaps the “stuff” that goes with having a baby take priority, while the incredible change that occurs with having a new baby is…
Read MoreA Road to Placental Encapsulation
The below post is written by a mother of 3 wee ones. She graciously accepted my request to share her journey to placental encapsulation. I have personally witnessed a significant in Kailah’s postpartum between baby 2 and three overall along with her milk supply increase. I am truly amazed by the differences. _______________________________________________________________________________ My Experience…
Read MorePosptartum and the Great Abyss
The postpartum period is a critical time for the health, attachment and emotional adjustment for both mother and baby. It has become the expected norm that women are left with very little medical or care provider support/assistance in handling the many norms, transitions and stumbling blocks that present in the first 6 weeks postpartum with…
Read MoreA Mother’s Body
A mother’s body grows a new person from a microscopic connection. A mother’s body internally reorganizes to make room for her flourishing baby. A mother’s body soothes and gives her baby love simply from her beating heart, sounds of her breath and how she rocks. A mother’s body is hardwired to nourish and protect her…
Read More“Just Doing My Job”
After having all four of my babies out-of-hospital (one at a birth center, the rest at home), and seeing how much respect was given to my babies, I have a hard time believing the above statement I have heard from so many baby nurses. Baby nurses who have such a sweet demeanor, and genuinely believe…
Read MorePreparing For Birth – Common Pregnancy and Childbirth Terms
Below is a compilation of common terms and acronyms that women often will come across during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Check back as more will be added from time to time. AROM – Artificial Rupture of Membranes – using a finger or tool to open the amniotic sac to to allow the fluid to release.…
Read MorePreparing For Birth – Has episiotomy been replaced by this practice?
In recent months I have noticed that during the end part of pushing and through delivery, care providers and/or nurses are doing very, very aggressive vaginal and perineal stretching. This is not the gentle perineal massage I have seen in the past. Even though I do not believe even that is necessary, it certainly was…
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