Love my Labor

02/12/2020

Birth is an extraordinary experience in a woman’s life, and, while we can influence its course, we cannot control it. Our first concern is that this woman, becoming a mother, is supported in her spirit to trust herself and connect with her child. Love upholds each.

-Catherine Burns

12/12/2019

One of the best ways to ensure a positive birth is to surround yourself with a great support team. Be picky when finding your provider. Interview doulas until you find the perfect fit. Talk with your partner (or anyone else who will be in the room) to make sure you are on the same page. Make sure if someone is going to be in the room that you will feel comfortable and supported.

12/11/2019

According to movies and television shows a women starts labor by her water breaking in the middle of a store (or somewhere inconvenient) with a big gush. She then rushes to the hospital and to give birth. Truly only about fifteen percent of women have their membranes release before labor begins.

Knowing this when I was pregnant I just told myself not to expect to have my membranes release (or water break). I was in for quite a shock when ten days before my due date while at work my water started to leak. It took me a second to really believe things were happening.

If your membranes do release there are a couple factors that are important to make note of. These will help you and your provider determine the best plan of action

C- Color. The color should be clear or a pale yellow. If it is green or brown this usually means the baby has had a bowel movement.

O- Odor. The fluid is odorless.

A- Amount. Unlike what we see on tv when your water breaks it isn’t always a big splash. It can be a trickle. Either way it is an important factor to know.

T-Time. Having your membranes release can increase your risk of infection. It’s important to remember what time it happens so you and your provider can be aware. A lot of providers will want you to have baby within 24 hours of your membranes releasing.

12/03/2019

A baby fills a place in your heart you never knew was empty ❤️

11/13/2019

Seeing these sweet girls meeting their new baby sister was magic ❤️ The way a your heart makes room for a new baby is like nothing else!

11/09/2019

I got to attend a Lactation Link class today! I love learning anything I can to help moms be more confident ❤️ Our bodies are magical!

11/07/2019

You may question if it is worth the time and energy to take steps to prepare for the birth of your baby. It is really just a day (or two or three) if you life. Does it really matter? You have a doctor and nurses that will tell you what to do right?

"Whenever and however you give birth, your experience will impact your emotions, your mind, your body, and your spirit for the rest of your life." ~ Ina May Gaskin

By educating yourself and taking steps to prepare you are taking charge. Birth doesn’t and shouldn’t be something that happens to you. If your birth takes an unexpected turn you will have the knowledge to be a part of the decision. It is also so important to surround yourself with a good support team. People you can trust and feel comfortable with. Your birth matters. How you feel about your birth matters.

11/06/2019

Our bodies are magic ❤️

Even when you firmly believe “fed is best"—as we all should—it's undeniable that breast milk is downright incredible. From the way it adapts to feed different infants at different times to its immune-boosting qualities, breast milk may very well be the most super food of all.“It is incredibl...

11/04/2019

Fresh new babe for a fresh new week. I’ll never get over the perfection and purity of a newborn.

10/30/2019

Tip Tuesday: Cover the clock in your hospital room.

I was given this advise when I was pregnant with my son and I feel it was so helpful. It can be discouraging to feel like you’ve been laboring for hours to look at the clock and see it’s only been thirty minutes. I remember asking a nurse what time it was after my baby was born and being shocked that it was 11:05. You can be intentional with what you cover it with. I used a printout from my Hypnobirthing class of a cervix opening like a flower. You could put an affirmation or an ultrasound photo, whatever would help keep you positive and motivated!

10/28/2019

Seeing a dad meeting his newborn for the first time is a moment full of magic and love.

10/24/2019

One of the easiest things you can do to benefit your birth (and really the world) is change your language about birth. Instead of pain you can you the word pressure or sensation. The word wave or surge sounds much more positive than contraction. Doesn’t hearing of your membranes releasing sound less harsh than your water breaking.

10/16/2019

“It is normal that your baby doesn’t want to be separated from you; her survival instincts are strong. She isn’t manipulating, she is communicating. She believes that you and she are one, not two. And on a subconscious level, maybe you do too.”

-Dr. Sarah Buckley

10/11/2019

There’s no place like mom ❤️

10/10/2019

One of the best things you can do to help you and your baby is to move. Movement during labor can help lessen the pain you feel from contractions. It will also help baby move down through your pelvis. A good rule of thumb is to switch positions every half hour or so.

10/08/2019

I knew when I decided to train as a doula I wanted to include birth affirmations in my package. I believed in affirmation statements long before I entered the birth world. I feel affirmations helped me so much in my pregnancy and during labor. I listened to them everyday am my way to work and have post it notes around my desk. They helped keep the positive birth bubble I worked hard to protect. During labor they kept@me focused and reminded me how strong and powerful I was.

I decided to make a handful of them into phone backgrounds. We look at our phones A LOT so I thought it would be helpful! Head to my stories to screenshot your favorite ❤️.

Do you have a favorite affirmation you used?