Ahhhhhh, THIS THING CALLED LIFE😅.
WHEEWWW....I promise I'm still here, ya'll. It's officially June, and the school year is over. Here's some highlights of the month of May. Besides all the prom send offs, graduation celebrations, and family gatherings, we ended the school year with such happiness and excitement😊🥳.
Our May highlights:
I got to chaperone for two field trips. The @brookfieldzoo with my son's 6th grade class and the @jolietslammersofficial game with my daughters 4th grade class (which my son was also at, on the same day).
Birthday party for my daughter's friend from school. They had a blast @urbanairpark
#soccermomthings -my son in action ⚽️
I'm trying to get in a little #self-care at the gym here and there. Love a good Zumba class, and I officially can't tell if I hate the stair master or love it 😭.
The hubby and I got to join in on filed day fun at our daughter's school. It became a family affair because our son came too🥰🥰.
Also, let's hear it for my 2 love bugs. They both ended the school year on the honor roll 🎉🥳. We are so proud of them. They really showed up this school year.
Last but not least, we recently had a nice family outing at the @wintrustarena to see the WNBA, @chicagosky play their 1st game of the season. 💙💛💙💛. It was a blast, for sure.
This is just the beginning of a fun filled summer, #birthdoulajoy is still around, and living life 1 day at a time. Praying June is filled with much more laughter and positive vibez 🫶🏾.
#doulamom #momonthemove #mommymoments #lifeislife #livelifetothefullest #cherisheverymoment
#onedayatatime #aroundtownchicago
I remember being younger thinking about how I wanted to be a stay at home mom. I never thought in all of my yrs it would actually be a thing.
I have to say God has truly blessed me to be able to live this life I have. I've been at home since my 2nd daughter was born. Which is about 10 yrs now. I've worked here and there, but I often found that many jobs don't care about what schedule you need or if your child is sick. They want full access to you.
My husband has been so supportive during these yrs. I definitely appreciate all of his sacrifice and hard work to keep this family thriving. I appreciate his support in whatever I've chosen to do, work or not work, do network marketing, doula-ing. Because of him, I've got to watch these two little people of mine grow up right before my eyes. I'm the mom who loves being able to be there for my children. School field trips & classroom parties, soccer or gymnastics, even when their sick, knowing I don't have to choose between work or them, is such a blessing. I can't wait to see what this journey of motherhood holds. It's a wild ride, but I am ready to take on every part of it.
Happy Mother's Day to all the awesome moms out there. Remember to take each day one at a time. And no matter where you are within this journey, be kind to yourself🫶🏾💐.
#motherday #mothersdayweekend #motherhood #motherhoodisthebesthood #blackmomsrock #sahmlife #SAHM #birthdoulajoy #thejourneycontinues #thejourneysofmotherhood #momoftwo #sonanddaughter
Listen, the highlight of my day is once ALL the things are done and the kids are in bed. Consider me off duty, honey😌.
At that point, it's ME time!! A nice shower or bath, some good old TV time, which gets me in trouble most nights, because I'm too late indulging 😅. And who knows, I may even get a snack and not have to share🤣. Let me have my moment, please. I already know it will ALL start over the next morning 🫠.
#mommybreak #mommywin #donefortheday #momoftwo #momonthemove #doulathings #reallife #goodnight #momoffduty #birthdoulajoy
A Tuesday morning funny before I head out to the gym💪🏾.
So I took my crochet style out, and now...well, I'm just lost on what to do next. I need to be able to work out and not have my hair all over my head. My hair doesn't do well with humidity or sweat, I will NOT look like the same person leaving as I did coming (and it's a rainy morning here in IL)🤣🤣🤣. So this morning, I threw 2 french braids in, and now I am ready to head to Zumba, looking 12🫠.
#tuesdaythoughts #naturalhairjourney #naturalhair #curlyhair #blackdontcrackbaby #doulathings #thatdoulajoy #gymday #workitout #rainyweather #myhair #foreveryoung
Listen.... I can't believe we are in May. But, I will NOT complain 1 bit. Here are some things I am looking forward to this month:
📚 school being over for the kiddos
🏋🏾♀️ continuing to work on this summer body
💐 Celebrating Mother's Day
🪴 picking out seeds to plant with the kids
☀️ warmer weather....cuz Chicago has been ⬆️⬇️
🎂 getting through the month... because next month is my birthday (and my husbands) & our 11-year wedding anniversary 😉🤩
What are you looking forward to this month🤔?
I hope that whatever it is, this month brings you nothing but happiness and positive vibez🫶🏾.
#May #mayismentalhealthawarenessmonth #mayishere #selfcare #summerbreak #motherhood
#mothersday #internationaldoulamonth #justamom #wifeyvibez #doulainaction #birthdoulajoy #summertimechi #doulasupport
Hey, ya'll. 💁🏾♀️Doula J is still here. I've had some schedule changes, and so I'm just going with the flow of life at the moment.
Between mom-ing, wifey duties, a part-time job, and just trying to take care of myself in-between, I've been slacking on creating content, so forgive me🫶🏾. I am literally learning as I get older, to take each day and make the most of it, but also not stressing about the things I can't fit into a day.
While my doula business is important, I know that I still have clients reaching out to me either for services or breastfeeding support, and so I am still doing the work, but a little quieter. I LOVE WHAT I DOULA, so just know that this journey is NOT over🥰.
#birthdoula #birthdoulathings #daybyday #onedayatatime #childbirtheducator #breastfeedingcounselor #stillpresent
#doulajourney #birthdoulajoy
Today is the last day of #BlackMaternalHealthWeek. But, sadly, this issue will still exist.
Many don't understand why we bring attention to this week. It is in hopes of bringing more awareness to improving the issues surrounding Black Maternal Health.
Black women are 3X! More likely to die from a pregnancy related cause than white women. This can be caused by many factors. Some being....
●Lack of quality healthcare
●Socioeconomic status
●underlying health issues,lack of mental health care
●Not being listening to or feeling heard before/during pregnancy, birth, & the postpartum period
●racism/discrimination and implicit biases
● Not to mention, we now face issues surrounding abortion care and lack of reproductive health care #ourbodiesstillbelongtous
This is just to name a few. We must shed light on these issues and rally to make a change. Especially if you work in the healthcare system. ⚠️CALL OUT THE BS⚠️.
Pregnant women, educate yourselves, get with a trusted provider with whom you feel safe and heard. Learn to advocate for yourself, not only when you're pregnant, but before and afterward. If you can afford to hire a doula, do it. If you can afford to birth out of a hospital, do it. If you can find a trusted midwifery care team, do it (in or out of the hospital). And, do your best to take control of your physical and mental health prior to pregnancy. #BMHW24 #blackmamasmatter #blackmaternalhealthmatters #birthdoulajoy #birthworkersofcolor
**📸Picture: Me and my baby girl right after she was born. **💓
I want to thank the Chicago South Side Birth Center Initiative for hosting an event to bring #birthworkersofcolor together during #blackmaternalhealthweek.
I had a great time in a room filled with laughter, joy, and support during such an important week. Midwives and doulas of color coming together to support each other no matter where we are on our journey. We stand for #betterbirthoutcomes #birthjustice #reproductivejustice #reproductiverights #equality #community and #maternalhealth. @chicagosouthsidebirthingcenter is such a beautiful space, and I can't wait to see the transformation into a birthing center. I know this space will be such an asset to the community. 🫶🏾 #bmhw24 #ourbodiesstillbelongtous
This may rustle a few feathers, but that's okay. I think it's important to understand that even though you're laboring in a hospital setting, you don't necessarily have to do whatever they ask of you.
Remember that #bodilyautonomy is important. You have the right to make decisions about what will happen to your body, as well as be respected for knowing what you want. Oftentimes, a birth at a hospital leaves you feeling not in control of your wants and needs. It can sometimes feel as though labor isn't a natural thing. Leaving you to feel that you can't trust your own body and baby to do the work. In reality, it can do all the work without all the unnecessary interventions. Remind yourself that as long as you and your baby are doing well, to trust the process.
Informes decision making is your right (in any any instance) . Make sure someone is taking the time to explain why something is being done. Be sure to follow up with the appropriate questions and concerns, allowing for conversation to be had between you and your care team. #shareddecisionmkaing
💁🏾♀️Doula J-tip. I often tell my clients to follow the acronym 🧠(B)enefits (R)isks (A)alternatives (I)ntuition (N)othing — to help with decision making. I will be sure to make a follow-up post about using this acronym. Understand that sometimes emergencies can occur, and it can throw your initial plan off, but it's still your RIGHT to be informed before making a decision. ⚠️REGISTRATION FOR APRIL'S CHILDBIRTH CLASS COMING SOON⚠️
#childbirtheducator #childbirth #doula #doulathings #birthdoulajoy #autonomy #yourbirthmatters #yourbirthyourway #informeddecisionmaking #trustyourbody #birthrights
Listen... this was literally me. I used music during both of my births. Whether I was walking around, on the birthing ball, or in the bed, I had my jams playing. I got induced with my daughter (2nd pregnancy), but I still somehow managed not to use any pain meds🥴. I literally have a video of me getting stitched, holding my baby girl, with my music still playing in the background (like Kelly Rowland said)🤣. #ilovemusic #musichead #rnbmusic
Doula J tip: I advise all of my clients to make a music playlist. Rather, you use it or not. It really doesn't matter. Have it available, and sing whatever gets you through each surge/contraction. I've had clients go from r&b to gospel music, from gospel music to trap music🤑!! I am not here to judge!! If I know the tune, I'm singing with you, and if you want to shake a tail feather while singing/rapping, we can do that too🤣 😁.
#laborsupport #laboranddelivery #focalpoints
#musicduringlabor #keepitreal #sang #ivegotyourback #musicplaylist #yourbackup #yourbirthmatters #yourbirthyourway #doulasmatter #birthdoulajoy #birthsupportteam #happymonday
Hey, listen!! Sometimes, the original plan needs to be revisited or tossed completely. And remember... THAT'S OKAY! 😘
When your body is in labor, and you're finding yourself too stressed or too tense, it's okay to ask for some pain relief. It can actually help. It can help you regain focus and loosen up a bit. It can also help you get a nap in if you're tired and just needing a break (because labor can be rough😵💫). An epidural is really good for this if you decide on one later on. Listen to your body. You don't have to have a horrible birth experience because you're too focused on the original plan.
A plain is not permanent. Be flexible.
💁🏾♀️Doula J tip: When creating your birth plan, be sure to know what options your hospital offers for pain. You can decide what's steps you want to take from there. Maybe you will decide to try inhaled or IV pain meds 1st, then use an epidural as your last resort. Whatever it is, just plan for it ALL. Come up with a safe word to let your support partner/doula know you've reached your max and are ready for pain relief. #codeword #safeword #pineapples
#painrelief #laboranddelivery #contractions #doulaJ #itsokaytomakeotherplans #plansarentperfect
#gowiththeflow #yourbodyyourbirth #yourenotafailure #birthdoula #birthdoulajoy #happymarchyall #marchmadness
I spent Saturday taking an amazing #CPR class. This was by far one of THEE best cpr classes I have taken since I've had my certification. And trust I've taken plenty since 2007 when I first became a medical assistant🥰. @cbaityheartsaver_19 (IG) was absolutely amazing. C Baity Heartsaver an American Heart Association CPR Instructor
As a parent, doula, and someone who worked in the medical field, I have always tried to stay up to date with my CPR certification. Since I've started, some things have changed, so I'm always happy to go and learn updated techniques & terminology.
Many people don't understand how important it can be to know these skills, but if something happens, even if it's just to a close family member or friend, would you know what to do?
It's an important question to ask yourself. If you haven't ever taken a CPR class before, try to take one online or in person. Because at the end of the day, you may just need these skills to help save a life.
#cpr #cprrecertification #cprclass #americanheartassociation #birthdoula #safetyfirst #safetyathome #safteyatwork #birthdoulajoy
