Spring is here. I am happy and proud about my tiny garden, I think for the first time ever, even though my profession and passion in life pre-kids was gardening. (Before I launch into my ramblings, if you are a beginner family-home gardener, HERE are some resources for you!) Like every aspect of this mothering gig, … Continue reading
Tagged with postpartum …
I Feel You, Bebe (Finding Empathy)
I’d say my profoundest discovery about the postpartum period is this: human evolution has developed us mamas to empathize and identify with our new babies when they need it most. I’m talking about that feeling of rawness and overwhelm, like the world is too big, too bright, too loud. I wrote in the past about … Continue reading
How I Prepared for Birth and Postpartum
As I mentioned in his birth story, I prepared in a myriad of ways during the months before my son’s birth. This preparation and the week-long build-up helped me cope with his super-fast birth! Having learned from my daughter’s birth, I most wanted to change two things this time: to have a birth team that was empowering rather … Continue reading
Give Some Love to a New Mom
Moms tend to take on the care and nurturing of everyone around us. Especially during the postpartum time, we need someone to care for and nurture us! When a friend had a new baby, I used to walk into her house and think, I want to be helpful, but what do I do? Through my … Continue reading
New Mom vs Outside World
Being a new mom or dad is beautiful, intense, and life-changing. It also can be so very difficult: Often the world around us is not empathetic but can be brutal, judgmental, and overwhelming. It is often said that only people who have been through it can understand this drama of early parenthood. But why? Why … Continue reading
Your Postpartum Story
Our culture is full of myths and misconceptions about birth and the postpartum time. It’s time for us to tell real stories of our postpartum experiences, so that future new families can feel less lost and alone, knowing that they are in the company of many wonderful, loving, and strong families. I’d love to hear … Continue reading
How Long does ‘Postpartum’ Last?
Pregnant women in the US are exposed to many widely held beliefs about birth and the postpartum time that — they discover with shock and possibly pain, guilt, and sadness — are so very false. I believe we need to talk about these beliefs to prevent the shock and ease the other painful emotions that … Continue reading
Asking for Help Feels Strange
As a postpartum doula, my job is to nurture and care for the vulnerable, new family; most especially the new mom. Some people ask, “Isn’t that just for people who need extra help? Like with twins or medical issues or depression?” While many women have said to me, “I didn’t know I could ask for … Continue reading