First off, I want you to know that you’re a really good mom. These aren’t just fluffy words. They are facts. You are a really good mom. I know you have so many doubts and fears.
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Those early weeks were always so full of hope, nervousness, and fear - a classic recipe for constant anxiety. Sometimes I would experience these feelings in succession. Other times I felt the weight of all of them, as if they were stacked on my heart, one on top of the other.
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Whatever you may be feeling — just know that it’s common and you are not alone. If you don’t want to have sex, don’t feel pressured to do so, just because the doctor told you to go for it.
Read MoreHot flashes and night sweats - some of the most common complaints of early postpartum. But it doesn't always stop after the 4th trimester, and can be a big steamy hot red flag that we need to support one hormone in particular... estrogen.
Read MoreLike all new parents, they were astonished by their baby’s perfection. But their time with Julian was short -- because he was stillborn, they had just a few hours to soak in his beauty before they had to say goodbye. This is the letter Dresden wrote to Julian the day after she met him.
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LA postpartum doula Stephanie Matthias shares really practical suggestions for how to prepare for the postpartum period.
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Knowing what to do when you think you might be pregnant can be confusing. When can you take a pregnancy test? If it’s positive, when do you make a prenatal appointment? What are the guidelines on taking care of yourself before you see a care provider? We break things down here with help from SF-based doula Lauren Miller Brown.
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So often women are told to slow down when pregnant, and while for some high-risk pregnancies bed rest is required, in most healthy pregnancies, regular movement is recommended. Hear from Peri Hughes, SF based prenatal fitness expert on how you can safely approach exercise during pregnancy.
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Over the course of this time I’ve become familiar with riding these waves of sadness. The waves crash to honor the months of hormones and pregnancy tissue produced, to honor the love, energy and dreams we have been holding. I say goodbye to our Ocean.
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As I begin to make sense of my pregnancy and my experience with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), I can now see so much that would have been helpful to know and understand then. In hopes of easing your journey if you or a loved one is experiencing HG — here’s my take.
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Up to eighty percent of women experience some type of nausea during pregnancy. Here are a few natural remedies that may help manage and reduce your morning sickness without side effects.
Read MoreLuckily, there are so many ways your acupuncturist can support you virtually - both keeping you on track towards your reproductive health goals, and also supporting your mental and physical health.
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You might be surprised by what you can discover about your body by tuning in and putting in a little bit of effort. If done correctly, a few months of observing your basal body temperature (BBT) can give you a ton of answers.
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Feeding your baby: it seems like it should be intuitive, natural, and straightforward. But we've learned that it takes time, patience and some serious dedication — and it doesn’t always turn out as we planned. And that's okay. What’s most important is that your baby eats.
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Does your provider make you feel supported, heard, and safe? Do you feel comfortable with the birthing locations that are available to you? If your answer isn’t “yes” to either of these questions, know that you don't have to settle for the status quo. Learn more about choosing a provider and birthing location here.
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The phrase “trying for a baby” always made me uncomfortable. I felt like the couple was welcoming everyone into their bedroom as well as their personal lives. I had no idea that perhaps it was their way of reaching out for emotional support during a time of excitement mixed with fear.
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Five years ago, I walked into the birthing center of a hospital and built walls with rigid rules of how I did - and didn’t - want to bring my son into the world. I believed in the magic and power of my body. I believed in my control.
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The predominant narrative is that someone has to "heal" in order to be functional, but that simply isn't the case. I think the story we should be telling is of our bodies' resilience and adaptability, and of the need to do the hard work accepting our bodies, even amid the dramatic changes of pregnancy.
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