May is National Doula Appreciation month. That means we moms fortunate enough to have a doula get to thank the women who stood by our sides. Doulas offer support during what may be the most excruciatingly painful/joyful times in our lives. For those who don’t know? A doula offers emotional, social, psychological and physiological support […]
Once upon a beautiful May day, an ultrasound technician VERY casually said to me, “So you’re having identical twins.” She may have said other things. I do not know. What I do know is that my reaction went something like this: lead-in of total disbelief, escalating into panic, and then mellowing into complete overwhelmdom, which is […]
“But….why?” That’s the answer I get when I tell people I chose to have two babies without an epidural. We live in an amazing medical world that allows women to not feel a thing when they push a human from their lady parts. So why would I choose to feel every ounce of excruciating pain? […]
Six hundred and three. No, that is not the cups of coffee I consume each year (though close) or the items on my poor husband’s “honey do” list. It’s the number of injections to my stomach and hips that stood in the way of me becoming what I always wanted to be—a mother. Had I […]
“I’m sorry, but your pregnancy won’t last.” The doctor’s words echoed in my ears after I put down the phone. The pain hit hard this time. This was my third miscarriage, and I was exhausted on every level. My body had been through a lot. My emotions were a roller coaster. And my thoughts were […]
Dear Beyoncé, I have always known the time would come when you’d need my advice. You didn’t feel the need to consult me when you decided to break away from the other Destiny’s Children? Totally Fine. My soothing Lady-Vandross contralto wasn’t “right” for the “B’Day” sessions? No hard feelings. (But we both know it’s because […]
So, ladies? If I told you a funny joke while we were out for a drink, would you wet your pants a little? Do you feel a sneeze coming on—and you cross your legs? What if I told you that it wasn’t normal? Yes. I know. It’s part of what we have all come to […]
Since the dawn of time, women have been birthing babies. Along with that comes a ton of well-meaning—but often odd—advice. Urban legends of pregnancy, if you will. I’m sixteen weeks in with baby #2, and I’ve already heard and read many pregnancy urban legends and superstitions. Some are so odd, they’re laughable. Today, I’ll share a few […]
A few weeks ago at the park, I overheard a mom ask a friend what she thought of using the word “vagina” with her kids. My (somewhat judgmental, I admit) ears perked up as they discussed this. I was truly shocked. Here were these two educated-seeming women who were genuinely afraid of using the correct term […]
It has been widely reported recently that the United States Preventive Services Task Force now recommends that all pregnant and postpartum mothers get screened for depression. I think this is a Very Good Thing. Early detection could make a big difference for a lot of mothers. My son’s pediatrician actually screened me for it. I didn’t […]
