Category: Musings & Ramblings

“That’s actually illegal”… Or is it?

I cannot emphasize enough how critical it is to know your options in birth. It is important to know you DO have the right to ask questions, to get a second opinion, to voice your concerns and to be a strong advocate for yourself or your baby. Otherwise, you could quickly find yourself doing things … Continue reading ““That’s actually illegal”… Or is it?”

Please! Don’t share these photos of your kids online!

One of the many awesome things about being a doula is that I get to see a lot of wonderful photos and even videos of kids on my Facebook newsfeed. Playing, sleeping, exploring, nursing, laughing…. Firsts of all kinds: crawls, foods, steps, travels… I love to see how these humans grow, learn, eventually head off … Continue reading “Please! Don’t share these photos of your kids online!”

To My Doula Client’s Doctor

Dear Doctor, I recently had a consultation with a potential doula client, a patient of yours. During our conversation, she said something that really struck me. She mentioned that she had asked you about doulas at her last appointment and you had replied with this:                “A doula is … Continue reading “To My Doula Client’s Doctor”

Your voice in birth matters. A lot.

Or: How to write a letter of complaint to your OB, midwife or hospital… Every birth matters, and YOU have a voice. Significant changes have been made in recent years in our local birth world – changes to policies, procedures and options. Many of these changes happen because you are a consumer of services and … Continue reading “Your voice in birth matters. A lot.”

I Almost Missed A Moment

Yesterday, I lay down to nurse my 15-month-old daughter who I thought should be ready for a nap. (Ha!) As we settled in and got comfortable, she latched on and I reached for my phone to check email and Facebook. But then I stopped. I tucked the phone under a pillow, thinking I could wait … Continue reading “I Almost Missed A Moment”

Birth Fears: What If My Luck Runs Out?

It wasn’t until my pregnancy with my fourth baby that I had a nagging worry that my luck having successful, healthy, vaginal births might run out. It was pretty unnerving. My first three births were what I considered to be safe, healthy, amazing homebirths. Sure, we had to make a few compromises along the way – … Continue reading “Birth Fears: What If My Luck Runs Out?”

I Do Not Consent: 4 Words I Wish I’d Said

I Do Not Consent. These are the four most powerful words a pregnant woman can utter. I wish I had said them in my first pregnancy when my OB did not believe that I knew my date of conception and insisted on a transvaginal ultrasound at 10 weeks to date the pregnancy. I hated that, … Continue reading “I Do Not Consent: 4 Words I Wish I’d Said”

Reflections on 10 years of Parenting, the Digital Age and Connecting with My Kids

My baby girl turned 10 years old last week. I’ve been reflecting on how much has changed this past decade. Changes within myself and in the world in which we live. I was newly pregnant when September 11th, 2001 happened and the US was thrown into a time of shock and anger. People asked me … Continue reading “Reflections on 10 years of Parenting, the Digital Age and Connecting with My Kids”

My Own Early Pregnancy Loss

This is a topic many people don’t like to discuss but I think it’s important to address because chances are very good that someone else out there has experienced it and may get comfort from reading another woman’s experience, and also that someone else out there is going to experience it so if she reads … Continue reading “My Own Early Pregnancy Loss”

Birth of an Intactivist

Had someone told me (or my husband) ten years ago that I’d spend hours talking to complete strangers over the phone about penises – keeping them intact, circumcising them, cleaning them, restoring their foreskins etc – I’d have thought they were nuts. I would not have believed you if you had told me I’d be … Continue reading “Birth of an Intactivist”

Creative Art Therapy for Birth Preparation, Birth Trauma or Pregnancy Loss

Not an artist? Think you don’t have a creative bone in your body? Don’t worry – you don’t need that to be able to get some healing and comfort from creative expression. In fact, it’s a very powerful tool for many women as they prepare for birth and want to face any fears they may … Continue reading “Creative Art Therapy for Birth Preparation, Birth Trauma or Pregnancy Loss”

Ten Ways You Can Help Keep Babies Intact

If you feel that the practice of infant male circumcision is abhorrent and should stop, please know that you CAN make a difference! There are a lot of ways you can help and you can do as much or as little as you are able. If your efforts save even one baby from this surgery, … Continue reading “Ten Ways You Can Help Keep Babies Intact”