Yes, homeschooling is largely unrelated to childbirth education but I’ve found that I’ve been asked about this enough to warrant putting a few blog posts up so you can get a glimpse into what we’ve done. Any questions? Feel free to ask! Got great suggestions? Please share! For the record, I consider myself a pretty … Continue reading “Homeschooling: Organization & Planning”
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Birth Preparation Checklist
No question about it: there is a lot to think about when you are pregnant. It’s an exciting and wonderful time, but it can also be a little daunting. Here I offer a Birth Preparation Checklist for those list-makers out there (like me) who like to see at a glance all they want to (or … Continue reading “Birth Preparation Checklist”
Birth Story: Logan Samuel
{first baby, birth center birth} Beginning at week 37, when you’re considered to be full term, I of course began looking for every possible sign that labor was near. I had been practicing hypnobirthing a couple of months prior through a book and cd that offered positive affirmations and a relaxation hypnosis session. I would … Continue reading “Birth Story: Logan Samuel”
Birth Story: Hendrik Gavin
{first baby, birth center birth with postpartum transfer} January 13th was my estimated due date but seeing as this was my first baby, I knew that I would be passing that date but I didn’t think I would pass it by 9 days! Jan. 18, a Friday, I had my midwife Christina go ahead and … Continue reading “Birth Story: Hendrik Gavin”
Ways to Turn a Breech Baby
Sometimes you get the news that baby is not yet in a head-down (vertex) position but rather that baby is breech. For many, this news makes them fear that baby cannot be born outside of a hospital or that baby’s presentation is an automatic reason for a cesarean. It doesn’t need to be this way. … Continue reading “Ways to Turn a Breech Baby”
A Letter to Family & Friends about Welcoming A New Baby
This is a sample letter to family and friends who will have contact with an older sibling in the days following the birth of a new baby. This letter was designed to share with them the parents’ philosophy about the way they would like the older child to be treated. For example, it suggests that relatives … Continue reading “A Letter to Family & Friends about Welcoming A New Baby”
Birth story: Calvin Angelo
{Second baby, first unassisted home birth} Read the story of her first birth here! Friday, March 1, 2013 4:30 AM: I woke up in early labor, the contractions weren’t very strong, so I chose to go back to sleep. At 6:30 AM, I couldn’t sleep any longer, plus my toddler needed food. At 8 AM, … Continue reading “Birth story: Calvin Angelo”
Placenta Rituals: 10 Reasons to Eat Your Placenta
That poor placenta! It’s such an amazing organ and yet so often overlooked. But take a moment to learn about it and you will find a truly remarkable process at work. Did you know: The placenta can weigh 1-2 pounds and may be about dinner-plate size (approximately 9” diameter, 1” thick). The placenta secretes hormones, … Continue reading “Placenta Rituals: 10 Reasons to Eat Your Placenta”
Car Seat Safety Part 3: That Basket in the Back Seat
We’ve come a long way, baby! I’ve shared with you some serious and useful car seat safety information in Part 1 and Part 2 of this series, but now I’m ready to just take a fun car trip down memory lane! I was one of those babies who made it to childhood in a basket … Continue reading “Car Seat Safety Part 3: That Basket in the Back Seat”
Car Seat Safety Part 2: Expiration, Laws, Travel & More
Car Seat Safety Part 1 addressed some of the basics when it comes to car seats. This post may cover some lesser-known information, some of which I did not learn until I had my fourth baby! Infants and babies should be rear-facing for at least two years. Recommendations and laws vary per area but the research … Continue reading “Car Seat Safety Part 2: Expiration, Laws, Travel & More”
Car Seat Safety Part 1: Proper Use & Common Mistakes
One of the most important things you can do to prepare for getting out and about with baby is not just to get a good quality car seat, but to learn how to use it properly. I always encourage parents (especially dads) to make sure that a car seat is properly installed by 37 weeks … Continue reading “Car Seat Safety Part 1: Proper Use & Common Mistakes”
Birth Story: Liam James
This is the story of my second birth experience, a home waterbirth in Colorado. Liam was due on January 7th, 2004 but, just like his sister, Madigan, he was born 6 days late and on a Tuesday. That is pretty much where the similarities end, apart from the fact that both pregnancies went very smoothly, … Continue reading “Birth Story: Liam James”
My Top Posts of 2012
I’m making this opportunity to share some of my top posts of 2012 with you again, in no particular order: The Four Most Powerful Words. I wish I had said them. I know many women have their own story of regret. I hear them all the time. My hope is that by helping to educate, encourage … Continue reading “My Top Posts of 2012”
Top 10 Blog Posts of 2012
I love changing over to a new year and embarking on a fresh start. I also love reflecting on the past year. I’ve taken a little break from my blog/website for various reasons, but thought it would be fun to see what the most popular posts were from 2012… So here they are (not including … Continue reading “Top 10 Blog Posts of 2012”
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 Story: The Unintentionally Unassisted Birth of Beck Zavier
{second child, intended birth center birth turned unassisted home birth} Saturday, October 6, 2012: I started cooking dinner around 6 pm. I had been having contractions all week, including the previous Friday (September 28th) in which contractions were consistently 10-12 minutes apart. I decided to start timing them after having a few in an hour. … Continue reading “Birth Story: The Unintentionally Unassisted Birth of Beck Zavier”