Maternity Monday - Postpartum Doulas

Postpartum doulas help moms recover: http://www.citizen-times.com/story/life/family/2017/04/01/postpartum-doulas-help-moms-recover/99904044/

"Doulas are trained to recognize symptoms of postpartum depression. They are trained to provide warm comforting foods to help restore the new mother’s strength. They recognize the peaks and valleys of breast-feeding. They provide complementary care to the mother’s health care professional. They are even trained to recognize when the mom’s partner needs support."

Physically, emotionally & culturally, postpartum doulas are invaluable.

Maternity Monday

15 Famous Women on Postpartum Depression: http://nymag.com/thecut/2017/04/quotes-from-15-famous-women-on-postpartum-depression.html

"There’s a lot of misunderstanding — there are a lot of people out there that think that it’s not real, that it’s not true, that it’s something that’s made up in their minds — ‘Oh, it’s hormones.’ They brush it off. It’s something that’s completely uncontrollable. It’s really painful and it’s really scary and women need a lot of support."

Maternity Monday

A postpartum doula isn't just for those who "need" help or may be prone to postpartum disorders. No, postpartum doulas are for ALL families! In fact, WHO (the World Health Organization) greatly encourages postpartum support & education.

Maternity Monday

"In many cultures, women and their families are cared for and nurtured by the community around them for weeks, and sometimes months after the birth of a new family member. Women living in kin-based communities adhere to customary postpartum rituals and typically do not experience postpartum disorders. They also tend to breastfeed their babies for a longer period of time and feel closer to their infants than women who have had no support. Strong social support is vital.

In today’s mobile society, extended families do not live close and may be unable to provide care for the new family. New parents may expect medical professionals to provide not only informational support but also educational and physical/emotional support outside of the hospital setting. When this support from family or professionals is lacking, mentoring is then lost. This is where the postpartum doula can be an invaluable resource, by bridging the gap and providing the missing mentoring opportunity."

#postpartumdoula

Maternity Monday

I'm going to be a postpartum doula!

Yup, I am excited to share that I am signed up and starting my postpartum doula training this weekend!

Since becoming pregnant with Willow, I've been reading and researching and super passionate about new life because, well, it's just magic! A new life and becoming a family (or becoming an expanded family) is amazing... And this is a way in which I think I'll really be helping that magic - by helping new families, by helping to support new moms, by empowering ladies to not feel alone in their new life/role (which can unexpectedly creep up on even the most supported women), by improving new lives with education, information, resources & support. I am so excited!

Wish me luck in training!

Benefits of having a postpartum doula here

A Journey Ahead

We are undertaking a task - a long drive from Jersey to southern NC ... and then on to FL.

I am nervous and anxious, but so terribly excited all at once. Southern NC holds my best friend's parents' home. They've been there a few years now and are constantly posting fun pics from their retired life. I've yet to get down there, so I'm excited to see them and check out their dream home. We'll be with them overnight and then on to FL to see forever family friends who are a part of so, so many of my vacation memories from when I was little.

It's a long drive - with an 8 month old, but I'm sure the good vibes and love waiting for us will make it worth it ... and oh the memory making along the way!

Wish us luck!

#ileftherontheplaymat

Every morning, I come downstairs with Willow in my arms and Miles, Muppy & Sadie around my legs (with Daph already downstairs in the living room from earlier in the morning when Matt heads to work). I let Sadie & Muppy outside together when we get downstairs and then put I Willow down on her play mat in the living room. After the girls hav been out for a bit, I call them in and let Miles out. Sadie & Muppy get water before I switch the girls up - Sadie Lady & Mup into the living room, Daph into the kitchen for water before I called Miles in and let her out. That's the routine every morning.

Well, some time this morning after I put Willow down on the play mat (note: a good 10 - 15 feet from the gate into the kitchen), I hear a clanging ... the gate rattling. What in the world?! I look over to see this...

Ahhh! How'd you get there, kid?!

I guess we are officially on the move.

#ileftherontheplaymat