Top Five Tips on Preparing Your Older Child for Birth
When I was pregnant for the second time and not wanting the same experience as the first, I began searching for more information and alternative options regarding birth. We brought midwife, Terri Payne, CNM, on as our doula and she asked where I would like to birth and if our …
Navigating Important Relationships with a New Baby
When a child is born, so is a mother. Getting to know yourself as a mother can be challenging, and on top of that add in the complexity of how this transition impacts your other relationships with a new baby. Let’s examine some of the ways that your relationships may …
Where to Birth?
Pros and Cons in Choosing a Birthing Location: Hospital, Birth Center (hospital or free standing), Home Birth, or Unassisted Congratulations! You’re pregnant, have a million things on your checklist, and you’re whittling away at them while you can. But should birthing location be a question of consideration? When our …
Must Reads for Birth Partners
Is your birth partner wishing they could learn more to support you during your motherhood transition? Check out this list of “must reads!” The Birth Partner – This birth classic written by Penny Simkin talks about preparation for labor, when to know labor has started, epidurals and other medications …
Nursing Through Tongue and Lip Ties
When most people think of the term “tongue-tie”, they think of someone’s inability to speak or stick their tongue out. But in reality, it basically means the tongue’s motion is restricted, otherwise known as anklyoglossia. With the rise in the United States breastfeeding rates, tongue ties are gaining recognition. More …
Breaking Up is Hard to Do – How to Change to a New Provider During Pregnancy
So you’ve decided it’s time to break it off with your current OB GYN/Midwife in search of a better fit. Now what? How do you best handle the transition to a new provider during pregnancy without anxiety or guilt? First things first, you need to make sure you know who …
When to Change Providers During Pregnancy
As BIRTHFIT CEO Lindsey Mathews says, “When it comes to birth, there are only two people with guaranteed tickets for the ride: mom and baby.” Very likely, the next person on the short VIP list is your OB or midwife. This is with good reason, as your OB/midwife is who …
How Slow is Fast Worked for Me
When I began participating in high-intensity group functional fitness classes in the fall of 2014, I knew my husband and I wanted to start a family in the next year or so. Indeed, part of my reasoning for a new exercise routine was to prepare my body for a healthy …
HELP! My Baby Wants to Snuggle and Hates Being Put Down
Originally posted on drlaurenkeller.com While pregnant, you probably read every article on the internet on all the gadgets and goodies you need once the baby arrives to make sure you have a baby registry that set you up for success. The best crib, bassinet, or co-sleeper? Check. The best …
“Too Fit” is Not the Problem
Recently, I was attending a birth as a doula. You should know that at this point in my career, I only take on doula clients that do the work and choose to be “birth fit”. This means preparing mind, body, and soul for this monumental transition and planning for the …