Birth & Parenting Series
This is part 6 of our Birth & Parenting Series. Part 1 (Thoughts From a Mother of Four) is here, part 2 (Mother of Seven Shares Her Empowering Birth Stories) is here, part 3 (First-Time Mother of Twins) is here, part 4 (How First-Time Parents Braved a Placental Abruption) is here, and part 5 (Childbirth Collective Doula Film Premiere) is here. This first-time mama shares her story about how she approached natural labor, how she and her husband worked hard through incredibly difficult environmental circumstances, and how she knew to trust her body (maternal instincts win out!). I am blown away by what she endured at the hospital, and really inspired by her positivity and honesty. We all think we can “handle” things, but it takes a real woman to know what she can and cannot control. Great example, great article. I am no expert when it comes to giving birth. Unlike many of the other impressive women who have shared their story on this blog, I have only done it one time. And other than the fact that it resulted in a healthy baby, the labor and delivery process wasn’t exactly a smashing success for me. To be brutally honest, I went into the birthing experience a little overconfidently. I assumed that giving birth would be difficult, but manageable. After all, I had: (a) read a lot of birthing books; (b) taken all of the recommended labor workshops; (c) compiled a killer I-Pod mix; and (d) had diligently maintained an active pregnancy, replete with…
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Taking a little break from talking with and hearing from our mama readers about their birth and parenting experiences, we want to let you know about the Childbirth Collective Movie Premiere! The Childbirth Collective is this really great local non-profit organization that supports birthing families. This Saturday at Intermedia Arts in Minneapolis at 1pm come and see a fabulous film premiere on doulas’ roles in birth. AA & J & I are lucky enough to be interviewed for the documentary that features a number of local families, birth doulas, and local healthcare providers. It should be a real blast and a treat! It was made by our good friend & doula, Emily Rumsey, R.N. She’s pretty fabulous. The official Childbirth Collective website page discussing the film is here. The RSVP for the film itself is here. Please come and learn more about doulas and birth! Or just come and watch little J and how cute he is on film 🙂
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This is part 4 of our Birth & Parenting Series. Part 1 (Thoughts From a Mother of Four) is here, part 2 (Mother of Seven Shares Her Empowering Birth Stories) is here, and part 3 (First-Time Mother of Twins) is here. This brave first time mama shares about how she and her husband met their son in a surprise emergency C-section after plans for an unmedicated vaginal birth. She suffered a placental abruption, but miraculously she and her son survived, thrived, and are already at 7.5 months into parenthood. As her story unfolds here, her faith in God and love she shares with her husband is particularly poignant. 1. Tell me a little bit about your beautiful son. Micah was born in June and is 7-and-a-half months old. He has big, bright eyes, and a sweet, curious personality. These days, he cracks himself up by spitting and razzing while we’re feeding him. I cannot get enough of this . . . even if it means I find bits of baby food in my hair afterwards. 2. When you first started to think about labor & delivery for your son, how did you envision it going? My husband and I had high hopes for a natural delivery. I would imagine myself being strong through the labor pains and just embracing the experience, no matter how difficult. We (naively) pictured ourselves having time to crack jokes and becoming buddies with the nurses, etc. I even included my hair dryer on my packing list! Apparently, I thought…
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This is part 3 in our Birth & Parenting Series. Part 1 (Thoughts From a Mother of Four) is here and part 2 (Mother of Seven Shares Her Empowering Birth Stories) is here. As a first-time mother, Anna G. shares about going through pregnancy, labor, and delivery with twins! She provides insight into preparing for the birth of twins, and sheds light on some of the myths and concerns about both caloric intake and birth. Her birth story is powerful, but most powerful is how she handled her particularly difficult immediate recovery. This is one tough mama whose story is both inspirational and moving. 1. Tell me a little bit about your beautiful children. I have two children, ages 3 and a half months. Yes, that means twins–a girl (Leah) and a boy (Lucas). Leah is older by 2 minutes. 2. When you first started to think about labor & delivery for your babies, how did you envision it going? Before I really knew anything, I envisioned it like this: A few days before my due date, I would be home late in the evening with my husband and suddenly it would happen–the first contraction. I would know with absolute certainty that the baby was coming. I would look at my husband and tell him, “Honey, it’s time.” Why that phrase? I have no idea–it is just what I think you say when you are in labor. My husband would then frantically call the doctor while simultaneously trying to change out…
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Here’s part 2 in our Birth & Parenting Series. See part 1 (Thoughts from a Mother of Four) here. This is an interview with a wonderful friend and very busy mother to seven beautiful children, Halyna K. She’s a mother who strove for unmedicated births with all her children, and went sans meds with six of the seven! She shares with us about what her birthing experiences were and encourages women to try to let go of the fear that accompanies birth and flow with the process. Although she’s a self-proclaimed “worry-wort,” talking with her about her amazing strength and ability to not give in to the birth phobia we all experience on some level elevates her to “super-mama” in my book! 1. Tell me a little bit about your beautiful children. I have 7 children, ranging from 13 years old to 19 months. The order is girl, boy, boy, girl, girl, girl, and boy. 2. When you first started to think about labor & delivery for your babies, how did you envision it going? Well, I don’t think I had a clear vision with my first. I think I was like any first time mom, you really don’t know how hard it is until it happens. But I did envision everything going “smoothly” and having no complications (which didn’t end up happening). 3. You had your births in different settings: hospital, birth center, water, and I think maybe a home birth in there? What are the pros and cons of…
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This is the kickoff of a series of interviews/guest posts on birth & parenting from the amazing parents I know. MS is a veteran momma for four delightful children who shares her take on birthing, parenting methods, breastfeeding, working, food & entertainment, and potty training. She encourages us all to put down the “training manuals” and to trust our maternal instincts. Hey new moms: Relax. You’re doing just fine. Why do so many new moms parent out of guilt and fear? The rise of parenting books and access to the internet has caused new mothers to feel downright panicky about the prospect of screwing up their kids. I can assure you that your child’s chances of getting into that PhD program at Harvard will not hinge on whether you fed him peas or pears as his first food. I promise. First, a bit of background. I am an experienced momma. I have been a young mom (pregnant at 19). I have been an “older” mom (pregnant at 34). I have been a single mom (with two kids under 3). I have been a working mom. I have been a stay-at-home mom. I have been a student mom (college and law school). Most times, I have been a combination of these. I am a mom to a kid with AD/HD. I am a mom to a kid that suffers from a serious medical condition that has required some major surgeries. Yep, there’s not much I haven’t seen. Currently, I am working mother to…
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