Parents
Advanced Maternal Age and Infertility
Our story this week comes from an anonymous contributor, who shares her story of navigating her desire for motherhood after age 40, and infertility. I appreciate her willingness to share—so honestly—her experiences. By: Anonymous I have a full life with three grown kids, a meaningful job, and some fun hobbies. I mean, I have forward…
Read MoreIs My Baby Ready for Solids?
Is My Baby Ready For Solids? The golden rule used be introduce baby to enriched white rice cereal and/or Karo syrup (yes Karo syrup) sometimes as early as 2-3 months. Perhaps you have even been told by your pediatrician or mom friend to put a little rice cereal in your baby’s bottle to help them…
Read MoreWhen Love Makes Three
When Love Makes Three by Michelle Holmes As I leaned toward my husband to get a hug my enormous belly made it a completely difficult reach. I joked to my husband, “I’m sorry, I know I promised I wouldn’t let this baby come between us.” That baby, who turned out to be a 10+…
Read MoreOn Birth, Diversity, and “The Last Man on Earth”
It was just after 8 o’clock. We finally got the kids down to sleep after a long, chaotic day, and I decided it was time to unwind with a mindless episode of The Last Man on Earth. Do you know it? In a nutshell, it’s a comedic tale of a rag-tag group of people who…
Read MoreLoving your postpartum body
Loving your postpartum body It was 2011 and I was pregnant with my first child. Every week was exciting as I watched my body go through this incredible transformation. It was so crazy to physically see my body grow…
Read MoreKnow Your Birth Options
By Sheri Rysdam To those giving birth, and the people who support them—you’ve got options! As a birth worker, I am often surprised by how *infrequently* people ask for advice, options, and perspectives about childbirth. If you’re reading this, you’re probably the exception. You’re likely either a birth worker or soon to be giving birth,…
Read MoreLying In with Your Baby: The First Two Weeks – Fiona Judd
Lying In with Your Baby: The First Two Weeks – Fiona Judd We’ve all seen her—the mom who has her baby and two days later is back in the grind of carpools, shopping, and even laundry. We wonder how she does it. We secretly hope it happens to us. Our culture seems to value women…
Read MoreThe Call to Build Villages
The Call to Build Villages by Tresa Haymond (VillageWITH.com) The day I heard about Emily Dyches’ tragic death was the moment I felt a call to do something. As I sat sobbing on the edge of my bed, I felt a powerful force connecting my heart to Emily’s heart, as if I knew her well. This…
Read MoreAttending the Birth of a Muslim Mother: A Birth Doula’s Experience
I have been called to attend two births of Muslim mothers in my time as a doula. I have found their culture to be very warm and welcoming, and I loved the experience I gained from attending Muslim families. This particular Muslim birth I attended was a very special experience. The whole family came…
Read MoreFree to Breastfeed: Voices of Black Mothers, Book Review
Free to Breastfeed: Voices of Black Mothers by Jeanine Valrie Logan & Anayah Sangoele-Ayoka As doulas, part of our role is to provide general information, tips, and help with getting our clients started breastfeeding. It is important for us to take into account the societal and cultural factors that could present possible hurdles for…
Read More