Seriously, though… I promise that there will be a moment when you pause and genuinely wonder what you did with all of your time before becoming a parent. You might be filled with thoughts of, “I could have,” “I should have,” “When will I ever?” Over time, the wonder and questions fade until it’s nearly impossible to remember life before parenthood. Our Co-op teacher says that your parenthood experience is cumulative, meaning that you earn one year of experience for each child you’ve …
On Mother’s Day
Dear Mama, I see you. New-Mama, Seasoned-Mama. Expecting-Mama, One-Day-Hopeful-Mama. Grieving-Mama, Blissful-Mama. Hanging-on-for-dear-life-Mama. I see you all. I see you struggling not to make too many requests on this day. I see you holding on to some secret longings that would truly serve you, but maybe not speaking them aloud. I see you wanting to honor the other Mothers in your life and missing those no longer with you. I see you wanting to be the best version of you on …
Postpartum: My Journey 5.11.24
Welcome, You’ve Arrived. Did you know that it’s not just baby that makes it’s way earth side, but you as well, as a mother and parent? During the labor process, I truly believe one travels through time and space, through an energetic portal and in an instant, arrives, not unlike the little one on your chest. So, welcome, you have arrived. Welcome to your new life. After nine-ish months of preparation and anticipation, you’re here. Suddenly, on the other side …
Parturition: My Journey 5.4.24
The Moment We Work Toward Together This is what we come together to prepare for at Bodies for Birth; this impending and dare-I -say, monumental event that brings new life into this world. Week after week we try on new coping strategies, challenge our bodies with interval and strength based training, challenge our minds through mediation and visualization, challenge our abilities to stay steady with balance exercises and come up against sometimes uncomfortable emotions and sensations throughout the process. We do …
Happy 5th Birthday, Johnny: A Retrospective Birth Story
In the early hours of May 7, 2019, I awoke to a gentle, but certain tightening of my abdomen, giving me the indication that I might be soon meeting our little one. Unlike labor with Will, I didn’t race to wake anyone in the house, I didn’t make any calls or send any texts. Since starting Bodies for Birth five years earlier, I had heard so many stories of women laboring quietly in the stillness of their homes in the …
Preparation: My Journey 4.27.24
When so much is completely out of our control as is during the motherhood journey, we can turn to preparation as one element that is more or less within our control. After all, most of the time within this community, we get to choose how we’d like to prepare and with whom. This, I recognize, is a privilege and luxury not afforded to all birthing people. For some of us, preparation ironically looks like avoiding preparation (I’ve seen this firsthand) and for others, …
Pregnancy: My Journey 4.20.24
Preconception was my first introduction to the vulnerability of parenting and naturally, pregnancy continued to indoctrinate me into this entirely new world of paradox; this space where I felt challenged to hold extreme emotional polarities simultaneously. Before even getting the positive pregnancy test, I was out of breath and craving cheeseburgers. Day after day, I was in awe as my body became so completely unfamiliar. I studied my pregnancy books, I walked, I napped. I dreamed of the little …
Preconception: My Journey 4.13.24
If you’ve been following along with these newsletters, you’ll know that I initially set the foundation for the 6 P’s by taking you through the Bodies for Birth methodology at each stage. This next lap around the 6 P’s is going to take an intimate turn as I vulnerably share some of my own experiences at each phase and how the experiences have translated into the work we do at Bodies for Birth. Preconception was my first introduction to the vulnerability …
The Healthy People 2030: Pregnancy, Childbirth & Maternal Health Edition 2.4.24
“We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in our hands to make the difference.” -Nelson Mandela As an individual, I always say I am a “Seeker of Radical Health” for myself, my family and my community. As such, I’ve long desired to bring Bodies for Birth® services and curriculum into underserved communities. Now, as a Certified Health & Wellness Coach, I’m reminded of this yearning and find myself once again considering how to share …
The Parenthood Edition & A Story 2.3.24
“One thing about having a baby is that each step of the way you simply cannot imagine loving him any more than you already do, because you are bursting with love, loving as much as you are humanly capable of- and then you do, you love him even more.” ― Anne Lamott, Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son’s First Year My nickname at home is “The Love Robot” which may or may not come as much of a surprise to you …