food for thought...
You Have a Choice
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Things to Have on Hand for the Postpartum Weeks...
We find copies of lists on "what to pack for the hospital" in the birth books and through childbirth classes... but have you found one on "what to have when you come home from the hospital?"
Here are a few key items I suggest picking up so that you don't have to run out in those first few days and weeks (or try to explain to your husband where to find them!!)
Feminine pads in a few different absorbency's
My personal pick is a long super maxi w/ wings for that first week or so and then something in the moderate to regular absorbency category for a few weeks and then something light. Every woman is different- so the bleeding will vary and therefore how many you will need of each type of pad will vary as well. I'd pick up a package of each mentioned above... you can always give the extras to a girlfriend for after her birth :)
Tucks pads and/or Preparation H Cream
Ah yes, the "wild card" postpartum surprise... Hemorrhoids. Some women get them, some do not. For those who do, you'll find that you will want to treat them as soon as you can. These can cause more discomfort than other things you may be healing from and if anything, they are just annoying. I suggest buying but not opening a box of Tucks and a tube of Prep H and saving the receipt. That way, if you don't end up needing them- you can return them... hey- you'll need to get out for fresh air at some point!
Check out this link for some helpful hints.
Soft toilet paper
By this I mean splurge on the Charmin or Cottonelle if you typically buy the Kirkland brand at Costco. This is not the time where you want to be using anything other than the softest possible tissue known to mankind. The kind with aloe in it is especially kind to your bottom.
A comfy pair of pajamas or night gown
Treat yourself to something soft and cozy or even a few things... you'll be spending some solid hours in them.
Someone to check in on you
By this I simply mean someone that you have designated to check in on you throughout the day. This might seem silly... but with taking care of your new babe and nursing around the clock, it is SO helpful to have your husband or a family member or friend who's at your house make sure that you have 1) water 2) meals and 3) are comfortable.
Here are a few key items I suggest picking up so that you don't have to run out in those first few days and weeks (or try to explain to your husband where to find them!!)
Feminine pads in a few different absorbency's
My personal pick is a long super maxi w/ wings for that first week or so and then something in the moderate to regular absorbency category for a few weeks and then something light. Every woman is different- so the bleeding will vary and therefore how many you will need of each type of pad will vary as well. I'd pick up a package of each mentioned above... you can always give the extras to a girlfriend for after her birth :)
Tucks pads and/or Preparation H Cream
Ah yes, the "wild card" postpartum surprise... Hemorrhoids. Some women get them, some do not. For those who do, you'll find that you will want to treat them as soon as you can. These can cause more discomfort than other things you may be healing from and if anything, they are just annoying. I suggest buying but not opening a box of Tucks and a tube of Prep H and saving the receipt. That way, if you don't end up needing them- you can return them... hey- you'll need to get out for fresh air at some point!
Check out this link for some helpful hints.
Soft toilet paper
By this I mean splurge on the Charmin or Cottonelle if you typically buy the Kirkland brand at Costco. This is not the time where you want to be using anything other than the softest possible tissue known to mankind. The kind with aloe in it is especially kind to your bottom.
A comfy pair of pajamas or night gown
Treat yourself to something soft and cozy or even a few things... you'll be spending some solid hours in them.
Someone to check in on you
By this I simply mean someone that you have designated to check in on you throughout the day. This might seem silly... but with taking care of your new babe and nursing around the clock, it is SO helpful to have your husband or a family member or friend who's at your house make sure that you have 1) water 2) meals and 3) are comfortable.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
My Best Birth Celebrity Webisodes
I've enjoyed viewing these so far... hope you do to.
http://mybestbirth.ning.com/page/celebrity-webisode-trailer
http://mybestbirth.ning.com/page/celebrity-webisode-trailer
Saturday, August 1, 2009
A Doula's Role... great YouTube video snippet
Thought this was well said...
From the Mindful Mama website... click here
From the Mindful Mama website... click here
Thursday, June 25, 2009
So it begins...
I've been thinking about starting this blog for a few weeks now. It's been an exciting and full spring with the opportunity to assist three women with their births... one in February- baby A, and two in May- baby E and baby I.
I'm left utterly amazed at each of these births... all three shared the commonality of an expectant mama who nourished and grew their precious babe for 9 months (give or take a little) and then lovingly labored to bring them into the world... but each labor and birth having a beautiful spin of it's own. As a student of birth- I had front row seats to three very unique births... a first time mama who labored and birthed much quicker than any of us expected... a second time mama who had a much more positive birth experience this time around... and a first time mama who labored long and hard and beautifully surrendered her expectations as complications arose.
I find myself now reflecting on these births and the lessons they hold for me. I'm humbled that I was allowed to witness and learn from these women and their stories.
I'm not sure exactly what this little piece of the blog world is going to look like... but I hope that it's a place where I can share what I'm learning and what I'm thinking about and invite others to do the same. Let's face it... we're all in the process of being born into something... we've been given lifetimes to find new things and to spend our days discovering and growing and asking and wondering. For me, I'm in a season of being born into birth and all the beauty and deep wonder it holds.
I'm left utterly amazed at each of these births... all three shared the commonality of an expectant mama who nourished and grew their precious babe for 9 months (give or take a little) and then lovingly labored to bring them into the world... but each labor and birth having a beautiful spin of it's own. As a student of birth- I had front row seats to three very unique births... a first time mama who labored and birthed much quicker than any of us expected... a second time mama who had a much more positive birth experience this time around... and a first time mama who labored long and hard and beautifully surrendered her expectations as complications arose.
I find myself now reflecting on these births and the lessons they hold for me. I'm humbled that I was allowed to witness and learn from these women and their stories.
I'm not sure exactly what this little piece of the blog world is going to look like... but I hope that it's a place where I can share what I'm learning and what I'm thinking about and invite others to do the same. Let's face it... we're all in the process of being born into something... we've been given lifetimes to find new things and to spend our days discovering and growing and asking and wondering. For me, I'm in a season of being born into birth and all the beauty and deep wonder it holds.
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