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Detox Bath
Detox Bath Recipe and Benefits
One of the the things we implement into our routine pretty regularly is a detox bath. You have probably been encouraged to give your kid a detox bath when they are sick however there are so many other benefits!
Benefits can Include:
Soothing sore muscles
Flushing toxins from the body ( I especially love a good detox bath after chlorine exposure)
Improved sleep quality
Can relieve constipation
Improve skin health ( The first thing we do when our daughter has an eczema flare up is a detox bath)
Boosts overall health and well-being ( Who doesn’t feel better after a nice relaxing bath?!)
Now how does a detox bath actually work?
The main ingredient in a detox bath is epsom salt, which stimulates the detoxification pathways. Adding magnesium flakes helps support the body as it detox’s. Did you know know magnesium helps support over 300 bodily functions? This mineral is crucial for good health. Baking soda is another key ingredient due to its detoxing effects however it can also sooth skin irritations and itchiness.
Items to always have on hand for a detox bath:
Epsom Salt
Baking Soda
Magnesium Flakes
Lavender and/or Frakencense essential oil (Our favorite brand is Young Living, quality is important when using essential oils)
You can even add a splash of ACV to help balance the skins Ph balance if you are trying to soothe an eczema flare up
A bath filter (linked on our Amazon storefront) baking soda helps neutralize any contaminants that may be in the water however if you are regularly taking baths this could be a good investment
Recipe:
1 cup of epsom salt
1 cup of baking soda
1 cup of magnesium flakes
10 drops of essential oil (mixed in with salts) before adding to water)
Soak for at least 20 minutes and be sure to hydrate after your bath
Feel free to adjust this recipe to your preferences or to whatever you have on hand. Let us know how detox baths have helped you!
Dry Brushing
Dry Brushing
What is dry brushing?
Dry brushing is done right before getting in the shower, done with a dry brush you simply stroke your skin for 3-5 minutes. We suggest brushing towards the heart as that is the direction your lymph flows and where blood goes to circulate through the body.
Benefits
The top benefit of try brushing is that this technique stimulates your lymphatic system and promotes the elimination of toxins. Oftentimes our lymphatic system can become sluggish dry brushing can help support this bodily function.
Exfoliation! The coarse bristles of your brush will brush away dry, dead skin cells. Who doesn’t want happy, healthy and glowing skin?!
It is also believed dry brushing can reduce the appearance of cellulite. This exfoliation technique increases blood flow and can help the body break up the stagnant fat cells causing the cellulite.
Dry brushing can be a relaxing part of your self care routine. I personally enjoy spritzing my brush with lavender essential oil for a calming effect.
Why should I dry brush?
Dry brushing may seem like another trendy beauty routine but this practice actually originated in India over 5,000 years ago. In India dry brushing is known as “garshana” which is the Ayurvedic practice of “massaging dry skin for health.” The great thing about dry brushing is that is a simple, budget friendly technique that can greatly improve your health.
Source:
https://www.byrdie.com/does-dry-brushing-help-with-cellulite
Our favorite dry brush:
https://beautybyearth.com/products/dry-brush-with-cellulite-massager
Let us know how dry brushing has helped you!
A Letter to the Mom with an Empty Nest
A Letter to the Mom with an Empty Nest
Hey Mama,
I myself do not have an empty nest and to tell you the truth, my mind can’t even fathom the idea of ever having an empty nest. But I know one day I will wake up to an empty nest and I will have to rediscover my purpose in this world. My hope for you is that as Mother’s Day rolls around your babies still honor and treasure all the things you have done for them over the years. Whether you know it or not you have impacted your child in many ways and you did the best you could through the many different seasons of motherhood. Find strength in knowing you accomplished the most important job within our society and raised a new generation. Keep in mind that although you may have an “empty nest” us kids will never stop needing our mama’s. I see it all the time in the way women lean on their mom’s as they begin the journey of motherhood or how men still crave their mom’s cooking.
If you find yourself with an empty nest and your babies living far away, I encourage you to lean on other mama’s with an empty nest and plan something fun. You dedicated your life to raising children and now it is time for you to rediscover who you are apart from your children. Embrace this new season with a fresh perspective!
Sincerely,
A Fellow Mama
A Letter to the Mom Mourning a Loss
Hey Mama,
Mother’s Day can stir up a lot of different emotions. For some of us that means thinking about what should’ve been. Loss looks different for all of us and unfortunately more women carry the burden of loss than we are aware of. I will never forget my first miscarriage. I miscarried in January 2020 and would have been due around the same time as one of my sister-in-laws. As Mother’s Day neared I felt strong and thought I would be just fine. Then I remember getting together with my sister-in-laws and as we all greeted each other one of them whispered into my ear “Happy Mother’s Day”. I just about crumbled right there on the spot and although I held it together for the most part, I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed with a sense of realization that Mother’s Day is also for the women who didn't get to keep their babies earth-side. I wasn’t expecting to be recognized as a mother and it was one of the most bittersweet moments of my life. There are so many stories of loss that are bottled up within us and Mother’s Day can be hard. I hope you feel encouraged to find a safe person to open up to and lean on during this season. There can be beauty in loss, it changes your perspective and gives you this deeper appreciation for the babies you do have or the miracle babies that are on the way. If you know somebody who has experienced loss, take some time to recognize them and make them feel seen. That moment with my sister-in-law had a huge positive impact on my healing journey, you could very well be that person for someone too.
Sincerely,
A Fellow Mama
A Letter to the New Mom
A Letter to the New Mom
Hey Mama,
Happy Mother’s Day! This may be your first Mother’s Day with a sweet new baby in your arms. And if so congratulations! You may be experiencing a wide range of feelings and emotions as you get to be celebrated this month. As you have probably learned by now, motherhood is the greatest thing but also one of the hardest things. Trust me when the days and nights feel so long you will soon realize the years are too short.
Take some time this month to journal and reflect on this journey to becoming a mother and all the moments you have cherished since then. Making this a tradition will give you and your baby something to look back on someday and serve as reminder of how far you have come.
Give yourself grace. Being a new mom is hard in simple terms. You along with your baby are learning so much together. There is not a single perfect mom out there although it may seem that way when you are scrolling through social media. Your relationship with your baby is like no other, don’t let comparison be the thief of your joy.
Set some expectations as to how you would like to be honored for Mother’s Day. Being a mom can be a thankless job sometimes which is why I believe they dedicated a day to us. Don’t feel guilty about what your mama heart is craving, you are deserving of all the pampering that comes with celebrating Mother’s Day. One of the best things you can do as a mom is take care of yourself. When you are well taken care of you are better equipped to take care of your littles.
It’ll get better. Although you may have a newborn in your arms, one day you will have a sweet five year old running up to you with a sweet Mother’s Day craft from school and your mama heart will turn to mush.
Sincerely,
A Fellow Mama
Birth Plan
Birth Plan
To whom it may concern,
I (Mother’s Name), would like to request the below options during my birth at (Facility Name). All procedures and medications will only be given/administered upon my consent. In the case that I am unable to give consent, PARTNER NAME/RELATIONSHIP will make decisions on my behalf. We ask to be accompanied by our doula, NAME for physical, emotional and informative support at all times.
During Labor:
We would like,
Some examples:
No vaginal exams unless requested
Relaxing music and dimmed lighting
Limited hospital staff in room; no students
No routine IV unless medically necessary, if deemed necessary please use a heparin lock
Movement for mom
External Monitors
Use of essential oils
Have doula present
After Birth:
We Would like,
Some examples:
Immediate skin to skin
Delay cord clamping until pulsating finished, (minimum of 8 minutes)
Respect of golden hour to include dimmed lighting and hushed voices
Newborn Care:
We would like,
Some examples:
All routine checks for vital signs are to be done while mother holds baby
Baby to stay with parents at all times, no nursery visits
Include whether or not you want your child to be vaccinated (vitamin k and Hep B) and if circumcision is to be performed, as well as eye ointment (for STD prevention)
We thank you in advance for your support, kindness and respect to our choices. We look forward to a wonderful birth.
Signed,
Birth Matters- Have a Plan!
Birth Matters- Have a Plan!
Getting that positive pregnancy test can be so exciting but also come with a lot of overwhelming questions for some. “What now?” Too many first time moms go with the standard route of care only to find themselves troubled over how their birth experience was. We want to encourage you to make strong informed decisions for you and your baby. One way to do this is to find a provider that aligns with your values and is respectful of your choices. Whether you use an OB and birth in a hospital or find a midwife you can achieve the birth of your dreams. A great way to achieve this is to have a plan! We have a template attached to help get you started. Take some time to deeply consider what is important to you and your partner. Here are some things to consider:
Do you want a natural birth or medical intervention such as induction or an epidural?
Who do you want in attendance at your birth? Choose wisely because some people, although you love them dearly are not ideal people to have in the room while you are laboring. Consider whether or not they will support your choices or become frantic. Negative energy can hinder a woman’s labor.
Do you want to vaccinate your baby, administer eye ointment and/or circumcise? These can be hard and uncomfortable topics to discuss. Again we encourage parents to make informed decisions that way you don’t find yourself regretting or feeling guilty about what you decided for you and your family. It also helps to consider these things before birth that way you don’t find yourself making last minute decisions you were unaware of. In the long run having these discussions will help your birth go smoother.
What do you want golden hour to look like for you and your baby? Envision this and put it in your birth plan.
At what point will you accept the idea of having a c-section should one become necessary? Sometimes doctors can simply become impatient and scare a woman into having a c-section even though it is truly not medically necessary. And sometimes a c-section is truly necessary- and that is okay. Consider what this could look like for you and have a back up birth plan should a c-section become necessary. Refer to our previous blogs regarding c-sections for more insight.
Lastly, think about other women’s birth stories. What did it look like for them? It can help to lean on a friend and ask about their experience and then consider if that is what you want your experience to look like.
Once your birth plan is complete print it out and sign it along with your partner. You can present a copy to your provider at your prenatal appointment and discuss it. If you are faced with a sense of disregard towards your wishes, stand your ground and keep in mind that this provider works for you. Also have a copy packed in your bag in the case you plan to birth outside of a hospital and end up in one.
No matter what choices you make we hope that you achieve the birth of your dreams. If you are a new mom visit our amazon store front and skim through our favorite books, these can provide you the information and insight you may be looking for.
6 Steps to Healing your Birth Trauma
6 Steps to Healing your Birth Trauma
As women we often find ourselves carrying burdens and trauma that is unseen to most people. Too often we suppress the things we struggle with just to survive. We play such an important role as mother’s and we owe it to ourselves and our children to face trauma and heal from it. Birth trauma is a common issue among women yet there is still this insecurity when it comes to talking about it. If you are carrying a sense of shame and regret please know that you are not alone. In fact you may be surprised once you open up about your trauma other women will start to feel comfortable sharing their stories of trauma. Below you will find our six steps to healing from your birth trauma,
Be patient with yourself and give yourself permission to feel however you feel
Journal or create art. Find ways to share your story for yourself.
Find someone you trust to share your story with.
Know that each time you share your story, you get to process your feelings in your own way at your own speed.
Be mindful of birthdays, which are anniversaries of your experience.
Healing means the story of your birth becomes apart of your life and a celebration of your strength.
Starting the trend of healing from birth trauma can start with you. Let your story be an inspiration to other women to open up and begin the process of healing. If you have gone through trauma and feel comfortable sharing please feel free to bring it up at your next visit so we can better support you on the road to healing.
C-Section Recovery Tips
C-Section Recovery Tips
With April being Cesarean Awareness Month, we would like to dedicate this months blogs to our c-section mama’s. Whether your c-section was/is planned or unplanned we support you and we admire you. If you find your self recovering from a c-section recently please take some time to acknowledge the fact that you are a strong woman who just went through a major surgery and brought life into this world. There can be a sense of stigma around c-sections but please never discredit yourself and all that you have accomplished. Below you will find a guide to help you through the process of recovering from a c-section.
First off, listen to your body. You just ran the equivalent to a marathon and then some. Don’t do too much too soon. Lean on your support system during this time.
Be sure to care for your wound as instructed by your care provider. When undergoing a c-section typically you’ll stay in the hospital for a few days so you can be monitored. It is important to keep the incision clean to avoid infection. Getting an infection is the last thing you need when you have a new baby to bond with.
Hydrate, Hydrate Hydrate! Staying hydrated is crucial. The first bowel movement after a c-section can be dreadful. However, taking care of yourself will help you through this. Eat warm, soft nourishing foods. Your digestive system is also in the process of recovering, being pregnant and going through a major surgery takes a toll on our body in many ways. Be gentle with your body.
Rest, rest, rest! Again this is a time of recovery and bonding with your baby. Do not lift anything heavier than your baby. During this time do not be afraid to lean on those closest to you for support.
During the healing process your body will develop scar tissue, the most common issues associated with this are pain and core muscle weakness. We suggest doing scar tissue mobilization. You can speak to your doctor about how to do this or look up videos on YouTube. One thing we have learned from personal experience is that doing these exercises in a warm shower make it so much easier.
Treat yourself to some cozy PJs that aren’t too tight around your tummy. We also suggest purchasing some disposable underwear. Traditional underwear can cause some discomfort around your incision. Mama Frida has some options or if you prefer something organic the brand Rael has disposable underwear options too.
Support your body by taking the correct supplements. The first supplement we suggest for any new mom is a good magnesium supplement. After birth your body is depleted of a tremendous amount of minerals, being deficient in these minerals can play a role in postpartum depression, milk supply issues and hormone imbalance. Adding a beef liver supplement is also a great option too because it is nature’s multivitamin and can support you in a number of ways.
Lastly, lean on other mama’s who have walked the path before you. Find someone you trust that you can ask for advice when needed. Just know that you are not alone.
We have an amazon storefront set up specifically for mama’s recovering from c-sections to make it easier when searching for helpful postpartum essentials. See below for the link and keep an eye out for our next blog!
As a friendly reminder, none of this is medical advice.
Reason’s to have a Cesarean
Reason’s to have a Cesarean
As you prepare for birth you may be getting the question of how you plan to deliver. On average 1 in 3 women will have a delivery by cesarean. Take some time during your pregnancy to consider how YOU would like to bring your baby into this world. Talk with your provider about what this looks like for you. Some women truly need to undergo a cesarean in order to birth their baby. Valid reason’s for having a cesarean are:
Because YOU want to (there is absolutely no shame in this)
Prolapsed umbilical cord
Active genital herpes infection
Baby is in true distress
Maternal health conditions
Severe hydrocephalus
Baby is transverse
Severely displaced pelvic fracture
Placenta previa
Problem with the placenta
Fibroid obstructing birth canal
Carrying multiples not in ideal position
Baby is transverse
A lot of women can be pressured into scheduling c-sections solely for the convenience of the OB especially if you are due to give birth around the holiday’s. Another common reason women can be pressured to schedule a c-section is because ‘baby is measuring big”. Keep in mind measurements are not always accurate and your body was divinely designed for childbirth. Don’t ever let a provider make you feel as if you are inadequate, especially if you would like to try and have a VBAC. There are also risks to a c-section that traditional providers can tend to forget such as:
Uterine rupture
Blood clots
Hemorrhage
Maternal death
Postpartum anxiety
Women have also shared that undergoing a c-section resulted in birth trauma, fear of failure, guilt, disconnection with partner or baby and fear of another pregnancy.
Sometime’s a c-section truly is necessary or desired, however too often women feel pressured or as if they have no other choice. No matter what your situation is we hope to help you feel supported and informed.
A Guide to a Family Centered C-Section
What is a Family Centered C-section?
A family centered c-section focuses on honoring the mother by making the experience as close to a vaginal delivery as possible. Also known as a gentle c-section, the goal of this approach should be to focus on immediate family bonding and respecting the mother’s wishes. A family centered c-section can look different for each family depending on what the desires of your heart are.
How to Achieve a Family Centered Cesarean
Some women initially plan for a vaginal delivery however, sometimes things don’t always go the way we imagined. To avoid added stress we suggest discussing this with your partner and coming up with a plan should you find yourself being rushed in for a c-section. It can be helpful to write this out and have a document ready to present to the doctor.
Remember these nurses and doctors work for you. Essentially you are paying them for a service and it is their duty to respect you and your wishes as long as it does not interfere with the health of you and your baby.
Be sure to discuss your desires with your midwife or OBGYN prior to delivery and ensure they understand and respect your goals.
Having a doula can be a great addition if you are a first time momma. They not only provide labor support but with the right person you can have an advocate there protecting you and your wishes. Giving birth can be a whirlwind experience filled with new feelings and emotions for both you and your partner. Having a neutral person there can be tremendously helpful in so many ways.
Things to Ask for When Planning a Family Centered C-section
A clear surgical drape that allows you to view the birth, or to drop the drape when baby is born
Music to listen to during the surgery, this can help calm your nerves
Have a nurse or doula take pictures
Immediate skin to skin for you and baby
Request baby’s assessments be done on your chest or while being held by your partner
Delayed cord clamping
Immediate breast-feeding if possible/desired
Benefits of a Family Centered C-section
Enhances bonding between mama and baby
Reduces stress for mom and baby
Regulates baby’s body temp and heart rate
Gives you a sense of empowerment and control
Creates a more satisfying birth experience
Sources: https://www.northfieldhospital.org/family-centered-cesarean-birth
Birth Plan example linked here. This can be tailored to fit your specific birth preferences.
Spring Cleaning
Spring Cleaning: Tips and Tricks
We are in the midst of spring and you may be feeling motivated to take on some spring cleaning. In our household we try to take a more natural approach when it comes to cleaning products because of the chemicals and toxic fumes traditional products contain. When we have little ones in the house it’s best they are not exposed to these products because of all the harmful effects. Using non-toxic cleaning products can also give you the peace of mind should your toddler insist on helping you clean!
Products we love:
Thieves from Young Living
Branch Basics
Aunt Fannie’s
Force of Nature
Homemade Cleaning Products:
Spray bottle with equal parts vinegar and distilled water with your favorite essential oil
For scrubbing, sprinkle the surface with baking soda and spray with vinegar
It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you decide you want to dive into spring cleaning, to avoid this we suggest writing out a list of the projects you want to tackle. Be sure to include tasks that don’t get done very often like cleaning baseboards or organizing the pantry. You will be surprised where dust can build up! Everyone’s idea of spring cleaning looks different, all that matters is that you and your home feel good once all is said and done. Habits of keeping a clean home include opening the windows 2-3 times a week for at least 15 minutes to freshen up stagnant air. Depending on the weather this can improve your mood too! De-cluttering is also important to keeping your home happy and clean. This can be achieved by donating clothing, toys and any other items that no longer serve the functionality of your home. Packing away winter clothing you won’t be using for many months to come can also help you feel more organized and make your space feel more open. Keeping your home clean can also lead to better health and keep allergies at bay, especially when you use non-toxic products. The most important thing you can do for yourself in your home is ensure the air quality is good. One way to go above and beyond is investing in an air purifier, our favorite is from the brand AirDoctor. We recommend this brand because of the HEPA filtration system they use and the cost effective options they have. Air purifiers are great for anyone who suffers from pet allergies or is sensitive to dust and pollen. If an air purifier is currently not in the budget, adopting some house plants can improve your indoor air quality too!
Our favorite houseplants:
Snake plant
Spider plant
Peace Lily
Golden Pathos
Ilya's Birth Story
I’ve had a hard time trying to find the right words to put together for this. This story definitely didn’t turn out the way I had always imagined. Actually, it’s no where near what I ever thought could happen. They say God doesn’t give you something you can’t handle. I may not understand the why behind it all, but I try to have faith and know that with time things always work themselves out.
I think one reason why I’ve been avoiding writing this, is because I have to give some back story, share some personal information. And well, I’m not the best at opening up and letting people in. But my son deserves to have his birth story shared. Also, other mom’s need to hear the story to know that this can happen to anyone. It doesn't matter how much you know, how many books you’ve read.
So to begin, here are a few things to clarify. My ex and I broke up right before I found out I was pregnant, I think it was actually like 2 days or so before I took the test. And lets just say, it wasn’t the healthiest relationship.
I remember it was a Tuesday when I took the test, I was in so much shock. So scared, confused, lost. I was afraid to tell my family. Didn’t know how to tell my friends. And what was I supposed to tell my patients? I sent a picture of the test to my ex (for the rest of this story I will refer to him as sperm donor, SD). He was too busy to talk. Once he was ready, he came over and we talked, he asked if I would get an abortion. And thats when I knew that I could never look at him the same. Eventually I got enough courage to tell my family and some close friends. Let me tell you, those pregnancy hormones are REAL! Yes, the situation was challenging to begin with but those hormones didn’t help. I feel like my entire first trimester I just cried, all the damn time. But things were happening, and I was gifted this precious baby and it was time to start making decisions. I remember walking into the imaging facility alone to get my first ultrasound done. The technician walked in and started the process, after a few minutes of searching and trying a few different techniques, there he was. My little bean! So tiny! Little by little I started sharing the news with some close friends. I still can’t wrap my brain around the idea that I was chosen to raise this tiny human! How powerful is that? I remember a week before my first official check up, I started bleeding. ‘Thats it,’ I thought. ‘This is why you don’t share the news, because 1 in 4 females has a miscarriage! See what you did!’ I remember talking with a dear friend/patient of mine during her appointment that day and sharing with her what was happening. There are certain things that stick with you, you remember them like they are happening right in front of you. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that moment. She asked if she could pray for baby and I, and in that room we stood with our eyes closed, hands held tight.
I had always wanted a home birth. Being in the birthing world, you see a lot of things that terrify you to never want to be near a hospital. So with that in mind, I decided to hire a midwife. I remember texting Nikki, with San Antonio Nurse Midwife, asking “so if a new patient wanted to hire you but wanted to do an interview privately with you, whats the process?” After texting back and forth, I finally text her saying “ok ok its me, I’m the patient!” haha I’m sure she had figured it out but I felt the need to still say it. We set up my initial consult and I went to her office for the first time ever. Things look so different when you’re the patient! I remember sharing my ultrasound report with her, how I had some bleeding, and now she had to listen for the baby’s heart beat. I swear, it felt like time stopped. I’m sure it was probably just a minute or so until she found his heart beat, but it literally felt like it was 10 minutes! As soon as I heard those fluttering beats, my heart stopped, and I started slowly crying and saying “thats him! thats his heart beat!”
Overall, I was physically really healthy, I did yoga, indoor rock-climbed until my belly got in the way (my midwife had a heart attack when she found out), and walked miles at a time. I ate well, took the needed supplements. I did several birthing classes with my Doula Josie, from Birth Blessings. I had been seeing a therapist prior to pregnancy, and continued to see her during my pregnancy, but more frequently (she did wonders, let me tell ya!). During my pregnancy SD and I fought…a lot. He was out of the country weeks at a time every month. We argued over stupid stuff. There were a lot of empty words and false promises made. I’m an enneagram 8, and if you don’t know anything about enneagrams…a type 8 is outspoken, independent, and a big believer in justice! I CAN NOT STAND people who lie, manipulate or try to cheat. And I will ALWAYS call someone out if needed. So with that being said, our arguments always turned into fights. Sometimes I wonder how can someone see a pregnant person and want to continuously emotionally hurt them? It’s one thing to not be there physically, not be financially involved, but there’s no need to emotionally be hurtful. While all of this is happening, I hadn’t shared much with my family. I was afraid that if they knew what he was doing that they would never forgive him. My biggest fear during the pregnancy was being alone and birthing alone.
So weeks go by, and little man continues to grow, at 37 weeks Nikki came over and did a home visit. I remember being so stressed and worried. At the time I lived downtown, and all I could think of was that “this wasn’t a place to give birth to a new baby. This wasn't the ideal place.” But like they say, baby comes when baby comes. Around 38 weeks I started to cut my hours back at work, I was doing so good, but man by the time 37/38 weeks came…things got physically rough haha! I was wabbling at work, I was so out of breath just from walking to each treatment room. I remember getting my staff ready and my fill in doc prepared for when the day comes. Of course when you decide to go the natural route, there is no “time clock” the way you have one with an OB. Around 38 weeks I was slowing down. All week long, I was waking up around 2 am with braxton hicks contractions. I would drink some water, take some melatonin and go back to sleep. That friday before leaving the office, I remember patients giving me a hug bye haha, I was so confused! I was like “guys I still have so much more time left, I’m a first time mom, he probably won’t come for another month.” Although the entire pregnancy I had been telling my midwife that he was coming early lol. That weekend I went to SeaWorld with my family and my brother was joking that the baby will probably come out if I don’t stop walking. That same weekend I had asked SD to stay the night just in case I went into labor because I was afraid of being alone. I had a weird feeling that it was time. He would show up around 11 pm, sleep on the couch and disappear the next morning before I was up. Sunday night, going into Monday March 9th at 2 am I woke up again with the same contractions I was having all week. I drank some water, took a melatonin pill and laid back down. An hour later, I’m still up, the contractions are still happening….3 hours later still happening. I remember thinking when would it be ok to text my midwife, all the thoughts were going in my head “she has clinic that day. She’s sleeping right now, let her rest. Don’t be that mom that freaks out. Maybe nothings happening.” Finally around 6 am I text her saying “I think we’re having a baby today!” SD heard me get up to make breakfast and I told him “we’re having a baby today.” He said “cool” and went back to sleep. Three hours later, he gets up and asks whats wrong because I was sitting on a birth ball. I remember telling him I was in labor and him saying he has errands to run and that I should be ok if he leaves “since this could take a while.” So there I am, all alone in my room. All the feelings came back, I felt so alone, scared, nervous. I didn’t tell anyone what was happening. I just text my fill in doc asking her to start working and that I wasn’t feeling well. Hours go by before he gets back, when he does I asked him to get lunch. Once he bring the food he says he needs to leave again to run more errands….to be honest who the F runs that much errands?! Also, who does shit like that when someones in labor and leaves them alone? Also, why did I stay so quiet and alone? Why did I let him come back? Why didn’t I call my family or friends or doula? All the questions that I can’t answer to this day. At this point, its around 2 pm and Ive been up for 12 hours, I tried laying down to take a nap because exhaustion can mess up a natural birth. I knew all the things right? I was eating, drinking water and now needed rest. I woke up around 4 and BAM the contractions got real! I remember thinking to my self where the F is this POS?! I called him yelling “WHY THE F WOULD YOU LEAVE A PREGNANT PERSON ALONE?! WHATS WRONG WITH YOU?!” At that time I text my midwife and called my Doula. They both got there around the same time. I had told Nikki that I thought I peed myself just a little and she explained that was my water breaking, haha I guess I always imagined a big gush of waster. I asked Nikki to check me (midwives don’t typically do a cervical exam during your visits, so most patients don’t know if they are dilated or not), she said I was round 5/6 cm 90% effaced. This was good news and it was around 5/6 pm. Unfortunately little man was positioned posterior and my back was in SO much pain. At one point I felt like my body was going to break. I remember laying sideways in bed and my doula trying to put a peanut ball between my legs and me crying asking her to stop because I couldn’t move. They finally got me in the shower, and boy that was a game changer. I just stood there with the hot water hitting my back. At one point I yelled, “there’s blood, I’m bleeding.” Nikki and Josie ran over and they explained that it was just my mucous plug haha. Again, you think you know things until it happens to you. Josie was trying to get me to do squats and other things and to this day I feel so bad, but I remember yelling at her to just leave me alone! And just like that I was alone in the shower. That was probably the scariest moment. I couldnt think. Nothing made sense. I wasn’t logical and couldn’t even try to be. I cried and started talking to baby, “please don’t hurt mama, please come out when you’re ready. you’re safe and I love you so much.” SD was in the living room eating pizza so I was told. I remember feeling so alone, so helpless. I remember thinking “was this how its supposed to feel?” I had Nikki check me again, at this point its probably 9/10 pm and I was 9 cm, 100% effaced. FINALLY, good news! After throwing up a bit and going from standing in the shower to sitting on the toilet to get some assisted squats in, I finally listened to Josie and we started doing squats, and peanut ball stretches, walking….name it we did it. SD walked in the room at one point eating a croissant and I remember grabbing his hand saying “WTF are you eating?!” Imagine, I’m dying in pain, haven’t had food since lunch, half naked, crying, puking, bleeding and this fool is eating! So he leaves the room and Josie, Nikki and I begin to move around and get into different positions. This boys just not coming. Last time Nikki had checked she said “I see his hair!” But he just didn’t want to come out! When I tell you we did all the positions, we did all the damn positions. At one point I was on the couch doing an inversion! Its midnight, were walking up and down the hallway… its 2 am I’m doing squats… 3 am… 4 am, finally by 5 am with a heavy heart I turned to Nikki and said “It’s time, maybe I just need the epidural and my body will relax and he can come out. Maybe I’m just too tense and hes scared.” So Josie and I begin to pack my hospital bag. When you plan for a home birth, you don’t really pack anything. So there I am, 9 cm and 28 hours in labor and packing a hospital bag. I woke up SD and had him drive me to the hospital. Nikki and Josie stayed to clean up and met me at the hospital after I was checked in.
We decided to go to CHOSA downtown because Nikki had worked with Dr. Creedon and it was less than 7 minutes from where I lived. Being in active labor and going through speed bump…haha not fun y’all! I remember wabbling into the hospital, checking my self in. The receptionist was asking ALL the questions…and all I kept thinking is “does she know I’m in labor…like this baby is gonna come out soon.” While she’s getting my insurance info, Dr. Creedon comes to introduce himself. The nurses finally take me back and get me changed. He does a cervical exam and says “Yup, there he is. 9 cm at station 0 you’re almost there. His head is jammed up so I need to rotate him but we’ll do it after they give you the epidural.” At this point Nikki and Josie get there and we talk with Dr. Creedon about my “birth plan.” Its kinda funny because my birth plan is already gone. I knew it, they knew it. He was so nice though, he said I could have delayed cord clap, delayed bath, and skin to skin…and that the only thing that changed is the location of birth and some medication is now involved. He was by far the nicest OB I have ever met. Fast forward, they drug me up and Dr. Creedon goes in and turns little mans head and life is good! The epidural was the most interesting medication, my legs were completely numb but my stomach and back wasn’t and I could still feel the contractions all on the left side.
A couple hours later, Dr. Creedon walks in with a lady next to him. My heart stopped. He looks at me and says “I’m SO sorry to do this, but my shift is over and Dr. Lopiano is going to take care of you. Don’t worry, were on the same team and shell take good care of you.” She introduces herself and ends the conversations with “Just so you know, this could lead into a c-section,” and walks out. SAY WHAT!! WHAT DID SHE JUST SAY?! Nikki and Josie had left to grab some food and when they came back I told them what had happened. Nikki kept trying to reassure me that it was going to be OK, I was healthy, baby was healthy and we had been making progress. I remember looking at her and saying “you and I both know that no OB uses the ‘C’ word unless they have their own agenda.”
And just like that things went down hill. So I had the epidural at this point with no Pitocin, the result of that is slowed contractions. She comes in saying my contractions are slowing and that I should really consider a c-section. I argued with her and she left. Then a few hours later she came back and started saying babys heart rate is dropping and its not good (I really don’t think she realized what I do for a living or that I had a certified nurse midwife with me). So Nikki asks her to show us on the monitor where that is since shes so concerned and her response was “well I guess it’s not that low,” and leaves the room. Basically every hour she would come in with a new threat. To add to it, she examined me and said that she didn’t agree with Dr. Creedon and that I wasn’t 9 cm and that I was only 7 cm and station -3 and according to her I’m not making progress. After she did that, the nurse that had been with me the whole time, lifts my gown and says “I see his head,” in frustration. Finally around 4/5 pm about 38 hours into labor, she comes back and this time she’s ugly! She’s on a mission! She starts saying comments like “your’e being a selfish mom, all because you want a vaginal birth you could potentially be putting your childs life at risk. He could potentially get an infection. Who knows how hes feeling in there. He could be in distress.” and so on. Thats honestly when she broke me. I was so damn exhausted. It’s Tuesday, I hadn’t slept since Saturday, I hadn’t had any food, and my family and friends still didn’t know what was happening. I looked at her and asked her how much longer until her shift was over and she said not until 10 am the next day. I turned to her and said “If you’re going to cut into me at 3 am and call it an emergency, just do it now so there are no complications.” She says ‘ok great’ and leaves to go get prepped. SD asked the nurses if he has time to go eat. I ask him to stay and he replied with “they said I have 30 minutes,” and leaves. I text him that theyre about to roll me to the surgery and he comes up with his food and asks the nurses if he can eat his meal. They looked at hime and told him that he has to stay outside the room and come in when he finishes…and guess what…he did just that. I finally called my sister in law, she got there right before they came to prep me. I just remember looking at her and crying. I couldn’t even talk. She just hugged me and began to remove my earrings. Nikki came over and prayed over my belly, Josie came and gave me a hug and then they rolled me away.
One by one, the nurses and doctors started coming into the surgical room. I kept telling the anesthesiologist that my stomach and back wasn’t numb and he was like “don’t worry it’ll get numb eventually.” When he wiped my back with alcohol I told him that it was cold and he shockingly said “you feel that?!” They gave more epidural, but still not numb, gave morphine, nothing. Finally he removes it all and gives me a spinal tap…and BAM, no sensation. They start the surgery, some time goes by and I asked him how much longer until the baby was born and he replied with “Oh baby is already out, the pediatrician has him.” Not only did this inhumane OB cut me open when it wasn’t medically necessary, but she didnt even have the decency to tell me that my son was born?! She didn’t even show him to me! NOTHING!!! Some more time goes by, and I kept moving my arm and grabbing my chest complaining of chest pain. I remember him falsely reassuring me that its just “referred pain from the uterus.” Thats BS by the way. I asked him how much longer because the OB had said it should be a pretty fast surgery, and he replied with “You don’t ask a great chef how much longer until the food is ready.” I wanted to seriously wanted to punch him at this point. Who TF makes jokes?! Answer my damn question old man! I continued to grab my chest complaining multiple times, then the next thing I remember is waking up. Alone with two other nurses in the same surgery room. They were cleaning up. They began to roll me back to my room, Nikki greeted me and asked if I wanted to see my son. ‘My son!’ I thought, I just had a baby! Little man was born on March 10th, 2020!
I was so loopy! So drugged up! Apprently I text my brother and dad letting them know Ilya was born. I don’t recall the conversation, but my dad showed up ASAP and I was trying to figure out how he found out haha. As soon as I get to the room, the nurses make me do skin to skin and feed him. His glucose levels were low. They had me feed him every hour to help his levels increase, and guess what…they did! That night, I was feeding Ilya and the room was dark, SD was sleeping. I remember looking at my son in the dark and something looked off, I tried to wake up SD but nothing. The nurse luckily walked in and turned on the lights. My IV hard ripped out and I was bleeding out. There was blood all over me, Ilya, and the bed. It looked like one of those horror movies. I will say I had some amazing nurses. She changed me, the baby and the bed. Continued to monitor us all night. The next morning they moved me to the postpartum room and slowly my vitals started to take a turn for the worse. I started to get a fever, my heart rate was above 150 and my oxygen was in the 80s. Dr. Creedon was back and he came in the room. I’ll never forget the look on his face. He sat next to me, took my hand and apologized for how things turned out. He informed me that t I had hemorrhaged during the surgery and lost over 1,000 CCs of blood (thats probably why I was having chest pain). He had two nurses with me the rest of the day. They came in trying to give me pain killers and I vividly remember saying “No thanks, I don’t even take advil guys, I don’t need this.” They looked at each other, gave me the buzzer and said to push it when I was ready for it….less than an hour later I was crying pushing that stupid button asking for the drugs! I had gone 31 yeas without any surgery, 31 years without ever being hospitalized, 31 years without taking narcotics. And here I was, stuck on a bed with a catheter, taking the drugs they were giving me, and not allowed to eat real food. I have never felt so helpless in my life! I literally couldn’t even walk. I still hadn’t slept and its Wednesday at this point. I remember SD and I fighting again because I wanted to sleep and wasn’t feeling good and him saying “stop playing the victim,” all because his mom wanted to come when she wanted to come. Luckily the nurses stepped in and asked his family to leave. My vitals continued to get worse. My night nurse kept coming in every hour because the monitors kept going off. I remember looking at her crying and asking her to just leave me alone so that I can sleep. The next day (Thursday), Dr. Creedon assigned one nurse to be with me the whole day until they stabilized my vitals. They started running tests. They almost did an abdominal and chest MRI to see if there’s internal bleeding or sepsis. But first they ended up doing two rounds of blood transfusions. Thankfully that did the trick. I had my first real meal that Friday night! All while this is happening, fortunately my son was doing amazing! He was latching, eating, no complications. Except the pediatricians kept looking for stuff. They ended up doing 3 tests for jaundice, and every single one was negative. The pediatricians kept saying they were worried about his weight. ALL babies lose weight after birth! My OB was ready to release me, this is also when COVID went a little crazy and people started hoarding toilet paper haha. The pedi on the other hand didnt want to release us. Dr. Creedon, the pedi and I all sat down and at this point I was gonna say whatever I needed to to get out of there! I told her that I had access to formula from my office and can give him that if needed. She looked at me and said “ok good, glad you’re not one of those moms.” I literally almost lost my shit. Dr. Creedon jumped in and said that my midwife is on call and can see my son if needed between that day (Saturday) and Monday. Then she gets up and says ok lets do one more round of testing for jaundice since he looks a little yellow and if its clear we could leave. I started packing, at this point I felt like it was a witch hunt! My nurse came in grabbed my stuff and said “lets get you out of here before they want more testing, his levels are perfect!”
I like to refer to my sons birth as a belly/abdominal birth. I have a little battle scar from it, but it really symbolizes my strength and the beginning of our journey. After going through all of that, I have no fears. Every fear that I had, turned into reality. From being pregnant alone to birthing alone to raising my son by myself. And I’ve faced it. And it’s not that scary! My son is by far the most amazing thing that has happened to me. He has shown me what true unconditional love looks like. Every morning I look at him and am so amazed that he’s a part of me. He is such a huge blessing that I never saw coming and I couldn’t be more thankful!
It’s been six months since I had my son. To this day, I can’t look at the picture Vanessa took of that day without crying. To this day I still question so many things. There are so many ‘what ifs.’ I did a session with Nikki S. from Birthing From Within about my birth to help heal some scars. At the end of the day I know that there was nothing medically wrong. Dr. Lopiano: you stole my birth, you stole my experience, you threatened me, you degraded me, you have no bedside manners, and honestly you have no heart. I hope that you stop birthing babies, because the world needs less OB’s like you. I know that emotionally I didn’t feel safe and supported, as a result my son didn’t feel safe. I think we forget how powerful our mind is! The only thing I regret is having SD be present. I know that thats what started the negative domino affect. But, who would’ve thought that this is how the story would’ve ended?! Who would’ve thought that I would end up with such a ruthless OB? People say you have to forgive to move on. I disagree. I don’t care to forgive SD or the OB. Peoples true colors shine when they go through hardship. At the end of the day, I want to be able to forgive myself for allowing people like them into my life, for allowing people like them to take away and ruin my experience. I remember during my pregnancy his mom had made a comment that I should really consider having him at the birth because its his son too and that it wouldn’t be fair to him if I didn’t. You know what? If you’re reading thing ladies, this is YOUR birth. YOUR journey. YOUR experience. YOU are the pregnant one. If you don’t feel comfortable having someone present during birth, then YOU make the decision. Don’t ever let anyone make you feel guilty for doing whats best for you. If you have a healthcare provider that you don’t agree with, stand you ground! Remember, you’re the one paying them. You hired them. They work for you! And no matter how much education you have, what your background is, when you’re in labor…you’re a patient. Anyone can be taken advantage of and bullied.
So if you’re reading this, I’m sorry that this wasn’t the happiest of stories. But this story has made me the mother I am today. The mother that my son needs. I love you forever and always my sweet angel baby!
Pediatric Chiropractic Care
Think about taking your child to their first dentist appointment at the age of 46, how would their teeth look? What if you waited this long to take your child to the chiropractor? How many issues could be avoided throughout their childhood just by seeing a chiropractor. Starting your child off early with chiropractic care is a sure way to help your child thrive.
What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic comes from the greek words “praxis” and “cheir” meaning to practice or treat using your hands.
According to the American Chiropractic Association, chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health.
Why do kids need chiropractic?
The first year of a child’s life is the most critical. Babies are going through many different stages, from delivery to breastfeeding, rolling over, crawling and all the way up until they can walk. With all of these changes it’s important that the spine is aligned to help children to reach their milestones on time, if not earlier. At our office, we see babies with latching difficulties, lack of sleep, lack of or slow bowel movements, reflux or torticollis. And a lot of the times, we see kiddos with no complaints, who come in for wellness visits to make sure they’re hitting their milestones. The International Chiropractic Pediatric Association initiated a groundbreaking study on the safety and effectiveness of chiropractic care for children. The preliminary results are outstanding and show that chiropractic care is safe for children. Even more significant is that parents reported three unexpected improvements with their child’s care:
Improved sleeping
Improved behavior and attitude
Improved immune system function
What does chiropractic care involve?
A pediatric session would start with a consultation which goes over any past medical history, issues/difficulties, diet, and physical activity. You will also review any nutritional supplements you or your child may take, eating habits and diet, as nutrition is an important part of a healthy child. Then next step is the exam portion, Dr. Ashtiani will be looking to check for things such as primitive reflexes and depending on the child’s age, and gait analysis. Depending on the child’s age, corrective/strengthening exercises will be given in office to work on muscular imbalance and parents will be given homework to do with their little ones. The next step is the adjustment, any of the following techniques could be used:
Craniosacral Therapy
Logan Technique
Activator
Top three things to take home from the first session typically include: strengthening/corrective exercises, diet changes and/or incorporation of nutritional supplements, and the parents looking for subtle changes from visit to visit (if the child had any complaints).
Does it hurt?
Not at all! With pediatric care, we apply a gentle touch, any pressure is equivalent to you feeling a tomato at the grocery store.
How long does it take?
After the initial visit, any follow up appointments can range anywhere from 10-15 minutes.
Is it safe?
Yes! They key to safety in pediatric chiropractic is education. Dr. Ashtiani is trained by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association. She has taken more than 200+ hours including the following courses:
Perinatal Care with Webster Certification
Cranial Eval & Adjusting Protocols for the Infant and Child
The Essentials of Chiropractic: Adjusting the Infant and Education in the Perinatal Period
How can I tell if my child’s spine isn’t in alignment?
Some signs to look for are:
Disrupted sleeping patterns
Breastfeeding/latching difficulties
One shoulder higher than the other
Colicy babies
Tummy troubles
Banana Bread Recipe
Ingredients:
1 Cup of Granulated Sugar
2 Cups of All Purporse Flour
3 Large Eggs
1/2 cup (1 stick) Butter
4 Ripe Bananas
1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon
1/2 Teaspoon salt
Optional: 1 cup of chopped nuts or chocolate chips
Prep Time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total Time: 1 hour 5 min
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease pan with butter and set aside.
In a bowl, heat butter until its melted (I put it in the microwave).
Either in the same bowl or in a mixer, add the bananas and mash.
Add in the vanilla extract and eggs to the same bowl, stir until no yellow streaks of egg remain.
In a seperate bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingrediets and mix together. I do this in a mixer, I slowly add the dry ingredients so that I dont get clumps. You can also do it by hand and a spatula.
Pour the batter into prepared load pan and bake for 45-55 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center of the bread comes out clean.
Enjoy!
Anyone else bored at home and started baking more?! Because I sure have. Maybe its new mom life, maternity leave, quarentine, or a combo of it all. But whatever it is, Martha Stewart would be proud of my skills ;)
Alright, here is my recipe for my favorite banana bread. Feel free to substitue the ingredients for what fits your lifestyle, mine may not be the healthiest for some:
Careha & Co
Once Baybee Boutique and now Careha and Co. Mom and owner, Carley Hall, brings the best handmade and natural products to all of her clients! What started as a creative outlet has flourished to meet the needs of baby and moms alike. She specializes in creating 100% unique and baby safe teething necklaces. Each product is carefully designed, packaged, and shipped all by this amazing super mom and we couldn’t be more proud!
What does Careha + Co. offer?
For your teething baby Careha + Co. has a variety of soothing teething necklaces and rings. Their genuine Baltic Amber Teething Necklace can provide natural relief from the pain and inflammation associated with teething. Baltic Amber has been used for thousands of years to reduce common aches, pains, and inflammation. When worn by your little one the beads act as a natural remedy. It can also be used to alleviate symptoms of colic, gas, and anxiety. The necklaces are not meant to be chewed on or played with but only meant to be worn up against the skin. For our little ones who need more of a physical distraction Careha + Co. make the cutest Mini Flower Teethers. The lightweight and BPA-free chewable silicone beads is great for your teething little ones.
As Carley grew as mom so did her line of products. After her son broke two of her favorite necklaces, Carley began to create one of a kind Teething Necklaces for Mama. Not only are they stylish, they are reliable! They can be used for your teething infant or as a nursing distraction. The necklaces are made from BPA free silicone, food-grade beads with natural maple wood accents. What’s great about these stylish necklaces is that they can be hand washed with mild soap and water and ready to be worn again. Her company even has a Labor and Birth Gemstone Bracelet, designed to bring mamas calmness, strength, and positive vibes.
Not only does this amazing company create unique one of a kind jewelry but they also have a Mother’s Lactation Tea. The tea is specially blended using certified-organic ingredients to help boost milk supply.
With each product being handmade and crafted by the owner herself you are sure to get a one of a kind piece that you and your baby will love!
Getting to the Point With Acupuncture
What Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine practice that originated thousands of years ago. It is based on the premise that a blockage or disturbance in the flow of the body’s life energy, or “qi,” can cause health issues. Acupuncture is a method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and to improve functioning. This is done by inserting “hair like” needles and applying heat or electrical stimulation at very precise acupuncture points to balance the body’s energy, stimulate healing, and promote relaxation.
Uses of Acupuncture
Acupuncture is said to be useful in addressing a variety of health conditions, including:
Arthritis
Chronic Pain
Insomnia
Migraines
Low back pain
Nausea
Sciatica
Sinus congestion
Stress and anxiety
Tinnitus
How Many Treatments Will I Need?
The number of treatments needed differs from person to person. For complex or long-standing conditions, one or two treatments a week for several months may be recommended. For acute problems, usually fewer visits are required.
Does Acupuncture Really Work?
Yes. In the past 2,000 years, more people have been successfully treated with acupuncture than with all other health modalities combined. Today acupuncture is practiced widely in Asia, the Soviet Union, and in Europe. It is now being used more and more in America by patients and physicians. Acupuncture treatments can be given at the same time other techniques are being used, such as conventional Western medicine, osteopathic or chiropractic adjustments. It is important that your physician-acupuncturist know everything that you are doing, so he or she can help you get the most benefit from all your treatments.
Take it from one of our patients!
Colleen has been coming since October of 2018, for issues with her lower back and elbow pain. Colleen started off with doing our Graston therapy technique. She felt that although the “graston was good, and it made the tissue around her elbow heal, she wasn’t getting the deep relief she needed.” Here at Essence we provide a wide variety of treatments and can tailor individual treatment plans to each and every individual. Dr. Ashtiani then recommended for her to try acupuncture and at first Colleen was hesitant but agreed, she felt Dr. Ashtiani knew just what she was doing. After her first treatment Colleen stated “I immediately felt a difference, as the week went on I continued to feel results. My muscles detensifying, I don’t know if that’s a word but that’s what it felt like. ” Colleen had tried acupuncture once at another office, although it did not help. She stated that as a intense person acupuncture gets her to relax. Colleen now makes her acupuncture appointments a regular thing and loves coming in to feel some relief.
Baby Wearing
Baby wearing has been around for years and is being utilized all over the world! There are so many reasons why people choose to wear their little ones. Baby wearing is when your little one is placed in a carrier that you wear. This carrier can be a wrap, sling, or structured carrier. Some people do it while they are out and about running their errands, others use to put their little ones to sleep, others use it to get things done around the house or at work.
Here are some benefits of baby wearing:
A sense of security for baby. After spending 9 months in mamas belly, the new world can be a bit overwhelming! As you wear your baby, they can feel you, smell you, and see you.
Baby wearing is great for babies who are fussy, have colic, or reflux. Since baby is in an upright position, close to you, and moving they are happier and tend to spit up less.
You can breastfeed!
Baby wearing puts less pressure on your wrists, arms, and shoulders.
Great for baby's physical development. This way baby spends less time on their back in car seat, floor, bassinet and swing.
Gives your arm the freedom to do stuff! You can work on the computer, do the dishes, make dinner, play with your other little one. The possibilities are endless!
Great workout! You are now carrying 6+ pounds of weight...now every time you drop something on the ground do a squat to pick it up ;)
Easier to get to places. It's hard pushing a stroller around in large crowds or places with uneven ground.
Great way to keep strangers and germs away from your baby. Not everyone understands that its not OK to touch a someone else's baby without permission.
It's a great way to bond! This is great for mom and dad!
Things to look for when purchasing a carrier:
Material: you want something thats not too thick. If you decide to get a fabric wrap, make sure its breathable because heat rash is a real thing...especially in this Texas heat!
Back support for little babe: Baby's back should be supported in a natural position while their chest and stomach are against yours. Baby should not uncurl or get closer to you after touching their back.
Hip support: The baby's legs should make be in a "M" position, with their knees being higher than their bottom, and their thighs and bottom carrying more weight.
Breathable: You want to keep the baby's airway open by keeping their chin off of their chest. Use the two finger trick to make sure that you can fit two fingers between their chin and chest.
Fit: make sure that the baby is snug against you. You want to avoid baby possibly falling out or being too loose in the carrier.
My recommendation:
Tuck & Bundle: this is one of my favorite fabric wraps!
It's long, breathable and good quality fabric!
It comes in lots of cute colors as well
Great ergonomic fit "M" shape
And a bonus is that the wrap is from San Antonio, Texas! Shop local ;)
I like this wrap for little ones under the 18 months
Can wear little ones up to 25 pounds
Machine washable
They have a great "how to video"
https://tuckandbundleshop.com/pages/instructions
Ergobaby Omni 360:
I prefer this carrier for little ones after 12 months
Grows with baby from week 1 to 48 months
Fits babies 7-45 pounds
Machine washable
You can wear little one in the forward, back or hip carry
Great ergonomic fit "M" shape
Has a baby privacy hood, to keep sun or strangers away
May: National Posture Month
May is national posture month! As of now I’m sure you are having flashbacks of your mother asking you to “sit up straight!” and “don’t slouch!” So many of us today work at sedentary jobs that require us to sit most of the day. While the other half is buried deep into our phones, causing “text neck” To help you celebrate, here are some tips you can use to help remind yourself so your mother doesn’t have to.
Taking the time each day to practice your posture is like riding a bike. The more you practice, the better you’ll get! Here are 5 simple ways to get that perfect posture!
Standing up straight – Do you know a great way to prevent problematic posture? Straighten up! Stand up tall when you think about it. Do this by pretending that you’re standing against a wall, tuck your chin and hold your head up high. Your ears should be centered over your shoulders, your shoulders should be back, your knees straight, your stomach tucked in, and your hips in line with the rest of you.
Don’t slump – At work, the afternoon slump can take on a whole new meaning when it comes to posture. As the day wears on and you get increasingly tired, make sure not to slouch. All you have to do to be successful is sit all the way back in your chair and use a rolled-up towel or cushion to support your lower back. Make sure your knees are at a 90-degree angle and your feet are flat on the floor.
Beware of technology – Yes, yes, we know your smartphone is like an extension of you. But don’t let that technological extension be your downfall. When you tilt your head down to read your email, your favorite chiropractic blog, or to watch that new funny cat video, it puts a lot of stress and strain on your spine. Lift the phone up to meet your eyes and you’ll take a big step toward healthier posture.
Drive tall – We understand you might look cool with your car seat reclined, but it’s not good for your posture. Make sure your seat is as close to the steering wheel as comfortably possible, with your knees slightly bent and at hip level or just above.
Overall poor posture can have a huge impact on your overall health. The obvious sign of a misaligned spine is back pain. Although poor posture can have other effects as well, such as:
Headaches
Jaw pain
Arthritis
Poor digestion
Breathing problems
Poor circulation
So don’t let poor posture get you down, come in to get that spine aligned! But while you aren’t in our office practice makes perfect! and remember no pressure,no one expects you to have perfect posture 24/7, except maybe your mother.
Neck Favoring in Infants, When is it a Concern?
Does your little one favor breastfeeding on one side? Do they prefer to sleep with their head turned to one side? Do they struggle and fuss when you try to move their head? Well these are some of the signs that your little one may have a condition that we called torticollis. That's just a fancy term for when the Sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) gets really tight and is in prolonged muscle contraction.
What causes torticollis?
Babies can be born with it or it can take up to three months for it to show. Unfortunately doctors aren't sure why some babies get torticollis and others don't. Some say that it could be due to the position of the fetus in utero. That can be from a breech or transverse position. During birth, the use of forceps or vacuum devices also makes a baby more likely to develop it.
What is the Sternocleidomastoid muscle?
This large muscle is located in the neck on both sides. It starts from behind the ear and travels to the collarbone. The action of the muscle is to rotate the head to the opposite direction while laterally bending to the same direction (i.e. right SCM muscle bends the neck to the right and torates it to the left).
What are some signs and symptoms?
They prefer to breastfeed on one side vs the other
They prefer looking over one shoulder when help up right vs the other
They get fussy when you try to move their head
They don't turn their head from side to side on their own (this can be difficult to notice when they are younger)
During tummy-time they lay their head to the favored side
You may notice flattening on the side and/or back of head on the side they prefer to turn their head to
How we can help:
We would first do an exam to make sure that your child does have the condition. From there we will start doing some streches and exercises around the neck and shoulder to open up space. After that we will teach the parents how to gently massage your infants neck muscles at home. Following the massage, we will do a gentle neck adjustment to make sure that the joints are moving well without any restrictions. And finally, we will send you home with some homework after you treatment!
What to do at home in the meantime?
Tummy time, timmy time, tummy time!! It is extremely important to build strength within your child neck so that they can better control their head. This helps with the torticollis and flattening of the head. You can start with 2-3 minutes at a time every couple of hours. Gradually work your way to 10 minutes and eventually you'll be at a point where you wont be noticing the time because baby will enjoy being on their tummy!