Category: Mothering

To My Firstborn Son- How you got here, A Love Story

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Dearest little one,

I want to tell you a story. You were a figment of your mom’s imagination about 6 years ago. I had just left a 4 year relationship, I was living the single life, and boy was it a wild life. Doing things that you are never allowed to do and will surely be grounded for if I ever catch you! My heart was broken, I had no idea what I wanted in life, I was just living by the seat of my pants and doing anything I could to distract myself from the rejection I had allowed myself to experience for the past four years. I was at a fork in the road but I had no idea how much life was going to change.  Continue reading “To My Firstborn Son- How you got here, A Love Story” →

Postpartum Depression and Anxiety- that couldn’t be me

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It seems faux pas to discuss let alone admit to the possibility of having a perinatal mood disorder, most commonly postpartum depression. Let me be the first to proclaim it SHOULDN’T be. Many many many of us out there have been through it to varying degree.

  • 70-80% of women experience SOME form of negative feelings following birth
  • 1 in 7 women develops postpartum depression. You are not crazy or a horrible mom for feeling this way.
  • PPD and perinatal mood disorders can also affect new FATHERS.
  • Feelings don’t have to appear right after birth, they can show up a YEAR later.
  • It is also the most under-diagnosed OB complication.

Do NOT suffer in silence, there is help for you. A great resource for information is here.

If you need help right now call to chat with someone
1-800-273-TALK (8255)

My own bout with PPD & PPA

I have bolded several words and phrases below as RED FLAGS. If any of these resonate with you please reach out!!

The Thanksgiving holiday was supposed to be a time of joy and getting together with family, everyone excited to have a new addition to celebrate with. What it turned into was a complete living hell that was upon me before I could even form the words to describe what I was going through. Continue reading “Postpartum Depression and Anxiety- that couldn’t be me” →

They don’t call it Labor for nothing! A birth story.

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We headed into the hospital at 7:00 pm to start the induction. First we were settled into our room which I must say was like a luxury hotel suite, it was HUGE! Talk about plush, there was a pull out sofa for dad to sleep on, zero gravity recliners for other visitors, a flat screen tv with games, educational videos and movies on demand, the free room service menu including things like jumbo sea scallops, lamb top sirloin, and pork medallions, I mean even the bathroom was plush complete with hair dryer, and decorative curtain valance for the tub! I was definitely not complaining about all of the over the top comforts gearing up for this show. After taking pictures of all of the “amenities” we got ready for a night of interventions. I was checked and the games began with me at a fingertip dilated and 60% effaced. I was given Prostin, similar to Cervidil, every 4 hours to help ripen the cervix and then we waited until the morning to see what the game plan would be. Continue reading “They don’t call it Labor for nothing! A birth story.” →