As much as we all want motherhood to be sunshine and roses all the time, the reality is that in between the beautiful and perfect moments, the majority of the time it is the most difficult thing in the world. Not just simply because of manual labor and exhaustion involved, but because of the emotional upheaval that just comes with the territory. Childbirth and motherhood preparation is about self-discovery…
You passed your due date. You’re huge, uncomfortable, sick of being pregnant, and oh-so-eager to meet your baby. Your midwife or OB-GYN suggests an induction. Do you have any other options? Yes! There are many natural ways to help kick labor into gear and they’re worth trying before scheduling that induction! Why Avoid an Induction? But why bother? Why not just schedule the induction? First of all, your due date…
I know that I was put on this planet to help mamas and babies. No matter what I have done that last past 15 years, it has been some sort of manifestation of helping mamas and babies. And now, I am pleased to announce that the From Maiden to Mother eCourse is here! This course is exclusively available inside the Art of Motherhood School. Oh, y’all! I am so…
OK, expectant mamas, I could run my mouth all day with advice about birth plans, birthing methods, how to avoid interventions, and midwives vs. OB-GYNs. I’ve got my opinions. But I also firmly believe that what helps me have a great birth might not be the same as what helps you have a great birth. Different strokes, ladies! What I am sure of is that you will want to tune…
According to the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda, women who have just given birth are supposed to stay in bed, be waited on hand and foot, and given lots of massages. Pretty awesome, right? They are also supposed to eat lots of hot soups and stews because they are nutrient dense and easy to digest. Having an idyllic postpartum may seem out of reach, but there are some things you…
Do you think twice about buying non-organic meat from animals injected with hormones? I do. We even raise and slaughter our own chickens to be sure of what we’re consuming. Concerns about the hormones in non-organic meat are widespread. But do we have the same concerns about the effects of the hormones inside the tiny Pill many women take each day for years? What Are We Ingesting? I was recently…
The cesarean birth rate in our country is 32.8%. We as a country are ranked 47th in the world in maternal death rates and 34th in infant death rates. The cesarean birth rate has risen nearly 60% from the most recent low in 1996. Of course I appreciate modern medicine when truly needed and I love that cesarean births do save some babies and mothers. But a true cesarean…
This is the year of the uterus here at M+BL! I took a life-changing training back in January about how to put a uterus back into it’s proper place. I also learned about all the health issues that can manifest in women who have a displaced uterus and some amazing self-healing tools like Vaginal Steam Baths and Castor Oil Packs. Today I want to talk about things that may…
Tell me, tell me, please, I am not alone in suffering from the period frown. That moment when you realize Aunt Flo has arrived and despite the fact that you are not even trying to get pregnant, actually you are trying to NOT get pregnant, you still frown at the thought of no new life growing inside you. It is such a confusing feeling for me, I mean I don’t…
High blood pressure during pregnancy is a serious condition not to be messed around with. Although it is entirely possible to have an otherwise healthy pregnancy and delivery, getting diagnosed with hypertension is usually just the beginning of a cascade of interventions for most births, whether or not there are any other issues involved. If you happen to have some other factor that is considered high-risk, such as a high…