I remember when I attended my last pregnancy prenatal yoga class. On the first day, the instructor asked, “What pregnancy is this for you?” She asked all the attendees. She started with “Raise your hand for #1,” then said, “#2?” “#3?” With each number, women would raise their hands but she stopped at #3. I…
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Postpartum Depression – Part 2
But SHE didn’t say anything. “Why didn’t she say something?” Visit here to read Part 1 on Postpartum Depression. SHE did! I know I DID. I shared. I told. I was even specific. After my last pregnancy, months three through seven were the worst for me. During month five, I contemplated jumping off a bridge….
Postpartum Depression – Part 1
It’s not an addiction. It’s not an injury. It’s not something that is easily seen yet is extremely dysfunctional and can be fatal. No one chooses to experience it. The timing of it’s existence isn’t planned. People who suffer through this don’t do it on purpose and don’t want to hurt you or mess with…
Termination
Eighteen months ago, I embarked on a journey. A journey I have never been on in 26 years I have been employed. I have been relatively silent about this journey, mostly to protect myself from embarrassment and my current employer. But like most things, opportunities present themselves and doors are opened which allow the silence…
Use of a Fetal Doppler in Pregnancy
DISCLAIMER: I am not a medical professional. Please consult with your doctor or midwife if you have any questions regarding this information and opinion on the use of a fetal Doppler in pregnancy. I want to address this fear-mongering article from Bustle. In the article, This New Pregnancy Trend Among Millennial Women Could Seriously Harm Unborn…
#SuicideAwareness
#SuicideAwareness has been circulating the internet over the last year or so. I am sure it has been around much longer but recent events have caused this hashtag to spread dramatically. It’s a great hashtag and is usually preceded by someone asking to post a status that says, “Share this so others can see that…
Miscarriage and the Flu Vaccine
Several mainstream news sources, to include USA Today, have recently posted articles on miscarriage and the influenza vaccination. Newly pregnant mothers want to know, is the flu vaccine safe in pregnancy? The flu vaccine is recommended for all pregnant women and women are told there is little to no risk in receiving the vaccination during…
My Unexpected Pregnancy
When I received the positive pregnancy test, I wasn’t met with feelings of excitement and joy; rather, I experienced intense fear and anxiety. I had just been to my priest to confess that I had been having thoughts about abortion if I were to become pregnant again. Shocking, I know. If you know me, you…
I’m back!
My blog has been quiet for months. I apologize for that and will try to get it back on track. Several things have been keeping me from writing. First, I have a writer’s block. I have it very badly. Ever since I unexpectedly became pregnant last year, my mind has been blocked and was overly…
The Struggle to Go In – When Baby isn’t Moving Regularly
I specialize in pregnancy loss. I have been working with women for six years now, in differing capacities as a perinatal loss specialist and bereavement doula. In my childbirth education classes, we review fetal kick counts, fetal movements, and I share that it’s a myth that babies “run out of room” the farther along in…