It’s not uncommon for people to ask new parents, “can I hear your birth story?” For some listeners, there is great value in learning from the experiences of those who have given birth before them. For others, it can be healing and validating to hear birth stories that are similar to their own. When we remove any components of “competition” or fearmongering and focus on building a community for shared wisdom and support, there can be a mutual benefit from this exchange of stories.  

In 2018, my husband gave me the best Valentine’s Day gift I’ve ever received, which (admittedly) was one I never thought I wanted. Momentarily wracking my brain, I tried to remember where I was in my cycle. Deciding I wasn’t in the mood to be the “bad guy,” I lost myself in the moment right along with him. I didn’t give it a second thought until about a month later. I was two days late when a girlfriend and I took a trip to Sephora.  When I could hardly stomach the samples of perfume, I was all but certain of my unexpected gift.

Celebrating your baby’s first birthday is a major milestone. No, your baby won’t remember what you did or how you celebrated. You don’t need to throw a big party or shower your little one with presents. But you should celebrate…and you should do it for you.

Have you ever felt like your baby is fighting sleep? You’re certain they’re exhausted, and yet, no matter what you do they just won’t give in to sleep. In fact, you know with certainty your baby just needs sleep. Frustrated, you let out an audible sigh and return to shushing and rocking, despite the dull ache in your weary muscles. Finally, after an hours-long battle of wills–or was it days?–your little one finally crashes into sleep. You put them down, certain they will sleep for hours after all of that effort, but within minutes, they’re up again crying for your help. 

As you move out of the intensity of the newborn phase, you’re still adjusting to your new normal as a parent. As you prepare to return to work, one thing is almost certainly true: things have changed.  Life looks far different than it did just a few weeks ago, let alone a few months ago.

Whether you stepped away from work in order to give birth or support a birthing person, the shift back can be a lot. Here are some insights and tips to consider as you prepare for your return and navigate the transition from “new parent” to “working parent.”

The journey into parenthood is an emotional rollercoaster. The newborn phase is no exception. For most new parents, there are moments of pure love, unlike anything they’ve ever felt before. The peace that can accompany time spent skin-to-skin. The purity of those first smiles and giggles. The incredulous joy of witnessing each developmental leap.  For […]

We put together this list of frequently asked questions to help you find the answers you’re looking for and gain a better understanding of what doulas do, how we can help, and why doula support is rising in popularity.

Packing your hospital bag is a bit like packing for vacation. Maybe you’re the kind of person who is tempted to pack anything you might want or need during your stay. Or, maybe you’re the kind of person who prefers to keep it light. Whatever your preference is, we have a list for you!

Being pregnant was not my favorite experience in the world. In fact, I mostly hated it. Admitting that has always come with some amount of guilt, but it’s true. I was twenty-nine years old, happily married, and financially stable having a “normal” and “healthy” pregnancy. There was no reason to be anything other than a […]

Let’s talk about a topic near and dear to my heart: sleep for new parents.  I didn’t realize how important sleep was for my body and mind until I wasn’t getting enough of it. At the very end of my first pregnancy, I remember going to bed each night thinking, “This might be my last […]