My personal birth experiences

My first pregnancy at age 23 led to a vaginal birth in a hospital with several interventions under OB/GYN care and birth trauma. My first postpartum seemed to drag on for years due to PPD/PPA; even still, the nurturing aspects of motherhood came so naturally. Breastfeeding was a bit of an experiment: I had no exposure to it prior to latching on my own baby for the first time, but little did I know, he wouldn’t be weaned for six more years!

This whole era was a challenge, a call to action… leading to what, I had yet to discover. Later in my fledgling mothering days, a feeling came almost out of the blue but I was so at home with it: a passion to aid others in this same phase of life, those preparing to navigate the deep seas of child-birthing and child-raising wisdom. It was only after my second pregnancy when I realized that dreamy feeling was a real marker along my path (more on that in a bit!).

My second pregnancy, at age 27, culminated in a midwife-assisted, ecstatic and painless home waterbirth. Postpartum was blissful, a priority on self-care rose to the forefront, I enjoyed an improved ability to build a support system, and I languished in bonding with both of my growing boys.

Each of my sons’ births transformed my life in positive and meaningful ways, though they were very different experiences. One proved I was capable of facing my fears and the other showed me what happens when I’m fearless!

Enamored by birth

So let’s get back to that dreamy feeling I mentioned!

I think the story of birth is what hooked me, what anchored me into the birth community. The story of birth lingers with us long after our own day with it has passed. We hand the story down through generations and it’s the story that ignites a will, belief, and instinctual charge in birthers to respond their summons into parenthood and grow infinitely more empowered from it.

I love words, knowledge, and all the neat connections we make between our clever brains and the instincts often buried in our guts. And I’ve seen that we use language, traditions, evidence, and emotional genetics to tell the story of birth again and again, always in unique expression, because it always involves brand new people.

There is so much to say about birth, so much to know, so much to feel about how it alters our lives. I hope you will feel as enamored as I am with the big bang that will be your  birth story.

A little more about me

I’m mama wolf to two delightfully wild homeschooled (unschooled) boys, a book collector, film junkie, protector of animals, vegan lifestyle enthusiast, natal chart analyzer, Scrabble queen, deliverer of dry humor, future novelist… and I’m growing into the rest.

I have special interests in these topics and their influence on the reproductive era and beyond: birth trauma, prenatal & postpartum mood disorders, sexual abuse, addictions & mental health conditions, bodily (including genital) autonomy, ecstatic birth.

Philosophy

Childbirth is your first major experience as a family. Many look at labor through a “getting it over with” lens, but what will happen when you feel open to sinking or melting into labor, with the collective vital energy of your birth team getting you through? It can be an enrichment instead of an affliction!

The birth process intends to prime us for the incredible rigors of new parenthood, but more is needed. With a quality childbirth education, a solid support system, an attentive care provider, and a nourished postpartum life, I believe the modern parent can experience far more highs than lows.

You’ll remember this day for the rest of your days — it’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime adventure! You’ll have one chance to meet this baby of yours for the very first time. Make it count!

I also believe:

• The best possible outcome will occur in every situation.
• Everything happens for good, compelling reason.
• Natural, unmedicated birth is achievable for most, but there are valid circumstances in which medical assistance is warranted for the healthiest outcome for babies and those who birth them.
• How people prepare for birth makes a measurable difference.
• …as does the manner in which people are treated in birth.
• If people don’t make their own birth choices, others will make the choices for them.
• A birthing person is a whole human who deserves to be cared for as such, not as a collection of parts.
• Childbirth is often a peak landmark in the emotional, sexual, and psychological realms of a person’s life.
• Pregnancy doesn’t end with birth; we can’t neglect the Fourth Trimester!

Relevant Activities

Conferences & Workshops

(partial list)

• La Leche League of Texas Area Conference (with Dr. Jack Newman), 2014
• Birth Without Fear Conference, 2014
• Association of Texas Midwives Conference, 2015
• La Leche League Area Conference, 2016
• “Pleasurable Birth: Rediscovering the Sexuality of Reproduction” with Anna Caffery, 2016

Events

(partial list)

Educational table host at:

• BIRTH Fair, 2014-18
• Association of Texas Midwives Conference, 2015
• Peaceful Parenting booth, Babies R Us, 2015
• Big Latch On, 2015 & 2016
• Great Cloth Diaper Change, 2016 & 2018

Certifications

• Bachelor’s Degree – Journalism/Communications, University of Houston, 2011
• OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Certified
• Certified Birth Boot Camp Instructor
• Certified Birth Boot Camp Doula

Roles

• Breastfeeding blog author, MamasMilkNoChaser.com, since 2014
• Director, Intact Houston & Intact Texas, since 2014
• Board of Directors, Saving Our Sons/The Intact Network, 2016-2017
• Director, Intact Vegan Network, since 2017

Appearances

• Abdominal Connections DVD (diastasis recti postnatal treatment), 2014
• Whole Mother Radio Show, 2017 & 2018
• Parent With Purpose Radio Show, 2018

Awards

• Top 75 Lactation Blog [Top 20], 2017-19

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