Category Archives: TRANSFORMING the conversation about pregnancy

Don’t tell others what they should do!

We discover approaches that work for us. Sometimes after much trial and error. And, we’re excited!! And we understandably want to let others know. We want to share with everyone we see, “Here! Here’s the solution. I’ve figured it out! You should do this…” That’s great. It’s a valuable contribution to the community. Sharing what…

Creating a supportive, empowering community of moms

People are passionate – and often highly opinionated – about the choices they make during pregnancy. They should be. It’s an important time. It’s easy to think that some of the choices we make regarding pregnancy and childbirth are the best choices. Why not? They worked for us for all kinds of reasons that make…

Share your experience

One of the key themes that I share in the Loving the Pregnant You book and in the pregnancy coaching that I do, is to discover the approaches and methods that work best for you during your pregnancy and give yourself permission to do things your way. I’m breaking that pattern a bit with the following…

Can you go straight to “giddy”? Or is there always a detour?

I’ve spoken and worked with women who created their ideal birth experience, because they first had a delivery process that didn’t work for them in some ways. Maybe they agreed to an episiotomy (or other intervention) that in hindsight they wish they hadn’t authorized. Maybe they felt they invited too many people to be part of…

What do you love about the pregnant you?

I recently asked a group of expectant moms, “What do you love about the pregnant you?” It was Saturday during a “Get It Together and… Love Yourself!” workshop I co-presented with Eirene Heidelberger of GIT Mom at CocoonCare, and I loved the responses I got. The women acknowledged who they were being. They dug deep, and they patted…

How to release the pressure and create the best possible experience

Pregnancy is an incredibly important time of a woman’s life. It’s easy to feel like you’ve got to be “perfect” and do everything “exactly right” during those nine months. As an expectant mom, you can feel significant pressure from others, from the resources you consult, and even from yourself. How do you release that pressure and…

Let yourself feel what you feel

Often in pregnancy we experience heightened emotions. It’s normal. It’s natural. However, when it’s happening, we often don’t feel like it’s normal and natural. It can feel wrong, overwhelming, vulnerable. In her first pregnancy, Melinda experienced a physical characteristic that felt so vulnerable to her: her belly button pop out. It was just so out…

Why I wrote “Loving the Pregnant You”

I wrote this book because I wish there had been one like it at the time that I was newly pregnant, and maybe even before I was pregnant. Back when my husband and I were deciding if and when to have kids, I was highly reluctant and cynical about my ability to “do pregnancy well.”…

Let’s acknowledge. Let’s celebrate. You’re invited!

Okay! I say it all the time: Women – Moms in particular – do NOT acknowledge themselves enough. We are, too often, focused on what we’re not quite handling exactly the way we want… how we’re not quite measuring up to the Mom next door… how we’re supposed to be taking care of everyone else……

It doesn’t have to go the way you’re assuming – and dreading – it’ll go

It’s well-known that there are physical ailments that are considered “common” during pregnancy. Morning sickness, fatigue, swollen ankles, back pain, and shortness of breath, to name a few. While many pregnant women experience these, I want to share the idea that you don’t have to get these ailments. You don’t need to expect to experience…