Pregnant women, childbirth and babies are most definitely my passion and have been for about as far back as I can remember. I notice every baby bump I pass on the street and every baby I see brings a smile to my face. I can listen to birth stories all day long. I really feel that being a doula is what I was meant to do.
Recently I learned of the First Reach Program offered by the YMCA that helps woman from less than ideal backgrounds and situations through their journey into motherhood. I met with one of the counsellors this afternoon to see if there was a place for me in the program and feel like it would be a wonderful opportunity for me to learn as well as giving back to my community. Regardless of why they got pregnant or whether or not it is an ideal situation – bottom line is that they ARE pregnant – it is not our place to judge them as mothers or decide whether or not they should be a mother. They need someone to stand up for them and beside them and give them and their babies the best chance possible.
I am honoured that they would like me to join their program and look forward to the experiences that lie ahead for me there.
*Please contact me if you would like more information on the program or would like to donate gently used baby clothes, toys and supplies*
Lots of love as always,
Seanna
Showing posts with label childbirth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label childbirth. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Pregnancy, Childbirth, Motherhood and Well Meaning Unsolicited Advice
Pregnancy, Childbirth, Motherhood and Well Meaning Unsolicited Advice
I don’t know what it is about a pregnant woman or a new mother that makes them a target for unsolicited advice from anyone and everyone – from close friends and family to complete strangers, people with children and people without. Some advice is handy information and some just makes you shake your head. As a parent of 2 kids, a 12 year old girl and an 8 year old boy I have learned to do a lot of nodding and smiling over the years. “Oh right...yes of course...what a great idea, I never thought of that...” all the while thinking to myself – you have got to be kidding!!! There is no topic off limits – circumcision, breastfeeding, midwife vs. doctor, homebirth vs. hospital birth. No matter what your choices or plans are, someone will be ready to tell you that your choices are wrong, your plans are crazy and that they know what is best for you. The key part of all of that is YOU – YOUR CHOICES – YOUR PLANS. At the end of the day it’s your body, your baby, your birth experience, your choices and YOUR LIFE. So do what is going to work best for you, and tune everyone else who disagrees with out. You have to do what works for you. Bottle fed babies turn out just fine, my daughter is 12, she is incredibly bright, beautiful , healthy and holds no hard feelings towards me for not being able to breastfeed her – never once has she turned to me and said “Mom you really let me down, I will never forgive for all the formula you made me gag back when I was a baby” and my son has never once thanked me for enduring the engorged breasts and the cracked nipples in order to successfully nurse him for 10 months. Your baby isn’t going to hold it against you if you needed to have an epidural to get you through your delivery. These choices are yours and yours alone to make. So listen to who you want and what you want, take in what you think might work for you and ignore what you know won’t. You will make mistakes, you will make the wrong choice from time to time AND you will do things perfectly and flawlessly from time to time. Just my thoughts – you don’t have to agree with – that is your choice
Lots of love to all of you, Seanna
I don’t know what it is about a pregnant woman or a new mother that makes them a target for unsolicited advice from anyone and everyone – from close friends and family to complete strangers, people with children and people without. Some advice is handy information and some just makes you shake your head. As a parent of 2 kids, a 12 year old girl and an 8 year old boy I have learned to do a lot of nodding and smiling over the years. “Oh right...yes of course...what a great idea, I never thought of that...” all the while thinking to myself – you have got to be kidding!!! There is no topic off limits – circumcision, breastfeeding, midwife vs. doctor, homebirth vs. hospital birth. No matter what your choices or plans are, someone will be ready to tell you that your choices are wrong, your plans are crazy and that they know what is best for you. The key part of all of that is YOU – YOUR CHOICES – YOUR PLANS. At the end of the day it’s your body, your baby, your birth experience, your choices and YOUR LIFE. So do what is going to work best for you, and tune everyone else who disagrees with out. You have to do what works for you. Bottle fed babies turn out just fine, my daughter is 12, she is incredibly bright, beautiful , healthy and holds no hard feelings towards me for not being able to breastfeed her – never once has she turned to me and said “Mom you really let me down, I will never forgive for all the formula you made me gag back when I was a baby” and my son has never once thanked me for enduring the engorged breasts and the cracked nipples in order to successfully nurse him for 10 months. Your baby isn’t going to hold it against you if you needed to have an epidural to get you through your delivery. These choices are yours and yours alone to make. So listen to who you want and what you want, take in what you think might work for you and ignore what you know won’t. You will make mistakes, you will make the wrong choice from time to time AND you will do things perfectly and flawlessly from time to time. Just my thoughts – you don’t have to agree with – that is your choice
Lots of love to all of you, Seanna
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