What do you feel is the benefit to take a birth preparation class? Simply put, you do not know what you don’t know. Regardless of whether your plan is to have a home birth in your bath tub, or a hospital birth with an epidural is more your speed, my goal is that you have the information available to make decisions that are right for your family. I want everyone to feel calm and confident and to have a voice in shaping the birth experience they want. Having a birth preparation class gives you the tools to formulate your own opinions and preferences and a background to have informed discussions with your midwife or OB. According to The Knot, ​"In the last three months leading up to their wedding, brides spend an average of 11 hours a week working on wedding details." Like your wedding, the day of your baby's birth is a momentous occasion that deserves time and attention so that you are ready!​

My husband and I are going into our 40th month of trying to conceive.  After our experience of conceiving our daughter we knew it would be a long road.  We buckled down and prepared for a roller coaster of ups and downs.  Some 3 1/2 years later we are still on this roller coaster of TTC.  We are both working to stay healthy, eating right, keeping stress low, taking a variety of herbs & supplements and now working with an amazing Reproductive Endocrinologist.  

With all of this going on sometimes we have to work REALLY work to stay positive.  During this month we experienced another chemical pregnancy, my daughter turned 4 & the night I knew the pregnancy would not progress she asked "When are you going to have a baby sister?".  The last few days were not my best, it was dark and I talked to my husband about stopping treatment.  Then today while I was working on affirmations for clients a light bulb went off in my head.  I am consistently explaining to my clients the benefits of positive thinking.  Put up reminders all over your home and birth space & create mantras to help the moments of doubt pass.  

I needed to create positive affirmations about infertility and treatment.  So why am I sharing this on my doula blog? Because according to the CDC 7.4 million women are effect by infertility and receiving treatments.  Chances are you are or know someone going through this.  By no means do I believe "positive thinking" is all a couple needs to become pregnant.  I just want to share my story & have hopes the affirmations I have created can be used as a big hug to tell you "you are not alone, lets get through these moments of doubt together." 

My E came shooting out like a rocket, went on my chest, latched and camped there for what felt like the next 6 months.  There were days (or weeks) I didn't leave my comfy nursing chair (bed or couch) until my husband came home from work.  Without my handy dandy nursing cady, I would have been lost.  I was able to keep my most needed items close and if I decided to move from my nursing chair to the couch it was convenient to carry all my needed things with a baby most likely still latch.    
​Now when friends or family are having babies I put together a few of my must haves in this convenient caddy.  

At times it can seem very difficult to find resources in your community.  I can't even remember how many hours I spent on google when trying to find local help.  It seemed very overwhelming at times.  Being in the birth world now has allowed me to make many connections and network with all types of support in the Westchester, Rockland and Orange County area.  Below are just some of the services in our area.  Hopefully this makes your search a little easier.  

​If you have a recommendation to add please let me know!