Because positive thinking has real power! 

Here are some of my favorite birth affirmation sources. I encourage you to use them!

Did you know there are a few things you can be doing to physically prepare your body for labor? These preparations can potentially make your labor a bit easier.

Kegels and Squats
Exercising the muscles in your pelvic floor helps you control these muscles better while pushing, and potentially avoid tears during birth. You may also squat during labor or delivery since it makes use of gravity and opens up your pelvis, so practicing now will help you hold that position with more strength! Further, strengthening your pelvis floor will also help you recover after birth, and restore good urinary control and tone. Your pelvic floor muscles are the ones you use to start and stop the flow of urine. Both kegels and squats take practice, so make sure you try to do a little bit every day! 

Families need healthy moms.  Often friends and family ask "how is the baby?" and don't always ask "how are you doing, mom?"  Parents often are so concerned with caring for a new baby, they may not take care of their own physical and emotional health.

Would you know how to recognize a health issue once you were at home with baby after birth?  

What if your leg started hurting, or it was hard to breathe? Would you dismiss them as nothing, or hope they went away? 

Trust your instincts. If you feel something is not quite right, always call your health care provider, just to make sure. 

It is a lovely opportunity to be able to attend both the first and second births of a family's little ones! 

I was recently honored to attend the birth of Kieran, 4 years after attending the birth of his big sister Zora!