Feeding tubes are still deeply misunderstood. People see a tube and make assumptions—fear, judgment, even pity—but the reality is far more complex. I want to break down some of the most common myths and tell you what feeding tubes actually mean. Myth 1: A feeding tube means failure. Truth: No. A feeding tube does not mean a child or adult is failing. It does not mean a parent has done something wrong. It does not mean someone isn’t trying hard enough. Feeding tubes are medica

When people hear the words feeding tube, there’s often an immediate reaction—fear, sadness, discomfort, or assumptions that something has gone terribly wrong. Feeding tubes are still deeply misunderstood, and that misunderstanding fuels stigma for the families and individuals who rely on them. So let’s slow this down and talk about what feeding tubes actually are—and what they are not. What is a feeding tube? A feeding tube is a medical device used to provide nutrition, hydra

Feeding tubes are not a failure. They are not the “end of the road.” They are not something to whisper about or hide or apologize for. For my daughter, Meadow, a feeding tube was a lifeline. Meadow was born six weeks early. From the very beginning, feeding was hard—hard in a way that didn’t make sense yet. We went home without a tube, but that didn’t mean things were okay. At two months old, she had a terrifying choking incident. The kind that rewires your nervous system fore

Skin-to-skin contact is often celebrated in those precious moments after birth, a time when the baby is placed directly on the parent’s chest. This practice is sometimes called the "golden hour," and it's treasured for the incredible benefits it offers to both parent and baby. But the magic of skin-to-skin extends far beyond that first hour after birth. It’s a practice that can—and should—be part of your journey well into the weeks and months postpartum. Let’s dive into why s

The excitement of welcoming a new sibling can take on a different tone when that baby needs to spend time in the NICU. It’s a space full of unfamiliar sights, sounds, and routines that can feel overwhelming, especially to young children who are adjusting to the idea of a new sibling. But with gentle guidance, we can help older siblings feel safe, included, and even connected to their baby sibling during this unique experience. Preparing Your Child for Their NICU Visit Before

As expectant parents, there are countless choices to make around birth. One of the seemingly small but impactful choices during birth is the timing of when to clamp and cut the umbilical cord. Delayed cord clamping (DCC) has gained attention as a practice that can offer newborns additional health benefits by waiting a few minutes before cutting the cord. If you’re exploring your birth plan and wondering about the benefits of delayed cord clamping, here’s what you need to know

Planning a home birth brings a sense of control, comfort, and connection that many parents-to-be deeply value. But while you may feel strongly about giving birth at home, it’s wise to prepare for a hospital transfer, just in case. Why Plan for a Transfer? The vast majority of home births proceed smoothly, but occasionally, a transfer to a hospital becomes necessary. Common reasons include stalled labor, fetal distress, maternal exhaustion, or other unexpected medical needs. C

When planning a home birth, preparing your space isn’t just about the practicalities—it’s about creating an environment that makes you feel safe, empowered, and deeply connected to the experience. Whether you’re considering your bedroom, living room, or a dedicated birthing area, setting up your home for birth is a personal journey of intention, comfort, and grounding. 1. Choose the Right Space for You Think about where you feel most comfortable in your home. This could be a

Preparing for a home birth involves gathering both practical essentials and comforting items to help you create the optimal environment. Having everything ready beforehand allows you and your birth team to focus on the process and makes for a more peaceful experience. Essential Supplies for a Home Birth Birth Pool (if planning a water birth) A birth pool provides natural pain relief and comfort, especially during active labor. Some midwives may provide pools, but if not, you

The NICU journey is full of intense moments, a rollercoaster of emotions that can feel like it’s never going to end. Every NICU parent knows the uncertainty, the constant monitoring, the slow and steady pace as we wait for our babies to grow stronger. The days and nights can blur together in a loop of hope and worry, but amidst it all, there are bright moments—those small victories that mean the world. Celebrating these milestones, however small they may seem to others, can m

When people talk about “birth plans,” it can feel like you’re supposed to map out every detail of your labor from the first contraction to the moment you’re holding your baby. But birth isn’t a checklist. It isn’t predictable, and it definitely doesn’t follow a script just because we wish it would. That’s why I prefer the phrase birth intentions  — it gives you space to name your hopes, needs, and boundaries without tying everything to an outcome you can’t control. Your birth

Hyperemesis gravidarum isn’t “just morning sickness.” It’s not throwing up a few times a day. It’s not being a little queasy or needing crackers on the nightstand. HG is something entirely different — heavy, relentless, all-consuming. It takes over your body, your routines, your relationships, your sense of self. And when you’re in it, it feels like you’re drowning quietly while people tell you you’re “supposed to be glowing.” My journey with HG was one of the hardest parts o

A lot of people think doulas are only for home births or unmedicated births. I hear it all the time: “I’m giving birth in a hospital — do I still need a doula?” And the honest answer is: yes, if you want one, it can make a huge difference. Hospital births deserve support just as much as home births do — sometimes even more. The energy, the pace, the pressure, the bright lights, the policies… it can all feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to stay grounded in your

When people hear the term sibling doula, they sometimes picture a babysitter or someone who simply hangs out with the older kids during labor. But sibling doula support is so much more than that. It’s emotional care, continuity, grounding, and stability for the whole family — especially for children who are trying to make sense of a huge transition. Birth isn’t only about the baby who’s arriving. It’s about the family that already exists, too. And siblings feel that shift dee

One of the biggest things I talk about with my clients—whether they’re planning a home birth, birth center birth, or hospital birth—is how much a baby’s position can shape the entire flow of labor. And I don’t mean “good” or “bad” positions. I mean understanding how your baby is navigating your pelvis, how your body responds, and how we can work with the process instead of fighting against it. Your baby isn’t just floating around randomly in there. They’re actively finding th

When people talk about the “stages of labor,” it can sound so medical and detached—like you’re supposed to move through these tidy little phases with perfect timing. But real labor? It’s human. It’s emotional. It’s messy and powerful and nothing like a diagram. Early Labor: the warm-up. This is when your body is whispering, “Something’s shifting.” Contractions might feel like period cramps, back aches, or tightening that comes and goes. You can still talk, laugh, eat, and mov

New Year’s Day arrives quietly, even though we pretend it doesn’t. After all the buildup, the noise, the reflection posts, the promises to do better or be more or finally figure it all out—this day is often soft, slow, and a little tender. The calendar changes, but our bodies don’t magically reset. We wake up still carrying what we carried yesterday. And I think that matters. There’s a lot of language around the new year that centers fixing. Reinvention. Transformation. Becom

As this year comes to a close, I’ve found myself reflecting less on milestones and more on the quiet lessons—the ones that didn’t announce themselves, but changed me anyway. This year shaped me both as a mom and as a doula, and those two roles continue to inform each other in ways I didn’t expect and can’t separate. Motherhood keeps teaching me humility. No matter how much I know, how much I’ve learned, how deeply I trust my instincts now, being a mom reminds me daily that co

Christmas Day arrives with a lot of expectation attached to it. By the time today comes, we’ve already been surrounded by weeks of messaging about joy, gratitude, magic, and togetherness. We’re told this is the day it all comes together. The day it’s supposed to feel good. Whole. Meaningful. But real life doesn’t always line up that neatly. For many people—especially parents, postpartum families, and those carrying grief or exhaustion—Christmas Day can feel layered. There can

Christmas Eve has always carried a certain weight for me. Not the loud kind. Not the sparkly, performative kind. But the quieter weight—the kind that settles in your chest when the house finally stills, the lights are low, and you’re left alone with memory, grief, gratitude, and everything in between. This night asks for reflection whether we’re ready or not. As a parent, as a doula, as someone who has lived through a pregnancy that didn’t follow the script and a postpartum s