Belly Baby Mom

We all know the many great benefits that Breastfeeding has to offer, and you may have heard the saying 'Breast Is Best'... but is it really?

Today, I chat to Farangis, mom of 3 & Founder and admin of Breastfeeding Q&A UAE, the popular breastfeeding support group, that aims to support moms throughout their breastfeeding journey. We share quite a laugh as we discuss both our experiences with breastfeeding , the top breastfeeding challenges women face, why she started the group, as well as why (and how!) she breastfed her daughter for 5 years! (You rock mama!)

Farangis also shared with me a beautiful poem called 'Wean Me Gently' by Cathy Cardall, written from a breastfeeding mom's perspective asking her child to 'wean her gently' as she wishes her journey doesn't stop just yet. Please find link under 'references' section below.

#WelcomeToMamahood

Guest Contact:

www.facebook.com/groups/242418372502807/

https://www.facebook.com/breastfeedingqauae/

References:

http://www.nancyholtzman.com/wean-me-gently-poem/

Let me know what you think! Share your comments, feedback and suggestions with me: [email protected]

**This is a special episode that I dedicate to all the mamas out there who have lost their little angels in pregnancy or infanthood, as we approach International Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day this October 15th.**

Lala Langtry White, from Small & Mighty babies & mom of premature twin boys, joins me on an in-depth conversation about her challenging yet rewarding birth & parenting experience with her twins as well as the incredible support work that she does everyday for parents of premature babies & those who have lost their little angels. Throughout the interview, I am in awe of her stories, allowing Lala her space to passionately lead the way, as I take a back seat and listen. Together, with a great support network around her, special memory boxes are now available & a lovely remembrance event is set up this Saturday 14th October.

*Image of Lala and her twins are photographed by Barefoot Dubai*

Guest Contact:

www.smallandmightybabies.com

www.facebook.com/smallandmightybabies

www.facebook.com/thedifferentdoula

References:

https://www.facebook.com/littleangelssupport/

https://www.facebook.com/footprintsinthesanduae/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TwinsPlusME/

https://www.facebook.com/remembermybaby/

www.lighthousearabia.com

www.barefootdubai.com

So I have been holding off recording this episode for a while now, and had only just realized I wasn't sure why. I guess a part of me felt uncomfortable to share a personal part of my life with the world, but I also realized that many listening to it, could actually learn from my experiences, making their own so much more informed, confident and positive. Today, I share with you all my 3 birth stories and why I believe my last c-section birth was a very positive birth experience. Here we go!

#WelcomeToMamahood #CesareanBirthIsBirth

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I would love to hear your feedback & comments! Please feel free to comment/leave a review on iTunes or email me on [email protected]

Would you consider hiring a birth photographer to document your birth? How does a birth photographer go about managing a birthing space yet still produce the most compelling pictures? Today I speak to Lana, a Birth photographer in Dubai, chatting about our kids going to nursery for the 1st time, but more importantly, she takes me through her journey into becoming a birth photographer, her work ethos and work process, and to my surprise, the similarities we share as birth photographers and birth doulas!

**Lana is offering a 10% discount on birth photography to any of our pregnant mama listeners! (Just make sure you are subscribed to the podcast!)**

#WelcomeToMamahood

www.lanaphotographs.com

www.dubaibirthphotography.com

www.instagram.com/lanaphotographs

After a LONG summer break, we are back! I get a chance to catch up with Baida, about our summers, kids & her work as a Doula & Childbirth Educator in Abudhabi. We carry on with an interesting chat, sharing our perspectives, based on feedback received from mamas & mamas to be in the region, about what are considered to be the TOP 5 FEARS OF CHILDBIRTH. The list is eye-opening and we had so much more to say than we had time for!.

P.S - This episode was recorded over Skype and unfortunately had faced MANY technical issues with this one that I considered scrapping the whole episode, BUT thought there was so much useful info and insight on there that decided to keep it! So.. putting that aside, I hope you still enjoy it! x

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www.facebook.com/ChildBirthabudhabi

www.instagram.com/Doula_baida

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#WelcomeToMamahood

In this episode, in the comfort of my home and through fits of laughter, I chat to my sister from Germany, during her visit to Dubai, and she shares her beautiful water birth story with her 2nd daughter, Kaya. From being told by her doctor that birthing in a Birth Center is a selfish and irresponsible choice, to her trusting her instincts and doing just that, Nesreen retells why her choice was the best thing she could've done for herself and her baby. A truly inspiring birth story (and I'm bummed I missed it!), so sit back, grab a cuppa, and have a listen..

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#WelcomeToMamahood

Please dont forget to subscribe on iTunes and leave the show a review - it really helps put the show in front of others!

https://itunes.apple.com/ae/podcast/belly-baby-mom-podcast/id1252442602?mt

Email me with your comments, feedback and suggestions!

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Exercise... We all know the wonderful benefits of exercise, but how important is it to exercise before & after pregnancy? What exercises should you avoid, what is diastasis recti and urinary incontinence, and how can you avoid it?! Larissa is a lovely and passionate Doula & Antenatal Educator, a pre & post natal Massage & Aqua exercise instructor, a Physical Educator, and also teaches belly dancing and Capoeira! She believes that exercise during the pre & post natal period is about feeling good and not pushing your limits. Lots of good and useful information shared here!

#WelcomeToMamahood

Guest Contact:    

www.artmaternity.com

What is the practice of Reiki? How does it work and how can it benefit expectant moms? As I know it, Reiki is a Japanese alternative technique for stress reduction and relaxation, one that also promotes healing. Meet Tatjana, a mom of 3 and birth worker, who offers Reiki treatments to mamas to be, friends and even to her own family! Let's hear more about it.

#WelcomeToMamahood

Guest Contact:

www.doulatouch.com

References:

www.thespiritualcompany.com

FB: @spiritualcompany

Did you know there is a profession such as a 'Birth Story Listener'? Yes, it exists! It is someone who will listen to your story, with no judgement, and guide you to answers you may have been looking for all along.

Meet Gabi... a Birth Story Listener who tells us all about it, how and why it helps women postnatally and why it is important to share your story, positive or negative. Of course, I couldn't let Gabi go without asking her to share her own 2 birth stories (C-section & VBAC!) with me, while I sat down and listened. 

#WelcomeToMamahood

Guest Contact:    

What does life look like for a parent and child whose life is constantly challenged because of an additional / special need? What goes on in the mind of a special needs child? Andrea and Donna, founders of  'Amazing Mums Sensory Supplies', talk to me about their amazing children who live through Autism, SPD, Aspergers & OCD. Sit back, and have a listen.

#WelcomeToMamahood

Guests Contact:    

Amazing Mums Sensory Supplies -  

www.facebook.com/amazingmumssensorysupplies

Andrea Jane Guy -

www.thedotingdoula.com