Happy, Sad, and Grateful: A C-Section Mom's Journey Through Motherhood

Have you ever been hospitalized for difficulty breathing? I have and so has my daughter. You can't necessarily tell who is at high-risk of getting severely ill from COVID-19 by looking at them on the street. For people like us, it is a real risk for us to need hospitalization if either of us gets sick. Throw that on top of an overwhelmed hospital system with endangered healthcare workers, we want to avoid getting infected at all costs.

In this episode, my husband Brian joins me as a co-host for the 2nd time to talk about how our concern over the developing pandemic grew in the matter of a few weeks, hard decisions we have had to make like millions of other people, and what it has been like to be in complete isolation this week. We hope that this episode can give you a new perspective and also provide you with some solidarity in the midst of this worldwide struggle.

UPDATE: Brian's employer responded saying they will be able to accommodate him working remotely for now. Grateful!

The dreaded question... "Does your baby sleep through the night?" Thankfully our now 18-month-old does, but it took a lot of trial-and-error for our family to get to where we are today.

In this episode, my husband Brian joins me as a guest for the first time to talk about our sleep journey with Lacey from birth until now. 

Although strategies have been the most effective in making positive change, there were a couple of products that really helped us. Here are some that either we or our friends love!

• Video monitor system
  • Infant Optics
  • Lollipop Baby Camera
  • Foscam Security Camera System
• Blackout Window Covers
  • For our nursery: Blackout EZ - Total Sunlight Blocking Window Cover
  • For travel: AmazonBasics Portable Baby Travel Window Blackout Blind Shades with Suction Cups
• Ok to wake clock
  • LittleHippo Mella Ready to Rise Children's Trainer

*Note: We do talk about safe co-sleeping which is sometimes a taboo subject. Although it is discouraged by the American Academy of Pediatrics, there are many other countries, like New Zealand, that educate parents on how to set-up a safe co-sleeping space which has resulted in an overall decrease in mortality. Our opinion is that much like making the topic of safe sex taboo, not talking about how to make co-sleeping safer is putting families at a higher risk because sometimes when sleep deprivation is a factor, co-sleeping just happens. We have researched the risks and know them well. Co-sleeping at the start with our baby is what worked best for us to keep our little girl safe. We encourage you to read this fast-read written by NPR on the topic.

In this episode, Raisa talks about the challenges of sharing her vulnerable story and the reason for a 2-month hiatus.

In this episode, Raisa has an honest conversation with Amy Kranz, PhD about birth trauma and postpartum depression, mood, and anxiety disorders.

Amy is the owner and founder of The Womb Room, yoga teacher, and DONA trained doula. Amy opened The Womb Room after seeing the need for a social justice oriented family space in the Milwaukee community. She has also completed a Master's and Ph.D. in Psychology and taken special Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders, Components of Care through Postpartum Support International. Amy brings all these components of care together when working with her clients to ensure they are supported as a whole.

Resources:

• Postpartum Support International
• For listeners in the Milwaukee area looking for professional help: Moms Mental Health Initiative

Connect with Amy on Facebook on her page "Amy Kranz: Doula."

In today's episode, in honor of World Doula Week, Raisa has a conversation with two doulas to discuss their role in the birth world and how they support families. Raisa starts with the basics, asking, "What is a doula?" and then dives deeper to clear up misconceptions.

Guests: Rowenna Oesch (www.kinderhavenbirthandfamily.com) Heather Nischke (www.heathernischkebirthservices.com)

Book recommendations mentioned:

• The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin
• Books by Ina May Gaskin
• Birthing From Within by Pam England

Resources to help find a doula:

• DoulaMatch
• Care Network for Milwaukee

Medical terminology:

• Sacrum: a shield-shaped bony structure that is located at the base of the lumbar vertebrae and that is connected to the pelvis.

Show notes of products mentioned in this episode with links

For Meals

• Happy Healthy Parent trough bib
• Contigo Kids Autospout Gizmo Water Bottles
• Straw Cup
• Plastic Plates
• Nuby Fork and Spoons
• Munchkin Snack Catcher
• Restaurant Style Highchair
• Silicone Baby Placemat

For Hygiene

• Munchkin Diaper Changing Pad
• Nose Frida
• Saline Nose Spray
• Toothbrush
• Safe to Swallow Toothpaste
• Diaper Genie
• Dishwasher Basket
• Summer Infant Comfort Height Bath Tub
• Skip Hop Rinser Bath Cup
• Nail Frida Set

For Safety

• Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Carseat
• Baby Car Mirror
• TV Anti Tip Straps
• Outlet Covers
• Cabinet/Drawer Locks

For Fun

• Board Books
• Baby Doll
• Balls
• Stacking Toys
• Used and Cleaned Spice Containers
• Pikler Triangle Climber

Clothes

• 100% Cotton Halo SleepSack Wearable Blanket
• Hooded Baby Towel
• Soft Sole Shoes with grips on the bottom
• Fisher Price Diaper Bag Backpack
• Carseat Safe Coat for Winter

For Sleeping

• Blackout Window Covers
• MyBaby Soundspa White Noise Portable Sound Machine
• Security Blanket
• Twin Mattress to use as a floor bed

Do you ever wonder what people mean when they say, "breastfeeding is so hard?" I realized that I had no idea what they meant before I walked through the challenges myself. 

In this episode, I talk about my breastfeeding journey including lessons learned, my struggles and victories, products that I loved and didn't love, and how it made me feel. 

Information resources that I mention during the episode include:

• La Leche League
• The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
• The weaning strategy we used from Dr. Jay Gordon
• The website I ordered my free breast pump through insurance
• Photos of women breastfeeding in public

Products

• Lanolin Ointment (prescription ointment is called APNO)
• Belly Band
• Maternity pants from Motherhood maternity
• Boppy Pillow
• Ring Sling
• BabyBuddha
• Bamboobies

Medical terminology from this episode

• Colostrum: The first form of milk produced in the breast. Commonly called "liquid gold". Newborns have very immature and small digestive systems, and colostrum delivers its nutrients in a very concentrated low-volume form.

Unfortunately not all births are the magical and romantic experiences that they are portrayed to be. Having a difficult birth can make a mom feel isolated and ashamed of unresolved emotions, especially because society often dismisses any sad feelings by saying, "all that matters is you have a healthy baby."

In this episode, Raisa tells her own birth story to her first daughter who was delivered by cesarean. Through her experience, she explains how having a healthy baby is the priority, but a woman's birth experience does still matter.

Resources that she mentions include:

• Evidence Based Birth - The blog articles give scientific summaries of several hot topics in the birth world. This is the #1 resource Raisa recommends to expecting moms.
• Preggie Pals Podcast - A great, unbiased podcast that presents several different perspectives on pregnancy. Whether you are traditional or crunchy or figuring out what type of mom you want to be, this podcast is great.
• What to Expect When You're Expecting - A classic book with great general information.
• ICAN (Internation Cesarean Awareness Network) - This organization provides local support to moms in the USA and beyond who have had a traumatic c-section or birth.

Medical terminology from this episode:

• Perineum - The surface region in both males and females between the pubic bone and the tail bone. It is a diamond-shaped area that includes the anus and, in females, the vagina.

In this introductory episode, get to know a little bit about Raisa, why she is starting this podcast, and what you can expect from the show.