Send us a text

Did you know that babies are born with incredible amounts of tension and they need our help to relax, release and feel comfortable?  If left untouched, this imbalance can interfere with essential skills like rolling, crawling, walking, balance, hand/eye coordination, attention span and more? This can even affect their life experience as adults. 

Dr. Amie Dougherty, PT, DPT with Milestones at Play is an in home physical therapist who shares fascinating information about building a solid foundation for nervous system and gross motor development for babies and children ages 0-18. Discover early warning signs and gain tips to set your child up for a lifetime of health in their body.  

Here’s what we cover:

• 2 key signs that your baby needs nervous system support or physical therapy
• Neuroplasticity; rewiring the brain to heal trauma or injury and the importance of early intervention
• Fostering symmetry between the right and left sides of the body and what happens when there is asymmetrical development
• Why do some babies skip crawling and is this a problem?
• What can cause Torticollis and plagiocephaly?
• Why is tummy time important and tips for baby’s enjoyment and strength building 
• How much time is too much time in a container and why? (Think swings, bouncers, car seats, jumpers)  
• When is toe walking a problem and what can cause this?

If you enjoyed this podcast, please follow, share, and leave a 5-star review!

Connect With Dr. Amie

Website

Insta

Blog: 8 Proactive Developmental Checkpoints for Your Baby 

Babinski Reflex  (aka plantar reflex)

Find me on insta:  I love hearing from you!

@liberatingmotherhood

Don’t walk into your birth blind!  Ask these important questions first…

Questions to Ask Your Care Provider Free Download

Send us a text

Have you ever had an intrusive thought that you just couldn’t shake?  I have.  It was the scariest time of my life and not even my closest friends have heard this story.   

If you are struggling with mental health as a mom, you are not alone.  There is an epidemic of mental health disorders in the US and they are contributing significantly to our increasing maternal death rate which is much higher than our peers.  Nearly 1 in 4 maternal deaths in the US are related to mental health. That’s almost double the rate of maternal death from postpartum hemorrhage, the second leading cause of pregnancy-related death. Please don’t wait to seek help like I did.  

This episode Includes nutrition tips for preventing anxiety (13:41) and a daily exercise to stop the cycle of intrusive thoughts. (21:59).  

 
Resources: 

·      Post Partum Support International 

·      PSI Hotline 1-800-944-4773

·      CNN Article “Maternal Mental Health Conditions Drive Climbing Death Rate In US”

·      JAMA Study

·      The Basics Of Post Partum OCD

Reach out on Instagram to share your story.  I love hearing from you!

@liberatingmotherhood

Don’t walk into your birth blind!  Ask these important questions first…

Questions to Ask Your Care Provider Free Download

Send us a text

Birth and motherhood should NOT be a root of fear, doubt, nor trauma yet these experiences are often the norm in our culture. In this chat with Jana Johnston, CPM and founder of Global Education of the Midwife, we shed light on the process of reworking our identities as Mother.  And guess what?  It’s an ongoing process that lasts the rest of our lives.

·      3 purposeful prayers that lead Jana into Midwifery and why she chose midwifery over obstetrics
·      How a friend’s 27-week Preeclamptic seizure showed her that the in the wealthiest country in the world, women are not being educated or cared for.
·      The most important quality to look for in a care provider
·      The biggest challenge we face with hospital birth
·      How birth can cause an Identity Crisis, and how to hold space for women
·      Why we are so emotional during pregnancy-  Yes, hormones, but why spiritually?
·      Emotional processing activities to help with big shifts in who we are
·      Negative self talk and getting out of your head
·      The importance of being present with and feeling pain emotionally and physically

 Find Jana
https://gemmidwife.com/
https://labendicionkc.com/
@gemmidwife

 Follow Us!
@liberatingmotherhood 

Don't Walk Into Your Birth Blind!
Questions to Ask Your Care Provider Free Download

Send us a text

Timing your arrival to the hospital or birth center is an art and a science!  After attending 50+ births, these are some of my favorite techniques for assessing when it's time to load up and head in. 

This information is for a medically normal pregnancy without complications.  If you ever experience decreased fetal movement or have concerns about your own or your baby’s health, please remember to contact your care provider as soon as possible!  *This is not medical advice and this information is designed to supplement childbirth education classes.

Includes:
-The signigicant differences between early and active labor
-The changes in mood to look for
-How to use the data from a contraction timer
-What does active labor sound like

Contraction Timer:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/contraction-timer-counter-9m/id877303791

Reach out on Instagram!
@liberatingmotherhood 

Don’t walk into your birth blind!  Ask these important questions first…
Questions to Ask Your Care Provider Free Download

Send us a text

What does one do when labor stalls and you are being pressed for an unnecessary epidural/ c-section? Jenice and Robert Houston share their birth story including, how they prepared to stay safe in the country where black women die 3 times more often than their white counterparts.

 In this episode we cover:

-How to approach birth and the importance of education
-Natural tips to strengthen the body’s ability to birth
-How and why she changed care providers in the 2nd trimester
-How faith and trust in Jesus and in the body carried her through labor
-How to handle a nurse or resident is pushing/ rushing your body’s natural process
-How to be a good partner during both pregnancy and birth
-How we progressed from 7cm to 10cm in an hour (after being 7 for 10 hours)

Spinning Babies Walchers Technique accomplishing “the impossible” 

Instagram:
@cherishjbnew
@iamrobhollywood
@liberatingmotherhood
@northdallasdoulas

 Free Download:
Questions to Ask Your Care Provider Free Download

Send us a text

Eclipses are powerful transition periods during which doors close on what is familiar, and open to a new existence.  Are you feeling the intensity of these "contractions" in your life as big changes arise?  ME TOO.  As with physiological birth, when birthing a new self, it is important to breathe, to relax, to pause, trust, and listen.  Are you ready?
 
 This can feel emotionally intense; as if your world is crumbling.  You may be feeling grief, sadness, joy and gratitude all at once during this transition.  This is an incredible opportunity to focus on new beginnings and to allow what isn't useful to shed away.
 
 OUR FAMILY IS MOVING TO OREGON! Big feelings, changes and perspectives shared in this episode including a bonus tip from my 3-year old on how to pivot out of negative emotions.
 
 My FAVE astrological guides on insta:
 @virginiarosenberg
@spiritdaughter
 
**Also, my mic didn't work for this recording, but I didn't realize it until later, so the audio will be better on the next episode!  Eek!

Send us a text

Send us a text

Modern America is vastly uneducated about the reality of birth because the truth of it has been removed from our culture.  In this episode we explore cultivating mindset for birth by first becoming aware of cultural influences that encourage us to fear the process.  

• Childhood programming and lack of education
• Unresolved trauma in the body; Were you criticized about your body?  Were you sexually abused?
•  Releasing mental tension and why we are intensely emotional
• The damaging cultural portrayal of birth and the misrepresentation of the  feminine.
• How your doctor influences your mindset without even knowing it
• How to Protect Your Mindset

Don't walk into your birth blind!  Get the most out of your appointments with the free Questions for Your Provider Quick Reference Guide

Send us a text

Times have changed since your parents had babies! In this chat with DeeDee Moore, we cover how to set your parents (the new grandparents) up with clear boundaries and expectations for the birth and post-partum period without excluding them!  These foundational skills that bridge the gap from parent to grandparent are TIMELESS and essential at any season of parenthood.

More Than Grand shares inspiration and resources for grandparents who understand the importance of their new role and want to invest in strengthening family bonds. The blog, website and social media address issues that matter to families, such as concrete ways to help new parents, understanding new trends in child care, and gifts for grandchildren.

Prepare You parents for Birth/ Hospital/ Post Partum Etiquette
Hospital Etiquette for Grandparents
Your Grandchild’s Birth: Are You Invited?
New Parents Need a Village

Search the blog for meaningful topics to send to Grandparents here  https://www.morethangrand.com/ 

Send your parents the new grandparent quiz:

Love letter templates for the long distance grandparent

The Long Distance Grandparent


Instagram:
@morethangrand
@liberatingmotherhood

Send us a text

Don't Walk Into Your Birth Blind!
QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE: Questions to Ask Your Care Provider

Instagram:
Find me: @liberatingmotherhood
Find my team: @northdallasdoulas

*This episode is random compilation of my life experiences and thoughts on transforming birth and motherhood in the US.  If you want to jump around, check out the time stamp below!

SHOW NOTES:
1:00- How I became a Mom when I didn’t think I wanted to 
2:45- My background in the mind arts/ mind/ body connection 
4:30- Why this podcast exists and the attitude behind it: (how we birth as a society has vast cultural impact down the road)
4:50- How should we approach “the system” and where does the power and authority lie?  What is the best model of care?
6:10: My hope for this podcast:  It starts with trust in and connection to our bodies. 7:00- The trauma of leaving a spiritual community and then I became a mom!
8:40- Miscarriage, grief and loss is an essential part of motherhood
9:30- Financial options and birth- another thing doulas do!  Resources vary state to state.  It helps to know your options.  Find the right care provider.
11:50- My natural birth center experience, the power of birthing energy, and now I doula mostly in the hospital.  I was called there through by something bigger.
12:45- Stepping into full alignment as a doula and the only hospital I recommend to clients
14:00- How care varies VASTLY between hospitals and providers.  Side note: (I did not say this but some hospitals have interventions as the standard EVEN if you and your baby are safe.)
14:45- IS a hospital actually the safest option?
15:50- Do you want a natural birth in a hospital?  I believe in you.  Choose the right hospital and provider.  STARTS WITH INTERVIEWING your OB.
18:30- Making decisions from a place of trusting the body.  Why we can’t wait for the government to protect us and  a vision of what’s to come.