{Mommy Monday} - Amber's Cub River Maternity Session
Amber and I became fast friends when my husband and her worked at the same nursing facility. Brock pointed out how I somehow always "take over" his friendships with people and end up being better friends with those he introduces me to. Amber is one of those people! We initially started hanging out as families, but honestly, when we all work, have kids, and have all the things that end up on family calendars, Girl's Night ends up being a lot easier (and a lot more refreshing) than getting the whole families together. So when we each have a break in our evening schedules, we get together. We've gone to a yoga class, we've hung out at Starbucks chatting, we've hit up chick flicks, and we've gone to dinner. One time we tried taking the kids for an evening park date, but the toddlers really didn't let us get much "girl time" in.
Amber text a couple weeks ago to hang out, and I told her we should just go take some maternity pictures before Miss Lila gets here! We were originally going to meet somewhere closer in the valley, but then I decided we should head up this canyon and enjoy the drive so we could just talk (all while I was praying her water didn't break!). It was perfect!
Amber and I have been chatting a lot about unmedicated birth these last few months since she's really wanting to experience it. All you ladies know how much we love talking about our birth stories. And since I had an un-medicated birth with Holland, I love chatting about what I learned, what I would change, what I loved, etc. Since I'm trying to make this blog more about lifestyle and learning from each other, I thought I would share a few things that may come in handy for pregnant mamas!
I read A LOT during my pregnancy with Holland. I wanted to be as prepared as I could going into labor and delivery, and I feel like I did a pretty good job with the prep work. I also hired a doula, took a pregnancy Birthfit class with Brock, did a Birthfit workout class, and practiced hypno-birth meditations almost every night. I felt like I was rock-solid ready. Then, on the morning of my 30th birthday when contractions started coming, and then coming faster and harder, it all kind of went out the window. I made the number one mistake of a third time mom - I didn't pack a hospital bag. So in between trying to get ready to leave, waiting for Brock to get home, and labor intensifying quickly, all my reading, training, and relaxation methods went out the door.
Except for one thing. The pain coping mechanisms I learned in Juju Sundin's Birth Skills: Proven Pain-Management Techniques for Your Labour and Birth . This book is AMAZING. Like seriously, pregnant mamas. Read this NOW. While I was reading it, I continuously thought to myself, "Yeah, I'm never doing THAT." But man, and I glad I learned what I learned! And I'm glad that it was "weird" enough for me to remember what it when my brain wasn't working.
See, I hired a doula who lives in Salt Lake. And I counted on my mom and sisters who also live down that way to all make it for my labor. And while Brock is an amazing guy, labor and delivery just isn't his thing. But my labor was progressing FAST - and none of the women who I was counting on being there to help me were even close. But Juju was there. She was right in my head! And so were her crazy but effective pain management techniques. And while they don't stop the pain, I didn't feel completely helpless and lost during a whirlwind delivery. So that's it - that's my number one tip for mamas who are getting ready for delivery!
Now.... I'm just waiting for the text from Amber announcing baby girl's birth. Hopefully in the next few days!
My Go-To Pregnancy & Birth Resources
- Birthfit Classes (for pregnancy AND postpartum)
- This Magnesium for restless legs (really wish I knew about this for my 2nd pregnancy!) She sells magnesium boosted bath bombs, too!
- Maternity Clothes from H&M
- Gender Scan at 15 weeks at Fetal Fotos (they're 2 for 2 for me!)
- Books to read
- Keep a pregnancy journal! Cause as much as sometimes being pregnant stinks, it's a beautiful process to remember!
- And just because #ICE, take your daily trip to Maverick or Sonic and getchyo' pebble ice!
And remember mama - you know YOU. Everyone is different. And you may need completely different things than me! You're body is beautiful. You're body is amazing. And you are one amazing mama!
