how i’m spending my kid-free time

Posted in let me let me update ya, Momma Needs a minute... by ElaineMarie

we’re only 2.5 days into darla being gone so i’m still at that phase of feeling i might *finger quotes* accidentally forget *finger quotes* to pick my child up in a few days. this phase directly precedes the phase of feeling lost, lonely and completely void of any life purpose without my child. yep, in a matter of 12 hours the change will set in. what can i say? parenting: making moms bipolar since…forever.

and i just want to say the next time one of you non-spawning people tell my you haven’t had time to do something i will look into your eyes, down into your soul and i will know you are LYING. childlessness provides all the time in the world!!!! i’m like scrooge mcduck backstroking through his vault of gold coins only instead of coins they are minutes and instead of a stingy duck i am me. big hair, big boobs ME swimming in a sea of time.

so here’s what i’ve been doing with myself:

1. attending concerts – husbeau and i saw grizzly bear and xx one night and japandroids the next. we left japandroids early because we just were not digging it and i think this may be a first for us a couple. 2. i’ve had more than one lovely bike ride everyday. it’s been simply perfect riding weather. 3. working in a beautiful space and catching up on some birthy reading once all my shop chores were finished. two jobs at one time!! 4. spending time at the library filling out my certification paperwork 5. catching some rays while i 6. take care of some ornery laundry and 7. pay attention to the other growing things for which i am responsible.

all this i’ve been doing while waiting on the call from a momma to let me know her baby is coming earthside! i love the anticipation part of my work.

i guess when darla is gone i’m prone to taking pictures of my legs. can’t say that i’m too ashamed because they’re the only legs i’ve got but it’s possible things will be more visibly stimulating when she gets back.

but until then i’m going to enjoy the peace and calm and excess free time. i might even do some front porch sittin‘ later and now that i think about it recreating this kid-free-zone for myself sounds pretty good too.

sending you positive vibes for a great weekend. happy friday everybodiez!

7Jun2013

birth links

Posted in birth links, doula work by ElaineMarie

i’ve been absent on the friday birth links for a while and i’m attempting a comeback. watch out!

first up is the Midwives Archive from Gentlebirth.org. This is a no frills compilation of A LOT of information. It’s really worth a browse as it is a wealth of information but be prepared for the sheer volume. it’s well-organized despite the large amount.

Evidence Based Birth tackled the Evidence for Induction or C-Section for a Big Baby. I always love the posts and evidence EBB provides for readers. What do you think about inductions and c-sections for suspected big babies after that article?

and lastly i wanted to tip you off to the birth without fear blog. the stories on this blog are always inspiring, and real and even though they deal with the hard issues of birth and life coming earthside they are done so without the tone of fear so often forced upon us. this space truly shows how strong birthing women are.

i hope you find something that helps and inspires. Good Luck. Wishing you a calm + confident birth.

20May2013

weekending: birthy

Posted in doula work, familyness by ElaineMarie

thank goodness nature gives us may before hitting us with the hard-core temps of summer, right? our weekend was beautiful and my weekend was quite birthy. i finished up my really lovely hypnobabies course. it’s nice to relearn things from a different perspective sometimes { you can hop on over to this post for more information about hypnobabies from maloree munn } and since it was a 6 week commitment it’s nice to have that all wrapped up under my belt. there is a nesting momma on the front porch of my instructor’s house. i took it to be a good omen. i also did a bit of postpartum work on saturday {sometimes a postpartum momma rings you up and just needs your help to make it to a hair appointment she made 3 mos ago. i’m here for that } and some studying and reading saturday night. little by little this work is falling into place.

but i hope to be more of use in the future so please give me a call if you’re in a family way and need a doula, people of columbus ohio!

19May2013

doula-do: new informational support sessions via skype

Posted in doula work by ElaineMarie

i wanted to use this platform to flush out a new service i’ll be offering. you know that feeling you have when you’ve thought of a really good idea but you don’t know if it will actually work? that’s me right now. but i think i just heard someone whisper “if you build it, they will come.” so i’m going for it. oh, wait. that was just my neighbors’ lawnmower. here goes anyway!

since starting the birthwork trail i’ve happily been a resource for a few friends for prep & planning of their own journey into parenthood. i’d like to pat my own back and smugly say that i think i played a small part of positive birth experiences for a few people. smuggy humor aside, helping folks whenever and wherever is what i’m hoping to do with this birthy brain bank up there.

so what’s a doula to do when she’s got friends across the globe with buns in the oven? skype. the answer to all time/space conundrums.

i will now be offering informational sessions over skype to help you prepare, plan & celebrate the birth of your child. for a nominal fee you’ll get a series of 2-hour sessions with me to flush out all things pregnancy related. in short, you’ll basically be getting prenatal doula support even if distance doesn’t allow me to be at your birth with you.

this is perfect for any stage of your pregnancy! i feel it would be especially helpful in the beginning phase when there is a little bit of that “so we’re pregnant! now what?” going on. i will also provide email information back-up to guide you towards good resources.

is this a good idea? yes? if you think so, please feel free to send my info to anyone you know that is expecting even if they are not sure they’re going to need doula care or not. I have included info about the sessions over at columbus birth arts under the birth work section.

so who wants to be first in line? wish me luck.

10May2013

the cesarean thing

Posted in doula work by ElaineMarie

i wish i had something really eloquent to say in regards to the cesarean thing. i’m afraid i don’t. i know i’ve read a good deal of very good, honest & earnest writings in the past month that dig into what i feel is real about c-sections for women. i know my own views on cesarean birth have evolved and i couldn’t be more thankful. what i think we’ve gotten right about the whole situation is letting women have their own voices. women are sharing. whether it’s to process, validate, heal, inform or advocate doesn’t really matter. what matters is we are involved in a big way.

so i have a couple shirts that can help you tell your story. maybe you want to warn other women not to fall prey to the pressure of the medical machine. maybe you want women to know their options. or maybe you want to tell the natural birth cult to stop making you feel like a villain for your surgical birth because some births legitimately require a cesarean for a healthy baby to be placed in your arms. in the end, the best thing we can do for one another is honor birth. we can inform, support, care and assist and most importantly we can honor one another.

so if you feel like voicing yourself and advocating in the passive aggressive form of donning a t-shirt* to speak your message here you go. you’re welcome:

i also wanted to mention the sale of these t-shirts helps make it possible for me to lower my fees for couples/mothers who want a supported birth but might not be able to afford the full fee. so thank you for supporting me and for supporting them.

basically, buying one of these t-shirts makes you a really good person. bye!

*i actually think t-shirts such as these can be great conversation starters. i am being a bit facetious above.

20Apr2013

BIRTH WORK T-SHIRTS ON SALE

Posted in doula work, let me let me update ya by ElaineMarie

why am i typing in caps? I DON’T KNOW.

Skreened is having a sale on tanks right now – 20% off – so that means my birth work tanks are on sale. think about it…you can advertise your biz and sun your arms at the same time.

so if you’ve had your eye on one for a while head on over to my shop and GET DAT TANK! plus, i lowered my kickback on ’em so the price is even lower than normal. i’m a nice person like that.

keep checking back as i’ll be adding some new styles before monday. sale ends monday at midnight. pow.

and let me know if there is any custom message i could make for you. here are just a few of the styles: