Rose Motherhood Blog
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According to the 2013 Listening to Mothers III survey, 41% of mothers in the United States reported that their care provider tried to induce labor. Out of those mothers, over 60% said they were induced because they were close to their due date or “overdue.” (YOU NEED TO READ THIS IF YOUR BABY IS “PAST DUE” or if you’re worried about going past your “due date.”)
Many providers (both OBGYNs and licensed midwives) are pressured by state regulations into forcing their patients/clients into labor before 42 weeks, and before their bodies and babies are ready. Induction (of all kinds— “natural” or medical) multiplies the risk of serious complications and interventions such as shoulder dystocia, fetal distress, forceps-assisted delivery, cesarean section, and more. In reality, there is NO NATURAL WAY TO INDUCE LABOR. All labor induction is inherently unnatural.
NORA Tea is an important part of your Prenatal Care, because it is very nourishing, especially for the Pregnant or Nursing Mama. It stimulates your system to optimal health, optimizes mineral absorption, guards against anemia’s and maximizes the health of the liver, thereby helping to prevent many common pregnancy complaints, or minimize them. In my experience it prevents possible complications during the birth by helping to promote proper contractibility of the uterus, release of the placenta and by doing so it prevents hemorrhage and because of the health of the tissues, it reduces tears and the degree of them. After your baby is born, it will help your milk come in quickly, and the amount of production to stabilize. Also, it will help reduce the amount of time that you have a lochia flow postpartum.
NORA Tea consists of four ingredients: Nettles, Oat Straw, Raspberry Leaf, & Alfalfa. Begin to drink NORA Tea after the 16th week of pregnancy. Try to drink a quart daily, since then it will become a daily habit to prepare the tea. If you find it difficult to drink it daily, it is important to drink it at least 4 times a week, or half the quart daily.
Our society is currently facing a global health crisis. Real, nourishing foods have been replaced with “frankenfood”— addictive, synthetic, processed food-like substances that trick our bodies into craving them, even though they lack vital nutrients and are highly toxic to our systems. Because of soil depletion due to irresponsible agricultural practices, even the real, whole fruits & veggies we can buy today are far less rich in vitamins and minerals than they were 100 years ago. This impacts our lives on a physical, mental, emotional, and even spiritual level— whether or not most of us are aware of it.
I began my health journey back in 2014 when Joel and I decided to begin growing our family. I joined an online community of natural-minded mamas in order to plan for the transformational year ahead of me. It was within that community that I began to learn about the toxic substances in our cleaning products, hygiene products, and even our food. Horrified, I set out to detoxify our lifestyle. I read Nina Planck’s book, “Real Food for Mother and Baby,” (life changing!) and began implementing her recommendations immediately. Real, organic food and pasture-raised, sustainably-sourced meats became the foundation of our diet. Our health improved dramatically, and after months of trying to conceive, I finally became pregnant with our first babe.
7 years and 3 kids later, I am still very passionate about health and wellness. I believe our health is our most valuable asset, and I invest a lot into the health of my family. Our health is our own responsibility, and I take that responsibility seriously. I do not believe that health comes in the form of pharmaceuticals. Taking synthetic medicines and pills is sickness management, not health.
We have a daily wellness routine and a whole food & herb based wellness arsenal that supports our health holistically— promoting deep cellular nourishment while consistently, gently detoxing our bodies from the toxins we inevitably encounter daily…
Recently I’ve had quite a few people asking me about homeschooling. With schools out of session due to stay-at-home orders, people are adjusting to this “new normal.” Some are wondering how us homeschoolers do this every single day, some are feeling let down by the current system, some are enjoying “playing homeschool,” some are wishing that schools would just shut down completely instead of forcing everyone to comply with distance schooling efforts, and many seem to be getting curious about alternative schooling options. I’m happy to share what I have learned, as well as what works for us.
There is SO MUCH information out there regarding homeschooling. There are many different methods and philosophies. Most of us homeschoolers mix and match these to fit each of our family’s needs. I think that’s the most important point to make — every family is different. Every child is different. So everyone’s homeschooling methods should look a bit different. The whole point of homeschool is that it is flexible and adaptable, so it is better able to meet you and your child’s specific needs…
Have you heard the buzz over the magic of elderberries yet? Nature provides us with so many wonderful herbs to support our health, and Black Elderberries (Sambucus nigra) are especially helpful during cold + flu symptoms. They have been shown to both reduce the risk of contracting cold/flu illnesses as well as shorten the duration of illness if you do contract one.
In fact, world-renowned Israeli virologist Dr. Madeleine Mumcuoglu discovered that: “elderberry disarms the enzyme viruses use to penetrate healthy cells in the lining of the nose and throat. Taken before infection, it prevents infection. Taken after infection, it prevents spread of the virus through the respiratory tract. In a clinical trial, 20% of study subjects reported significant improvement within 24 hours, 70% by 48 hours, and 90% claimed complete cure in three days. In contrast, subjects receiving the placebo required 6 days to recover.”
I like to be proactive about my family’s health and wellness by supporting our bodies in a way that makes it unlikely that illness will be able to take hold. Elderberry syrup is one of the ways I support my family’s wellness through cold + flu season. However, buying it pre-made can be VERY costly. One tiny bottle can be $20-30!! When you consider you can buy a whole pound of elderberries for this amount of money, which will make enough syrup to last our family of five through TWO cold/flu seasons, then it’s really no competition. And making elderberry syrup is so easy and quick! You can have this herbal remedy brewed in under an hour…
I’ve been feeling the call to be more self sufficient— to take my family’s health and future into my own hands and not rely too heavily on outside sources. Have you?
A few weeks ago, I started a popular herbal Oxymel— Fire Cider! The Greek word Oxymeli means “acid and honey”— which is exactly what an oxymel consists of. They are herbal medicines made with apple cider vinegar infused with herbs, then mixed with honey. Fire cider is a long held old fashioned remedy that is used to boost the immune system and to help aid the upper respiratory system. I decided to prepare a large batch for this years cold/flu season, because I am a big believer in terrain theory (over the commonly held germ theory.) I believe that if we support our bodies and immune systems, that we are able to avoid illness even if we come into contact with the germs…
Years ago, in the early days of my relationship with my now-husband, he told me about an exquisite, elusive dessert called the “Bambino Huey.” He had experienced it in an italian restaurant called “Boccone’s,” and he absolutely raved about its flavor and uniqueness. Boccone’s closed when he was a teenager and he hadn’t seen the dessert for nearly 20 years by the time he was telling me about it. His eyes lit up and I could almost hear his stomach growl as he described the special treat.
A few years and two kids later, my husband’s mom surprised him with some “Bambino Huey” for his birthday. Turns out, Al (the creator) was selling it out of The Bread Box bakery in Artisans’ Alley, San Antonio. She bought it “to go” in individual plastic ramekins, and we re-heated it and added real whipped cream at home. This was my first time to try the “Bambino Huey” and OH MY GOODNESS Y’ALL… it totally lived up to the hype! It was creamy and gooey and buttery and decadent and delicious! I had never tasted anything like it, so it was difficult to describe it. It was such a mystery, my mind started trying to piece together the flavors I was tasting. We were so excited to be able to get our hands on this delectable dish, but it wasn’t for long. The very next time we visited San Antonio, we went to The Bread Box only to find that he had stopped selling them there!
Another year or two passed before we heard news that Al would be selling his famous dessert at Conroy’s Bar & Grill. We were elated! We purchased them a few times through Conroy’s and delighted over the ability to get our “Bambino Huey Fix” once again. However, they were quite expensive, and my mind kept mulling over the flavors. I knew that this recipe was not that complex. I could see there was a cake-like layer with an additional goey, buttery, cream-cheesy layer. I just had to get the right ratios. So, inspired, I started testing recipes. It took me a few tries, but I now have a finalized recipe that our family swears is even BETTER than the original (dare I say it?).
So, without further ado, here is my Copycat Bambino Huey Recipe (I call it Bambino Huxley, named for my youngest son)…
Many of you over on my instagram page saw us creating these in my stories and asked about the materials we used, so I thought I’d share here on the blog.
As a homeschooling mama, I’m always on the lookout for fun, hands-on projects to do with the kids. I’ve never used air dry clay before, but I thought ‘what the hey, I’ll try this stuff out.’
IT. WAS. SO. FUN. Y’ALL!
It is remarkably workable, and very similar to other clay I’ve worked with back when I played around with ceramics often (still a dream of mine to get back into that…). We had so much fun that I’m considering buying this BIG box of clay soon so that the kids and I can create clay models to our hearts’ content.
Anywho… so I started out with the idea of making some small catch-all bowls with this air-dry clay. Then my inspiration ran away with me and I decided I wanted some options for extra decor. I decided to grab some tiny mosaic tiles and pressed flowers as well. Since I wanted to be sure the add-ons were protected and I wanted a way to seal the end results, I also got some paintbrushes and Mod Podge.
Once we had all the supplies, we were ready to go! We just had to wait until Huxley was down for a nap so that he didn’t try to swallow the mosaic tiles or stick his foot into our masterpieces…
Did you test positive for GBS during your pregnancy? Did you know that even if you test positive, you have options?
I tested positive for GBS when I was pregnant with Titus and I chose to go by the same protocol that they use in the UK (where they have lower infant mortality rates than we do here.) We chose to turn down routine antibiotics and to only use them if other risk factors or signs of infection were present. These risk factors include:
COVID19 has rearranged our lives in many ways. It has thrown a kink into our plans every step of the way. Folks are having to make changes to their birth plans, their postpartum plans, and their daily routines. Not only are we being forced to be mindful of spreading disease, many of us are also being forced to rethink our budgets and spend wisely due to unforeseen financial constraints.
Jennifer Hamilton of Mamarazzi Photography and I wanted to be sure you had the information necessary in order to capture those first moments with your baby at home. It’s understandable that you may not wish to leave the home with your newborn with fears and uncertainty over COVID19. That doesn’t mean those first details and memories can’t be captured in an aesthetically pleasing way!
Here are some basic tips, tricks, and safety precautions to keep in mind when taking your own newborn photos at home:
Did you know that there is no such thing as a “due date”?
Babies aren’t due like library books are due! There is no late fee. Babies do not abide by schedules.
EDD stands for “Estimated Day of Delivery.” It is an estimation. Not an expectation.
When I was pregnant with my first son, Titus, I felt so anxious when my EDD came and passed. If you do a quick google search asking when most babies are born, it’ll tell you between 38-40 weeks. What isn’t clear is that those statistics are skewed by inductions and cesareans. If we wait until our bodies and babies are actually ready, the statistics would likely be a lot different. I didn’t know this at the time, so when 40 weeks came and passed, I started getting worried. I planned on a homebirth with a midwife, and I started to worry that she would transfer me to the hospital for an induction if my baby didn’t arrive “on time.”
I knew I didn’t want to birth in the hospital. I knew I wanted to avoid the cascade of interventions that can be triggered by an induction. Instinctually, I knew what my body and my baby needed… but the closer to 42 weeks I got, the more anxious I was that I would meet resistance from my care providers if I wanted to stick to my original plan (wait for labor to begin spontaneously and birth from home). That’s when I started to look for truly unbiased information about the REAL risks (and benefits) of waiting on my labor to begin on its own (even if that meant going into labor well into my 42nd week of pregnancy).
If you are nearing your “due date” (or, more accurately, your EDD), I highly recommend reading the two articles I have linked below:
Nettles are magical. Nettles are marvelous. Nettles are a MUST HAVE herbal support during pregnancy and postpartum. Not just that… nettles can provide healthy nutrients for the whole family! Nettles are packed with minerals, vitamins, and phytonutrients like chlorophyll and carotenoids. Over 100 nutritious chemical components have been identified in nettle. Nutrients like: Iron, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, manganese, magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, B vitamins, and more.
Forget the trendy green drinks, reach for a nettle infusion instead! Nettles are widely used and celebrated in the herbal community. They are cited as remedies for everything from seasonal allergies to postpartum anxiety. Not only are they a marvelous, magical tonic during pregnancy and postpartum, nettle infusions are a healthy herbal supplement for everyone. Nettles are antioxidants that relieve allergies, decrease inflammation, fight off infections due to their antiviral/antibacterial/antifungal properties, lower blood sugar, lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, heal the mucosal lining of the stomach, support prostate health, and more. They are also a great food-derived supplement for the kiddos.
I especially love to recommend nettles as herbal support during pregnancy and postpartum because:
You, too?
You’re not alone!
Anxiety is very common, and for many people (including myself), pregnancy and/or postpartum can make it more intense. At least ten percent of people experience anxiety when they are pregnant and/or postpartum (and honestly I’m willing to bet it’s more than that.)
I’d like to take a moment to wrap you in a warm, virtual hug. I know how difficult it is to cope with both prenatal anxiety and postpartum anxiety.
It has been almost a year since I was suddenly overcome with crippling anxiety during my pregnancy with my third son, Huxley. I ignored the signs and my needs for too long, and ended up so panic-stricken at 39 weeks that I begged my midwife to induce me so that I could escape the symptoms. You can read my birth story (and watch the video I took of the birth) here.
When you start to have anxiety during pregnancy or postpartum, it is important not to dismiss your feelings. It can be tempting to try to bury the feelings you’re having; to ignore them and distract yourself with other things. However, this is exactly why I ended up in a panic-stricken state, unable to eat or sleep for three days before finally calling out for help.
This is why I’ve decided, for the one-year anniversary of my third birth experience, to write this article teaching others how to manage anxiety during pregnancy. I want you to LEARN FROM MY EXPERIENCE. Don’t repeat my mistakes. Take care of yourself and reach out for help before things get too intense! Once I started actually taking care of myself, my anxiety began to decrease steadily until eventually I no longer noticed it regularly.
Use Positive Affirmations To Wire Your Brain For An Empowered Birth Experience.
Are you trying to overcome fears of birth? Do you want to feel more empowered throughout your pregnancy? Would you like to feel more calm and centered so you can embark into your labor experience feeling confident and assured? Try integrating positive affirmations for pregnancy, birth, and motherhood into your routine!
Harness the power of your mind by using positive affirmations for pregnancy, birth, and motherhood.
Some of you may remember the story of the stillbirth of Huckleberry Oliver that I shared via instagram and here on the blog for International Bereaved Parents Awareness Month. Huckleberry passed away in the womb at 38 weeks of life and left his family and friends here on Earth devastated and heartbroken.
A little over a year later, Elowen Milo Rose was born! She joined us Earthside at the end of May, and I wanted to share her newborn photos here for anyone following this family’s story. Her presence has been much anticipated and we are all so happy that she has arrived safely.
July is International Bereaved Parents Awareness Month. The purpose of this month is to promote support for bereaved parents. When a child dies, many times people don’t know what to do or say, so they do nothing. This movement, started by Peter and Deb Kulkkula, is meant to encourage people to reach out to bereaved parents; to listen to their stories without judgement for advice; to give them a shoulder to cry on and a hug when appropriate.
International Bereaved Parents Awareness Month is an opportunity to encourage healthy expressions of grief, sorrow, and pain in order to support the healing process. Most people feel uncomfortable approaching the topic of death, especially when it precedes or immediately follows birth, but talking about it is part of the healing process. This day is meant to encourage us to be more open to holding space for these conversations.
This post is dedicated to my dear friend and the spirit of her precious son.
I find it strange how much we as a culture focus on weddings. People spend so much money on having a big party… for what? To announce their love for one another? Usually they’re already living together, in this day and age, with the ridiculous cost of rent. Weddings are such an outdated tradition, yet the industry is raking in tens of billions of dollars each year. The average cost of a wedding in the U.S. is $33,391.
I never had a wedding. I couldn’t rationalize spending so much money on one day of my life when we knew what we really wanted was to have children together and own our own home. I decided I would rather invest that money in our future than throw a big party.
In my personal opinion, parenthood is a much bigger step. It is mentally, physically, and emotionally challenging. Crossing the threshold into parenthood is a rite of passage; it shouldn’t be an afterthought. A couple should absolutely plan to allot plenty of resources to care for themselves through this transition. Just think of the comfort that could be afforded with less than half of what the average wedding costs!
The story of a woman who turned her unexpected hospital birth into an ecstatic birth.
Do you believe in fate?
I do. I absolutely believe with all my heart and soul that SOME moments are just destined to happen. “Fate” is how I ended up at the hospital, supporting a woman who I’d originally met at a city-wide clothing swap through the labor and birth of her second child.
I remember the evening we met. We both happened to attend a clothing swap event at Soma Vida. Each of us had our eldest sons (our only children at that time) in tow. She approached me out of the blue. Just tapped me on the shoulder and introduced herself. The clothing swap was a bit hectic, so it was hard to focus on our conversation, but I was impressed with how straight forward and friendly she was right from the start. I felt an underlying connection, but couldn’t explain why. Over the next few years we ran into each other at random events around town.. Each time we would greet one another like old friends, but we didn’t talk much in between.
Fast forward to recent events:
Learn how to prepare a postpartum herbal bath with dried herbs and flowers.
This DIY herbal bath will aid in postpartum recovery. You can enjoy this herbal bath mix in the tub or in a sitz bath.
Warm herbal baths are a wonderful way to relax and encourage healing postpartum. After all three of my births, I have used postpartum herbal baths to heal quicker. I always look forward to them! They smell absolutely delicious and it’s the perfect way to pamper yourself postpartum.
The herbs used in my postpartum herbal bath recipe have the power to decrease inflammation, heal tears and episiotomies, soothe the tender tissues in your perineal region, and diminish hemorrhoids. After a vaginal birth, it is perfectly safe to begin taking baths (or sitz baths) as long as you are healthy and show no signs of infection. I should note that regular baths are not safe for mothers who have had a cesarean birth, but sitz baths should be fine (consult your care provider).
A few of you who follow me over on instagram saw that I made this french toast casserole recipe for a friend & client of mine who is freshly postpartum. I promised to share it with you so here I am!
This recipe is FABULOUS for new moms, busy moms, soon-to-be moms, etc. It is simple, quick, freezer-friendly, and can be prepared ahead of time so that all you have to do when it’s time to eat is pop it into the oven. It is INCREDIBLE. I found the original recipe over at Sally’s Baking Addiction and I’ve only tweaked it ever so slightly.
I first found this recipe when I was searching for freezer-friendly recipes to make and store in our deep freeze while I was pregnant with Zeke (my second son). Let me tell you– out of all the food I made and stored in our freezer (over 200 servings!)– THIS recipe froze the best. Plus it is SO easy to make four of these at once. The other night I made two for myself and two for my friend in just under two hours. You can really crank these babies out!
Learn More About Umbilical Cords and The Benefits of Delayed Cord Clamping
Before becoming a mother and Doula, I didn’t realize there were so many questions about umbilical cords. Honestly, I kind of took them for granted. I knew that somehow they were the connection between mother and baby, and I knew that they were responsible for nourishing the baby in the womb. Once I delved into the birth world, I realized there is SO MUCH the average person does not know about umbilical cords and the pivotal moment when babies officially separated from their mothers.
Here I have listed some of the most common questions that I have received about umbilical cords and delayed cord clamping.
How To Provide Quality Support During Labor
The big moment is here! Your new baby is on the way! You’re thrilled, but your partner is focused on the gripping sensations of labor. Maybe she is irritable or seemingly difficult to please; maybe you are having trouble thinking of ways to comfort and support her. Perhaps you are just interested in finding a way to participate in this life-changing event.
No need to sit there befuddled, worried about what to do with your hands! I have typed up this handy cheat sheet full of tips for the you (the birth partner), all about how to provide support during labor. I have even created a printable PDF that you have the option to download at the bottom of the page, so you can reference it once labor is underway. You’ll be all set to provide loving care for your partner as she brings new life into the world.
My labor was challenging. It was grueling. I thought I wouldn’t make it through. It peeled through every layer of my being and exposed my innermost self. It exposed my weaknesses and my fears. Then, just when I felt defeated, something incredible happened.
I let go of my desire for control, and prayed to the cosmos. My prayers were answered, because when I finally let go my body was able to work for me. I began to push and I felt so strong and so powerful. My baby boy was born an hour later but it felt like a mere 5 minutes. The euphoria I felt after he arrived was the most phenomenal feeling I had ever experienced. I fell so deeply in love with everyone who went through this journey with me.
If you’re anything like me, you like to do your research when embarking on a new endeavor. When you’re expecting a baby, it’s only natural to seek out information about pregnancy, birth, and parenthood to help yourself feel prepared about what lies in store. However, the books you read will have a profound influence on your experience. For example, if you read a book that includes very negative rhetoric about pain during labor, you will probably fear labor more and it will influence your birthing decisions (and could actually make birth seem more painful). If you read a book that is very supportive of breastfeeding and offers sound, practical advice to help solve any issues you may run into, you are more likely to have a positive breastfeeding journey.
For this reason, I actually find myself feeling very conflicted when I am asked to recommend a ‘natural pregnancy and birth’ book to expecting mamas. In my opinion, there are no books that are absolutely perfect— they are all flawed in one way or another. Plus, pregnancy is a rite of passage that challenges us to draw upon our own innate wisdom and to surrender to the process. We are all fully equipped to birth our babies without depending on a book for information or guidance. I personally believe that having a birthkeeper, doula, midwife, wise woman, or close friend who has a DEEP TRUST of natural birth is a far better resource than any one book could ever provide.