Every woman should have a mom tribe. Even if you’re not pregnant yet, start gathering information to use later when the time is right. Finding a mom tribe is integral to your well being!
Here’s a possible scenario:
You’re a few days late with your period and decide to pick up an at home pregnancy test. Once in the store, you’re overwhelmed with the options available. Is the price predictive of a more accurate reading? Which one has better reviews? Is one stick easier to pee on than the other? Will you be able to understand the process and how to interpret? With so many questions you may turn to Siri, google, YouTube etc. instead of a friend or family member because you want it to be a secret. Once you buy one and use it, you will likely have many other questions, regardless of the outcome. If the stick shows negative, you may wonder why you’re NOT pregnant. Is something wrong with you- why is your period late- how you dodged the bullet etc. On the other hand, if it’s positive, picking a pregnancy test from the store will seem effortless.
Life is about a series of puzzles to figure out. Always looking for the right answers behind each door. So, navigating the labyrinth of pregnancy, labor, birth, postpartum and breastfeeding can be rather complex on your own. Hiring the right professionals with the appropriate education, knowledge, experience and passion for your birth should be of paramount importance. Like building a house or managing a sport team: you hire each team player or worker with a special skill set. In those instances, you would make sure the pitcher was pitching- not the short stop or the electrician did the lighting- not the plumber. That’s why an expertly picked team is needed when that pee stick is positive. Deciding where to birth your baby, with whom as the professional, which classes to take, who will be your rock through labor, what labor looks like to you, how your partner fits in and how private the event will be, can be all encompassing. It’s a fallacy to think that you only need to find the right obstetrician or midwife and everything else will fall into place. By taking the time to hand pick the best worker bees during your perinatal period, you will likely reduce most of the anxiety surrounding this exceptional time of your life.
Take the Time Now to Gather Your Mom Tribe
So, when your period is late and you feel overwhelmed with all the decisions: STOP, take a deep breath and relax. Retreat into your cocoon to sift through the garbage information in your brain and seek quality material relevant to your concerns. Find one confidant (besides your partner) to share your news so you don’t explode. Ask for referrals for a doula from reliable, experienced friends that have similar philosophies. This doula will guide you to finding the physician, midwife, hospital, birth center, birth classes, prenatal exercise classes and alternative birth workers (chiropractor, massage therapist, acupuncture etc). In most cases she will help you with pregnancy related questions as well as where to buy cost effective maternity clothes or supplies. Think of her as your tangible, reliable, educated, experienced, trained “google” for the perinatal period. Once you have the doula in place you can sit back and enjoy the pregnancy ride.
Happy Parenting to be!
