Litsy

You or Someone You Love: Reflections from an Abortion Doula | Hannah Matthews

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You or someone you love: this is a photo of me, a piece of my life. This was taken by my husband in April 2011, in ICU. I had died and come back. I have told my story again and again and I‘ll keep doing it. I want you to see what someone who needs abortion care looks like. I am just one of so many other faces that you know. That you love. Because we all know and love someone who has had/will need abortion care at a point in their lives. ⬇️:

JenniferEgnor I cannot recommend this book enough. I‘ve read stacks of books about abortion, and this is the best so far. But this book isn‘t just about abortion. It‘s about the radical notion…of love. That‘s right—love. Loving yourself, loving others—in the moments of care that bodies need and deserve access to, at any and all times, without barriers and shame. 1y

JenniferEgnor You may already be doing doula work and haven‘t realized it. We ask that you show up in whatever capacity you can for folx who need care, and love them. Love them through all of it. See the world through the lens of Reproductive Justice. Honor all pregnancy outcomes. Donate to abortion funds, get involved with them, ask them how you can help, talk about bodies and all the ways in which they need care. 1y

Amiable ❤️❤️ 1y

12 likes1 stack add3 comments

JenniferEgnor

You or Someone You Love: Reflections from an Abortion Doula | Hannah Matthews

It‘s Mother‘s Day 2023, and I think it‘s a great time to talk about abortion. Let‘s start here. Over 60% of peoplx who have abortions are already parenting. Peoplx who choose to parent or not to parent, are the same peoplx at different points in their lives. Everyone knows and loves someone who has had or will need an abortion. Abortion saves lives. I‘m one of those people whose life it would save. Everyone has the right to decide when, if,

JenniferEgnor and how, they will parent. This is ‘Reproductive Justice‘! Abortion spans throughout all zip codes, religions, political parties, and skin colors. And it has been happening for as long as there have been humans. It will always be necessary. It is an act of love. It is not some shameful, dirty secret. It is a common medical procedure that should be accessible to everyone at all times. We should be talking about it everyday. Telling our 2y

JenniferEgnor stories is how we fight back against the stigma and lies. I am a story teller. I am a clinic escort. I am an abortion doula. And I believe in bodily autonomy, full stop. 2y

11 likes2 comments

MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm

Ina May's Guide to Childbirth: Updated With New Material | Ina May Gaskin

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4 ⭐️s
This was definitely an eye opener to the birthing possibilities that the West tends to be ignorant of. I‘m excited and feel much more empowered to bring my child into this world. One of my favorite quotes that I‘ll be pinning up in the birth room was “Let your monkey do it.” Letting the instinctual, animal part of your brain push aside the thinking part is an important skill in this process.
Yes, that‘s my big ol‘ belly in the background. 🥰

BkClubCare Beautiful! 3y

LeahBergen Look at that lovely belly!! 🥰 3y

Chrissyreadit 🙌 sounds perfect! 3y

sprainedbrain 😍😍😍 3y

MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm Thank you! 🥰 @BkClubCare @LeahBergen 3y

29 likes5 comments

CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian

Breastfeeding Made Simple: Seven Natural Laws for Nursing Mothers | Nancy Mohrbacher

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While this book is not perfect, I found it immensely helpful, reassuring, and an interesting read. It's full of scientific citations, details about studies about breastfeeding, guidance on general approach, and practical tips. I could have done without the intro which argues breastfeeding is superior to formula and about health benefits. This intro is a) unnecessary if you've already decided to breastfeed; b) scary to read; c) a bit judgmental.

29 likes

EmmaMae

Ina May's Guide to Childbirth: Updated With New Material | Ina May Gaskin

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A very informative, positive book about natural birth.

2 likes

Books4Ever

Breastfeeding Made Simple: Seven Natural Laws for Nursing Mothers | Nancy Mohrbacher, Kathleen Kendall-Tackett

More baby research 😊 I get so much advice about whether or not to breastfeed 🤱 so....I‘m going to read and get more info 😊

8 likes

amyf0x

Ina May's Guide to Childbirth: Updated With New Material | Ina May Gaskin

so-so

A midwife‘s views on the birth experience, which is pretty one-sided but also has good tips on how to relax during labour.

Read March 23-30
Rated 2.5/5 ⭐️
Book 18/60

1 like

nicpears

Active Birth - Revised Edition: The New Approach to Giving Birth Naturally | Janet Balaskas

My due date is approaching so I'm switching gears. 🤰👶Any other book recommendations for a soon to be first time mom??

EchoLogical

Breastfeeding Made Simple: Seven Natural Laws for Nursing Mothers | Nancy Mohrbacher

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Yeah, issa no from me, dawg. Seriously, no. Full of judgment and terrible advice. "Sleep when the baby sleeps" and "find a sitter who will bring your baby to you around feeding time" are two gems that made it into this book. Most of this book was trying to sell BF'ing to people who are already sold on it and dissing formula. There were a few pieces of helpful included but not enough for me to recommend this to anyone else.

⭐⭐

TheKidUpstairs Ugh. So much ugh. On so many levels. 1. I hate the breastfeeding police (and I breastfed). Unless your advice is a) asked for and b) coming in the form of "this has worked for some women, so it's worth trying", BUTT OUT! and 2) I have never wanted to punch anyone as hard as when I was having trouble breastfeeding and with baby sleep and they would tell me to sleep when he slept. All the no. (Sorry for the rant, I have strong feelings on this stuff 6y

IamIamIam I always loved that "sleep when the baby sleeps" stuff. Like everyone's clothes are going to wash themselves and the frat house state will currently disappear from your living room!! Lol, it's good advice if hardly practical. You do what you can but I never felt good napping. Good luck!!! 6y

TheKidUpstairs AND, if I got a night out and the sitter brought my kid to me to be fed, I'd lose my mind. My rule to sitters is: unless they are bleeding profusely, or the house is on fire, I don't want to know! 6y

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TheKidUpstairs (Last comment from me, I promise) if you are having trouble and want some tips that worked for me, I'd be happy to pass along. Breastfeeding can be tough and so stressful, you're not alone! 6y

LazyDays I took a lot of advice from people when I had my son. But hands down the best advice I ever received was the most simplest of them all. Do what you can and find a system that works for you and your household. The formula hating gig is so trying in my opinion. A LOT of babies simply stayed alive thanks to formula💓 You so what you can and don't be to hard on your self😘 6y

EchoLogical @TheKidUpstairs No worries. I feel pretty strongly about it all, too. Thank you for the offer, I might just take you up on it. I think we're finally getting a rhythm. I'm still worried about my supply because he lost a significant amount of weight after birth. 6y

EchoLogical @IamIamIam Exactly! I think it's crazy to think that anyone can completely ignore everything else. Thank you for the luck. 💗 6y

IamIamIam @EchoLogical The best advice I can give you, as a parent not an advocate of anything, is do what works for you all the time and what you allow will continue. Really, above and beyond that, we're all treading water in the same ocean. We just wear different bathing suits. 🤣🤗 6y

EchoLogical @LazyDays So true! I'm trying to ignore the bad rep that formula has but I feel like such a failure every time I feed it to my son. I'm relieved that he's getting what he needs but I was able to BF my daughter for 15 months so it's hard to accept that formula might be it for him. Right now I'm still able to BF and supplement but I really want to increase my supply and strictly breastfeed. 6y

EchoLogical @IamIamIam I will readily admit that I've been winging it since the day my daughter was born (almost 8 years ago) and can only take it day by day. 😂 6y

LazyDays @EchoLogical don't worry! Formula was made for a reason. People will always have strong opinions about BF but dont let them get you down💓💓💓👣👣👣 6y

LazyDays @IamIamIam nice point! 6y

LoverofLit Good review! I breastfed two babies; one exclusive until 18 months and had to supplement the last few months with my second and she self weaned by a year. Every baby is different. Every household is different. There isn't a magical tell all and a book that sells like there is one is lying! 6y

45 likes13 comments

EchoLogical

Breastfeeding Made Simple: Seven Natural Laws for Nursing Mothers | Nancy Mohrbacher

For some reason, nursing the new baby has been a disaster. So in the meantime I'm pumping and bottle-feeding him AND hitting the books to try to make this work. Any tips or reading suggestions are welcome. Prayers too. LoL 🍼👶🏽📚🙏🏽

BookInMyHands I had a hard time nursing my first. It can be so complicated. Taking a lot of Fenugreek helped. I pumped and nursed and it was really hard. I don‘t have any judgement for people who can‘t or decide not to breastfeed. My only piece of advice is to be gentle and gracious with yourself. It‘s hard when something doesn‘t go as planned, but no matter what happens, you are an amazing mom. Sending hugs and prayers ❤️ 6y

Yellowpigeon Have you talked to a lactation consultant? Mine saved my nipples. One thing I was doing wrong was aiming the nipple to the middle is his mouth. You want to aim to the roof. Also, try squishing your boob. Take the hand same side as the boob make a U shape ( palm underneath, fingers pointing up) and squeeze into a more narrow shape, easier for the baby. It's all in that book. You'll get there, mama! Mine is 8 weeks today. How old is yours? 6y

Yellowpigeon I also read

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding

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Yellowpigeon And this one. They both were a little preachy, like I know how great breastfeeding is can we just get to how to work it..

Ina May's Guide to Breastfeeding

julesG Ina May's Guide is good. The 'problem' with my son was he was 'tongue tied posterior'. It took us three trips to the pediatrician, four midwives and then my linguist friend suggested this possibility. 6y

Caroline2 Breastfeeding is such hard work isn‘t it! The only thing I found that helped was a breastfeeding pillow and preserving! My youngest had a tongue tie too, it made an immediate difference once it was cut so it might be worth checking?? 6y

Annl All good suggestions, check with your obstetrician or pediatrician. You will get there and if not, it‘s ok. He is lovely, I looked back at your pics. 6y

BookishShelly I have no suggestions but you have my sympathies. I had to exclusively pump and bottle feed because breast feeding was a failure for me, even with the help of lactation consultants (and my son‘s NP). 6y

Liatrek My breastfeeding experience left me in tears and I had to rely on the pump only. I always thought it was just me. It‘s nice to see I wasn‘t alone even 16 years later 😊 sending warm thoughts your way ❤️ 6y

EchoLogical @BookInMyHands @Yellowpigeon @julesG @Caroline2 @Annl @BookishShelly @Liatrek Thnak you all so much. My little guy will be 3 weeks old tomorrow so I‘m not quite ready to throw int he towel. I‘ve met with LCs in the hospital and had one come to my house but for some reason it‘s still not clicking for us just yet. I‘m frustrated because I BF my daughter for 15 months and I‘m determined to give my son the same healthy start. 6y

LiteraryinPA You are a great mom either way! 6y

MaureenMc 🙏🙏🙏💗 6y

Yellowpigeon I'm seconding (thirding?) the tongue or lip tie. Or, like mine, he could not figure out how to suck or latch. He refused to put his mouth right. And it killed my nipples. He's better now but still not that great. But those were soooo frustrating. 6y

julesG And keep in mind, although breastfeeding is something natural it takes most children a good month to 'learn' it. You're doing great. Don't give up just yet. 6y

RebL Sending you as much warmth and motherly support one can in digital format. You can at least feel strong for the effort and care you‘re putting forth. 💯🙌🏼 6y

Reviewsbylola That‘s so tough. I think I owned this book at one point actually. 6y

EchoLogical @Yellowpigeon Yes! My son opens his mouth a whole millimeter and gets frustrated because my huge nipple can't fit. 😂😭 I'll ask his nurse practitioner at his next appointment about tongue and/or lip ties. 6y

EchoLogical @julesG @RebL Thank you guys. I'm gonna try to hang in there. 6y

EchoLogical @Reviewsbylola Did it actually help? I'm only on the first chapter but I'm already annoyed by the constant sales pitch for breastfeeding. I just wanna get to the helpful parts, not be made to feel like a terrible person if I give my son formula. 6y

Reviewsbylola I bought it when I was pregnant but tbh neither of my kids had issues breastfeeding. Pumping was where I ran into trouble. I had trouble producing enough when I pumped. But I do think the advice about tongue ties is helpful. That can cause major problems if that the issue. I hope it gets easier for you. ❤️ 6y

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