Did you know it’s possible to have an entire birth process without any cervical checks? If you’re like me and are extremely sensitive, this is good news! I heard this talked about on another podcast while I was pregnant and it stuck with me. And guess what? I made the same choice.

This episode is about my birth journey with my son Caleb, who just turned two. Much of this story is about the lead-up to birth- what we did, what we thought would happen, what we prepared for, and who was there to help us. We planned for a birth center birth, and had to switch gears at the very last minute due to circumstances beyond our control. While it was stressful at the time, we are thankful for the choices we made. The birth played out in a unique and special way, and we had an incredible birth team surrounding us and giving us the support we needed.

If you are considering your birth options, and want to know what a birth looks like where you don’t have to go anywhere or do any clean up, this is a great episode. Tune in to hear what it feels like to meet your son after laboring all night, all morning, and into the afternoon!

Mentioned on this episode-

“Healing Birth Podcast” by Diana Forsell Tayan

Diana can be reached at contactus@healingbirth.net

Find her on Instagram @healingbirth

Ashley Dennis, doula

Ashley can be reached at ashleyrmdennis@gmail.com

Jamie Hatcher, Certified Nurse Midwife

Jamie can be reached at jamie@moonrisemidwifery.com

Her website is www.moonrisemidwifery.com

Find her on Instagram @moonrise_midwifery

“On The Night You Were Born” by Nancy Tillman

Have questions or wish to start a conversation?

I can be reached at-

Julia@allthingsbabypod.com

Visit my website-

www.allthingsbabypod.com

Instagram @julialynnraines

Did you know that babies and toddlers can sign before they can talk? Using sign language is an incredibly valuable tool to begin communication between little ones and their caregivers.

Whether your child is 6 months old or 22 months old, you can use signs in your everyday activities to help your child tell you what they need and want. In this episode Elizabeth explains how and why signing is such a helpful tool, and the basics of how to do this with the children you care for. Tune in to learn how you can use signs as diverse as “poop”, “squirrel” and “trash can” to light up your child’s day!

My favorite baby signs book- Baby Sign Language Made Easy by Lane Rebelo

Resources Elizabeth recommends~

Free baby signs video course: https://signbabysign.com/

Learning new signs: https://babysignlanguage.com/dictionary/

Elizabeth offered a baby signs class at the St. Joseph East Hills Library. You can reach out to her if you are interested and she may offer it again. Her email address is emurray@sjpl.lib.mo.us

Books Elizabeth used while creating the baby signs class (These can also be requested and checked out through the library):

Signing Smart with Babies and Toddlers by Michelle E. Anthony and Reyna Lindert.

Baby Sign Language : a Fun and Simple Guide to Early Communication by Mary Smith.

Baby Sign Language Basics : Early Communication for Hearing Babies & Toddlers by Monta Z. Briant.

The St. Joseph, Missouri East Hills Library has baby signs kits that include a DVD, a CD, and a board book to help you get started. Other libraries will also have similar resources.

Have questions or wish to start a conversation?

I can be reached at-

julia@allthingsbabypod.com

Visit my website-

www.allthingsbabypod.com

Instagram @julialynnraines.

Have you ever wondered what happens when a baby is born prematurely? If so, this episode is for you!

River Rose was unexpectedly born at 28 weeks and 4 days, and spent her first 66 days in the NICU. Her parents were with her every step of the way, and she was cared for by a wonderful team of doctors and nurses.

Callie shares what this journey was like for them, from her pregnancy, birth, time in the NICU, and transition home. River has been a trooper from the beginning, and continues to thrive. Tune in to hear all the details of this challenging yet hopeful story.

Have questions or wish to start a conversation?

I can be reached at~

allthingsbabypod@gmail.com

Visit my website~

www.allthingsbabypod.com

Instagram @julialynnraines

Happy Labor Day!

When Hannah became pregnant sooner than planned, she and her husband were living in Iceland, where she started her pregnancy journey. During her pregnancy, they moved to St Joseph, Missouri and continued her prenatal care in the United States. As her baby grew, she utilized her friends and community to help her find the midwife and birth setting she desired.

This episode is about going against the grain, enduring the last challenging weeks of a pregnancy that lasted til close to 42 weeks, and a mom who ultimately had such a beautiful birth experience that it ignited her decision to become a doula.

Stay tuned at the end to hear a special surprise ;)

Mentioned on this episode-

You can find Hannah on Instagram:

@hannahholisticdoula.

Her website is-

www.hannahholisticdoula.com.

Have questions or wish to start a conversation?

I can be reached at

allthingsbabypod@gmail.com

Visit my website-

www.allthingsbabypod.com

Instagram @julialynnraines.

Art therapy is a real thing……but did you know you can start as early as in the toddler years? “Drawing it out” can help even 2 year olds get their emotions out in constructive ways. Join me as I have a conversation with Correna Smith, a Creative Journaling Expressive Arts coach to learn some of the ways using art tools can be instrumental with the littles in your life. Whether you are a grandparent, mom, dad, neighbor, aunt or uncle, babysitter or older sibling, this episode is for you!!

Mentioned in this episode:

Correna’s email: belovetodaycreations@gmail.com

Project-insight.net

Psychologist and art therapist Lucia Capacchione, author of “The Power of Your Other Hand” and many more books.

Have questions or wish to start a conversation?

I can be reached at allthingsbabypod@gmail.com or check out my up and coming website www.allthingsbabypod.com.

Instagram @julialynnraines.