Let me just start by telling you some things you already know: pregnancy is exciting! And also stressful. You feel like an amazing creator-mother-love-goddess! And also sick and tired and puffy. There is a lot of both/and when it comes to expecting a baby.

Your journey will be different than everyone else's. So don't let anyone set the expectations for your pregnancy for you.

Setting expectations isn't a bad thing to do, and in fact it's actually good to set intentions, look ahead, see how you see yourself up the road. But this is something that only you should be doing-- not your well-intentioned best friend / sister / neighbor / mother-in-law....

Here are the top three things I have reassured expectant parents, time and time again, (for over 15 years!) that are completely "OK" to feel about pregnancy. You're not alone. It's on a lot of people's minds. So let's start by giving yourself some love and removing any barriers that are keeping you from fully embracing your pregnancy.

1. It's ok to feel disconnected from your baby.

(Wait. Did the hypnosis-birthing childbirth educator just say it's ok to feel disconnected from my baby?) Why yes, I did! That's because connecting with your baby is a practice that you initiate and it may be a little awkward at first. Just think of it as sending your baby fetal love messages. Like a dm that you send from your heart that travels through your blood stream, through the umbilical cord, straight to your baby. Think of this as a "fetal love break" -- little messages that you can send throughout the day to connect with your baby. You can send these messages just like you would to your partner or anyone else, except this message isn't sent through your phone screen. Instead it's shared instantly through the physio-emotional connection that all moms have with their womb dwellers. Your baby receives these messages instantly with all the good, endorphin-rich feelings that goes with them. Talk to your baby. Say how you're feeling. Say how much you love them already. Say you're nervous, scared, unsure...whatever it is you're feeling about being a mom but that you will give it all you've got today, tomorrow and forever. You are enough.

Think of this as a "fetal love break"-- little messages that you can send anytime throughout the day to connect with your baby.

2. It's ok to feel different than your partner about your baby, your birth, what stuff you will get, and how having a baby together will or will not change your life.

Again-- going to start by stating the obvious here: Pregnancy is not the same for your partner as it is for you. So why should the two of you feel the same about everything that goes along with having a baby? First, you have physical and hormonal changes that cause you to feel all kinds of things that your partner does not have the benefit of experiencing. Sometimes it takes them longer to get excited about this. Sometimes they are WAY too excited and overwhelm you with their exuberance.

Start with what you have in common and embrace your differences.
Start with what you have in common and embrace your differences. Look at this as an opportunity to get to know each other better. Do lots of reflective listening like, "Tell me more about that...." or "That's interesting that you feel so < > ..." You don't need to feel the same about everything but you do need to communicate. Don't feel bad about asking each other for specific things and definitely don't fault your partner for doing something FOR you vs. feeling the same thing as you. (For example: if you want him to rub your feet or lay his head on your belly and feel for kicks, and he's willing to do it, enjoy it! Whether it's his idea or he's doing it for you-- be grateful that you have the kind of partner who is willing to be right here, right where you both are, on this journey together.)

3. It's ok to feel overwhelmed / resentful /annoyed by everyone's advice.

There is something about pregnancy that makes people think a baby bump is an open invitation to give free advice or share their terrible birth story. I personally love hearing other women's birth stories, but I don't love how many of my clients report being bombarded with horrific birth stories and outdated advice.

My advice to you, dear pregnant one, is to see this as an opportunity to practice compassion and grace-- first for yourself by doing the things you need to do to rid yourself of any negative impacts this has had on you: Take a shower and imagine that negativity washing off of you and down the drain or step outside and breathe in a big gulp of fresh air as you exhale any tension, anger or sadness you inadvertently took inside yourself. Then look at yourself in the mirror and reset those positive messages and images of your pregnancy and your birth that you have been working on since the day you saw two lines on the pregnancy test.

...if the world is going to become a better place, it will be from the pregnant mothers who do not take on the negativity and well-intentioned bad advice...but instead reflect it back into the world as the light and loving embrace it was meant to be.

And let me just say that if the world is going to become a better place, it will be from the pregnant mothers who do not take on the negativity and well-intentioned bad advice from their family and friends but instead reflect it back into the world as the light and loving embrace it was meant to be. Take a big breath. Send some more positive fetal love messages. And know that you ARE amazing! You are growing a human life inside your body with your body! Your body knows just what to do, without any advice, when it comes to growing and birthing your baby. You just need to be right where you are today and know you are enough.

With doula-love,
Erica 

​*Original publication at ericamantopaulson.com

A doula can greatly enhance your experience of childbirth and the postpartum months. Your birth doula will be at your side, along with your care provider and partner, as part of your team of continuous support during labor and birth. Or maybe you’d like a postpartum doula to help make a smooth transition into parenthood and creating a family? Either way, finding a good fit for you and your partner is critical.

You and your partner should feel comfortable with your doula. You need to know that she is supportive of your birth vision and expectations.  Many couples report that their doula was invaluable when it came to helping them work together as a couple compared to what it might have been like on their own. 

Conduct an in-person interview.
It is a good idea for both you to meet doula candidates to decide if they are compatible with you and your partner. Are they kind, warm and enthusiastic? Are they knowledgeable? Do they communicate well? Are they good listeners? Are they comfortable with your choices or do they seem to have their own agenda? Do you feel at ease with them? You may want to interview more than one doula and make comparisons before choosing one for you. 

Questions to ask any Doula:

• What training have you had? (If a doula is certified, you might consider checking with the organization.)
• Do you have one or more backup doulas for times when you are not available? May we meet her/them?
• What is your fee, what does it include and what are your refund policies?

When interviewing a birth doula

• Tell me about your experience as a birth doula.
• What is your philosophy about birth and supporting women and their partners through labor?
• When do we meet to discuss our birth plans and the role you will play in supporting methrough birth?
• May we call you with questions or concerns before and after the birth?
• When do you join women in labor? Do you come to our home or meet us at the place of birth?
• Do you meet with us after the birth to review the labor and answer questions?

When interviewing a postpartum doula

• Tell me about your experience as a postpartum doula.
• What is your philosophy about parenting and supporting women and their families during postpartum?
• When do we meet to discuss our postpartum needs and the role you will play insupporting us in the postpartum period?
• May we call you with postpartum questions or concerns before the birth?
• When do your services begin after birth? What is your experience in breastfeeding support? 

Remember that a good doula will welcome these questions and the dialogue they will create about your plans for your birth and postpartum.

A few last words about certification..
​Certification is a meaningful measure of a doula’s commitment and professionalism.A doula’s education, training, experience and credentials are important. Certification is not a state requirement for doulas but it is highly recommended by most hospitals and professionals. A certified doula is a doula who is educated, trained, and accountable to a certifying body (such as CAPPA, DONA, ICEA, etc.) Certified doulas must re-certify every 2-3 years to stay current with their certification, which reassures you that a doula's education and training is up to date and relevant.  Always check credentials!  

At Roots, our doulas are among the most seasoned and experienced doulas and IBCLCs in the area with over a decade of experience in the field.  To schedule an interview with one of our team members, fill out the contact form on our website and we will connect with you ASAP to schedule a time to meet with you and your partner.  

With doula love,
​Erica