Transition Into Motherhood Archives

It’s O.K. to find another doctor

November 16, 2020 by Full Circle KC

My original title was it’s ok to fire your doctor, but being mindful of the power of words and how it’s important for us all to find kindness and healing in the division we live in right now, it didn’t feel right. And, our healthcare works are working harder than ever to keep us healthy during this pandemic. However, with that said, it really is okay to find another doctor and say goodbye to one that doesn’t feel right for you.

Last week a smart, well educated, loving, safety awareness mother shared she had left the pediatrician in tears. This hit such a strong chord for me, likely because I remember as if it were yesterday walking out of the our pediatrician’s office in tears. It was my first child and breastfeeding was NOT coming easy for us, however I really wanted to breastfeed and felt like I was doing everything I possible could. I had a nipple shield, I was going to weekly support breastfeeding gatherings at the hospital, I was pumping, drinking water, finger feeding with a tube. At our tw0-week check-up the pediatrician did not offer warm fuzzies that I needed as a new mom, did not offer validation for the work my baby and I were doing. Instead she went straight to the discussion of giving my daughter formula with still continuing to try and breastfeed. I felt like she had given up on my daughter and I. I’m sure my reconciliation is more harsh than the actual encounter, but what I heard was ‘you’re not doing enough, you don’t have enough milk supply, your baby is suffering.” Yes, my baby had not made it back to birth weight in two weeks and that was a concern for the pediatrician and for ME- I wanted my baby well and healthy and gaining wait too! Not the feeling you want as a new mom when all you’re trying to do is the best for this new life that holds your heart. As I drove away from the office that day in pools of tears I remember thinking that day I needed to listen to my mama gut, seek support that offered validation and support in this crazy hormonal fourth trimester, continue to education myself, and give myself some grace. My gut told me I needed to say good-bye to that pediatrician stat for my mental wellness. I knew I needed a pediatrician that would listen to my concerns, validate my efforts and speak kindly, yet professionally while offering medical care and expertise I so respected in the field. So, I fired that pediatrician and found a family physician that met my needs and by baby’s. And 10 years later we are still with her.

My heart pulled for this new Mama that had joined our FREE lunchtime Moms Chat. And it hit a chord for the other moms who were quick to support, validate, (and ready to get her back!), and remind her she was doing a great job and each mom and family have to figure out what works for them, in this situation, it dealt with sleeping. While physicians are required and should give medical advice, it’s all in HOW they say it that can make or break how it’s received. Our lunchtime virtual chat that started during the pandemic at the suggestion of a FCYKC mom, have been so insightful, supportive, helpful, funny, and uplifting. I LOVE seeing how women embrace motherhood together and uplift each other and the WEALTH of knowledge they each bring and share.

In prenatal yoga class I often ask Mamas to close their eyes as I read the differences between third trimester and fourth trimester. Babies are used to constant contact while in the womb and when they come to earthside there is a drastic shift in this, so much that the discussion becomes about how to put baby down. I appreciate Sarah Ockwell-Smith (author of The Gentle Sleep Book and numerous others) simple statement that perhaps the answer is *not* to put baby down and discover parental understanding and empathy for baby and remembering that parents and babies are individuals which makes us all different and unique.

Being a first time parent myself I remember trying to figure out the right way for so long. Embarrassingly so, it took awhile to really get there is no right way. The day I decided it was time to find another practitioner was an empowering moment. Each parent, child, and family is different and if caring for a baby comes from love, education, safety, empathy, and getting to know each other, in the end that’s what’s important and the right way.

What I Wish I Knew….

November 3, 2020 by Full Circle KC

What I wish I knew….. could be taken in so many directions on this important day! Today is election day in the United States. And like no other in my lifetime and likely yours this election will affect generations to come.

I wish I knew who was going to be our next President right NOW!

I wish I knew when this historic pandemic would end!

I wish I knew is a common comment I hear in the studio both in prenatal and postpartum yoga classes. I just listened to the podcast Yoga|Birth|Babies authors of Why Did No One Tell Me This? speak on many of these ‘I wish I knew’ tid bits during such a vulnerable time in life. They share some key reminders: Perfection Doesn’t Exist and Pregnancy/Birth/Postpartum is an opportunity for personal growth.

Some recent surprises that have recently been shared by Moms at FCYKC during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum

I wish I knew what preeclampsia was, and what that meant for me and my baby.

Preeclampsia is a disorder that can occur in pregnancy and postpartum that is characterized by high blood pressure and usually presence of protein in the urine. Most women will deliver healthy babies and recover, however complications can arise during pregnancy, birth and postpartum.

I wish I knew that throwing up is a part of birth

Yep, it’s true, vomiting during the transition phase of labor is normal. This is the part of active labor right before it’s time to begin pushing. Other systems during transition include nausea, chills, shaking, and hot-flashes. Vomiting can occur with or without an epidural.

I wish I knew how hard breastfeeding could be. There is a preconception that breastfeeding is easy, baby is born, baby latches on and all is good. As many learn this is not the case.

A helpful tip is to have a lactation consultant lined up before giving birth. Set up a lactation appointment before leaving the hospital or arrange for a one when you return home.
Breastfeeding can be HARD and sometimes a decision needs to be made for the mental health wellness of mom that breastfeeding has to come to an end and THAT’S OK, giving yourself GRACE is KEY!!!

I wish I had planed for postpartum like I had planned for my pregnancy and birth

This is a big one! And especially now with Covid! So many changes are happening during this time, your body is changing, your relationships are changing, your figuring out how to parent a newborn. It’s important to remember your own health is super important. We’ve talked a lot about mental health in our Lunchtime Chat zoom meetings with some great resources being offered for mental health (https://www.centimano.com/ and https://drjillianwasson.com/)

On the flip side of this I hear comments so often from Mamas saying how thankful they are for classes at Full Circle Yoga KC because they didn’t know and now they do know! That’s what FCYKC is all about, creating community, supporting where you are and celebrating the journey with you. I’m beyond grateful for those who have continued to support the studio whether in-person or live on zoom. And even bigger than the studio is the support you offer to other women in our community at FCYKC. We are stronger together!!

Full Circle Yoga KC is family centered yoga studio in Midtown Kansas City specializing in Gentle Yoga, Prenatal Yoga, Baby Yoga, and more.

Transition Into Motherhood

August 2, 2017 by Full Circle KC

Transition Into Motherhood is

Joyous

Messy

Scary

Right of passage

Some of us thrive on transitions, others struggle with transitions. Giving birth is such a momentous moment and transition in a Woman’s life, a right of passage into Motherhood. For some, entering Motherhood is smooth, easy, and they take on the role without a hitch. For others, and probably most of us, the transition into Motherhood comes with struggles, challenges, fears as we discover new possibilities within ourselves. No matter how we deal with transitions, the reality is, Motherhood is life altering, forever. When I reflect back my transition into Motherhood I’m grateful for the wisdom I learned from others.

Be gentle with yourself: You’re new at this. As women we can be so hard on ourselves in getting it right the first time. Motherhood is a life long job that you never retire from! As with anything new it takes practice and often times finding a niche that works for you. Like with yoga, we stumble through challenging poses, yet with practice we become more graceful, more confident.
Use your support: It takes a village walking through the journey of motherhood. Connect and lean on those around you that trust in you. Allow them to walk this journey with you through supporting one another. A wise mother told me one time “say “yes” when help is offered”. Unfortunately as a society we have created this idea that motherhood is all bliss and joy. The reality is, motherhood is the hardest job we will ever have. It’s important to remember your body is going through tremendous change mentally and physically. Postpartum anxiety and depression is real for many moms. Professional support is needed when this unexpected hurdle presents itself.
Enjoy this time: For so many reasons, enjoy this time. The beginning years of motherhood happen so fast it’s hard to catch your breath sometimes. Embrace this change even during the bumps along the journey.

“In giving birth to our babies, we may find that we give birth to new possibilities within ourselves.” – Myla and Jon Kabat-Zinn

Full Circle Yoga in Overland Park was founded in 2017 by yoga teacher Jenny Hellman focusing on wellness in the early stages of family life from prenatal to early parenthood and the older adult years. Full Circle Yoga KC is an Overland Yoga Studio specializing in Prenatal Yoga, Baby Yoga and Chair Yoga for seniors.