The Silent Killer Whispers Loudly The silent killer whispers loudly, but not everyone will hear it. Perinatal mood disorders are silent killers. In the year after giving birth too many families suffer in silence as postpartum anxiety, depression, P.T.S.D., and psychosis, talk, persuade, and even force them into the unimaginable. Not enough is being done about it. It's heartbreaking and terrifying. A woman in her most vulnerable state, a new life, and a growing family; this ti

Combatting Postpartum Sadness I'm often asked if I have suggestions for natural ways to deal with postpartum sadness. I absolutely do! Not only will I share those with you, but I am including a free printable with you at the end of the blog. Don't forget to print it and hang it somewhere you'll see it and use it! First Coast Doulas brings love light and laughter to birth and parenting and love energy, and healing after birth! With that in mind here are my suggestions for com

When You're Expecting Your Second Baby When you're expecting your second baby things can feel different. You've done this before. It's familiar in a sense and it feels foreign and new again at the same time. You're wanting to welcome this baby in a unique and loving way. Even if you have most of what you need for the baby it would be nice to have some of what you want and do some things differently this time around! But what and how? Many families already have the necessities

What's one of the biggest challenges that new parents face in the first year postpartum? You guessed it, having enough energy to power through! Ask just about any new parent you know how they're feeling and I bet you'll get a variety of responses, anything from, "Doing great! A little drained, but I shouldn't complain, at least I get a few solid hours of sleep here and there," to "I don't know how I will keep going like this. I feel like The Walking Dead!" In the third trim

Favorite Things Authored by Heather Horrell, wife, mother, my personal friend, and badass business owner at Grow Family Yoga and Wellness! Our Favorite Things? Holidays and perfect little gifts. Halloween to New Year's is a magical time of year! Christmas can especially be a time for our favorite things. The "Sound of Music" perfectly demonstrated this whimsy that I've made a holiday viewing of the classic film a Christmas Eve tradition. This goes to the moms who've had

Becoming A Mom; 10 Terms with New Meaning Becoming a mom is one of the most rewarding life experiences ever! It is also one of the most challenging ones. There is a saying or quote somewhere that says something like, with great rewards comes great responsibility. Who ever said that must of had children and been referring to their journey as a parent! So here is a quick list of terms that come to my mind when thinking of becoming a mom! Bottoms Up Pre-Baby: Reference to tippi

Home for the Holidays tHome for the holidays can take on a different meaning after you have kids! Holidays with kids are so different than celebrating as a single person or as a married couple without children. The things we use to doing during the holidays change a bit after we have kids of our own. At least in some way they do. Many people go home for the holidays, whether it's next door or cross country. Year after year you do this because it's what you've always done, and

It happens more times than you might realize, a woman's feelings are invalidated by other people. When a new mom comes away from her miscarriage, stillbirth, live birth, postpartum, or breastfeeding experience feeling sad, disappointed, hurt, or upset, her feelings are anything but satisfying to her. Regardless of how she feels her feelings are hers! This blog is not to point to fingers, or place blame, but rather to raise awareness. Every one of us is likely guilty of inv