First 5 Nevada County’s Blog

posted by Laurie Chamberlin

I was walking to my car last week when I saw this adorable little baby asleep in a front carrier while his mama was humming and unloading groceries into her car.  “Laurie!” exclaimed Debra and took me by surprise as I hadn’t realized I knew her. “I read your article on Flat Head Syndrome in the Briar Patch Newsletter.  I ran right out and bought this!” Debra stroked the fabric of the navy colored front carrier. “He loves it.” she explained. “He falls right asleep whenever I put him in it.” Debra beamed with a vibrant smile and a confidence I hadn’t seen during her pregnancy. I looked at my own two children who were oohing and aahing over the smiling mother and adorable sleeping newborn.

Driving away I felt a sense of gratitude for that interaction. Debra looked so happy and was obviously settling into motherhood well. The last time I saw her was during her pregnancy and she was having trouble communicating her needs to her doctor. I looked right into her eyes back then and said, “This is what parenting is, it is about communicating our needs and making decisions for our family that might not please others.” Debra looked me right back in the eye and said, “I’m not good at that.” I winked at her with a smile and said, “You can be.”

It turns out Debra was able to discuss what was important to her with her doctor. It was a step that helped her to take an active role in the decision making process of her baby’s birth. Some studies have shown that when mothers take an active role in their birth experience they feel more positively. When mothers feel better about their birth experience, one can only imagine that they are more inclined to settle into motherhood with greater ease because they are starting from a place of confidence. I saw this very sweetly in Debra who will forever be etched in my mind loading groceries into her car as confident as could be.

For a list of classes go to www.lauriechamberlin.com

Laurie Chamberlin, CD, ICCE, LE teaches childbirth preparation classes, lactation classes and is a prenatal counselor serving the Grass Valley/Nevada City/Auburn area. For more information contact: www.lauriechamberlin.com  lauriechamberlin@comcast.net or call 530.477.5442