What you miss prenatally, can’t be achieved during childbirth. Decisions of a lifetime are made during this very powerful yet vulnerable time. Do the mental work, spiritual work, physical work, and emotional work. Face your layers ahead of time— so you can show up and rock your birth. Otherwise— they will rock you. Grateful for mentors like Neri @birthcoachmethod for opening my eyes to the essence of #prenatalcoaching. #birthwithconfidence #childbirtheducation

We’re talking anxiety in providers too. Anxiety from expectant mothers. Anxiety from expectant partners. Anxiety from expectant grandparents. And yes, anxiety from providers. Around and around in an anxiety ball of experience if you let it! Anxiety is normal right? It’s coping when we’re anticipating around the corner. It prepares us for reaction. It just depends on how you choose to get there. Be driven by fear or be driven by faith. Be driven by caution or be driven by opportunity. Or a little bit of both? Lots to explore there. #birthingwithoutfear #childbirtheducation #childbirth #birthingmatters #birthing. Credit to @birthinginstincts

Midwifery model vs. Medical maternal health model. The “contrast” can be overwhelming. Instead of this ‘dichotomy’ approach we tend to put everything into nowadays.. how about seeing both for what they are and how they can serve our families. Rather than a ‘battle’, a bridge should be formed. Parents are rarely one or the other— it’s a spectrum. Where do you stand in the spectrum? The beauty of modern medicine is that you have choices. And you get to say what works for you. DM me and I’ll reach out for a quick chat or question. Let me help you and your partner become in tune with what works uniquely for you and be aware of all the tools you have on hand for your anxiety-free birth. #avoidbirthtrauma #getbirthcoached #childbirtheducation #childbirtheducator #birthwithoutfear #birthwithconfidence

June!! Happy #menshealthmonth. Just a little shout out to the good men and dads out there. I get it— the main focus during birth is about moms and babies. But I see you. You’re integral to making this time and after magical for momma and baby(ies). You’re important too. Your presence and everything you do for your family is the boat that sails the family to the destination. Stay. Protect. Engage. Evolve. It’ll be all about the baby for a bit. But I promise, you’ll be the fun one once they can feed themselves. If you invest your curiosity and time for baby, you’ll have a playmate and someone to wipe your bum when you’re old and wrinkled. #newborn #newborndaddy #newborndads #family #happyfamily #gooddads #gooddadsdoexist #gooddadsmatter. #happywifehappylife Video credit: @keeganjasper

We have to learn to place control where it actually is. Because we really don’t have any outside of ourselves. Anxiety will cause havoc in everything. Learn to dig and explore. Learn to explore what that root cause of what’s keeping you from trusting the bigger power of the universe. You’re not alone and you are capable in realizing what you can do, and you are capable of leaning into the love around you. #birthwithoutfear #anxietyfreebirth #empoweringwomen #empoweringbirth

Something about the movies and shows that have to make childbirth look a bit more crazy (not the good kind) than it should be! Let’s take a minute to check in on our perception of birth. Where does it come from? Are we shedding a shadow to true strength and courage that all mothers face during this special time?

Congratulations to you @remychantelbobo and your beautiful family. This right here is an example of knowing the tools you have to achieve YOUR #idealbirth— tapping into your innate capacity and resources and into the medical advancements we have access to! Create your vision. Explore your options. Feel empowered and celebrate an anxiety and guilt-free birth!

You deserve to feel supported and guided through this new world of prenatal care. Parents, especially mothers, already have this innate guilt thing in the first place 😂. No matter what we choose to do, there is always unsolicited advice or comments. You deserve to feel heard, seen, and be in tune with what’s best specifically for you, your baby, and your family. The pull from both sides of the care spectrum is paralyzing. We need to explore your inner compass and be guided by that—- and make decisions out of love. And not fear.

The queen Ina May once said, “Baby has to come out the way it came in!” 🤣. Not trying to be raunchy here! But in all seriousness— the security, the love, the safety. Baby will come if this is felt. Guaranteed. Let’s work together. Comprehensive, tailored childbirth preparation program. Your partner will be this for you! If in case you’re interested! It doesn’t matter where it is— hospital, home, or birth center. You deserve a partner like this! #healthybirth #avoidbirthtrauma #birthing #birthingwithlove

Do athletes show up the day of performance and only rely on passerby cheers and encouragements? No sir. They hire a coach and practice weeks and months before the big day! They do physical exercises, mental exercises, emotional exercises. Why don’t we treat labor and delivery of our babies with the same respective preparation? Childbirth preparation is beyond taking a few hours of prenatal classes, hearing birth stories, and crossing fingers hoping “everything will turn out okay”. It will be the performance of a lifetime! And you have the opportunity to engage in a lifelong growth experience, see what you’re made of!! Click on the link on my bio to learn more about my comprehensive prenatal and birth preparation program!

Imagine the power you realize you’ve had this entire time. #childbirth #avoidbirthtrauma #getbirthcoached

Ain’t that the truth. How do you perceive birth? How did you come to that perception? Is it simply from movies and shows? Is it only from traumatic birth stories others have had? #childbirthpreparation #getbirthcoached #avoidbirthtrauma

Top pregnancy tip: Choose the right provider. There is no bigger influence on the course of your pregnancy and birth experience than your provider! Whether that is an OB/GYN, or Midwife. See previous post on the different birth pathways—- know which one is right for you! Choose a provider who will advocate for your wishes and ensure that your birth plan is respected. They foster a COLLABORATIVE relationship where your preferences are heard and valued, leading to a more satisfying birth experience. When all is said and done— you are the captain but they ensure you and baby are safe! The right provider will take the time to understand your individual needs and can develop personalized care plans that align with your health history, preferences, and specific circumstances, enhancing your quality of prenatal care and birth outcomes. #getbirthcoached #yourbirth #avoidbirthtrauma #informedbirth

Did you know that you have OPTIONS? You can tailor your birth experience based on your individual need and health circumstances. In the United States, various models of childbirth care cater to different preferences and medical needs. In the comments are some of the primary models available to you and your partner! Know your tools! #yourbirth #getbirthcoached #informedbirth #avoidbirthtrauma

"We need to let go of our fear of offending, of making women feel guilty about their choices, of worrying about women having bad birth memories. Our fears dishonor women. We need to be honest. We also need to be gentle and understanding. We need to confront ourselves so that we can meet women honestly and truly empower them. When we are honest, we honor women's wisdom, and in doing so, increase their autonomy and ability to make decisions." #honoringbirth #honoringmothers #birthwithconfidence #birthcoach #birth

The biggest thing people ask about birth is the pain. It was mine for sure! I felt like it was this external entity causing ME pain. But when I saw this..that it is MY power..it was a game changer. How do you tolerate? How do you handle? How do you survive it? Well guess what: Labor Pain is NOT the same as broken bone, wound gaping open, getting punched in the nose..or in other words pathologic/problematic pain! Your body is not broken! There is nothing wrong. Labor P.A.I.N. is: Purposeful Anticipated Intermittent Normal If you internalize that and work with it...your body will give back rewards: nature's narcotics. #powerfulbirths #birthinpower #informedbirth #birthwithconfidence #familytreeslamaze

First picture: Dream. Second Picture: My doodle version 😂 I'm letting you hop into my head for a sec. This here is my ideal birth place. I know..it's crazy. But did you know it's possible? Did you know that you have more options other than what you see in movies and shows with the screaming lady, on her back, legs on stirrups, told when to push with all the hook ups? Don't get me wrong. It's okay if you like the hospital setting! And there are times when that is medically necessary. But not all the time. Not when you are healthy and low risk. No shaming here. I just wanted shout out that you can customize your experience! And be aware of the many choices and interventions that you may come across. So you understand everything and make informed and empowered decisions! #informedbirth #powerfulbirths #birthwithconfidence #childbirtheducator #birthcoach #birthinpower #familytreeslamaze

Your body is LIFE. It was fun doodling this piece-- my interpretation on the pregnancy woman's "insides". And I couldn't help myself with the foliage--- coz when I think and see a woman growing a baby...it's literally the Power to Create LIFE. What's your version of the insides of a pregnant person?? Doodle and share! #birth #birthwithconfidence #informedbirth #childbirtheducator #birthcoach #lamaze #familytreeslamaze

Healthy Birth Practice 1: Let labor begin on its own. Just as flowers in the same bush grow at different rates, same as babies. We don't pry open a flower bud to force it to open. They open on their own, at the perfect time. If we force it before it's ready, there's a risk of wrinkling or ripping the petals or worse, plucking it off altogether. Babies know when they're ready. They signal the mom's body to prepare for labor. Due dates are simply estimates. For a normal & low risk pregnancy: If all is well per monitoring and prenatal checks---viable healthy placenta, baby tolerating & growing well, mom's health is optimal, no medical risks (Eclampsia, Gestational Diabetes, etc.) , then all the more worth waiting for nature to do the magic. #physiologicalbirth #healthybirths #powerfulbirths #birth #birthwithconfidence #informedbirth #lamaze #childbirtheducator #familytreeslamaze

❤ We are of divine identity and inheritance. If we only dare to tap into that power....possibilities are endless. Happy New Year! #becoming #emerging

Not sure why we would expect any different. We reap what we sow.

Mmmmm. Resonate. Credit: @mindfulmft

...and be subject to be ACTED UPON. Rather than be an AGENT of oneself. • This applies with time, money, energy, emotions, mental space, LIFE, Spirit. • We should always be weary and vigilant as to what we feed ourselves mentally, emotionally, physically. Because a slow track to the wrong path...is the most dangerous. • • • #innerwork #selfhealers #selfgrowth #parenthood

We live. We adult. We do. Even if we are broken. Sometimes there are battle scars that have refined us. Sometimes they are crippling wounds and we barely scrape by. But a lot of times...there are wounds that we don't even realize are there. The ones we are too afraid to even face. Yet we color....yet stay hidden. • What are the lies we tell ourselves? Others? • • #foodforthought #innerwork #selfhealers #selfgrowth

Head up. Chin up. Shoulders back. Get up. JUST DO IT. • • Just what I needed. After the storm of back and forth bedtime routine between 2 princesses and a crying 3 month handsome. And realize I still have a mess of a kitchen to tend to. • • Oh right! Applicable to deeper life stuff too. 😅 • • #inspiration #justareminder

Just an observation. • • • #foodforthought #selfimprovement #selflove #growthmindset #innerwork #selfhealers

-Why are you here? (Purpose) -Why do you do the things you do? (Motivation & intention) -Why do you think the way you do? (Understanding & knowledge) -Why do you feel the way you do? (sympathy & empathy) • Knowing and periodically checking on our WHY not only keeps focus, gives clarity and direction, but also SELF-VALIDATION. Receiving validation or LACK THEREOF,  is the reason we do, or think, or feel most, if not all things, don't you think? IT is what motivates us. IT is what moves us or stops us. Progress, stagnantcy, or regress.  Knowing THE WHY of others helps too. • This is essential for parents/caregivers too. When my husband and I have those parenting pep talks about our kids when thinking about what a crazy scary world it is out there! You just want to keep them in a bubble! But we realize if we teach our kids THE WHY...the reason behind the rules and principles we are trying to teach them, then we can try our best not to lock them in the house to keep them safe.  We don't have to stalk them everywhere they go to make sure they make the right decision.  We will just have to trust and respect their agency. Trust that the knowing, understanding, respecting THE WHY will become their own sense of direction and validation that will continually help them progress in the right direction. • We all have our reasons. Reasons why we are happy or worried or bitter or happy. And those reasons are powerful driving forces. And more times than not, not knowing the reason, or even HIDING it from OURSELVES and others, can become detrimental, losing the authentic self, becoming buried in artificiality, causing disconnect and the rest follows-- self worth, self confidence, self love. And when this happens...it is a sad story. One becomes a rock, a ship without an anchor.  Lost and and to be acted upon. More on this on the podcast (coming soon). • • • • • #purpose #selfimprovement #selflove #selfworth #selfconfidence #selfempowerement #becoming #wordporn #lifegoals #innerwork #selfhealers Thanks @westyn_mckinley for the #airplaneinstaration haha

Propel. Uplift. Stick together. Survive. . . Heavily involved in Art class and contests in high school,  I came across the quote "Good artists copy, but the best artists steal".. It's never left me. . . While the statement has merit, the natural man, if not careful, will impede his or her true healthy progress, when focusing on being the 'best', by trying to outshine the art/creation at hand. Subpar and unsuccessful efforts can be discouraging, leading to a downward spiral, stuck in the bottom of our own self despising criticisms. . . It's stressful and lonesome-- to be on the path of self-glorifying competition. Because the real gift really isn't the glory, but to look around and see what inspiration has flourished from you/it, giving birth to another plethora of art and creation. . . Years later, a wise art mentor asked me, "What is your voice?" I would answer, " I draw portraits really well". And she said, "Anyone can draw portraits! The technician learns the skill!" That burst me out of the ridiculous, progress-hindering "I have to be the best" bubble.  It was the direction I needed to create and express my voice. . . And for now, my voice is this: I think you are beautiful and sooo capable. I believe you are gifted and talented. I am obsessed with empowering you. I get upset when you don't see your worth and let your insecurity get the best of you. I empathize with your struggles. I can only imagine what it's like. But I have no doubt you can overcome, because I know we have chosen this beautiful life of challenges and trials to be refined and grow into perfection. Be brave yet humble through it all. Look up and know you are being watched over. . . Let us not be like crabs, pulling each other down during the climb up. Let us be like the monarch butterflies--- the fragile yet beautiful wise species that stick together as a kaleidoscope to protect themselves and survive to their destination. Propel, uplift, stick together, and survive. It's a harsh world out there-- we can use all the encouragement we can get. . . . . #lifecoach #mentalhealth #whatisyourvoice #letsbereal #monarchbutterflies #withoneaccord #generalconference2018 #SisterAburto

I have a 4 year old and a 2 year old that share a room. 98% of the time they go to bed smoothly after what feels like 4 hours of bedtime routine charade. Lately though they've been doing this thing where they walk out of their room for the silliest reasons. "H needs a hug and a kiss". "A can't find her baby!" Night after night I tell them, "Please LISTEN to mommy! Don't come out anymore!" Yet...they do..for the 3rd and 4th time. . So, I scream. The build up of fury. The frustration from a long day and eagerness to decompress. Cue fire out of my face. "Why aren't you listening to me?!?!!!". Then later on feel guilty and end up giving them a hug and kiss anyway, determined and prayerful to be composed, and do the cheerful sweet thing next time around. . So then the next time, I was prepared for battle. The defining moment! I breathed a deep breath and with every cell in me took every effort to stay calm and patiently say "Yes my loves?" The extra oxygen 😅 in my brain allowed me to be in tune with their real need and actively listen. It also made me realize that all they really need is to feel snuggly love and security; which lack when I try to rush out of the room in frustration. . So when I complain that they're not listening, a lot of times, it's probably because I am the one not listening in the first place. Instead, I need to get down to their level, empathize, BREATHE, and LISTEN. And guess what...they listen just fine after that. . . . . . . . . #childrenteach #parenting #parenthood #whatmykidsteachme #becomeasalittlechild