Sometimes, when we are pregnant, it feels as if all we are subjected to is rules. Rules for how to exercise, how to eat, how to care for our bodies, how to feel, what to put on our skin. For the mama choosing to breastfeed or pump, the rules continue postpartum, as our bodies are working hard to make the milk meant to nourish our littles ones. As I walk [...]
After assisting countless women give birth, as well as being the mama in the bed at my own two births, I feel that I can say with almost 100% certainty that the question of “Is my baby getting enough to eat?” dominates the thought of nearly every mama of every newborn. Those first few days, the newborn and breast milk system, beautiful though it is, doesn’t always appear to be [...]
This pandemic has hit me like a ton of bricks. I’m a medical doctor, and I have a background in public health and epidemiology (the study of disease)- This has made me keenly aware of the impact COVID-19 would have on our lives, as well as the lasting changes it would make on our society. In early March, as I saw the tidal wave that was coming for us, I [...]
You’re a busy mom. You have a lot on your plate, from work to kids’ activities to family relationships. There are tantrums, meals to prepare, daily needs, and so much more that make parenting extremely challenging. In short, it’s not always easy to recognize proper parenting techniques or have the patience you need to get through your day. What’s the solution? Consider meditation. Countless studies reveal the powerful effect of [...]
As parents, we always want the best for our kids. The best food. The best clothes. The best education. You name it! But when it comes to their health, we should always go two steps further in making sure our decisions are well-founded. Given the fact that there are numerous health threats even at home, it's our job to make sure that our kids are able to lead healthier lives [...]
The decision to have kids is something that no one should take lightly. Child-rearing is a huge responsibility that demands a lot of adjustments from you and your partner. After all, your parenting has lifelong consequences for your child. Basically, your task is to mold the little ones into productive people who contribute significantly to their communities. Because of this, choosing the right school for them is naturally a major [...]
Minimalism as a counter-cultural movement has been increasing in recent years. Perhaps you've jumped on the minimalist bandwagon and are happily downsizing, reducing your consumerism, and creating less waste – all of which gift you with more time and energy to enjoy the most meaningful things in life. But now it's time for Christmas. If you've recently begun converting to a more minimalist lifestyle, the holidays present a formidable challenge [...]
Is it true that polyester fleece clothing is a huge contributor to the problem of plastic in our oceans? —Mickey Walton, Seattle, WA We’re all familiar with the issue of non-biodegradable plastic debris (shopping bags, soda bottles, fishing nets etc.) clogging up our waterways and making its way out to sea—sometimes accumulating in huge “gyres.” But what you might not realize is that even if you are responsible about recycling [...]
Q: What were the circumstances surrounding the death of your daughter Isabel? A: I found out I was pregnant at the end of August in 2014. This was my first pregnancy, and I was just shy of my 38th birthday. Due to my “advanced age”, my OB sent me to see a perinatal specialist. From my first appointment, they knew something was wrong. On the sonogram, they saw [...]
Contractions began 5 days after my due date. My husband drove us to the hospital, we arrived around 6 pm. My contractions were irregular but continued throughout the night with little dilation. I didn't sleep much (or at all). As each hour passed the pain intensified. My water didn’t break on its own. Finally dilating, I could no longer take the pain. The next morning I opted for the [...]