Pregnant Women in Public
Just got back from Target and a marathon shopping spree with my daughters to get ready for an upcoming vacation. There was a pregnant mom there and I’m pretty sure that she was a first-time mom because 1: she didn’t have older kids with her, and 2: I just have an instinct about this from working with moms so much.
Whenever I see an expectant new mom in public, I have to hold myself back from telling them about doulas, or my book, or my blog, or showing them things that would have helped me incredibly like Harvey Karp’s 5 S’s Method for calming babies. Am I the only mom who feels this way, or is it because I work with new mothers?
I might startle them if I say something, but I wish someone had clued me in. When I was pregnant with Danielle, I remember how unworried I was about handling life after her birth. I thought “if I can just get through labor, I’ll be fine.” What a joke! Once Danielle arrived, oh how I wished I had done so much more to line up my own support.
So if you’re pregnant for the first time and see a crazed looking woman on a mission approaching you, don’t worry. It’s just me.
Published June 20, 2007 . Filed under: Mom Care
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Melanie,
I followed a chain of postpartum doula websites, to another blog which then linked to yours. I am also a postpartum doula. I love this post because I know just what you mean. I have to hold myself back when I see pregnant women or grandmothers in Barnes & Noble’s family section. I just can’t help wanting to share book titles with them - especially my favorites. “Have you read Waiting for Birdy by Catherine Newman? It is simply wonderful.” I know just what you mean. I want the whole world to know about doulas - every family deserves one!
June 27, 2007 @ 9:30 pm
Hi Kelly,
Thank you so much for your comment at my blog. I haven’t read “Waiting for Birdy” and will put it on my list of books to get to. I love to hear from other postpartum doulas, so it was great to get your comment.
I’m sure there are so many women who you have helped. Keep up the good work!
I don’t know if you saw it posted at the blog, but I’m setting up dates for a Book Club Tour where I visit book clubs, or any group that is interested in my book for new mothers, to talk about the book and answer questions. If you know of a group that would like to arrange a date for me to visit, please let me know. Depending on where the group is located I can visit in person, by phone (I cover the charges), or by email. It’s a lot of fun!
Melanie
July 1, 2007 @ 4:28 pm