New Mamas
Mamas on Bedrest: An Interview with OneUnionMom Jenya Cassidy
May 2nd, 2012In this podcast I have the great pleasure to interview Jenya Cassidy, a union advocate and mama. Jenya was amongst the dedicated workers who helped get paid family leave in California in her position with the Labor Project for Working Families in the San Francisco Bay area. Jenya shared a wealth of great information including how to get involved with organizations in your area advocating for paid leave (Family Values at Work) as well as help to obtain paid leave (The Legal Aid Society-The Employment Law Center).
Mamas on Bedrest: Great Mother’s Day Gift Ideas
April 30th, 2012Mother’s Day is just 2 weeks away.
Sometimes mamas on bed rest feel a bit apprehensive about celebrating Mother’s Day. What if something happens and the outcome isn’t good? I had a friend for whom this was an issue. She had 2 miscarriages prior to becoming pregnant with her now oldest child. Her family refrained from throwing her a baby shower until she was ready to deliver to “make sure this was going to really happen this time.” I was appalled at their lack of sensitivity. A mama is a mama and even for those little souls that didn’t make it, my friend was and is their mama.
But enough negativity. You are a mama! It doesn’t matter if you are on bed rest. It doesn’t matter if this is your first or 5th pregnancy. If you have a baby in your belly you are a mama!
In your honor, I am happy to highlight some of the fabulous mama made products here on Mamas on Bedrest & Beyond’s website, some mama friendly websites and mama friendly services. If you know and love a mama on bed rest, consider pampering her with one of these fantastic mama friendly items or services. You’ll not only make your mama’s day, but you’ll also be supporting other mamas as well!
Gifts
Hot Mama Gowns
Hot Mama Gowns are the “baby” of “Hot Mama” Deidrea. After the birth of her daughter in 2006, she was less than thrilled with the standard hospital garb. Determined to create gowns that would not only make mamas feel “hot”, but would also be extremely comfortable and sensible, Deidrea created “Hot Mama Gowns”. Created out of 100% cotton, all the gowns come in beautiful colors and prints, allow easy access for breastfeeding and most of all are really lovely! Click here if you’d like to purchase a “Hot Mama Gown” for the Hot Mama in your life!
The Shower Hug
This is the one item that I wish I had had when I was pregnant and nursing my babies!! We mamas all know what it’s like when our breasts feel too heavy for our chests and we know how a warm soothing shower can start our milk flowing. The Shower Hug is a soft Terry Cotton wrap that mamas can wear over their breasts for added support and comfort. If you are just lounging, the Shower Hug provides support and comfort. In the shower, if you do happen to have milk letdown, the shower hug provides added comfort. They come in a wide variety of sized. Click here to purchase and learn more.
Maternity Boutiques
This mama owned website provides natural pregnancy, maternity and baby products. They have everything from belly balms to belly supports, nursing tops and baby items and accessories. Tara, the owner has done a wonderful job assembling fine products, so if you are looking for something for a mama or mama to be, please consider purchasing from a mama!
This is a new online boutique owned and operated by Mom and daughter duo Pamela Marie and Kelly. After Kelly spent 63 days on hospital bed rest with twins, she knew first hand how invaluable the love, support and gifts from family and friends were. To that end, Kelly and her mama Pamela Marie have created a wonderful online shop with a variety of wonderful gifts for mamas on bed rest.
Services
Massages
Massages are an invaluable gift for any mama or mama to be-on bed rest or not! But for mamas on bed rest in particular, because they are not up and about, it’s important to maintain their circulation, lymph drainage and muscle stimulation. A full body massage from an experienced prenatal massage therapist can stimulate circulation and lymph drainage reducing venous stasis and edema (pooling of blood in the feet and lower legs and swelling in common lingo!), stimulate muscles, reduce aches and pains of pregnancy and ease tension and stress. Check your local listings for massage therapists in your areas. Many are portable and willing to do home visits!
Mani/Pedi
When I was setting up this business, one thing that I wanted to be able to provide to Mamas here in Austin is in home Mani/pedis. However, I learned that because of issues of hygiene and sanitation, at least here in Texas, cosmetologists are not able to provide in home Mani/pedis. But those rules don’t hold true for friends! If you have a friend of family member who is on bed rest, offer to do her nails for her! Go to her house, soak her hands and feet, gently rub them with fragrant lotions and paint her nails for her. I guarantee that you’ll both have a wonderful time and you will have provided your friend with an invaluable experience of loving kindness.
Mamas on Bedrest: Share Your Stories!
April 26th, 2012Today I heard from two mamas who had been on bed rest with their children discuss how sad and lonely and isolated they felt while they had been on bed rest and that these feelings persisted well into their post partums, typically lasting up to one year. Listening to their stories inspired me to begin thinking about how to support mamas on bed rest even more in an effort to stem this tide of potential post partum depression and PTSD.
As I pondered how I would like to go about increasing support to mamas on bed rest, I had the awesome opportunity to attend the second annual spring reception for one of my favorite non-profit organizations, Hand to Hold. The mission of Hand to Hold is,
To provide comprehensive navigation resources and support programs to parents of preemies, babies born with special health care needs and those who have experienced a loss due to these or other complications.
I am a HUGE fan of this organization, as it steps in and provides the support and resources necessary for parents of preemies. I first became involved when I interviewed the founder and executive director Kelli Kelley for an article that I was writing back in 2005. She shared with me then,
I don’t want another mother to go through the pain, isolation, frustration and desperation that I felt when I had my son. (born at 24 weeks and who spent 4 months in the NICU).
Since that day some 7 years ago, Kelli has been on a mission, garnering support and forging ahead with programs and services for parents of preemies.
We have often talked about collaborating to bring much needed services to mamas on bed rest. The time has come. As I looked in awe and admiration at what Kelli has created, I realized that similar programs and services need to be in place for mamas on bed rest. So here we go ladies!
But I want to hear from you. I need your stories and experiences so that I can craft the most perfect and most suitable programs and services for Mamas on Bedrest. When you were on bed rest, what did you most desire? What did you wish you had known? What would you have liked from your health care providers? What did you need when your bed rest journey was over? Share it all and leave no little detail undisclosed. The only way that we can craft the perfect program for mamas on bed rest is to have the crucial input from Mamas on Bedrest. So please share your stories with me. Help me to help other mamas not suffer the isolation, fear and depression that is so prevalent with the bed rest experience. Kelli Kelley has made a HUGE impact in how parents of preemies experience the birth and subsequent lives of their children and we can do the same for Mamas on Bedrest. But it’s going to take your input. Share your experiences in the comments section below and thanks so much for helping me to realize my vision of easing the burden of bed rest.
