Cindi has been on her doula journey for 7 years now. She said, "I have always had an interest in children and birth. After the birth of my 3rd child, I knew that I wanted to find a way to make that passion a career."

On her website, you can see a list of Cindi's certifications and trainings, including advanced trainings as a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) doula and Stillbirthday bereavement doula.

In addition to doula work, Cindi offers Childbirth and Breastfeeding Education classes. You can choose from classes individually or bundle classes if you are interested in more than one of the classes she offers.

Cindi said, "I love getting to help support families during this precious time in life. Being by their side to help educate them, encourage and embrace them is such an honor."

There seems to be an endless supply of services for helping babies get started on the right foot.

Helping babies feed better. Helping babies sleep better. Helping babies reach milestones.

But what about mom? New moms often need help juggling all of the new responsibilities that come with a new baby, but unless there is a medical problem, they're often left to figure it out on their own.

​Enter Anna Gallup and Motion in Motherhood.

Anna realized she could use her skills and training as an occupational therapist to break down the everyday responsibilities and activities of motherhood and help new moms find ways to better manage their day to day lives with confidence.

I recently had a chance to talk to Anna about what she does and how she empowers new moms. Read a little of what we talked about below!

First of all, can you just give me an overview of the services you provide?

Motion in Motherhood is a holistic practice rooted in occupational therapy that is designed to empower expecting and new moms during their postpartum journey. We address:

-pain prevention and alleviation
-lactation and feeding support
-realistic goal-setting using time management and energy conservation techniques
-return to meaningful activities (intimacy, work, self-care, etc.) with decreased anxiety and sense of overwhelm

How do your services differ from other providers like a postpartum doula?

Our services help empower new moms by prioritizing their experience and helping them to achieve their postpartum goals from the start.

We take into consideration each mom's environment, support system, mental health, and physical abilities when setting goals and during all treatment sessions.

This holistic practice (rooted in occupational therapy) allows for us to break down individual activities and rebuild them in a way that is both achievable and realistic for mom.

For example, if mom is experiencing difficulties breastfeeding her infant, has neck pain, and is overwhelmed by her new routine, we would formulate individualized goals which address each concern and would help her to modify her routine to feel successful and confident - while preventing pain and overwhelm.

When is the best time for someone to begin working with you?

I highly recommend an initial visit during the 3rd trimester to help mom prepare for her transition into motherhood. Whether or not you complete this session before baby arrives, I recommend all moms schedule an evaluation within the first few weeks postpartum, and from there, we will schedule follow up sessions to ensure mom's goals are achieved.

Is it ever "too late" for a mom to benefit from your services?

No. Many say, "once postpartum, always postpartum." If you're a parent and are experiencing physical pain during your daily routine, having difficulty nourishing your child, feeling overwhelmed or anxious, having difficulty prioritizing yourself, or having trouble accomplishing meaningful activities and tasks, Motion in Motherhood is here for you.

How often do you meet with clients? Are you available virtually?

I recommend 1 visit before baby arrives, 1 evaluation postpartum, and typically 3-5 visits following the evaluation to ensure all of mom's goals are met and she is feeling confident in all areas. Because sessions are individually tailored to mom's goals, fewer or more sessions can be completed after the evaluation.

All sessions are currently offered virtually as well as in mom's home (depending on location).

What does a typical visit or session look like? What can clients expect? 

During the 3rd trimester, we address what mom's transition into motherhood may look like. We discuss topics such as role transitions, breastfeeding, mental health changes that can occur postpartum, and how to effectively navigate those early postpartum days and weeks. We will create a postpartum plan together including goals, self-care strategies, and support systems available during the postpartum transition.

Our initial evaluation is completed postpartum (ideally within the first 1-3 weeks). During the evaluation, a thorough medical history is taken, feeding is assessed if desired, and together we formulate goals and a plan to help mom progress, ensuring her needs are met and that she is also being well cared for during her transition into early motherhood.

We will then complete several follow up sessions which include specialized education and practice, ensuring mom is able to accomplish her goals in a way that is both physically and emotionally fulfilling.

I got the call early one morning that my birth client was in labor and was 5 cm dilated at her last cervical check.

I made sure my husband was good to go with our kids before I threw my equipment in the car and headed to the birth center.

I arrived at about the same time as a few family members who were coming to welcome the new baby. Dad met us all at the door and said that mom was going to try to rest. She had been laboring all night and wanted to try to get some sleep before the big finale, and she didn't want anyone to come in to the birth center just yet.

The others debated going out to get breakfast or coffee or maybe stopping by a store. Someone looked over at me and said, "What about you? What are you going to do while she sleeps?"

I said, "Oh, I'm fully prepared for this. It happens to me all the time."

Have you ever wondered how I could possibly prepare to be with a birthing client when I have no idea how long I will need to be there or what I do if mom needs to rest or nap?

Well, I'm giving you a sneak peek behind the scenes and showing you what I pack in my birth bag!

This is a bag I pack in addition to my camera bag with all of my actual photography equipment.

I'm currently on call for a birth now, so I grabbed my birth bag and took a picture of the contents to share with you. 

1. Pillow
This little toddler sized pillow has saved my neck on quite a few occasions. I have napped in my car while a laboring mom is trying to rest. I have taken quick naps on waiting room couches when I have been at hospital births in the middle of the night. I usually leave it in my car unless I actually need it, but I always have it with me just in case.

2. Manual Breast Pump
My youngest is over a year old and does not take bottles, but he still nurses when I'm home with him. I keep a small manual pump with me just in case I'm at a birth for a long time and need to pump to relieve some discomfort.

3. Change of Clothes
There's no way to know where I will be when I get the call to go to a birth. I might be at the gym or at the pool with my kids. This birth bag goes in the car with me every time I leave my house when I'm on call, so I also keep clothes in case I need to change. This is my typical uniform that I wear for births: my favorite #birthphotographer tee, a comfy pair of leggings (or jeggings in this case), a sweater in case I get chilly (most often happens in hospital births), and my Bobs shoes with the memory foam insoles (so comfortable when I'm at a birth).

4. Entertainment
A big part of being a birth photographer is just waiting. I'm not going to be taking photos every second of birth and sometimes mom wants to rest and I'll go find a seat and keep myself busy. I crochet, so I often keep a project with me to work on during these times. I also have a Kindle with several books loaded. I normally prefer real books, but a Kindle comes in really handy for keeping multiple books with me at a birth.

5. Phone Accessories
Gotta keep that phone charged and I keep earbuds with me too. Sometimes I listen to podcasts or music while I'm waiting at a birth.

6. Hair Tie and Lip Balm
Pretty self-explanatory. Sometimes we women just need these things!

7. Snacks
This is a really important one. When I'm at a birth for a long time, I have to eat to keep my energy up. I'll usually step out of the room for a second and shove a snack in my face and step right back in. Sometimes I have the opportunity to run out and grab food when I need it, but I always keep snacks on hand.

When I talk to a mama-to-be who is interested in birth photography, there is a phrase I hear over and over again...

Now I just have to convince my husband.

Sorry fellas, but I'm throwing you under the bus a little bit here. Dads are often the hang up when it comes to birth photography.

I get it though.

Maybe you just don't like having your picture taken.

Maybe you're a little nervous about this whole impending birth thing.

Maybe you're not sure how you feel about the idea of another person (especially one with a camera) being in the room.

Maybe you just don't understand why she wants photos of that or why a few iPhone shots aren't enough.

Can I tell you something?

It's OKAY. My husband actually feels the exact same way.

Yep. You read that right... The man who is married to a birth photographer doesn't really get it, but when it came to hiring a photographer for our last baby's birth, he realized that it was really important and special to ME.

And I'm special to him, so he came around.

I asked one of my past birth client dads if I could talk to him a little bit about his experience hiring me to photograph the birth of his first baby girl. I hope his perspective might help you keep an open mind when your wife tells you she's interested in hiring a photographer.

Infertility.

It's one of those big, ugly words that you don't know much about, and you hope you never have to find out.

Then if it does happen to you, you're suddenly thrust into a world with way too much information.

The worst part? Most of your family and friends are still in the don't-know-much-about-it camp and it's hard for them to relate or understand.

I put together this very basic guide to help give you an idea of what the infertility world is like. If you're starting to think that you may be having fertility struggles or if you have a loved one who is currently suffering from infertility and you just want some information to help you understand, I hope this helps.

This information is compiled from the following websites (plus a little touch of my own personal experience): Coastal Fertility Specialists, Resolve: The National Infertility Association, and the American Pregnancy Association. 

Infertility is a disease which causes an inability to conceive a viable pregnancy after 12 months of regular, unprotected sex. This can also include the ability to achieve pregnancy but suffering from recurrent miscarriages.

This disease affects 1 in 8 couples, so there's a good chance you know someone who suffers from infertility - even if you're not aware of it.
​
There are also families who suffer from secondary infertility. In this case, the couple is suffering from infertility after successfully conceiving previous children without medical assistance.
​

Infertility can be caused by a wide range of underlying issues from physical problems to hormonal irregularities. It can be caused by issues with either the female partner or the male partner or a combination of both.

For men, there's really only one thing that needs to be checked: the sperm. There are 3 characteristics of semen that are checked when a couple is facing fertility challenges -
1. Sperm Count: Are there enough swimmers?
2. Sperm Motility: Do they swim and function correctly in a healthy/normal way?
3. Sperm Morphology: Are they shaped correctly or are there abnormalities/deformities?

For women, fertility challenges can be more complicated. There are several different checkpoints in the reproductive system where things could go wrong. The uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries all have specific parts to play in the reproductive process - not to mention the hormones that keep it all working.

This is just a short sampling of the possible causes for female infertility: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), Endometriosis, uterine abnormalities, fibroid tumors, luteal phase defect, ovulatory disorders caused by hormone problems, premature ovarian failure, a blockage in the fallopian tubes, etc.
​

There are some symptoms and conditions that may warrant medical help sooner, but the general rule is:

If you are under the age of 35 and have been having regular, unprotected sex for at least 1 year without successfully conceiving, 

OR

If you are over the age of 35 and have been having regular, unprotected sex for at least 6 months without successfully conceiving, you may want to speak to your OBGYN.

The first step is usually the OBGYN. He or she can often run some preliminary tests to rule out any obvious issues and can sometimes treat more minor causes of infertility. If your condition requires further assistance, you will be referred to a fertility specialist.
​

A fertility specialist is a Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE). 

REs are experts in the field of infertility. Just like any other field of medicine, different doctors will have different approaches and treatment plans. You will want to find the RE that you feel most comfortable with.

Don't be afraid to ask questions. Ask about success rates and treatment options. Ask about the embryologists, ultrasound techs, and other medical professionals involved in the process. Ask about ANY concerns you have. This is a huge decision and not one you should take lightly.
​

Your first visit will likely be information overload. Bring something to take notes and a list of questions you might have. 

You'll go over your medical history and the events that led you to the fertility specialist's office in the first place. They may have further questions about other medical events, like thyroid problems, that could be related. 

The doctor should go over all of the tests you will need and the possible treatment plans. You may also meet with the financial advisor in the office who will go over typical treatment costs as well as any possible insurance coverage and financing options.
​

Treatment will be entirely dependent on what is causing the infertility in the first place. 

Many people have heard of in vitro fertilization (IVF) where sperm and eggs are retrieved and embryos are created in a lab before being transferred back to the mother's uterus, but they may not know that there is a whole battery of other treatment options depending on the situation.

There are surgeries available that can correct uterine abnormalities. Medicines can be used to treat hormone issues or some ovulation disorders.

A procedure called intrauterine insemination (IUI) is sometimes used where sperm is taken from the father and injected directly into the uterus of the mother, who has sometimes been given medication to induce ovulation when necessary.

The most invasive and most expensive treatment is the one most people have heard about. IVF is a long process of hormones, egg retrievals, and sperm samples followed by creating embryos. Then if all of that is successful, the mother has to prepare her body with hormones for the implantation of the embryo. 

There are some diagnoses that require skipping straight to IVF, but often couples who are going through IVF have tried other treatment options first.

This information is just a very small glimpse into the world of infertility. The truth is every case is different because every couple facing infertility has their own unique combination of medical causes. Some couples will respond well to less invasive treatments and conceive quickly with treatment. Others will go through years of different treatments before finally finding something that works.

If someone you love has trusted you enough to share their plans to seek fertility treatment, the most important thing to know is that they have likely already been through a lot of frustration and disappointment and heartbreak before coming to this point. You may only see this one part of their story that they are sharing. You may not know everything that has been going on under the surface.

A little bit of grace and a lot of love and support go a long way.

If you are in the beginning of your infertility journey and have any questions, please reach out. I would be happy to answer any questions I can or tell you the best person to ask if I can't!

Alright, show of hands...

Have you ever suffered (or are you currently suffering) from any of these problems during pregnancy?

-Reflux
-Carpal Tunnel
-Sciatica
-Dizziness
-Constipation
-Hemorrhoids
-Headaches
-Back and hip pain
-Round Ligament Pain
-Pubic Symphysis Pain
-Coccyx Pain
-Difficulty Sleeping

I'm guessing every woman who has ever had a baby is holding her hand up right now, am I right?

In our society today, we have normalized the idea that pregnancy is just painful and uncomfortable and generally just unpleasant.

But what if I told you, it doesn't have to be that way?

What if I told you there was a way to help reduce many of those symptoms and, in some cases, eliminate them altogether?

What are some of the benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy?

Decreased stress, stronger immune system, increased blood flow to the baby, reduction of hormonal symptoms such as nausea and fatigue, reduction in labor time, avoidance or reduction of common pregnancy complaints such as reflux, carpal tunnel, sciatica, dizziness, and constipation, and giving the baby the maximum amount of space to move and rotate.

Everyone experiences pregnancy differently so the adjustments we do will depend on what's going on with the individual mom!

When is the ideal time to begin getting adjusted in pregnancy?

The most ideal time is before you get pregnant! Starting pregnancy with your body in a state of wellness sets you up for the healthiest pregnancy possible. 

The next best time to start is today! Don't let your pain get crippling before you seek care. Take action right away and end the suffering.

We also take proactive measures to prevent intrauterine constraint and focus on getting your pelvis ready for labor.

Pregnancy should feel amazing!

How often should a patient get adjustments during pregnancy?

This is super dependent on your state of health and your goals. If you are super healthy and want to get your body and nervous system ready for labor, your adjustments will probably be once a week. 

If you're in pain and there is stress on your nervous system, you may start at a few times a week.

Pregnancy has a finish line, so it also depends on how much time you have left in the pregnancy. If you come in with big goals and only a few weeks or a month left, we will see you much more often than if you came in with those same goals at 20 weeks.

Is it ever too late to start getting adjusted?

Well, if you're in labor already...

Your body takes time to heal. You can see improvements with a few adjustments, but there are limitations to what we can get done in a short amount of time. It's better to start earlier and make sure there's enough time to reach your goals.

What should an expecting mother look for or ask when searching for the right chiropractor?

Ask if pregnancy is a main focus of their office. We all took that one pregnancy adjusting class in school. You want a doctor who has gone above and beyond with their education geared around pregnancy and post-natal care. Also, you want a doctor who has the right tools and equipment to accommodate your growing belly!

What should someone expect when they come to see you for care during pregnancy? What does a typical visit look like?

We always start by assessing your nervous system and adjusting your spine. These adjustments may be with our hands, using the table's drops, or using an adjusting instrument.

The type of adjustment we utilize all depends on your body and your comfort level. All the adjustments we do are completely safe for you and your baby!

As we adjust, we take a look at important soft tissue structures on your back, around your pelvis, and in your belly. Releasing tight and stiff muscles can be the key to not only helping you hold your adjustments, but also to help in reducing any tension on your uterus.

We look at not only the soft tissue connecting the bones and uterus but also any soft tissue around the pelvis that could prevent it from opening symmetrical. Having not only the hard tissue but also the soft tissue alignment can help reduce labor times by making sure that baby engages the cervix symmetrically.

Everything is super gentle - not painful - and we explain and discuss everything with you as you go.

What about postpartum? What are the benefits of continuing care after birth? How soon after birth can a mother begin getting adjusted again?

I always joke with moms that after you have the baby, everything has to "fall back" into your pre-pregnancy position. Although, if you've been through this postpartum stage, you know that things never go back to the same place.

Adjustments do help your body recover and find balance again after you bring your little baby into the world. Helping your body realign after nine months of really big changes can be a game changer for some women.

A lot of postpartum women tell me that they recover faster and easier than their pregnancies where they didn't have chiropractic care afterwards. 

This is also a great time to get the new little baby checked too. Birth is super stressful, not only on mom, but on our tiny babies too. Getting your kiddo checked early can help them avoid problems later. 

You can get adjusted as soon as you feel ready to come into the office after having your baby. I have women wait anywhere from four days to up to two weeks to come in and get their next adjustment.

​I personally know I was adjusted the day I gave birth and so was my baby!

A huge thank you to Dr. Angela for taking the time to answer my questions! I highly recommend her and her husband, Dr. Chris, if you're currently searching for a chiropractor for your family. Their office is located in West Ashley and my whole family has come to love their practice.

And if you take anything from this interview, let it be this: DON'T WAIT! I'm one of those people that waited until I was suffering every day before seeking help. I wish I had taken action sooner and saved myself the pain!

My mom is forever telling me that parents nowadays have all kinds of “new fangled” lingo for everything we do.
 
Like Fresh 48.
 
Have you ever heard of a Fresh 48?
 
It’s a newborn photo session done within the first 48 hours of the baby’s life. It usually takes place at the hospital or place of birth and captures those precious early days of getting to know your little one.
 
I know most of you are probably thinking, “Oh yeah… they have a photographer at the hospital that comes around and does those pictures.”
 
And you’re right. Most hospitals have a contracted photographer that randomly shows up at your door at some point during your stay to ask if you would like photos of your baby.
 
But did you know that you can hire a photographer in advance to do a Fresh 48 session?
 
There are some major perks to hiring your own photographer.
 
Just think about it:
 
-You will work with the photographer to choose what time would be best for your session. When you know in advance, you can take a little time to shower or freshen up before your session begins.
 
-You can discuss your preferences beforehand and what photos you would really like to have.
 
-You can arrange to have older siblings or any other special family members you want included present at the time of the planned photo session.
 
It’s a win all around.
 
Those first days with your baby are so precious, but they’re also a blur of nurses and visitors and feedings and vitals checks and paperwork…
 
Hiring a photographer to come and capture photos as you take time to really soak in those moments as a new family will give you memories you can look back on long after your baby is grown.

For something that's supposed to be "natural," breastfeeding can be really hard - especially in the very beginning.

You're exhausted and constantly second-guessing yourself.

Even with my 3rd baby - after having successfully breastfed my first two kids well beyond a year - I still had moments when I wondered if I was doing everything right and if baby was getting enough in those early days.

Everyone has their own personal goals for breastfeeding. Those goals might even change as you get started on your journey and that's okay too.

There's advice all over the internet on the best ways to have success with breastfeeding, but honestly, there are a lot of things that work for some babies that don't work for others. Sometimes you just have to figure it out through trial and error, but there are a few things I've learned along the way with breastfeeding 3 different babies.

1-Read up on what's normal
Y'all - newborn babies are just a whole species all their own. They don't follow the rules of normal human behavior.

For example, when an adult eats, it's usually because they're hungry. I mean - I know there are some people who have emotional eating issues that cause them to eat when they aren't truly hungry, but for the most part hungry = eating. (By the way... it's me. I'm some people...)

But newborns aren't like that. They nurse when they're hungry, but they also nurse when they're tired or scared or in pain or when their body is preparing for a growth spurt or any other number of reasons. It sometimes feels like they are eating ALL. THE. TIME. in the early days and it can make you wonder if there's something wrong.

I recommend educating yourself on what is NORMAL newborn breastfeeding behavior, so when you randomly have a day when your nursling will not get off your boob, you'll recognize cluster feeding and reassure yourself that your babe is healthy and growing.

​I personally recommend The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, Ina May's Guide to Breastfeeding, and kellymom.com.

2-Find your village
They say it takes a village, right? Breastfeeding is no different.

However, you need to find the right village. I have lots of mom friends who make a lot of different parenting choices from me and I love them all! Every mom has to do what's best for herself and her family, but that includes me too.

I have lots of friends who exclusively use disposable diapers, but I don't ask them questions about my cloth diaper wash cycle.

In the same way, I have some amazing mom friends who formula feed, but I don't ask them breastfeeding questions.

You need to find moms who have met the goals you are trying to meet and who understand the different struggles and concerns you might have.

With my first, I knew I wanted to breastfeed for at least 6 months. I didn't really know anyone who had done that successfully. I had a few family members who had breastfeed for a few weeks or the first few months, but never quite that long. 

I initially found my village online but eventually became friends with many of them in real life. The right village can answer your questions, encourage you when you think you're doing everything wrong, recommend the best lactation consultants, and help you find breastfeeding-friendly pediatricians.

We are very lucky here in the Charleston area to have an awesome La Leche League group. There are in person meetings throughout the Lowcountry and an active Facebook group to help you find your village.

3-Don't quit in the first 6 weeks 
This might be the hardest piece of advice to follow. I don't even remember who told me this anymore, but I remember someone telling me to make small goals and just get through the first 6 weeks. 

When you are nursing around the clock and your nipples are sore and you feel like you'll never sleep again, the thought of nursing for a full year can be downright terrifying.

But if you just tell yourself to get through this one day - one week - 6 weeks, it's not so overwhelming.

I'm not sure what it is about that 6 week mark, but something shifts around that time. If you can hang in there, you'll likely find that you're finally getting the hang of this breastfeeding thing and the thought of continuing won't be so daunting.

After that, your next goal can be to make it to 12 weeks. Then maybe 6 months. Then a year or whatever works best for you.

So breastfeeding mamas, what was the best advice you received?