Happy Occupational Therapy Month!
April is occupational therapy month when we get to celebrate our profession and also bring awareness to this special field of healthcare. You already know by now that I’ve recently transitioned out of acute care setting in the hospital to my private practice, Postpartum Living, specializing in women’s heath. But enough about me! I’m dedicating this blog post to talk about what OT is and also share 4 amazing OT’s who are working in very unique areas of practice! What is Occupational Therapy? As occupational therapists, we become very accustomed to explaining our profession to people, almost on a daily basis. No, it’s not the same as PT. No, OT…
3 Weeks of 3 Boys 3 and Under
It’s been a little over three weeks since we’ve brought home our little bean, Mr. Camden Roc. We’ve been asked a lot what life is like with three boys three and under so I figured I would give a family update here on the blog. To say it’s been an easy transition would be a lie, but we’re staying afloat and adjusting to our new norm. I first must give a big shout out to our supportive tribe of family and friends, especially our parents who have come in to help us during this transition. My parents are graciously staying with us until July, with my husbands mom coming to…
Welcome to the World, Camden!
Today would have been baby 3’s scheduled c-section date…but he decided to come 9 days early!! I wanted to share our birth story for a few reasons. Apparently it’s C-section Awareness Month (didn’t know that was a thing), so it’s relevant to share what we just went through. Also, our story is proof that most deliveries do not go according to plan and it’s always a good idea to be prepared and flexible. Since I specialize in prenatal and postpartum recovery as an OT, I’m an open book when it comes to sharing my birth experiences. Friday, March 29, 2019 It was a normal day. I let in the construction…
Pregnancy Body-Shaming
We’ve all heard of body-shaming, especially when we’re referring to woman-to-woman criticism. You know who are particularly vulnerable to off-the-cuff body comments? Pregnant women. You may not even know that you’re doing it, but it happens all of the time. I’ll admit, I’ve accidentally said some embarrassing things to pregnant women in the past as well. Since this is my third go-around, I’ve become immune to all types of comments about my body and it barely phases me anymore. I usually laugh it off or find some witty retort to make them feel equally as uncomfortable, and I’m sure there are other moms that take it all with a grain…
5 Tips for Better Sleep During Pregnancy
We’ve all heard people say this when you’re pregnant, “Sleep while you can!” followed by a myriad of personal anecdotes about baby exhaustion, never sleeping again etc. While sleep during pregnancy is very essential for growing a tiny human and for your own health, it’s often easier said than done. Many women suffer from sleep disturbances in pregnancy, much due to physiological reasons and surging hormones. Aside from the fluffy info (e.g. don’t look at your phone 30 mins prior bedtime, meditate, go to bed early), I’m breaking down some clinical solutions with 5 tips for better sleep during pregnancy. 1. Get yourself into position- using pillows or maternity pillow…
Launch of My Private Practice, Postpartum Living
So I have some big news…I’m going to have two new babies this year. Nope, calm down, we are not having twins. My other baby has become my new business. I have officially launched my private practice, Postpartum Living, LLC, which provides in-home occupational therapy services to moms before/after delivering their baby. You may have (or not) noticed that my blog homepage has a new button on it ;-). I’ve saved you the trouble of asking the questions and put a lot of the common ones I’ve been asked about this new biz: How did this business idea come about? Last year, (even before I found out I was pregnant,…
Family/Maternity Photoshoot for Baby #3
Since we had a maternity photoshoot for my first two sons, there’s no doubt that #3 would receive the same treatment. In between the snow and cold, we ended up with one sunny Saturday that made it perfect for our family photoshoot. We headed down to our neighborhood park, a place we frequently visit at least once a week. Thanks to PinkBlush Maternity for sponsoring this post and sending this absolutely stunning gown for me to wear. I’ve always been partial to light pink styles, no matter how many boys I have 😉 I’ll include more details about the dress and links down below. All photos taken by Derek from…
Protecting Your Core and Preventing Diastasis Recti In Pregnancy
As women get into the second half of pregnancy, their bumps are growing at a rapid rate. It can get a little more difficult to move around with a watermelon as a belly. The abdominal muscles are stretching significantly and can sometimes separate at the midline, known as Diastasis Recti Abdominis. This condition affects approximately 66% of women in their third trimester and 55% of women in the postpartum period. At times it will resolve itself with natural healing after delivery, but often requires training to regain optimal functioning. Here are techniques and tips to protect your core during pregnancy and decrease the risk of diastasis recti. Protecting your core…
A Partner’s Supporting Role During Pregnancy
In celebration for Valentine’s Day tomorrow, my husband and lifetime Valentine graciously agreed to be a guest contributor for this Hump Day Bump Day post. Pregnancy can be a joyous time but also difficult and uncomfortable. Sometimes a spouse or partner is unsure of how to best support the mama-to-be. Since it’s our third pregnancy in less than four years, my hubby has become an expert at co-piloting through this journey. I’ll let him take it from here. ____________________________ A Partner’s Supporting Role During Pregnancy Hi guys, (yes I’m going to be addressing this to the spouses and partners, regardless of gender). Your role and responsibility during pregnancy should not…
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome During Pregnancy
One of the secondary conditions that may develop during pregnancy is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Some may think this condition only occurs in old people, or those who use their hands a lot during the day. Well, add preggo women to that list as well. As an occupational therapist, I’ve seen this presented in clinic numerous times with patients. As a mom in her third pregnancy, I’ve had it three times. Therefore, I’ve decided to breakdown the facts about CTS, why you can get it while your pregnant, and what you can do about it to alleviate the symptoms. What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? First of all, carpal tunnel is an…
