Who is Sandy Caldwell, and why you should know her??

Sandy Caldwell was my doula for the birth of my son.  Her prenatal, birth and postpartum help has been invaluable to me, so I wanted to share her services with everyone.  So what exactly is a doula??

The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves" and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.

***Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily***

Sandy owns her own business called Doula la Birth and Postpartum Services.  She continues to add support and information to me as needed.  If you are interested in a doula please check out www.Doula-la.com or contact her at Sandy@doula-la.com.  Sandy serves the Bay Area here in California.  If you are looking for a doula and you are not in the area, Sandy might be able to give you a reference for someone in your area.  

Apache got his first teeth!!

My big boy did so good:)  I could tell he was tired or hungry or something...he was only slightly fussy.  He kept playing with his choopy, spinning it upside down and gnawing on it.  I gave him my knuckle and felt the sharpest little teeth poking out from his bottom gums.  Poor little guy is getting two at the same time.  He's hanging tough though, gosh I'm so proud of him!

Walks with Apache

Some more catch up...

I was really lucky to have had a beautiful pregnancy and what other people tell me was a quick labor and delivery (8.5 hrs).  I have a lot to say about how I made that happen, but I will sum it up.  I was happy to be pregnant, educated myself on natural childbirth and had an amazing doula, Sandy Caldwell and a great midwife Olga Labova.  Also, Tobias' love and support was invaluable.  I felt really connected to my son and used the montra that "we are a team".  I used the same montra when I was starting breastfeeding, we both had to learn how to do it.  Anyway, Apache Matai was born 6 months ago on July 17.  After my son was born was one of the best times of my life, and one of the hardest.  It seems like people think it's taboo to talk about this, but it's just the truth.  6 months later I am finally starting feel like life is some what normal again.  I love my life and am learning to take each moment, each experience at a time.

Let's catch up!

Tobias and I met over ten years ago and haven't been able to take a normal picture, not even once!  We decided to have a baby before we were engaged, it just felt like the right time for us.  We were in love, in a good place in our hearts and decided to go for it.  He knew I wanted to get married if we were going to have kids, so when I was 6 months pregnant he finally popped the question!