Postpartum Mom in mesh underwear - Postpartum Essentials

6 Postpartum Essentials You’ll Want To Have

By Christie Collbran | September 2, 2024

Whether you are a first-time mom or not, the postpartum period can always surprise you. It is helpful to have an idea of what postpartum essentials you may need during this time. You might have ambitious plans for your maternity leave or high expectations for yourself as a new mom.  While it’s perfectly fine to…

Lady making an injection into her belly, hormone imbalance after IVF

What No One Ever Talks About: Hormone Imbalance After IVF

By Christie Collbran | July 8, 2024

You know that infertility is…  Hard.  You know that single parenthood is… Hard.  IVF is hard too. We get it. However you arrived at undergoing IVF treatment… It isn’t for the faint of heart… and truly for people who want nothing more than to be a parent!  We see you.  So, if you’re reading this……

Mom with c-section scar holding baby, c-section recovery

Helpful Recovery Steps For C-Section Healing Week by Week

By Christie Collbran | May 4, 2024

What is a c-section? A c-section (cesarean delivery) is major abdominal surgery where your baby is delivered through an incision made in your abdomen and uterus. This happens when a vaginal delivery seems to be unsafe or risky.  A few possible reasons a c-section might be needed include:  You might be wondering… What happens if…

Postpartum Birth Control Guide, pills on top of a calendar with a pencil

What’s Best For My Body? Your Personal Postpartum Birth Control Guide

By Christie Collbran | March 12, 2024

You’ve made it! You’re finally no longer pregnant. I know at one point you convinced yourself you’d be pregnant forever. Your baby is here, and now you can breathe a sigh of relief. But, not so fast… You’ve recently survived labor and navigated a roller coaster of emotions. Now you’re in the newborn stage…neck-deep in…

Postpartum Red Flags, Mom with newborn baby on her chest

Is This Normal? 5 Postpartum Red Flags To Keep In Mind

By Christie Collbran | February 25, 2024

The postpartum period is a magical time.  You’re somewhere between recovering from a battle wound and falling in love all over again. Think: Love Actually meets Saving Private Ryan. So much love. So much pain. Sleep is basically a mythical creature and the days seem to string along like an unraveling ball of yarn.  You’re…

Intimate Connection With Partner, Mom and Dad kissing, baby lying next to them

5 Helpful Ideas to Create Intimate Connection With Your Partner

By Christie Collbran | February 3, 2024

It’s been a while since you brought your new baby home. So many emotions… Joy and stress. Mountain tops and valleys. Moments of pure bliss followed by moments of panic and overwhelm.  What a rollercoaster!  You feel like your brain cannot bear to hold one more responsibility or emotion.  That’s why during this time, connecting…

Mom holding baby, parenting challenges, do I hate being a parent?

“Do I Hate Being a Parent?” 3 Helpful Ways to Shift Your Mindset

By Christie Collbran | January 21, 2024

Being a parent has its challenges.  There’s no way around it.  While it has beautiful moments, there are equally ugly moments. Being pushed past your limits at times, you may want to quit.  Sometimes, you question yourself and ask: “Do I hate being a parent?”  A simple internet search reveals many people feel burnout when…

A Mom Holding her Hand to her head - "Mommy Brain"

Is “Mommy Brain” Actually Real? New Moms Need Real Answers

By Christie Collbran | December 18, 2023

You woke up today with a lot of things to do. You have housework, a doctor’s appointment, and a million other things.  Then this happened: You made coffee but you can’t remember where you left it.  It’s in the microwave. Your husband called and you told him you lost your phone.  You’re talking on it.  …

Tiny baby in the NICU resting on Mom

10 Things I Learned from our 165 Days in the NICU

By Christie Collbran | November 14, 2023

My dear friend Laura has had two babies born prematurely. With both she went through quite an ordeal and learned many things during their lengthy time in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit.) She was kind enough to share some of her story with us in honor of November being Prematurity Awareness Month:  An adventure…

Baby items - pregnancy after loss

Pregnancy After Loss

By Christie Collbran | October 28, 2023

Losing a baby through miscarriage or stillbirth is one of the hardest things any parent will ever go through. When I was pregnant with my 2nd child, I went into preterm labor at 17 weeks. Having made it to the 2nd trimester we had already announced the pregnancy to friends and family. My husband and…

Woman embracing another women in a therapy group, recovering after a traumatic birth experience

Recovering from a Traumatic Birth

By Christie Collbran | October 16, 2023

Childbirth is a powerful and transformative event, but sometimes the experience can be traumatic. Things don’t always go as planned and the feelings you have during and after the birth can be emotionally challenging.  On a personal level my first baby’s birth was very difficult and I experienced a degree of PTSD afterwards. I worked…

Pregnant couple sitting with a laptop and a postpartum plan

Do You Have a Postpartum Plan?

By Christie Collbran | September 25, 2023

You’ve got your birth class done, your hospital bag packed and your car-seat safely installed! Have you considered what happens once you are home with your baby in your arms? Do you have a postpartum plan in place?  You may have heard a lot of talk about birth plans and much less discussion about a…