The lovely Andrea Laskey and Forrest (15 months). Andrea remembers going into her pregnancy thinking that not much would change until the baby arrived. She laughs at that thought now, 15 months postpartum realizing that she's just now beginning to feel like herself again. Pregnancy was very good for her however and she found a midwife at an independent birthing center who was also a naturopath to provide her care. Andrea enjoyed being able to spend an hour with her provider every visit and have all of her questions answered. Andrea did pilates until just a couple weeks before Forrest was born and felt very capable.
Felling empowered to trust that her body knew just what to do was wonderful for Andrea. Her water broke at home and she went into the birthing center later that day when she felt ready. She labored and delivered Forrest in the water with her husband at her side and says that once he was earth side she was overcome with joy.
Forrest latched well from the beginning and while she dealt with mastitis for about two weeks early on it went away on it's own and they've done well since.
Andrea says that some of the best advice she received in becoming a parent was to stop watching the news. That she didn't need anything depressing in her life, just the focus on what was in front of her. She says it's helped her to stay grounded and happy in this transition and she hopes that women can know above all else that they are capable and strong.