Who is this woman?
First off, my name is Shannon Baird. I am the mama to 4 miracle children, and an angel baby. I am happily married (most of the time), and have a love affair with books, shoes, and coffee. I am the modern mommy nerd who enjoys writing, and creating online with HTML and CSS code. I am a birth and baby junkie who turned a love into a career. I am passionate about encouraging other mommies to take care of themselves, follow their dreams/passions, and not become completely tied up in the identity of mommy, maid, and chauffer.
My Personal Birthing Experiences
As with each child’s personality, every birth was so different than the others. My first child was born in 2003 drug-free, however vacuum assisted. After the birth, I had to have some help with the pain while the doctor was stitching me up (a 4th degree tear, the worst possible). My 2nd baby, who was born in 2004, was induced with no pain medication and made a quick entrance (the doctor said my first paved the way for her speed). However, about 10 hours after her birth, she was whisked away to the NICU and we almost didn’t come home together. We almost didn’t come home with her at all. The doctors call her a miracle. From that moment she was taken from my room until she was one, it was quite a rough ride with doctor visits, colic, projectile vomit, lots of crying (on both our parts), and breastfeeding for only 2 weeks. When I was pregnant with our 3rd in 2005, we found out what happened with our 2nd. After I gave 20 viles of blood and my hubby gave 10, we found out I have a rare genetic disorder, NAIT (neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia). This condition caused my 3rd baby to be a high risk pregnancy and he was a planned c-section. My 4th baby was born via a D&C (dusting and cleaning as my doctor likes to affectionately call it) in 2008. I had a miscarriage which really rocked my world. I call him my angel baby. My 5th baby was some serious work! Starting at 20 weeks I had to go to the hospital every Wednesday, all day, for IVIG (a big bag of platlets) through my PICC line. The last month I had to have 2 bags which took about 13 hours along with steroids daily (because of the steroids I doubled my weight gain that last month and I had been doing so well at about 15 pounds!). During the pregnancy I had many doctor appointments with my OB as well as a perinatologist. She was born during a planned c-section. After I had her, I had many complications including preeclampsia and a blood transfusion. As you can see, I have a wide range of personal experience with birthing, babies, and the unexpected complications that can arise before, during, or after birth. I believe we hope for the best, however we should be prepared if the worst happens. Above all, have a doctor you truly trust and listen to what they advise you.
My Birth Philosophy
I am a planner by nature. As with any situation in life, plan for the experience you want, however be prepared for the unexpected. Have a realistic birth plan with your wishes; at the same time discuss the possible complications. No matter how your birth goes, don’t ever feel like you have failed or chickened out. There is enough time during parenthood to show how tuff you can be. The two things that really helped me: one, women have been giving birth successfully for thousands of years so I will be fine too. Second, I kept an open mind. For instance, I knew I wanted to go without an epidural, however, if labor got to be too much and my support team thought I needed one, I would say yes. I believe very much in listening to your own body, yet knowing when you need to take the advice of the doctors/midwives and nurses. “No matter the birthing experience, every baby is natural”. Whether at home planned or unplanned, in the hospital, or in a car, every birth is magnificent.
Why I am Unique
My husband has agreed to be very involved with my business. Usually men are mostly interested in how to make the baby. He is quite interested in all the stuff that comes after and also, infant care. As for me, I have had a wide range of personal birth and infant experiences. I understand how it feels when breastfeeding is smooth and successful, and when it just doesn’t work out. I know what it’s like to have an easy baby, and to have a baby who constantly has you in tears of frustration. I can empathize when the adjustment period is rough, and if postpartum depression creeps into your life, as I have been treated for borderline severe postpartum depression. My training is more comprehensive than most programs. Most doulas attend a seminar for one to two days, however, my training takes approximately one year to complete. Although most doulas are only trained for one aspect, my training encompasses prenatal, labor and delivery, postpartum, as well as being a breastfeeding counselor. My goal is to be part of your support team prenatally, during birth, and postpartum.
My Hope for You
My hope is that you have a successful birth with the end result of a happy, healthy baby and mama. I want for you to be as prepared as possible when you feel the beginnings of labor wash over you. You deserve to have a successful breastfeeding experience if breastfeeding is your goal. My wish is that you have a solid support team for the birth and after you come home. I greatly desire that you experience that amazing love only a parent gets to experience. Last, but certainly not least, I wish for you to get a shower daily once the baby arrives.
My Personal Birthing Experiences
As with each child’s personality, every birth was so different than the others. My first child was born in 2003 drug-free, however vacuum assisted. After the birth, I had to have some help with the pain while the doctor was stitching me up (a 4th degree tear, the worst possible). My 2nd baby, who was born in 2004, was induced with no pain medication and made a quick entrance (the doctor said my first paved the way for her speed). However, about 10 hours after her birth, she was whisked away to the NICU and we almost didn’t come home together. We almost didn’t come home with her at all. The doctors call her a miracle. From that moment she was taken from my room until she was one, it was quite a rough ride with doctor visits, colic, projectile vomit, lots of crying (on both our parts), and breastfeeding for only 2 weeks. When I was pregnant with our 3rd in 2005, we found out what happened with our 2nd. After I gave 20 viles of blood and my hubby gave 10, we found out I have a rare genetic disorder, NAIT (neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia). This condition caused my 3rd baby to be a high risk pregnancy and he was a planned c-section. My 4th baby was born via a D&C (dusting and cleaning as my doctor likes to affectionately call it) in 2008. I had a miscarriage which really rocked my world. I call him my angel baby. My 5th baby was some serious work! Starting at 20 weeks I had to go to the hospital every Wednesday, all day, for IVIG (a big bag of platlets) through my PICC line. The last month I had to have 2 bags which took about 13 hours along with steroids daily (because of the steroids I doubled my weight gain that last month and I had been doing so well at about 15 pounds!). During the pregnancy I had many doctor appointments with my OB as well as a perinatologist. She was born during a planned c-section. After I had her, I had many complications including preeclampsia and a blood transfusion. As you can see, I have a wide range of personal experience with birthing, babies, and the unexpected complications that can arise before, during, or after birth. I believe we hope for the best, however we should be prepared if the worst happens. Above all, have a doctor you truly trust and listen to what they advise you.
My Birth Philosophy
I am a planner by nature. As with any situation in life, plan for the experience you want, however be prepared for the unexpected. Have a realistic birth plan with your wishes; at the same time discuss the possible complications. No matter how your birth goes, don’t ever feel like you have failed or chickened out. There is enough time during parenthood to show how tuff you can be. The two things that really helped me: one, women have been giving birth successfully for thousands of years so I will be fine too. Second, I kept an open mind. For instance, I knew I wanted to go without an epidural, however, if labor got to be too much and my support team thought I needed one, I would say yes. I believe very much in listening to your own body, yet knowing when you need to take the advice of the doctors/midwives and nurses. “No matter the birthing experience, every baby is natural”. Whether at home planned or unplanned, in the hospital, or in a car, every birth is magnificent.
Why I am Unique
My husband has agreed to be very involved with my business. Usually men are mostly interested in how to make the baby. He is quite interested in all the stuff that comes after and also, infant care. As for me, I have had a wide range of personal birth and infant experiences. I understand how it feels when breastfeeding is smooth and successful, and when it just doesn’t work out. I know what it’s like to have an easy baby, and to have a baby who constantly has you in tears of frustration. I can empathize when the adjustment period is rough, and if postpartum depression creeps into your life, as I have been treated for borderline severe postpartum depression. My training is more comprehensive than most programs. Most doulas attend a seminar for one to two days, however, my training takes approximately one year to complete. Although most doulas are only trained for one aspect, my training encompasses prenatal, labor and delivery, postpartum, as well as being a breastfeeding counselor. My goal is to be part of your support team prenatally, during birth, and postpartum.
My Hope for You
My hope is that you have a successful birth with the end result of a happy, healthy baby and mama. I want for you to be as prepared as possible when you feel the beginnings of labor wash over you. You deserve to have a successful breastfeeding experience if breastfeeding is your goal. My wish is that you have a solid support team for the birth and after you come home. I greatly desire that you experience that amazing love only a parent gets to experience. Last, but certainly not least, I wish for you to get a shower daily once the baby arrives.