Mother’s Ear Chronicles
Navigating the Unexpected: Birth, NICU, and Everything in Between.
33. From Pumping to Nursing: Tips for Building a Strong Breastfeeding Relationship After the NICU
Rebuilding a nursing relationship after a NICU stay isn’t linear—and it’s not supposed to be.
If you’re stuck in the in-between of pumping, bottles, and trying to find your way back to breastfeeding, this blog offers practical, compassionate support to help you move forward—one feed at a time.
32. How to Do Your Own Research for an Empowered Birth and Informed Decisions
“There’s a study for everything”—but that doesn’t mean every study deserves your trust.
This blog is your no-fluff guide to understanding birth research without the overwhelm. Learn where to find real evidence, how to spot bias, and why trusting the right experts isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom. Perfect for smart, curious moms who want facts, not fear.
31. Navigating Birth Systems: The Rights You Have (Even if No One Tells You)
Pregnancy doesn’t cancel your rights—it highlights them.
This unapologetic post breaks down exactly what you're allowed to say, ask, decline, and demand during pregnancy and birth. Because you’re not just along for the ride—you’re the one driving, and your voice holds more power than you’ve been told.
30. 5 Tips for Surviving the NICU and Staying Strong as a Parent
No one dreams of the NICU—but here you are.
From medical jargon overload to emotional whiplash, this post gives you 5 grounded, honest tips to survive the NICU experience without losing yourself in the process. Because your strength isn’t just in holding it all together—it’s in letting yourself feel, rest, and advocate like the fierce parent you are.
29. Why You Deserve Transparent Support After a Gastroschisis Diagnosis
Just heard the words “your baby has gastroschisis”?
You’re not alone—and you deserve more than vague reassurance. This post breaks down what gastroschisis really means, what no one tells you about life after diagnosis, and how to advocate for your baby with clarity, not confusion.
28. The Need for Trauma-Informed Birth Care: How to Advocate for Yourself During Labor
What if standard birth care didn’t actually feel like care at all?
Too many birthing people walk away from labor feeling dismissed, disrespected, or even traumatized—not because their plan changed, but because they weren’t heard. This post breaks down what trauma-informed birth care really is, why it matters, and how to advocate for it—even if speaking up feels hard.
27. Is the Cascade of Interventions Inevitable? What Birth Education Can Change
Ever feel like one intervention led to another... and suddenly your birth plan vanished?
That’s the cascade of interventions in action—and it’s more common than you think. This blog unpacks how it happens, why birth education matters, and what you can do to stay informed, confident, and in control of your birth.
26. How to Spot Red Flags in Your Birth Team and Protect Your Positive Birth Experience
You wouldn’t invite just anyone to your wedding—so why let just anyone into your birth space?
Not everyone in scrubs automatically earns a spot on your birth team. This blog helps you spot subtle red flags, advocate for your preferences, and build a support team that actually honors your birth vision.
25. 5 Reasons It’s Okay to Be Both Grateful and Grieving After the NICU
Can you be grateful and grieving at the same time?
Absolutely. After the NICU, it’s completely normal to feel joy and heartbreak in the same breath. This post unpacks why holding both emotions isn’t just valid—it’s a powerful part of healing.
24. 5 Ways to Foster Self-Connection for Positive Birth Outcomes and Empowered Labor
Pregnancy isn’t just about picking the perfect playlist—it’s about building a mindset that helps you trust your body when it matters most. These 5 raw, real ways to connect with yourself can help you walk into labor feeling powerful and prepared.
23. Hospital vs. Birth Center: What the Data Says About Positive Birth Outcomes
What if the “alternative” birth setting actually had better outcomes? For low-risk pregnancies, birth centers aren’t just safe—they’re statistically stronger.
22. What I Wasn’t Taught About Resilience—And How I Finally Learned It.
For years, I thought I had to become strong enough to survive motherhood’s hardest moments. But someone once told me, “The lesson isn’t what you did wrong—it’s what you already have inside you,” and it changed everything.
21. Why Mental Health Must Be Part of Every Postpartum Plan: From Birth Preparation to Recovery
You’ve got the birth playlist, the swaddles, the freezer meals—but what about your mental health plan? Because let’s be honest, it’s the one thing that’ll hold you together when everything else feels like it’s falling apart.
20. How to Interview a Midwife: 10 Questions Every Empowered Mother Should Ask
So... how do you find a midwife who feels like a trusted sidekick instead of a stranger reading off a checklist?
Start here—with 10 interview questions that flip the script and help you choose someone who actually respects your voice, your values, and your vision for birth.
How to Find Comfort Without an Epidural: Natural Pain Relief Methods That Work
Labor pain is intense, but it’s also manageable—and not just by biting down on a stick while screaming into the void. This guide is packed with real, science-backed pain relief methods that actually work—because 'just breathe' is not a strategy; it’s a biological requirement.
Why Advocacy Matters: How Parents Can Make a Difference in the NICU
The NICU is a world no parent expects to enter, filled with beeping monitors, medical jargon, and overwhelming emotions. But even in the chaos, you have more power than you think—because no one knows your baby like you do, and your voice in their care is essential.