09/28/2025
[Behind the scenes]
How I spent my day after integrating back into the world after supporting a 16-hour birth;
1. I managed to get 2 hours of sleep when I got home at 6am, my body wouldn’t let me sleep more than that. I immediately grabbed a Vitamin C packet to help boost my immune system. Between the dry air in the hospital + no sleep for 24 hours, it’s the perfect breeding grounds for getting sick
2. Nourishing and filling breakfast. I tend to not have an appetite when I attend births, so eggs, a slice of sourdough, avocado, aged cheddar, and some apples to give me long lasting energy.
3. Prepping an epsom salt bath. I use my whole body to support a labouring mama - body massaging, hip squeezes, reflexology, holding a leg/ foot during the pushing stages, continuous breath work coaching, and just the lack of sleep makes your body ache.
4. Aromatherapy. Lavender in the bath for relaxation. Peppermint on my temples to help with the lack of sleep headache/ pressure that built up.
5. Candles always! A bath just isn’t a bath without them.
6. Neti pot to clear my dry and congested sinuses. Salt water to flush the sinuses and then Nasya oil to help clear the congestion and bring back hydration.
7. You had to assume the reflexologist would do something to care for her feet right?! I spent 15 of the 16 hours of the birth on my feet. They were sore... I actually opened my computer and got caught up on a bit of work while massaging my feet a bit. (And no this machine isn’t nearly as good as having someone work on your feet but it’s better than nothing!)
8 & 9. Forced myself to walk to pick A up from school (it’s a 25 minute walk each way). I knew I’d be exhausted 10 minutes in but I needed an outdoor reset. Natural light in my eyes, no music or distracting phone calls, just me, my breath, and the fresh air to help reset my circadian rhythm and nervous system!
