I’m so delighted to be writing here on The Pregnancy Project.

Just so you get an introduction of who I am.  I’m Amy, a Licensed Massage Therapist who specializes in Prenatal Massage and a Calm Birth Method Meditation facilitator for pregnancy, birth, and beyond.  I’m also a Mama.  I am imperfect in every way.  I strive everyday to be a better human just so they can see that and grow up and be better and do better than me.

I want to say right off, because you are here – I know you are a pretty good parent already.

You are looking into finding providers to support you on your journey.  The people you meet in the birth world are the best people in the world.  And I want to affirm your coming here.

As great it is to fill ourselves up with books and articles in pregnancy, I am aware that as we grow and expand our knowledge base, so comes the steady stream of information, relentless advice, claws of judgements, and feelings of inadequacies.  And so, with all that you are actively doing in your pregnancy, I invite you to take a moment, check in with your self, notice your body, and take good care.

Breathe

Just naturally, breath.

Soft and with awareness.

I am breathing right now as I write to you because as I reach into the deep abyss of my own education and heart for working with those pregnant, I am trying to be conscious of what belongs to me and what information to bridge to meet you.

Hello, there.  Wherever you are in the world of expecting a baby/babies. May you be well.

In this blog post, I thought I could post research statistics and valuable evidence-based education on pregnancy and birth.

(I will leave that up to the wealth of knowledge doulas out there.)

I could remind you to check in with your health care provider if anything isn’t feeling right. (I know you will do that anyway.)

I could try to dig deep into the mysterious field of embryology and all the things that blow my mind through my Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy studies.  (We are all miracles and Margery told me so, http://www.craniosacraleducation.com )

I could talk to you about the core of my massage therapy education.  I’d tell you about the potential sustaining benefits that touch can do for yourself and your baby.  (Hold hands with your love, let your warm hands rest on an aching part of your body, hold your baby! http://www6.miami.edu/touch-research/Index.html)

I could visit the emerging information about the effects of chronic stress during pregnancy and more importantly though, show you many people out there that care to help others recover through compassionate and knowledgable care practices.  (But maybe that feels a bit heavy, and I’m not the expert on that, yet Ann’s work may help. http://anndiamondweinstein.com)

I could name the heroes who are working to shine light on the undervalued populations of people who need and deserve to get safer care in their pregnancy and births.  (I just discovered Jennie Joesph, the “JJ Way”, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIM3fEmzkVc)

Perhaps I could share with you how I wish we could make sacred again (make meaning for) the coming of age in teen-age years – for both girls and boys.

I could talk about the value of daily time in nature, to take care of yourself, and how to place the pillows in your bed so you can get a good night’s rest.

Personally, I could recall the early days of becoming a new mother. Remembering how I felt like I couldn’t do it.  And by now, a decade later, how I feel resilient in mind and have a heart as open as it can be, but there are days I still wish I could hide under the covers.

I could and want to share what led me to have the desire to hold the space for pregnant people.  I’d like to share the why and how I show up to my work, my family, and my self.

But, maybe we could just talk on a park bench sometime, as our kids play, deal? Deal.

Whoa, this is a long way of getting there, but I’m getting there.

What I will say and I’d like you to know, is from my brilliant college advisor, Neema (https://www.goddard.edu/people/neema-caughran/) – this…

“You and only you know where you can best learn and contribute to the work that must take place.”

So, what does this mean?

Let’s break this down.

And you fill in any parts that are missing in your story.

YOU.

You, the one growing this little being.

You receive all the little messages within your expanding body.

You are having to make space for more appointments and pants with elastic.  You are ever-more the thread of the family and friends.  You wonder if you’ll be one of those Moms who intuitively knows what their kids need. You wonder what this change will do to your relationships, your time, your body.  You are confused at what car seat to buy, you do not know where you are going to find money to fix your leaking roof, or how many days you can take work off, and how you are going to bend down and put those boots on.  Maybe all is awesome right now and for that, I’d be glad for you too.  And just in case, you, feel lost, uncertain, and a bit out of your element then,

these words are for you.

ONLY YOU. 

This sounds like a profound load to put on one-self.  In an ever-abundant-world and often losing-connection sort of world, I feel this idea of empowerment has footing in modern day parenthood.

But of course, I don’t think you should do any of this alone.  Recognize your village. Be there for them, and let them be there for you.  A support team in pregnancy is a beautiful thing. Your prenatal care must be supportive and knowledgable, your birth team should consist of those whom you feel safe with and empowered by, and then those whom enter your postnatal world, let’s pray, they bring you food, any food, you aren’t picky.

What am I supposed to be LEARNing?

That’s up to you.

Just make sure you’re real good at making mistakes.

Don’t forget to take steps towards learning about pleasure.  Your pleasure still counts.  Learn about things that light you up.  You may also need to learn what things will sustain you on this powerful journey of parenthood.

What’s the WORK?

I’m not sure.

Suppose it is the actual labor you will go through.

Suppose it’s the daily invitations of what you put into your body and mind.

Suppose it’s what has yet to be revealed to you.

Suppose that you may not know for sure until you become a parent – and a parent to THIS particular child and their temperament and whatever else

they will be showing up to teach you about.

Suppose it’s the diaper blow-outs.

Suppose it’s the late night feedings.

Suppose it’s the acknowledgement that Love is all you have to do today.

 

How will I know what I’m CONTRIBUTING to?

 

You will know.
It takes time.
Nothing is wasted.
And yes, you can.
And YOU will.

 

 

About Amy Lee Czadzeck.

Amy opened To the Moon and Back with the intention to hold compassionate space for pregnant Mommas as they come in for self-care and stress relief.

She cares deeply about working intentionally through bodywork that feels safe and speaks to the whole of the person. Amy offers in person workshops and Skype Calm Birth® meditation classes for pregnant people and their partners and she offers some relaxing prenatal massage packages.  www.tothemoonandback.care