Here’s the Friday Five a little late! I came off recovering from a viral URI this week and a 24 hour shift yesterday that was busy – three new babes were welcomed into the world by three rockstar mamas!
1. Taking care of you! Yep, this first one is did you do something awesome for yourself this week? As women, mamas, sisters, friends, cat herders…we do it all. And we always put ourselves last. Not this weekend – find a bingo square that calls to you and make it happen now. Or, take a big deep breath and give yourself grace. You got this.

2. Shout out to this awesome midwife. She’s a nurse midwife that started a wellness/birth center in her rural, underserved community in Michigan. Keep it up Jennifer! We’re cheering you on!
3. THINX period panties. Period. Panties. Yes, period panties! I didn’t know this was a thing! I’m so impressed by new inventions and technology. These aren’t your average black pairs that you only wear on your period – these suckers are made to be worn during your period and not cause you worry about leakage, pad size or time of day. FINALLY! Have you used these?? Anyone used them after a baby was born for the normal lochia (bleeding)? I think I’m a fan already and I don’t even own a pair.
4. Birth motivation cards! I’ve seen a variety of these before, but these ones are awesome. I particularly like the “I am a badass momma bear.” Is it wrong to think that about yourself every day? Maybe I should hang that one from the rear view mirror of my minivan :). These are a great gift for any woman that is pregnant. You could use these in pregnancy or in labor, or both! Check the cards out here.

5. 100 year anniversary of the 19th Amendment – Women’s right to vote! I love this little vignette the National Park Service put together. With 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife, there’s a lot to celebrate for women! Speaking of voting, if you’re an ACNM member, voting for the 2020 election just opened – cast your votes now! Not a member?
Have you shared your birth story yet?
Now’s the time! Birth stories are so important to share and pass from woman to woman, family to family, culture to culture. It was crazy birth story week at work – seriously, my jaw dropped a few times. Not every birth story is dramatic and crazy – but every birth story is empowering and beautiful. Share you story today here. Love this quote about storytelling:
“Thought flows in terms of stories—stories about events, stories about people, and stories about intentions and achievements. The best teachers are the best storytellers. We learn in the form of stories.”
Frank Smith
Happy Friday guys!
Jamie