In honor of听this weekend, we are pleased to celebrate our dedicated team of women. BAHS is a a proudly female owned and run company led by Anita Rogers. The team consists of听27 women听working across听6 time zones. Our talented team comes from a wide range of backgrounds – many members come from the hospitality industry or the household staffing world, including former nannies, governesses, and estate managers. BAHS prides itself on supporting women; the company offers several flexible working options to support women at every stage in life, especially during pregnancy and new parenthood.

The team includes听12 mothers听辫补谤别苍迟颈苍驳听16 鈥淏AHS Kids鈥�听ranging in age from 6-months to adult. A smiling (or crying!) little one is not an unusual sight on the team鈥檚 frequent staff meetings, held via video call. BAHS offers听health insurance听补苍诲听generous maternity leave听(the average time taken is 3-months) and every employee who has taken maternity leave has returned to their role, with two new mothers in the past year! The company offers flexible schedules to all employees so they can balance family, personal life, and work.

Thank you to our amazing BAHS team!

I support women and mothers in the workforce. We are all-female, led and run. Most of the team make as much or more than men make. I wanted this from the early days, as women are traditionally paid less than men, and once they are mothers, the regular work schedule doesn鈥檛 support spending quality time with your family. I give a free and flexible schedule so mothers can choose when to spend time with their families, they just have to have excellent output and be responsive, earn a certain amount (if they are in sales), and do a great job.

-Anita Rogers in an interview with听Authority Magazine

Meet BAHS Team Member Hannah Neely We sat down with BAHS Senior Placement Specialist Hannah Neely to discuss the joys of motherhood, how her background in education shaped her parenting philosophy, and why she believes in the power of presence, humility, and lifelong learning.听Read more.

Meet BAHS Team Member Emma Hopkinson We chatted with our Talent Acquisition & Middle East Recruiter about her time as a Norland Nanny, her passion for childcare, and her favorite travel destinations. Read more.

Meet BAHS Team Member Kimberly Manigault Kimberly Manigault, BAHS鈥檚 Finance Officer, 听discusses her childhood, her biggest accomplishments, and her best advice for parenting in an ever-changing world. Read more.

Meet BAHS Team Member Alanna Verde Alanna Verde from the BAHS talent acquisition team shares her wedding planning tips, favorite NYC restaurants, top charities, book recommendations, and more.听Read more.

Meet BAHS Team Member Liz Hankins We sat down with Liz Hankins from the BAHS talent acquisition team to discuss her passions, pets, favorite charity, and more.听Read more.

Anita Rogers Gallery Anita Rogers is the founder and director of Anita Rogers Gallery, a contemporary art gallery in downtown New York City. The gallery also prides itself on an all female team. The gallery also frequently hosts community concerts and music events, including the听Glass Clouds Ensemble, an all-female music group from The Juilliard School.

BAHS Supports Women鈥檚 Health

BAHS Team Member Katherine Patterson: Opening Up on Miscarriage, Isloation & Grief

We are deeply grateful to Katherine for sharing her story of pregnancy loss, vulnerability, hope, and resilience with our community. We hope it can help other women out there to feel less alone as they face similar struggles.

Read here.

BAHS Team Member Katie Montalbano Shares her IVF Journey

We thank Katie for her bravery and vulnerability in opening up and helping others to feel less alone during their own journeys.

Read here.

The post International Women’s Day 2026 appeared first on 百花视频.

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This week, we sat down with the team at Carriage House Birth, a Brooklyn-based pregnancy care and support center. Carriage House Birth matches families with doulas, offers doula training, and offers a range of classes and resources for expecting and new parents. with Carriage House Birth here.

What exactly does a doula do, and how do they support families?

A doula provides non-medical, emotional, physical, and informational support to birthing people and their families during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. At听, we believe that every birthing person deserves to feel supported and informed throughout their journey. Whether it鈥檚 offering guidance during pregnancy, hands-on comfort techniques during labor, or helping a family adjust to life with a newborn, doulas provide continuity of care and unwavering presence in an often-overwhelming process.

What are the benefits of working with a doula during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum?

Studies show that continuous labor support from a doula leads to better birth outcomes, including reduced interventions, shorter labors, and increased satisfaction with the birth experience. During pregnancy, a doula helps families prepare with education and emotional support. During birth, we provide advocacy, physical comfort, and reassurance. Postpartum, we help with newborn care, feeding support, and emotional recovery. At听颁补谤谤颈补驳别听贬辞耻蝉别听叠颈谤迟丑, our doulas focus on meeting each family where they are, ensuring they feel empowered and supported every step of the way.

How early in pregnancy should you hire a doula?

You can hire a doula at any point in pregnancy, but we recommend reaching out early in the second trimester to allow time to build a relationship and prepare for birth. At听颁补谤谤颈补驳别听贬辞耻蝉别听叠颈谤迟丑, we believe informed decision-making is key, and the earlier we connect with families, the more we can help them shape their birth experience with confidence and clarity.

What type of support does a doula provide during labor?

Doulas provide hands-on physical support, such as counterpressure, massage, and positioning assistance, as well as emotional reassurance and advocacy. We help create a calm and supportive environment, whether in a hospital, birth center, or at听home. At听颁补谤谤颈补驳别听贬辞耻蝉别听叠颈谤迟丑, our doulas work with each family鈥檚 unique needs, ensuring they feel seen, heard, and empowered throughout their labor.

How do doulas work alongside doctors/OBs/Midwives?

Doulas do not replace medical providers; instead, we complement their care by ensuring the birthing person feels informed and supported. We help facilitate communication between the birthing person and their care team, making sure their preferences are understood and respected. At听颁补谤谤颈补驳别听贬辞耻蝉别听叠颈谤迟丑, we emphasize collaboration and advocacy, ensuring families feel like active participants in their own birth experience.

What are the main differences between a birth doula and a postpartum/night doula?

A birth doula provides support before and during labor, while a postpartum doula focuses on the recovery period and transition into parenthood. Postpartum doulas offer newborn care, lactation support, emotional guidance, and practical help around the听home. Night doulas specifically support overnight needs, allowing parents to rest while ensuring their newborn is cared for.听颁补谤谤颈补驳别听贬辞耻蝉别听叠颈谤迟丑 offers connections to both birth and postpartum doulas, providing holistic support for families.

How do families find and hire doulas through听颁补谤谤颈补驳别听贬辞耻蝉别听叠颈谤迟丑?

Families can connect with our network of experienced doulas through our听听or by reaching out for a consultation. We help match families with a doula who aligns with their needs and values, ensuring a strong and supportive relationship.

What is the typical cost of hiring a doula?

Doula fees vary based on experience, location, and level of support. In NYC, birth doula packages typically range from $1,500 to $5,500, while postpartum doula services are often hourly, averaging $45-$75 per hour. At听颁补谤谤颈补驳别听贬辞耻蝉别听叠颈谤迟丑, we believe doula support should be accessible, and we encourage families to explore payment plans, HSA/FSA options, and potential reimbursement through insurance or employer benefits.

You offer in-person childbirth education classes in Brooklyn, NY. What type of classes are coming up? What can you expect from taking these classes?

翱耻谤听听颈苍肠濒耻诲别听,听Comfort Measures, and听Newborn Care & Feeding. These are designed to equip families with practical knowledge, hands-on techniques, and confidence as they approach birth and the postpartum period.听颁补谤谤颈补驳别听贬辞耻蝉别听叠颈谤迟丑 classes are inclusive, evidence-based, and tailored to meet the needs of diverse birthing experiences.

What are some common misconceptions about working with a doula?

One misconception is that doulas are only for unmedicated births. In reality, doulas support all birth choices, including medicated births, cesarean births, and births with medical interventions. Another myth is that doulas replace partners-on the contrary, we support both the birthing person and their partner, helping them feel more confident in their role. At Carriage House Birth, we emphasize that our goal is to create a team environment where all voices are heard and respected.

What is the process of becoming a doula (type of training, etc.)?

Becoming a doula involves comprehensive training in birth support, postpartum care, and lactation education. Many doulas pursue certification听(click here for听. Training includes workshops, hands-on experience, and continuing education to develop skills in advocacy, comfort measures, and trauma-informed care.

What does听颁补谤谤颈补驳别听贬辞耻蝉别听叠颈谤迟丑鈥檚 doula program include?

颁补谤谤颈补驳别听贬辞耻蝉别听叠颈谤迟丑 offers two comprehensive doula training programs to meet different learning styles and schedules: a 9-week virtual training and a 4-day in-person intensive.

Our , created in collaboration with Woven Bodies and Dorcas Davis Consulting, provides a deep foundation in birth work. Topics include the history of obstetrics and midwifery, anatomy and physiology of birth, high-risk pregnancies, comfort techniques, and postpartum support. We also explore antiracism, LGBTQIA+ inclusivity, and the impact of bias and privilege in birth work. Training sessions help trainees build their doula toolkit and business.

Our 听intensive covers the same core foundations in a hands-on, immersive setting, offering real-time engagement with experienced mentors and fellow trainees.

Both programs are designed to be accessible and inclusive, ensuring that anyone called to this work has the opportunity to step into it with confidence.

Related Blog Posts听

Ask Sarah Rueven: Hormones, Fertility, Nutrition & More

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The post Carriage House Birth: Doula FAQ appeared first on 百花视频.

Chatting with听Sarah Rueven, Founder of听Rooted听Wellness

This week, we sat down with听Sarah Rueven to chat about hormones, fertility, and her guidance for the 鈥渢wo week wait鈥� while trying to conceive. We last interviewed听Sarah in early 2024 about her entrepreneurial path and balancing work and motherhood;听

Can you explain a little bit about the connection between nutrition and fertility and why eating right is so important during all stages of a woman’s fertility journey?

When we eat right and take care of our bodies, our bodies function at their best 鈥� including our reproductive system. Nutrition is one of the most important factors for improving fertility and the best part is that it is one of the only factors that is 100% within your control to change! Your diet and lifestyle can reduce inflammation, balance hormones and improve egg and sperm quality. It鈥檚 also important to note that there is no magic supplement, nutrient or food group for improving fertility, but rather, looking at the big picture of your diet and lifestyle and bringing it all into balance.

Do you have some simple tips for adjusting your routine to boost fertility?

Yes! Three easy tips that you can implement right away –

1) Focus on getting good, restorative sleep every night 鈥� 7-9 hours is ideal.

2) Aim to eat every 3-4 hours for balanced blood sugar (insulin levels impact the function of your sex hormones)

3) Aim to eat a mix of fruits + veggies +lean protein + healthy fats + slowly digested carbohydrates such as whole grains to ensure you are meeting your needs

** and if any of these tips feel overwhelming, reach out to us! Because it does not need to be stressful!!**

How does exercising impact fertility?

Great question! According to the research, moderate exercise can have a positive impact on fertility, but frequent and intense exercise can negatively impact your ability to conceive, especially too much cardio. Too much exercise may impact ovarian reserves (as in the number of eggs you have in reserve). The sweet spot seems to be low to moderate exercise, 1-3 times per week (including walking). Heavy or vigorous activity, 4 or more times per week can reduce overall fertility and pregnancy rates.

What services does听Rooted听Wellness听offer to help with fertility and hormone imbalances?

At听Rooted, we work with women at all stages along their fertility journey to help them optimize their diets for improved fertility outcomes 鈥� whether you are just getting off the pill and looking to normalize your menstrual cycle, to women in the thick of multiple rounds of IVF. Most of our clients work with us via one-on-one counseling – we work with clients to understand every aspect of their lifestyle and diet and come up with personalized nutrition support that fits in seamlessly with the client’s life鈥� after all, nutrition should fit your life and not the other way around!

We also offer a self-guided fertility course that is available to anyone on our听. Finally, starting in the late Spring/early Summer we will be offering hormonal testing via the DUTCH complete panel to help clients get even more personalized care.

Do you have any book recommendations for women on their fertility journey looking to further educate themselves?

Yes! I love听. She is another registered dietitian, and her advice is based on the latest, cutting edge science in the fertility space 鈥� which sometimes means going against conventional wisdom on this topic! It鈥檚 a great read.

What is your guidance for women during the “two week wait”? Should they behave 100% as if they are pregnant or is there some wiggle room when it comes to caffeine, sushi, a glass or two of wine, lunch meats etc.?

My personal opinion? Until you are confirmed pregnant, it鈥檚 OK to enjoy the things you can鈥檛 enjoy while pregnant (this is assuming you are enjoying those things in moderation 鈥� such as a glass of wine – not heavy alcohol usage which could cause actual harm). 听But, at the end of the day, this also depends on your personal risk tolerance. Scientifically, it鈥檚 unlikely in the two weeks leading up to a pregnancy test, that enjoying food and drink you typically eat, would have a negative impact on your ability to have a positive pregnancy test or lead to a later miscarriage.

Many women trying to conceive are busy trying to balance work, life, and eating right. 听Do you have any go-to recipes or suggestions for quick and nourishing weekday lunches?

My biggest suggestion 鈥� a little meal prep goes a long way! 90% of being healthy is having a solid plan or routine in place. You don鈥檛 need to make elaborate recipes to have healthy items on hand. Use the weekend or a free moment to cook a few uncomplicated things 鈥� a pot of quinoa, a tray of roasted veggies, some grilled chicken and maybe a bean-based salad. 听Mix and match for meals throughout the week!

ABOUT听SARAH:

Sarah Rueven is a Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist,听wellness听expert and women鈥檚 health advocate. She is the founder of听, a nutrition counseling practice dedicated to maternal and family health.听Rooted听Wellness听offers nutrition support to women听during their reproductive years 鈥� the company offers guidance for women during pre-conception, fertility struggles, IVF, pregnancy, and postpartum. With the huge amount of nutritional information 鈥� and misinformation 鈥� out there,听Rooted听Wellness听offers evidence-based, clear solutions to all women in the form of guided courses, one-on-one counseling, and seminars.

In her practice,听Sarah supports clients in areas such as preconception, fertility, PCOS, prenatal and postpartum health. She received her master鈥檚 degree in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics at New York University and her Bachelor鈥檚 degree from Brandeis University.

Beyond private counseling, she also provides听wellness听seminars, group education and is a nationally recognized contributor to media outlets such as the听,听,听,听, and听. She is a founding advisory board member of听, a maternal听wellness听resource.

Sarah lives in NYC with her husband, Dan, and their two young kids.

Related Blog Posts

Introducing Sarah Rueven, Founder of Rooted Wellness

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The post Ask Sarah Rueven: Hormones, Fertility, Nutrition & More appeared first on 百花视频.

(NIAW) runs April 21-27 and aims 鈥渢o empower you and change the conversation around infertility.鈥� The movement was founded in 1989 by and includes free resources, social media campaigns, support, events, and more. This week, we are sharing the stories, struggles, and triumphs of two BAHS team members: Katie Montalbano and Sara Kean. We thank Katie and Sara for their bravery and vulnerability in opening up and helping others to feel less alone during their own journeys.

Learn more here:

Interview with Katie Montalbano,

BAHS Director of Internal Development

You have inspired so many women with your IVF journey. Looking back on those beginning chapters where your fertility was becoming an area that required help, what words can you offer someone going through those early challenges right now?

Know first that you are not alone, in the past, there has been such a stigma attached to infertility that nobody talked about it! I think that鈥檚 just now starting to change as more women start to talk about their personal fertility journeys and with social media you can connect with other people struggling too.

I suffered a miscarriage with my first pregnancy at 12 weeks and by sharing my own experience I discovered how many women have been in similar situations. Going through the physical loss of your baby, the depression that settles in afterward, the yearly reminder of a birthday that you鈥檙e not celebrating, it鈥檚 a horrible club to be a part of 鈥� but there is a small piece of you that can sigh a relief that at least you are not alone.

I would advise others to try and establish a healthy support system. My husband Steven was by my side the whole way, but our families and close friends were also super supportive. Sharing does help. I was extremely lucky to have my whole 百花视频 office rooting for me while I was dealing with schedule changes to accommodate monitoring hours and various doctors鈥� appointments.

There are so many routes to becoming a parent, just because it might not happen in the 鈥榗lassic鈥� way doesn鈥檛 mean you鈥檒l love your child any less or that you are any less of a woman or a parent.

What do you feel women as young as in their twenties should know regarding their fertility and how struggles can be mended with so many options nowadays.

I think the one major misconception I had regarding fertility was that I would get pregnant as soon as we started trying. I always thought that as soon as you 鈥榮tart trying鈥� you would get pregnant within a month or two but realistically there are only 2-3 days per month you could technically get pregnant, it all relies on your ovulation. I didn鈥檛 track my ovulation days until we were like 6 months into trying! A lot of the time it doesn鈥檛 happen right away

Also, I always thought infertility was something to worry about when you were older. I had no idea it affected younger women. I was 28 when we realized we would have to seek help. Another thing to keep in mind is that infertility is not just a woman鈥檚 problem, some issues can affect men as well.

There are so many different pathways to becoming a parent- naturally, IUI, IVF, donor eggs/sperm/embryos, surrogacy, adoption, etc, it鈥檚 hard not to become discouraged but ultimately there鈥檚 the right journey for everyone.

Modern medicine or holistic therapies? Or a little of both?

I would say a little of both. I鈥檓 all for modern medicine- without my reproductive endocrinologist and the groundbreaking studies my practice takes part in, I wouldn鈥檛 have been able to even have Luna. But I do think there鈥檚 a little magic behind some of the holistic therapies. For instance, after both of our IVF transfers, we immediately did acupuncture which has been proven to aid in success rates.

If you could tell your 21-year-old self something right now, what would it be?

I think I had this image and goal in my head of having the 鈥榩erfect life鈥� before I was 30 鈥� have the dream job, get married, buy the house, have the first baby by 30 鈥� back then I wanted 4!

I think I would tell myself now to relax a bit more, enjoy the fun and not have major responsibilities yet. I鈥檇 also tell myself that it鈥檚 going to be a rollercoaster ride to reach those goals, there are going to be a ton of ups and downs involved with each thing you want to check off on your list, you鈥檒l have some dark times, but you will get through them, and you鈥檒l be stronger because of them.

Raising children is inevitably challenging when you鈥檝e got a demanding career. What advice can you offer to new mothers feeling overwhelmed when trying to adjust?

Take your time- you can鈥檛 expect yourself to jump back in and work like you worked pre-baby. You now have new priorities and sometimes work is going to have to take a back seat to baby and sometimes you鈥檙e going to have to let baby play on the tummy-time mat just a little bit longer so you can get that email out. Eventually, you鈥檒l get the hang of it. Also, accept ANY help you are offered.

How has working for an all-female company like 百花视频 who proudly support mothers in the workplace helped with your adjustment time in becoming a new mom?

It鈥檚 hard for me to put into words how grateful I feel to 百花视频 for their constant compassion and support. I never worried that Anita wouldn鈥檛 understand my fertility journey and what sacrifices I had to make at work. I could focus on maintaining a happy and healthy pregnancy and then on taking time when my baby was being extra fussy!

Do you feel being a mother in the social media age is a blessing or a curse 鈥� and why?

I think it鈥檚 both honestly. I personally feel it鈥檚 been a big blessing, especially with my infertility. I was able to join different groups and follow various accounts of other women who were going through similar experiences (, ). But I do know a lot of women struggle with following various influencers who try to make 鈥楳om life鈥� seem so easy and glamorous. Still, I like to follow more realistic accounts that show that 鈥楳om life鈥� is more about skipping showers and wearing spit-up-covered sweats all day because that鈥檚 all you can manage to do (,听,听).

Sara Kean鈥檚 Shares Her Journey To Motherhood

BAHS Senior Placement Specialist

I have always known I wanted to be a mom. From the age of 5! I spent my life dedicated to children in one way or another, from teaching to nannying. My journey to motherhood began in 2016, when I was unexpectedly diagnosed with infertility at the age of 29. I had just started trying to conceive as a single mother by choice, and after my first failed IUI (the first of the hundreds of acronyms you learn in infertility) my OB suggested I get a full work up just in case, even though she had no reason to suspect I had any issues based on my health and history. The work up included emotionally and physically painful tests, and the results showed that I had severe diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), low AMH, a completely blocked right fallopian tube, and Premature Ovarian Aging (POA). I was devastated, but not willing to give up.

We tried 3 medicated IUI鈥檚 timed to my left fallopian tube, and then it was recommended I move to IVF. The only thing I had going for me was my age, at 30/31 years old, it was expected I would have good quality eggs. My first round of IVF/egg retrieval was unsuccessful, with 4 eggs retrieved, 3 fertilized, but 0 making it past day 2 due to poor quality. More devastation. Even my Dr. was stumped.

But still I was not ready to give up. I spent the next 6 months doing anything and everything to help my body from the inside out, we added a few new meds to my protocol, and IVF round two got me 3 eggs, 2 fertilized and looked good, and I did a fresh day 3 transfer of both embryos to give them the best chance at turning into blastocysts. Somehow, luck and science were finally on my side, and one of those embryos 鈥渟tuck!鈥� In 2019 I was pregnant with my miracle. She is now my amazing and precocious 4.5-year-old.

The rollercoaster of infertility can be so isolating, and emotions span all the highs and lows; from hope to despair, from shame to acceptance, from guilt to anger. There is no emotion you won鈥檛 encounter on this journey. With the support of my family, friends, and infertility community on social media, I was able to find my way through each stage. For any person in any stage of this journey, I hope you find your way through the rollercoaster, and if nothing else, know you are not alone.

Sara and Katie Recommend鈥�

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The post National Infertility Awareness Week庐 appeared first on 百花视频.

Like many millions of women, I am 1 in 4. I鈥檓 part of a club that鈥檚 inadvertently oversubscribed, even though members include the likes of Lily Allen, Jools Oliver, Michelle Obama, Chrissy Teigen and Meghan Markle, to name a few. It鈥檚 as unexceptional as it is indiscriminate, brazenly disregarding age, social status, religion, race, ethnicity, creed or other. In spite of this, the subject remains taboo, and the prevailing expectation is that women will endure the experience quietly, stoically鈥ehind closed doors.

Though my story is one of听so听many, my hope is that by sharing it,听and transparently contributing to the dialogue, other women might feel less alone and more empowered on their own fertility journey, whatever this looks like, and wherever miscarriage features along the way.

I was 36 and this was my first deliberate attempt at conception. After many years of feeling quite indifferent about the prospect of having children, something shifted in me, and the idea of having my own little family was suddenly very appealing (cue: my mother鈥檚 gargantuan sigh of relief). Inevitably, I had no benchmark to work with in terms of what felt 鈥渘ormal鈥�, but the experience was almost immediately very challenging for me on so many levels, by听my听standards.

Pregnancy is an odd, compartmentalized journey. The unwritten rule of thumb is to keep the news to ourselves until we reach the end of the First Trimester, even though that First Trimester is often the most difficult in many ways. And then society has standardized the notion that it鈥檚 only appropriate to share the news if it鈥檚 good news. Those early weeks are a lonely paradox 鈥� your pregnancy isn鈥檛 yet medically deemed 鈥渧iable鈥�, but you鈥檙e no longer who you once were pre-pregnancy either, which is only accentuated by the myriad of do鈥檚 and don鈥檛s that shape your new normal 鈥� your diet, exercise regime, and general habits all look very different now. And you might also be navigating some rather unpleasant symptoms. I鈥檒l get to that.

It can feel like you鈥檙e trapped in-between two worlds for what seems like an eternity. And if you鈥檝e not shared your pregnancy with anyone, you have no support system in the event that things don鈥檛 go as planned. Too many women have to muddle through a kind of solitary bereavement that鈥檚 so difficult to rationalize to the outside world, because there鈥檚 often nothing 鈥渢angible鈥� to show for it.

I generally regard myself as fairly hardy. Perhaps it鈥檚 my 鈥淏ritish stoicism鈥�, but I tend to push through pain and discomfort without complaint. I think I met my match with pregnancy. I was crippled by 鈥渕orning鈥� sickness (all-day, any-time-of-the-day sickness in my case, as most pregnant women can relate to), and seemed to be constantly, irrationally, and inconsolably sad and irritable. My brain was foggy. My body ached. I couldn鈥檛 seem to stomach anything with any nutritional value, so I was starting to feel the effects of a poor diet as well.

I remember sitting in my doctor鈥檚 office, tearfully begging her to tell me why this was all so hard. Hormones and luck of the draw, it seemed. Her delivery was cursory, and I felt like such a wimp, duped by all the blissful early pregnancy images I鈥檇 consumed until now on social media 鈥� manicured hands cupping nascent bumps, curated backdrops, DIY placards, ultrasound scans and blithe, sunny hashtags. I couldn鈥檛 relate to any of it 鈥� most of the time I could barely peel myself out of bed.听Still, I was acutely mindful of how lucky we were to have conceived naturally as quickly as we did, especially given that I was over 35 (otherwise known as high risk and 鈥淎dvanced Maternal Age鈥� in the medical field).

I switched gears, finding solace in what few authentic accounts of not-so-instagrammable pregnancy experiences I could find online. They were the trailblazers – creating raw, authentic and contentious content before it was deemed culturally progressive, and before they were commended for doing so – no matter the likes, follows or lack thereof. I鈥檒l always be grateful for these women, all of whom I follow to this day. Now, of course, they鈥檙e in very good company.

My 12-week scan finally came, and I could听not听have been more ready to reach the glittery milestone. Things started off normally enough. My husband and I were cautiously hopeful; aware of the statistics, but refusing to entertain them in that moment. As fate would have it, our optimism was futile, as illustrated by the expression on our OB-GYN鈥檚 face as she desperately attempted to pick up a heartbeat we鈥檇 never come to hear. She adjusted herself uncomfortably. The measurements were all off. 鈥淐ould we have got our date of conception wrong?鈥� No. 鈥淲ere we sure?鈥� We were. As her efforts to encourage movement from the tiny, lifeless bubble on the screen grew ever more frantic, I felt a wave of resignation wash over me. When she finally articulated the inevitable, my response was perfunctory and guarded, which took even me by surprise. I was too proud to burden her with my heartache, and I was utterly ashamed that my body, which I determined was obviously broken, had failed at what it was biologically designed to do. We were told there鈥檇 been no growth beyond 7 weeks 鈥� this meant that there had been no heartbeat for over a month. Known as a 鈥淢issed Miscarriage鈥� or 鈥淪ilent Miscarriage鈥�, I wondered how I hadn鈥檛 noticed 鈥� shame on me for not instinctively sensing something was wrong, as any decent mother surely would have. In truth, there are no symptoms, and women often continue to experience signs of pregnancy. And so, just like that, this is where our journey ended – my little bubble and I.

The pressure to navigate next steps was hurried and transactional. The only options available (natural/expectant, medical or surgical) were limited, but no less overwhelming. I was advised almost immediately that the surgical route was 鈥渢he most popular鈥�. Being coerced into moving on so quickly after having invested a quarter of a year attempting to nurture a life inside my body, which had been no mean feat, was jarring. It would only take 15 minutes before I could, ostensibly, go about my life again. We might as well have been talking about a lunchtime beauty treatment. I didn鈥檛 know how to rationally digest any of it. I wasn鈥檛 ready to.

This silver bullet they were so fervently encouraging (known as a Dilation & Curettage, or a 鈥淒 & C鈥�) also happened to be the most invasive and most expensive option on the table. While I understood its appeal as an accelerated return to normalcy (and听boy听was I ready to feel normal again), the associated risks (uterine scar tissue, cervical lacerations, uterine perforation etc.) were non-negotiables for me, however rare. I was extremely lucky that this route was not considered a medical necessity for me.

May every woman have agency over their body in the event of a miscarriage. If there鈥檚 no medical reason to expedite the process, women should be provided adequate time to consider their options and arrive at an informed, intentional decision,听especially听when they are, arguably, at their most vulnerable, as I was.

To be one thing one moment (that you so desperately want to be), then the antithesis of said thing just moments later, is very discombobulating. I needed time to adjust. To grieve. Like all the other women who鈥檝e unwittingly wound up on this path, I walked in a mother-to-be and walked out a statistic, prescription in-hand. The tiny bump I so proudly donned was now an affliction, rather than a miracle. I left the building as quickly as I could, head down, trying to un-see all the burgeoning bellies and smiles that peppered the waiting room. I felt like I was in a life-size game of Snakes and Ladders 鈥� I鈥檇 almost graduated to the Second Trimester, but I landed on a snake, and wound up all the way back at square one. I was damaged goods, or so it felt. No longer a prospective cash cow for the medical system that seemed so intent on making the next stage of the process so unnecessarily difficult and traumatic.

Knowledge is definitely power. I knew no one would advocate for my body better than me, so I dived into the labyrinth of cyberspace. I had not anticipated that this would unearth a systemic failing in the way in which miscarriages are managed in the US. Put simply, if you decide to manage your miscarriage medically (as I did, at least to start with), then you should听be prescribed a combination of 2 drugs 鈥� Misoprostol and Mifepristone, as recommended by the听听*, who state that the combination of the two drugs is 鈥渟ignificantly more effective鈥� than taking Misoprostol alone. However, Mifepristone鈥檚 association with, and use in the treatment of, medical abortions means its availability is limited and many emergency rooms, primary care or prenatal clinics are not permitted to dispense it. It鈥檚 also expensive. This translates to the potential for a less effective outcome, which I experienced first-hand.

To be clear, I was prescribed听only听Misoprostol, twice, and experienced an excruciating 鈥淚ncomplete Abortion鈥� on both occasions. At this point, I fired my OB-GYN, who was now heavily insistent I undergo a 鈥淒 & C鈥�. 听I re-connected with my previous OB-GYN, who I鈥檇 have chosen to deliver our baby if we hadn鈥檛 relocated. I received her professional blessing to let nature take its course (known as 鈥淓xpectant Management鈥�). No more meds. No more pain. Just trusting in the process and knowing I was safe, and that my body was intrinsically, instinctively capable of navigating this at its own organic pace. And that it did.

When I was finally ready to share my experience, friends and family were understandably sad to learn I hadn鈥檛 confided in them. It made me realize how important it is to听allow听people to support you 鈥� it鈥檚 the true essence of any relationship. In fact, my confession was met with a shocking number of 鈥渕e too鈥檚鈥�. Tragically, one friend said she hadn鈥檛 wanted to 鈥渋nconvenience鈥� anyone with her grief, especially since the world was already so preoccupied with the Covid pandemic. It pained me to think about how many other women have endured the same experience alone, whatever the reason.

Of course, we all grieve differently. Publicly unpacking emotional trauma can be anything but a means of catharsis for some, especially as it pertains to miscarriage, which seems to be one of the most ubiquitous elephants in the room. But it鈥檚 everyone鈥檚 prerogative if we normalize the narrative and banish the abominable associated connotations of shame, failure, and guilt.

Perhaps we can eventually even address the term itself 鈥� 鈥渕iscarriage鈥� 鈥� a veritable misnomer with a prefix (mis) that implies blame. As if women have even a modicum of control over the outcome. Language matters 鈥� we definitely deserve more respectful, more accurate terminology.

Now, almost 18 months on, it鈥檚 obvious we鈥檝e turned a corner. Social media and society as a whole are finally starting to embrace 鈥渞eal鈥� motherhood. For the first time, a growing number of celebrities (men included 鈥� most notably, Mark Zuckerberg and James Van Der Beek) are leveraging their influence online and shedding the filters on their habitually flawless lives. In sharing the harder parts of the reproductive journey and validating both the ups and downs in equal measure, this is empowering mothers听and听fathers the world over, to follow suit. Inevitably, it鈥檚 still too raw and uncomfortable for some, but the hashtags are gaining traction, and there have never been more resources, support, and honest accounts of the more challenging aspects of pregnancy, and pregnancy loss, as there are now.

To whoever needs to read this 鈥� as the statistics corroborate, if you experience a miscarriage, you are听very听far from alone. Your body is not broken and there is nothing you could have done/ said/ thought/ eaten or other, differently, to change the outcome. It鈥檚. not. Your. Fault.

It鈥檚 also totally normal to struggle with the associated symptoms of pregnancy. It鈥檚 not always plain sailing. You might want to complain about it 鈥� I know I did. This doesn鈥檛 make you any less deserving of the pregnancy itself. It makes you human. Finally, consume social media content wisely 鈥� this can be applied to anyone, pregnant or not. Social media is听not, for the most part, real. Your journey will be unique to you. Let it be beautifully so.

Ultimately, sharing not just the highs, but also the lows, begets relatability, authentic connection, and solidarity. Our shared struggles are the glue that holds us together, if we only allow them to. I鈥檓 all for it.

As I write this, half-way through the Third Trimester of my 鈥淩ainbow Pregnancy鈥� (without听any听of the gnarly pregnancy symptoms I experienced before, might I add!) it seems most fitting to close with one of my favorite quotes:

鈥淓verything will be ok in the end. If it鈥檚 not ok, it鈥檚 not the end.鈥� 鈥� John Lennon

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The post Opening Up on Miscarriage, Isolation & Grief appeared first on 百花视频.

This week, we sat down with Sarah Rueven, founder of Rooted Wellness, to discuss motherhood and entrepreneurship, her favorite weeknight recipe, and the upcoming听听(registration is open now!).听听Rooted Wellness offers nutrition support to women听during their reproductive years – the company offers guidance for women during pre-conception, fertility struggles, IVF, pregnancy, and postpartum. With the huge amount of nutritional information – and misinformation – out there, Rooted Wellness offers evidence-based, clear solutions to all women in the form of guided courses, one-on-one counseling, and seminars.

Sarah Rueven is a Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist, wellness expert and women鈥檚 health advocate. She is the founder of听, a nutrition counseling practice dedicated to maternal and family health. In her practice, Sarah supports clients in areas such as preconception, fertility, PCOS, prenatal and postpartum health. She received her master鈥檚 degree in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics at New York University and her Bachelor鈥檚 degree from Brandeis University.

Beyond private counseling, she also provides wellness seminars, group education and is a nationally recognized contributor to media outlets such as the New York Times, Refinery 29, Self Magazine, and New York Magazine. She is a founding advisory board member of Robyn, a maternal wellness resource.

Sarah lives in NYC with her husband, Dan, and their two young kids.

Q & A with听Sarah Rueven

Can you tell us a little bit about your background and how you came to start Rooted Wellness?

After earning my master鈥檚 degree in clinical nutrition at New York University, I wasn鈥檛 sure what I wanted to do. I dabbled in consulting for various health companies/startups as well as working with private clients.

Throughout this period, I always found myself gravitating towards working with women. I loved helping them feel empowered in their health and food choices. When I was 5 months pregnant with my first child, my OB/GYN suggested I counsel patients out of their office, and I gladly accepted. Working with other women who were making the transition to motherhood was a powerful experience for me and I was shocked that there weren鈥檛 more dietitians that were focusing solely on this population!

From then on, I decided that I wanted to create a space to support women during this critical period. And so, Rooted Wellness was 鈥渂orn鈥� about 6 months after I had my son.

How would you describe Rooted Wellness鈥檚 mission?

Rooted Wellness鈥� mission is to empower women to cut through the 鈥渘utrition noise鈥� that they are constantly bombarded with and guide them towards evidence-based, proven methods to enhance their well-being.

You offer a variety of services for women at all stages of life 鈥� can you tell us a little bit more about your offerings and specialties?

Our focus is supporting women during their reproductive years. This falls into three different categories: Preconception, Prenatal and Postpartum.

Preconception. During this period, we help women to optimize their health to eventually support a healthy pregnancy. We work with women in a variety of ways, including how to balance hormones after going off the pill, nutrition to support women with PCOS, getting your body 鈥減rimed鈥� to support a pregnancy, and nutrition counseling through egg freezing or undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART), such as IUI and IVF treatments.

Prenatal. We provide nutrition and wellness counseling to support the unique needs of women at all stages of pregnancy. We also counsel women through various pregnancy challenges, such as morning sickness or Gestational Diabetes.

Postpartum. Postpartum support includes nutrition counseling to optimize healing postpartum, helping to establish healthy breastfeeding patterns and supply, and postpartum weight loss.

What鈥檚 been the most challenging part of starting Rooted Wellness? The most rewarding?

The most challenging – learning to be a 鈥渏ack of all trades鈥� for so many aspects of business building – from website design to social media management, to business development, to insurance – the list is seemingly endless. It鈥檚 a big learning curve, especially as someone with no formal business training!

The most rewarding – making a real difference in people鈥檚 lives. Seeing the relief on a client鈥檚 face when they start getting a regular period after being on the pill for most of their adult lives or getting a text from a prenatal client announcing the birth of their new baby – these are the moments that make all the hard work so meaningful. It鈥檚 why I come into work every day with a huge smile on my face.

How old is your daughter/son? What鈥檚 your favorite part about being a parent?

My daughter is 5 and my son is 8. I love getting to experience the joys and magic of childhood through their eyes and I love hearing their stories and their perspectives on the world. They fill my heart with so much joy. Watching them grow into these little humans is an amazing experience.

Plus, the snuggles are kind of epic.

How do you manage being an entrepreneur and a mother? Any tips for those struggling to balance both?

I鈥檓 writing this as my son is in my office playing on his Ipad – is that balance?!

In all seriousness, being an entrepreneur and a mother is truly a juggle and even the most skilled acrobat drops the ball sometimes. So, I try to put less pressure on myself to have perfect balance all the time, because that isn鈥檛 achievable.

My go-to strategy, especially on the weeks that I know I鈥檒l be crazy busy, is to carve out alone time with each kid. It can be as simple as a hot chocolate date or swinging by my office after school for a snack and a hug. We also do family dinner together every night (other than date nights of course!). This is a non-negotiable for my husband and I – it鈥檚 time with the kids that we treasure.

It鈥檚 clear you are passionate about your work and love owning your own business. What would be your advice to someone just starting out on their own endeavor?

I鈥檓 always a student at heart, so my best piece of advice for starting a new endeavor is to do your research! Who are people who could be amazing mentors? Who are people in your field or businesses that you look up to? How much time would this new gig require from you (and then multiply that by 10). It鈥檚 great to have passion, but it鈥檚 important to be realistic about what鈥檚 actually achievable for you.

Who do you look up to? Who inspires you?

One of the people in my field who I really admire is Lily Nichols. She wrote the pre-eminent book on prenatal nutrition, 鈥溾��. This is basically our bible at Rooted Wellness in terms of the most accurate, evidence-based prenatal nutrition recommendations to date. She鈥檚 kind of a rebel in the nutrition world, and I鈥檓 here for it!

What鈥檚 your favorite meal to cook with your family? We鈥檇 love your recipe!

We do 鈥淭aco Tuesdays鈥� most weeks and my kids LOVE IT!

The nice thing about making a taco bar is that it鈥檚 endlessly adaptable to any taste and the kids love getting their 鈥渉ands dirty鈥�.

Here are some ideas for how to build out that taco bar (I usually offer one or two foods from each category):

Base: Soft tortillas (Siete almond flour tortillas are a fave), hard taco shells, brown rice, romaine lettuce

Proteins: Beans, Tofu, Ground Turkey, Ground Beef, Shredded chicken, Fish

Vegetables: Avocado, Shredded cabbage, Bell Peppers, Tomatoes, Grilled Zucchini, Roasted Cauliflower, Cucumber or carrot slices

Sauces: Hot sauce, salsa, Guacamole, Salad dressing, Spicy Mayo

Sprinkles: Cheese, hemp hearts, slivered almonds, pine nuts, chopped pistachios

What are some steps that women can do to support their menstrual cycle?

While every person is different, there are a few things most women can do to support a healthy cycle. First, make sure you are at a healthy weight. The 鈥済oldilocks zone鈥� for most women is a BMI of 20-24, although weight and BMI are not perfect measures. If you鈥檙e confused what weight is right for you – I can help!

Focus on incorporating healthy fats into most meals. Fat serves a dual purpose – it makes meals more satisfying, and it also helps to slow the absorption of sugars in your food, leading to more balanced blood sugar overall, which is key when looking to achieve a healthy cycle.

Reduce stress and get 7-8 hours of restorative sleep per night. When our bodies are in fight or flight mode, it throws off our cycle. Adequate sleep is part of this equation as well, by promoting good energy levels as well as healthy levels of reproductive hormones like progesterone and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).

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