Quieting the noise of parenting advice with the help of a registered nurse
Before becoming a parent I envisioned myself as a peace-filled, level-headed, “super mom” to my hopefully future children. I had babysat and been around children my entire life, why shouldn’t motherhood come easily? In college I started working at a local children’s hospital, finding my passion for caring for children and their families.
Fast forward to seeing the two pink lines on a pregnancy test in 2017, and EVERYTHING changed. My husband and I were relatively young when we became parents for the first time. Thankfully, we are surrounded by countless family and friends to support our parenting journey. This does not mean I didn’t go to ‘doctor Google’ several times during my pregnancy and during that first year of parenthood! Common searches on my phone were:
- When should I feel my baby kick?
- When do I need to stop sleeping on my stomach when pregnant?
- Where do I take a prenatal class?
- What does it mean when you have bloody show when pregnant?
- How do I know I’m in labor?
- How do you know what baby needs when they cry?
- What’s a normal baby rash?
- What to do when baby has a fever?
- How do you give baby Pedialyte when they are sick?
And the list goes on! I found ‘ok’ answers online. As a RN with a knack for researching I was able to sort through the noise of the internet. I could sift through the results of websites and find the ‘.org’ and ‘.gov’. I could call my OB, or when our son was born, I could call his pediatrician’s office. What I wanted was to talk, in person, with someone who had experience and knowledge of what I was worried or confused about.
Maybe you can turn to your mom, close friend, sister, or neighbor for these questions, and I did too! What I didn’t have was an unbiased, research-driven resource; and that is why I started my practice as YOUR Mama Coach.
My experience as a RN and my first-hand experience as a mom to three boys uniquely qualifies me to be your Mama Coach. I am your go-to source for all things pregnancy, newborn, sleep, parenting and safety. I keep my information up to date and ensure that every client encounter is based on your unique needs and goals.
It is an honor to walk alongside families in the Kansas City, St. Joseph, MO areas and beyond; virtually and in-person. Allowing someone to know your worries, participate in the care of your loved ones and be a trusted source for advice is not something that I take lightly. It is a privilege to problem-solve, comfort, educate and celebrate with you, mamas.
Your instincts and ‘mama-gut’ do not lead you astray. I am here to build your knowledge so you can step into the stages of parenthood with confidence, competence and trust in yourself and your abilities.
You’ve got this, mama!
Your Mama Coach,
Katie