How it all started..
It was the fall of 2020, remember that year? I would like to forget it too I think… I was working as paramedic in the metro area and just found out I was pregnant with my first baby. If you know anything about the Twin Cities and 2020 it was a stressful time to be a first responder. I barely knew my partner at the time and I was scared. If I wasn’t working for 911, I probably would have called looking for guidance on where to go. Luckily, I had some amazing ambulance partners and they took great care of me. I had countless visits to the mother baby center for high blood pressure, dizziness, and near fainting spells. I was finally diagnosed with pre-eclampsia and induced at 36 weeks. The second they placed me on magnesium I thought I wanted to run a marathon, I was told that was not normal and I must have really needed it… I ended up having an emergency c-section due to fetal distress and my first baby was born. A few hours later I was handed a cute bundled up newborn and no instructions. I tried breastfeeding and my nipples felt like they were being torn off, but the nurses kept telling me “some pain was normal” so I continued. Turns out if your nipple looks like a tent after the baby is feeding, you need help. I was started on a triple feeding plan due to my baby’s weight loss, jaundice, and hypoglycemia. I was told to feed the baby, pump, and then give him a bottle of whatever I pumped and maybe add donor milk. Talk about exhausting. Luckily that partner I was so nervous to have a baby with in the beginning jumped right in to help. I was sent home with this plan and no further instructions. I went to countless hospital lactation visits all to have them tell me my nipple pain was normal, use a nipple shield, and it will get better soon. It didn’t get better so I went to the school of YouTube and found some videos to help me out. 2 weeks later we got the ok to stop triple feeding, and man was that a relief. Come to find out years later that triple feeding is meant to be a temporary (2-3) day plan…
12 weeks after my baby was born it was time to go to work again. I walked into our ambulance garage with my pump bag and looking anywhere for guidance. I asked a mom where I could pump and she pointed to the bathroom. Sorry, but that is gross and illegal. I knew I was in for an uphill battle. The next option someone gave me was in the back of the ambulance. I wouldn’t eat my lunch back there let alone pump the food for my premature infant. This is where my friend came in, for the sake of privacy we will call her Susan. Everyone needs a Susan. She was my pumping 911. She saved my pumping journey that first year and I will be forever grateful. She was a mom of 4 and a spit fire. She encouraged me to know my rights and advocated for me to stick up for myself. Anytime I felt guilty for pumping, she reminded me I was feeding a baby and that was a pretty spectacular thing. She taught me you need to take care of yourself before you can be prepared to take care of others. We had some strong bottle refusal and she helped me troubleshoot all of our issues. This is where my fire to help other moms return to work started. More information to follow on that one!
Fast forward to August 2023. I had a VERY independent toddler, an awesome partner, a new house to renovate, and a positive pregnancy test. This time I was excited. Due to the circumstances surrounding my previous pregnancy, I quit my job as a paramedic and started working a desk job. That was a whole different adventure, but they allowed me to have a fantastic maternity leave. I decided to sign up for an IBCLC course and started classes March of 2024. I had already gotten my CLC certification, but I wanted something more. I didn’t want anyone to struggle by themselves like I did after my first child. April of 2024, I had a successful VBAC thanks to an amazing doula. I had more education surrounding breastfeeding, and the journey to motherhood was significantly better. That is where Nourish 911 started. I felt like something was missing and I am a helper and fixer. I don’t like watching people struggle. I want to help you nourish your baby. I have a degree in nutrition after all! We all know the benefits of breastfeeding, and I want to help you reach your goals even if that means only breastfeeding for a month. I want to help nourish your brain. I love sharing education resources and helping you advocate for yourself. I struggled with post-partum anxiety and depression and don’t want you to feel alone. I want to help nourish your bond. The bond between a mom and baby is special. There isn’t anything else in the world that can compare, but it is also hard. Hearing your toddler say “I don’t want a mommy anymore” when you tell him he can’t have candy before dinner is heartbreaking. I’m here for you, and if I can’t help, I will try my hardest to find someone who can.
