Gallery

inthistogetherdoula

April Kerwood•parent educator•growing family consultant •certified lactation counselor•
Education-Support-Confidence
Bellies-Babies-Boobs-Mugs

{TheMotherhoodProject} The idea that birth is som

{TheMotherhoodProject}

The idea that birth is something to “bounce back” from in 6 weeks is laughable until it’s not because it’s absurd. Your well mama visits start now. Your body, mind and heart are at the center of this work for us and all of you matters to both of us.

Dr. Missy is bringing the education to you. About what’s happening, what’s going to happen and what can be done about it all.
Let’s get smart.

🌿We can do better.
🌿We’re going to do better. Starting now.

#themotherhoodproject #pelvicfloorphysicaltherapy #pelvicfloor #prenatal #postpartum #postpartumjourney #motherhood #newborn #postpartumdoula #columbus #clintonville

{said no mom ever} We read, research, ask and as

{said no mom ever}

We read, research, ask and ask again. Books, articles, advice and another gadget.

But no book has been written on YOUR baby. You are the coauthor of that story.
You birth a whole, complete person and fold them into life with the ones you already have. It’s covered in love and it’s beautiful. It’s also complicated and messy because ...humans.

🌿We all need support, perspective and help rounding out the edges in those early days. I’m so glad we have each other. Because the story you will write about your baby and your family with this love is YOURS and yours alone and that makes it so special.

#saidnomomever #motherhood #parenthood #newborn #newbaby #postpartum #postpartumjourney #postpartumdoula #columbus #columbusohio

{Why is pelvic floor pt for everyone?} Because p

{Why is pelvic floor pt for everyone?}

Because pregnancy and birth are the most eventful things that will happen to your body in terms of change and more change and adjustment. Being able to fully live your daily life matters.

Transitions aren’t something to be feared but they should absolutely be acknowledged and planned for.

TheMotherhoodProject includes 5 visits with @twinmama.pelvic.pt. Two prenatal and 3 postpartum. To get you prepped for birth and cover all that happens after. We are the bridge 🌉 for that 6 week gap.

🌿You got this.
🌿We got you.

#pelvicfloorphysicaltherapy #prenatal #postpartumjourney #postpartum #pelvicfloor #motherhood #newborn #newbaby #postpartumdoula #inthistogetherdoula #themotherhoodproject #columbusohio #columbus #clintonvilleohio

{On professional support} My husband and I decided

{On professional support}
My husband and I decided to partner with April after a couple friends recommended her to us. Also, I use the word partner because April is your pregnancy and postpartum partner and so much more than someone you’ve hired or paid to do a job.

Our first meeting lasted over four hours in our home where April got to know us, answered questions, let the conversation flow freely, and helped us setup expectations for ourselves and one another after birth. I opened up to her about having lost a pregnancy and my experience of rebuilding trust within myself and the confidence that this pregnancy would be able to make it to full term. April was empathetic and understanding in a way I hadn’t yet experienced.

Fast forward to our first postpartum visit. We were in the thick of the first week, my mother-in-law was staying with us to help, I had slept maybe 8 hours total in the first week and was dealing with anxious thoughts that seemed all consuming.

April came to that appointment and helped us troubleshoot some key areas like breastfeeding posture, streamlining our bedroom for middle of the night changes/feedings, and recommending a bedtime routine. More importantly, she helped me navigate why I was feeling so anxious and what my support circle could do to help me manage through these thoughts/feelings.

Her support and partnership didn’t stop there. Over the following weeks she would reach out to me to see how I was doing, made herself available via text to answer questions, coo over photos of our baby, or just cheer me on and tell me I’m doing it and doing a great job at it.

April obviously loves babies but her passion and the heart of her work lies in supporting women as they make the transition into motherhood. This transition is unique and different for every woman, and April recognizes and honors your individual journey and is your partner, friend, cheerleader, and so much more throughout the process.

#postpartumdoulasupport #newborn #postpartum #postpartumhealth #newbaby #motherhood #columbus #columbusohio

{The Island} Every new mother experiences a feeli

{The Island}

Every new mother experiences a feeling akin to isolation. Her island. The island can be the foreign feeling of her own body. Or the ever present demands of her new human. Being inundated with advice that while well intentioned leaves her overwhelmed. It can feel like being out of touch with her own instincts. It can be the very real isolation of the six week gap after delivering your baby. Doctor visits every week. Check. New baby and huge life changes...see you in 6! 👋🏼 Whaaaaaat!?

The island happens to all of us whether or not we are physically surrounded. The island is the feeling of needing something but not always sure what that something is.
Needing help is universal. Asking for it and better yet, planning for it, is where we falter.

This is what I’m for. I’m for the moments that it feels too hard. For the moments it’s too swirly. But here’s what I need you to know. Waiting until it’s swirly can be waiting too long. The island feeling is coming, but I’m right here. I meet you there. And I see you through it. Because I truly care about how motherhood looks and feels for you. The island doesn’t last forever. What does last is the confidence you gain, the joy, the peace. The island comes but those things do too.

🌿You got this. I got you.
#postpartumjourney #postpartum #postpartumdoula #inthistogetherdoula #postpartumdoulasupport #newmom #motherhood #parenthood #newbaby #columbusohio #columbus

Why we all need pelvic floor therapy.. What is pel

Why we all need pelvic floor therapy.. What is pelvic floor therapy? Why do we need it?
We alllll need it! And you’re covered for it with her as part of TheMotherhoodProject. We gotchu.
#pelvicfloorphysicaltherapy #pelvicfloorhealth #postpartum #prenatal #inthistogetherdoula #themotherhoodproject #postpartumdoula #columbus #columbusohio #clintonvilleohio #clintonville

{TheMotherhoodProject} It’s Dr Missy! The othe

{TheMotherhoodProject}

It’s Dr Missy! The other half of your duo of professionals for your well mama visits. Dr. Missy Gallow is an orthopedic physical therapist who specializes in pelvic health.

Missy earned a Bachelor’s degree from OU in Exercise Physiology and a DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy) from the University of Dayton, and works as a physical therapist specializing in postpartum and pelvic floor therapy. She is a wife and mama of 2-year-old twin girls, and understands firsthand how pregnancy can impact women. Her pregnancy and postpartum period spurred her mission to bridge the gap between pelvic health and the world of orthopedics for women in the childbearing years.

She is driven by her passion for educating and empowering women to feel their best.
She is clear and concise, knowledgeable and personable and we are so lucky she is part of our community. We all need her!

She is truly an asset. Every birthing and postpartum woman needs her in their corner and here she is! 👏🏼

#themotherhoodproject #pelvicfloorpt #pelvicfloorphysicaltherapy #pelvicfloor #postpartumjourney #pregnancy #physicaltherapy #postpartumbody #postpartumdoula #inthistogetherdoula #wellmamavisits #columbusohio #columbus #clintonvilleohio

{TheMotherhoodProject} As a culture, when it come

{TheMotherhoodProject}

As a culture, when it comes to the monumental changes of motherhood and parenthood, we have gotten so much of it wrong.
We admire a pregnant body but scoff at evidence of it's work after baby has arrived.
We pepper expectant mothers with horror stories about birth and recovery but neglect to share what got us through.
We incessantly mention "bouncing back." Making backward motion and the erasure of one of our greatest accomplishments seem like the goal.

We need to be talking about the right things.
In the right ways. With the right support
We can do better. We can ask the right questions. We can gather the right support.
We can raise the bar on the standard of care and what we see as "normal."

That is my hope for this project.

Your motherhood.

Your goals.

TheMotherhoodProject

Your well mama visits.

I'm so excited about this collaboration. Dr Missy Gallow and I have teamed up to offer you a framework for the last weeks of pregnancy and your fourth trimester. Meeting you at each step with appropriate and comprehensive care. We’ve got you covered.
This is TheMotherhoodProject.

TheMotherhoodProject is a comprehensive 11 visit plan. You and your personal motherhood consultant (Oh shit handle) for the nitty gritty of motherhood. Feeding and sleep and alll the things. And the woman for women, Dr. Missy. Your body's pregnancy and postpartum physical therapist. Helping you care for the body that has just done the hardest work.
Two professionals helping you navigate all the newness and your physical recovery.

You got this. We got you.

#themotherhoodproject #pelvicfloorphysicaltherapy #diastasisrecti #physicaltherapy #postpartumjourney #postpartum #inthistogetherdoula #postpartumdoulasupport #fourthtrimester #columbusohio #columbus

👍🏽 For support that is judgment free. For s

👍🏽
For support that is judgment free.
For support that is evidenced based.
For support that is based on YOUR goals.
For support that is rooted in the belief that you are the best for your baby.
For support that will see you through it all.

Your “oh shit” handle for motherhood has a name. It’s me. I’m April. 👋🏼

Consults tailored to you is what I do.
Whatever it is.
There’s a consult for that. 🌿

#parenteducator #clc #newbaby #motherhood #parenthood #newmom #postpartumdoula #inthistogetherdoula #columbusohio #columbus

On up the back blow outs and a onesie trick.. For

On up the back blow outs and a onesie trick.. For your LITERAL “Oh shit now what”

{There’s a consult for that!}🌿

AKA how the “oh shit handle” works.
Hi. I’m April, your “oh shit” handle for motherhood/parenthood.

Consults are the answer to the “oh shit” handle grab.
“Oh shit this is harder than I thought.”
Call me.
“Oh shit this doesn’t feel right.”
Text me.
“Oh shit breast-feeding just needs a little smoothing.”
Reach out.

I love consults. It’s simply problem solving. Sometimes the problem is too much outside noise. Too many “should”s or “if I were you”s. Too many choices and none of them feel right. Because advice that’s for everyone isn’t for anyone. You are the only you. Your family is unique. Your baby is their own person from the start. Eyes on the details that are yours alone. That’s what I do. That’s consults.

#motherhood #inthistogetherdoula #postpartum #postpartumdoula #clc #newborn #newbaby #parenteducation #newparents #breastfeeding #baby #columbusohio #columbusmoms #columbus

{prenatal breastfeeding class} My own experiences

{prenatal breastfeeding class}

My own experiences played into my view of breastfeeding from a young age. What is was. What it wasn’t. The challenges. The beauty.

Breastfeeding my own children taught me even more. They were all so different. Asserting their individuality from the start.
Doing postpartum doula work further solidified my desire to be a breastfeeding professional. I loved my #clc training. It’s was beautifully ironic that it concluded the same week my youngest weaned. (It’s fine.I’m fine) I knew what that training would mean to my clients. To be able to walk them through all the questions that inevitably come. Offering a prenatal class on breastfeeding was an easy choice. Because (again) education is everything.

Let’s talk about how your body is going to make this work. And what you’ll need to do to sustain it. We’ll talk about the day to day and ins and outs. What about pumping and avoiding issues?

We’ll cover it all and you’ll be less surprised by the real life of it when it comes. We can even talk about perfecting your “don’t mess with me, my baby comes first” face 😉 You got this. I got you.
#breastfeeding #breastfeedingclass #newborn #motherhood #newmama #baby #prenatalclass #inthistogetherdoula #clc #breastfeedingconsult #columbusmoms #columbus #columbusohio #rbf

{Baby Prep & Plan} Everyone’s road to parenthoo

{Baby Prep & Plan}

Everyone’s road to parenthood looks different. Every family is different. Everyone’s dog is different 😉

The idea that there is a one size fits all when it comes to this momentous transition is one I’d like to change.

I see you in your homes. In your space. We talk about your needs. I am fully invested in providing education that speaks to you in the way that you need.

I could make a list a mile long with each topic being specific to a client family I have served. No two classes are the same, because no two families are the same. I cover all the basics. Then your questions lead me deeper. You open up to me about how you got where are you are. About your hopes and visions for this new baby, and I meet you there. Because where you have been and where you are impacts so much of where you will go. And where you go matters so greatly to me.

Personalized care when it comes to this most personal of transition shouldn’t be considered outside of the norm.

🌿It’s what I do. 🌿

#hereiam #postpartumplanning #prenatalclass #babyclass #newparents #newmom #motherhood #parenthood #postpartumdoula #inthistogetherdoula #parentcoach #columbusmoms #columbus #columbusohio

{CLASSES} Bring that belly and let's talk all thin

{CLASSES}
Bring that belly and let's talk all things baby! What to expect. How to plan. What's normal? Breastfeeding?! But my friend's baby...

Baby Prep & Plan is an all encompassing "what to expect" but with the twist of being tailored to your family’s specific needs and goals. It’s specifically for YOU and your real life. This class gets you educated and leaves you with realistic expectations and a clear plan for postpartum. Last days of pregnancy. The first hour. Common newborn procedures. Breastfeeding. Physical recovery. Your baby the first weeks. Handling visitors and parenting together. Prep & Plan.

You can also choose to take a stand alone breastfeeding class. Breastfeeding education and preparation taught by ME (hi 👋🏼) Certified Lactation Counselor.

Both are private classes scheduled at the birthing couple's convenience.
#getsmart #postpartum #babyprep #education #newborn #motherhood #newbaby #postpartumdoula #parentcoach #columbus #columbusohio

{Growing} If you know me, you know I say “it’s

{Growing}
If you know me, you know I say “it’s hard to be little.” Usually in a sweet voice and to the face of a new baby or with my hand on the shoulder of a new mom.
Because what’s hard on them is hard for her.

For them the world is big and everything is so new.
A new human’s whole job is growth.
A new mother’s job is that new human.

If you’ve worked with me you know I say “the whole first year is change.”

Because growth IS change.

So the good news?
If it’s hard, don’t worry it’ll change.

The less good news?
If you have it down, don’t worry it’ll change.

Your baby is doing exactly what they’re meant to.
Our job as the grown people is to meet them where they are.

Never to martyrdom.
We need support.

There’s a consult for that.
You got this.
I got you.

#newborn #newbaby #postpartum #postpartumsupport #postpartumdoula #parentcoach #motherhood #newmom #growingfamily #consultant #inthistogetherdoula #columbus #columbusohio

Postpartum support is something you don't realize

Postpartum support is something you don't realize you need until after you've been through it. Or maybe you think you have it covered. Or that you're supposed to just do it yourself. Maybe you don't know this sort of support exists.

So much of what we see and talk about is centered on the baby. I get it. They're really super cute. As we approach new parenthood, our focus is this long awaited, welcomed guest who gets all our dreams and energy. I did it too. I love babies. Because I love babies my passion and the heart of my work lies in supporting women as they make the transition to motherhood. Because in my experience, there is no better way to promote development and the physical well being of babies than by taking care of parents. It's the oxygen mask analogy.
I wholeheartedly believe that social support is a strong predictor of health outcomes in babies. I’ve seen it. I live it.

So let's love the babies and talk about their delicious smelling heads and tiny fingers. But let's also talk about the big humans who made them and how preparing for this wonderful, tiny disruption matters. It matters because planning for the changes that are coming are how we create a sense of peace. How we move toward living in a space that takes into account this (tiny packaged) giant change that affects their daily life and psychology.

Less bullshit about "good babies" and "training" and more about educating and lifting up the people who are tasked with caring for the babies wherever they are and whatever they doing. The criteria for a peaceful newborn stage is less about how the baby is doing all the checklist things and most certainly about how the parents feel about those needs and feel capable to meet them. Less managing the babies and more loving and supporting the parents through it.

Let's do that. That's what I'm for.

#postpartum #postpartumjourney #postpartumdoula #newborn #motherhood #family #support #newbaby #inthistogetherdoula #columbusdoula #columbus #columbusohio

{how it’s going} New logo 🌿 | New structure

{how it started} I grew up in a house full of ba

{how it started}

I grew up in a house full of babies. People would refer to me as a "built in babysitter." But my mom never made me feel that way. She would ask me if I could help. She would give me space to volunteer. She let me love my baby brothers on my own, and I did. I fell in love with the smell of their tiny heads. And with their little hands. I marveled at their paper thin, perfectly shaped fingernails.

Looking back now, I can see that I simultaneously fell in love with watching her. The way she chose them. The moment by moment choice to be their home. The moment by moment work of being a tiny human's source of comfort, nutrition and wholeness. It was stripped down and raw and not at all glamourous. And I was hooked.

She would ask me to keep my eldest younger brother (shown here just after birth.) I'd oblige so she could run an errand, or inevitably linger longer at the store. I get it now.

The second that garage door would close, he would cry. I would try everything I could, but mostly to no avail. I remember feeling like it was magic, the way it was her that soothed him. How he just needed her. How she was the comfort he craved. How magnetic they were together. This dance of need and need met.

Maybe I loved the way I saw her hard work pay off. In the moments of joy on her face. It wasn't that there wasn't struggle or sacrifice. It was that she had decided it was worth it. And every day she gave what she had to give. She was not perfect. And I know now that I fell in love with that too. The imperfection of being the whole world to someone and still being a self. It was complex and so beautiful.

I crave the real and the flaws. The notion of perfection bores me. Give me the truth. Because beauty is most acutely seen after hardship. And if that isn’t what motherhood is, I don't know what is.

I was 11 here. This is the picture of the first time I sat shoulder to shoulder with a nursing mother.

#motherhood #newborn #breastfeeding #newmom #lactationcounselor #newbaby #parenteducation #clc #postpartumsupport #postpartumdoula #inthistogetherdoula #columbus #asseenincolumbus

Nike. YES. Absolutely. Yes. Thank you.
Mothers. ❤️
Mothers are why I do this work. Constantly in awe of them.
Forever inspired.
#nike #postpartumdoula #motherhood #inthistogetherdoula #newborn #postpartumjourney #columbus #columbusohio

{Planning} Our babies come to us as whole humans w

{Planning}
Our babies come to us as whole humans with their own specific needs and intricacies.
We cannot chose what those will be.

We can chose openness.
Openness to them however they come.
Openness to grace. For them and ourselves.
Openness to the truth that we were never meant to do it alone.

#postpartumsupport #postpartumplan #newborn #newbaby #newmom #motherhood #motherhoodsupport #postpartumdoula #parenthood #columbus #columbusohio

Follow on Instagram

This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

There has been a problem with your Instagram Feed.