FLESCHÉ HESCH, SANTA FE, NM
In looking back, I wish I’d researched, or at least read, stories about as many births as I could. I was the mom-to-be who was secretly judgy, impatient, and a know-it-all. I wanted to hypno-birth, and my husband cringed when I read my high-and-mighty birth plan to him which was directed towards anyone around me, including our midwife, doula and medical specialists: "Don't touch me during labor, don't introduce any doubt or second-guessing of my plan, keep the lights low and knock before entering. No interventions, don't wash my baby, and wait for the cord to stop pulsing before cutting it. Thanks for your help!"
Wow, I look back at this now and I cringe. Not just because it was rigid and self-absorbed, but in the end, it also hurt me greatly as I was holding onto an ideal that wasn’t even close to what the actual experience turned out to be.
After four days of active labor, my baby and I both developed the infection Chorioamnionitis. My birth required multiple interventions that ended in an emergency c-section, and my baby spent a week in NICU. Had I allowed myself to learn more about what interventions might need to take place, researched more about the possibility of a c-section, and selected a hospital with a full NICU, I might have trusted the hospital staff a bit more.
In the end, my son and I are in perfect health and I have tremendous appreciation for the nurses, midwives, our doula and the doctors who supported me. So much so, I brought my newborn (as soon as I could walk) back to the hospital to thank the staff. The postpartum nurse who primarily cared for me burst into tears when she saw us thriving.
If you choose to take my advice about reading birth stories, do so with an open heart. Understand that you’re reading about another woman's journey and healing process. Every time a Mother shares her birth story, she reclaims part of herself. It's not about you, but can help you, even if you aren’t yet able to see that yet. I was so afraid that if I read birth stories I would lose my idea of what I thought would work best for me. What I needed to do was have faith that I could handle whatever came my way. My wish for you: trust yourself and what your birth experience comes to teach you.
FLESCHÉ’S QUICK BEAN DIP
I invented this recipe while I was pregnant with my first son. I had been diagnosed with gestational diabetes and I was a vegetarian at the time. My dietician was bewildered by my diet and felt I needed to start eating meat in order to get enough protein (seriously?!). After racking my brain, I looked at my favorite foods: legumes, cheese and anything spicy and salty, and voila! My bean dip was born. I used to be embarrassed by this recipe but every person that I made it for loved it and told me I was silly to be self-conscious. I haven't been pregnant for over three years, and I still eat this dip for lunch or a snack twice a week.
INGREDIENTS:
1/4 can prepared vegetarian refried black or pinto beans
1 slice of cheddar cheese (thick or thin based on your taste)
2-6 shakes of your favorite taco/hot sauce. I like Tapatio best.
1 handful of organic tortilla chips*
DIRECTIONS:
Put cheese slice in the bottom of a glass microwaveable bowl.
Spoon the beans on top of cheese (Place the remaining refried beans in an airtight container and refrigerate).
Shake your preferred amount of taco/ hot sauce on top.
Cover with a paper towel and microwave for 45 seconds.
Remove and stir. If the cheese is not fully melted, cook for another 15 seconds at a time.
Serve with tortilla chips.
*Organic tortilla chips are recommended because the effects of GMO's in conventionally grown corn has been controversial. You have a newborn you are sustaining and introducing to our environment and food supply. You have enough to worry about as a nursing mom. My two cents is to pick your battles and make food choices when and where you can that don't make you second guess.
Flesché has been referred to as the "The Business Advisor for Moms.” As a strategist for working mothers, she teaches women how to play hard, work smart and live simply. As the founder and curator of the TheBizyMom blog, she writes about working + motherhood + traveling with kids + living simply. An adventure-seeking mad scientist studying all things in love and business, Flesché invites all ambitious moms to be themselves and set the bar higher for pleasure, fun, and purpose.
Posted September 18, 2018