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Addie McLaws | Labor of Love

@laborof.love

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•L&D RN🩺
•Empowering women to have an informed labor and delivery
•Helping moms navigate pregnancy and postpartum

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There are some new faces around here and I wanted to do a little intro on me and the reason behind this little account of mine🤍 ⁣
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My name is Addie and I am a Labor and Delivery nurse and soon to be new mama to our rainbow baby 🌈 ⁣
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This is a space where I wanted to be able to share education on pregnancy, labor and delivery and postpartum in a real and raw way. I have so many patients come in to deliver that have no idea what is in store. And honestly, that’s okay! But, wouldn’t it be empowering if we all were able to advocate for ourselves throughout these stages of motherhood? That’s my goal. To help each of your feel a little more comfortable in your 20 week belly, your labor room and at home with your baby❤️ ⁣
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So welcome to my labor of love! I hope you stay a while🥰 ⁣
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Comment below why you are here! I want to know the best way to serve each of you through each stage of motherhood! by @laborof.love

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4 years ago

April 18th was my original due date for our sweet angel baby😇 we love you more than you know little guy, today we celebrate you🤍 by @laborof.love

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5 years ago

5 things your L&D nurse wants you to know🩺 by @laborof.love

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5 years ago

Jack Monte McLaws 💙
Born on September 28th, 2022
7 lbs 11 oz of pure joy!

Sorry about the 4 month delay, I’ve been trying to figure out this whole mom thing🤷🏽‍♀️ Can’t wait to share all about it! by @laborof.love

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4 years ago

I’ve been a little quiet on here as my pregnancy comes to a very slow end. We have been soaking up every moment before this little boy comes to join our family and rocks our world. ⁣
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I’ve been reflecting a lot on the kind of mom I want to be and how to be okay with imperfections during motherhood. Something I am sure we all struggle with. ⁣
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One of my sweet cousins reminded me last night that no matter how much we prepare or try to be our best, we will fall short and that’s OKAY. Our babies just need our love and our constant effort. ⁣
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So today I wanted to ask you all to share the best advice you received when you became a new parent! Most people hate baby advice but I welcome it with open arms as I dive into this new stage of life totally oblivious on what is to come. ⁣
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Either share in my comments or on my stories and I’ll reshare my favorites🤍 by @laborof.love

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4 years ago

Have you noticed that your provider takes your blood pressure at every OB appointment? There are 4 types of high blood pressure during pregnancy to look for. ⁣
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🫀 Chronic hypertension. In chronic hypertension, high blood pressure develops either before pregnancy or during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy.⁣
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🫀 Chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia. This condition occurs when chronic hypertension leads to worsening high blood pressure during pregnancy. People with this condition may develop protein in the urine or other complications.⁣
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🫀 Gestational hypertension. People with gestational hypertension have high blood pressure that develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy. There's no excess protein in the urine and there are no other signs of organ damage. But in some cases, gestational hypertension can eventually lead to preeclampsia.⁣
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🫀 Preeclampsia. Preeclampsia occurs when hypertension develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Preeclampsia is associated with signs of damage to other organ systems, including the kidneys, liver, blood or brain. ⁣
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With any of these conditions you will be monitored extra closely because high blood pressure can have potential risks for your baby including:⁣
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-less blood flow to your placenta⁣
-placental abruption⁣
-IUGR (growth restriction)⁣
-premature delivery ⁣
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If you do have hypertension it is a good idea to get a blood pressure cuff for home to check your pressures throughout your pregnancy! by @laborof.love

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4 years ago

Working in L&D has pushed me past my comfort zone and shaped me into the nurse I am today. My patience has been tested, my adrenaline has been exceeded, my empathy increased and ultimately my love for nursing has grown tremendously.

I worked my last shift as a L&D nurse beside some of my best friends and closest coworkers. I have been so incredibly lucky to have learned from these women. The lessons I have gained from them and experiences we have shared are priceless.

But here is to a new chapter of life as a different kind of nurse. One that gets to spend a little more time with her family and still enjoy a career she loves💗

I’ll be working in a MFM clinic (maternal fetal medicine) with mommas with high risk pregnancies. I’m so excited to continue my career in a field I love so much🩺 by @laborof.love

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4 years ago

Something my patients are always concerned about is getting their baby enough milk those first few days in the hospital. I love this infographic that shows how big a babies stomach is his/her first week after delivery!

Here are a few things to remember when it comes to feeding your baby those first few days of life:

1. Usually your milk won’t come in for a few days after delivery. You will be producing colostrum instead, which is a high caloric thick fluid that your baby will eat!

2. If you plan on bottle feeding, make sure you start small and gradually increase. For the first feed we only recommend 10 ml and then we slowly will increase with feeds!

3. Don’t panic if your baby is losing weight those first few days. That is totally normal!

Feeding your baby seems so simple but can be really overwhelming for new moms. It is something that I am most nervous about myself! Hop on my stories today and share some helpful tips that helped you during those first few weeks feeding your baby! by @laborof.love

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4 years ago

Ahhh this birth story gives me the chills! I am so proud of my sweet friend Missy and her amazing preparation for birth! Knowledge is power✨⁣
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“5/25/2022 (one day before my due date)⁣
I prepared my whole pregnancy to have an unmedicated hospital birth. At 5:30 am I woke up to a contraction. They came consistently and close together for a few hours. Baby girl was posterior, so I was having back labor and trying different positions to encourage her to turn. At 1:30 my doula Danielle called and listened to me breathe through a contraction and she told us to meet her at the hospital. Since I was GBS positive I needed antibiotics- so even though I was only 2 cm 90% effaced and -2 station, I was admitted. Danielle had me doing a lot of different positions and exercises during contractions to help baby rotate. They were really intensifying so I got in the tub and turned on some music. The water was a huge relief! I fully gave into the contractions and was finally able to relax. At 5:45 I was at 6 cm. We continued to try different positions to help me keep progressing and then my water broke. After laboring on the toilet for a bit, I threw up and was shaking because I was in transition. At 6:40 I was at 8 cm so I went to get back in the tub. I felt like pushing right when I stepped into the water. The hospital didn’t allow water births so I got back out and by the time I was back to the bed I was complete. I climbed up to my hands and knees to push. After a few pushes I reached down to feel her head. Kyle caught our sweet baby Grace at 7:39 pm after 15 minutes of pushing. It was the most incredible and empowering experience!”⁣
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Thanks for sharing! How many of you are prepping yourself for an unmedicated delivery? by @laborof.love

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4 years ago

Postpartum is hard enough without all of the outside voices trying to tell you how to be the best mom. Truth is… only YOU know how to be the best momma for your baby.

So don’t let the constant voices telling you all of the things you are doing wrong distract you from all of the things you are doing right!

And if you have caught yourself being the know it all momma (as we sometimes do) let’s think of some ways that we can be more helpful than harmful.

Things to say to a new mom:

1. You are doing great! Motherhood is hard and you are the best mom for that baby!
2. What can I do to support you? Maybe do your dishes or bring you a Diet Coke?
3. If you ever need some advice on ____ let me know and I’d be happy to help!

What are some things that people did for you postpartum that made the world of a difference? by @laborof.love

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4 years ago

One reason why I love this community so much, the women who continue to serve and uplift one another through motherhood.

One of my sweet followers @michelle.stevens.art asked me to send her a picture of my ultrasound so she could paint it for me as a keepsake about a month ago🤍

Tears ran down my face as I opened the envelope from the mailbox and saw this beautiful piece of art. What a special gift.

So let’s send sweet Michelle some love! Check out Michelle’s page at @michelle.stevens.art 🤍 by @laborof.love

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4 years ago

He’s not quite a dad yet, but I’m pretty sure he’s going to be a natural at it💗 Can’t wait to see you as the dad to our babes @natemclaws

Hopefully our kids are as cute as our nephews🥹❤️ @tamhanks @maddiecastellano by @laborof.love

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