The Ultimate Guide Birth Resources in Wilmington, North Carolina

Local Birth Resource List- Wilmington, NC

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Birth Educators

Jen Quinn, Joyful Births (Bradley Method) Joyfulbirths731@gmail.com (254)978-1301

Gaby Merediz, TMuffin (Lamaze) www.tmuffin.com  (910)367-5722

Mama Love postpartum doulas (Lamaze)  http://mamalovenc.com/ (910)342-6455

CLEs, CLCs, IBCLCs

Lindsey Hurd, MS, RD, LDN, IBCLC- www.angelfoodnutrition.com (919)801-5445

Jaime Brownlee, IBCLC- (910)279-9535

Colette B. Waddill, MSN, RN, IBCLC (910)515-8705

Rachel Birkenhauer, CLC- http://www.lactationcounselingservices.com/  (614)717-8487

Hospitals that are BabyFriendly™

New Hanover Regional Medical Center: Betty H. Cameron Women’s and Children’s Hospital- Baby friendly since October 2014, http://www.nhrmc.org/betty-h-cameron (910)343-7000

Breast Pump Rental Sites

TMuffin- www.tmuffin.com (910)367-5722

Walgreens, 17^th street location (across from hospital) www.walgreens.com (910)343-2988

Johnson Home Medical http://www.johnsondrugco.com (910)686-2988

La Leche League Leaders/Meetings

LLL of Wilmington, NC http://www.lllofnc.org/groups/Wilmington.html

Leaders:

Norma 910-538-6455 (Also serves Spanish speakers)

Alissa 910-297-4902

Julia 910-791-2853

Jaime 910-279-9535

Elaine 719-393-2683

Ashton 910-777-3315

Denise 910-612-7885

Labor Doulas

Jessica Cooper- http://www.happyfamilieshappybabies.com/ (910)377-7450

Amber Bell https://www.facebook.com/Happymommydoula  (910) 554-7690

Meredith Christie, CPM http://www.birthwithconfidencenc.com/ (910) 274-8415

Celey Cumbo http://www.wilmingtoncoastaldoulas.com/ (910)707-4507

Candace Edwards http://birthherway.com/ (910)233-7989

Nicole Havelka http://wilmingtondoula.com/ (910)200-8646

Lindsey Hurd  http://angelfoodlactationandnutrition.com/   (910)801-5445

Julie Small https://www.facebook.com/juliethedoulaNC?_rdr (910)231-9623

Whitney Teel http://www.wilmingtoncoastaldoulas.com/ (910)707-4507

Hannah Plaskus https://www.facebook.com/HannahaDoula28403 (802)673-7708

Jen Quinn Joyfulbirths731@gmail.com (254)978-1301

Stephanie Sondermann Luther, http://www.awomanswellbeingdoula.com/ (910)833-2143, (910)399-2486

Postpartum Doulas

Mama Love postpartum doulas- http://mamalovenc.com/ (910)342-6455

Courtney Gomez- (910)338-6112

Stephanie Sondermann Luther, http://www.awomanswellbeingdoula.com/ (910)833-2143, (910)399-2486

Cranial Sacral Therapists

Oasis Cranial Sacral Therapy http://oasiscst.com/ (910)620-8512

McKay Healing Arts http://mckayacupuncture.com/ (910)791-1981

Chiropractors (specializing in pregnant women and infants)

Dr. Shaver Chiropractic and Natural Medicine http://www.shavernaturalmedicine.com/ (910)452-5555

Family Tree Chiropractic http://www.familytreechiropractic.net/ (910)769-2338

Dr. Aaron Richardet and Dr. Nikki Bailey Spinal Care of Wilmington www.spinalcareofwilmington.com (910)798-5560

Mother’s Support Groups

Breastfeeding support group- New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Betty Cameron Women’s and Children’s Hospital- http://www.nhrmc.org/new-hanover-regional-medical-center (910)343-7000- Meets every Monday at 11:00 AM

Birth Circle- Hosted by Cape Fear Area Doulas http://capefearareadoulas.org/

Happy Families, Happy Babies-(Postpartum coaching and support group)  www.happyfamilieshappybabies.com (910)377-7450

Midwives

University Physicians Nurse Midwives- http://university-physicians.net/index.php/areas-of-health/nurse-midwifery-services/ (910)815-5190

Home Midwifery Service http://midwiferyservices.net/ (910)200-8389

Birth Centers

(2.5 hours away from Wilmington, located in Chapel Hill, NC) Women’s Birth and Wellness Center- http://ncbirthcenter.com/ (919)933-3301

Acupuncturists

Jeremy Linquist, Carolina Beach Community Acupunture- http://www.jeremylinquistacupuncture.com/ (910)202-4718

Dr. Shaver Chiropractic and Natural Medicine http://www.shavernaturalmedicine.com/ (910)452-5555

McKay Healing Arts http://mckayacupuncture.com/ (910)791-1981

Pregnancy and New Mom Fitness

Fit4Mom http://wilmington.fit4mom.com/ (910)352-1765

Heartsong Yoga and Wellness http://www.heathertillyoga.com/ (910)520-7752

Birth Photographers

Dana Jackson Photography http://danajacksonphotography.com/ (910)297-6244

Lotus Lily Photography http://lotuslilyphotography.com/

Unique U Photography http://www.unique-u-photography.com/ (910) 228-2457

Cool Breeze Photography http://coolbreezephotosnc.com/  (910) 431-7854

Shutter Bunny Photography http://ShutterBunnyPhotography.com (910)777-4645

Millie Holloman Photography http://www.millieholloman.com/ (888)316-3136

Studio 412 Imagery https://www.facebook.com/studio412imageryanddesign (843) 251-9750

Car Seat Safety Specialists

City of Wilmington Fire Department- http://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/fire_department/public_education/child_car_safety_seat_inspection  Call: Meg Langston (910)343-4784 or Wendy Gianni-King (910)342-2731

Mental Health Providers (specializing in postpartum depression)

Alfreda Gee, LCSW- New Hanover County Health Department (910)343-5667

Happy Families, Happy Babies-(Postpartum coaching and support group)  www.happyfamilieshappybabies.com (910)377-7450

Chrysalis Center for Counseling http://chrysaliscenter-nc.com/ (910)790-9500

Cloth Diapering Resources

Green Baby Diaper Service http://www.greenbabybiz.com/home/ (910)399-3051

Baby Wearing Resources

TMuffin- www.tmuffin.com (910)367-5722

Other Birth/Breastfeeding Goods and Services

Placenta Works, Placenta encapsulation services www.placentaworks.com (607)343-5178

Lizard Lane, homemade natural soap with local ingredients—makes breastmilk soap

https://www.facebook.com/lizardlane28405

Finding time for me

      This is not meant to come off as a whiny, "woe is me" post. As parents, I'm sure we hear enough of that for a lifetime in one day. I just have a sneaky suspicion I'm not the only one who feels this way. So, here goes...

Mommy time is very elusive

    I've come to realize that I'm doing a great job of taking care of just about everything and everyone in my life these days, all except for little ol' me. My children are well fed, showered with affection, and the center of my universe. My boyfriend is supported, loved, and his manly needs are almost always met- even when I'm dog tired from chasing the little people all day. My home is relatively clean (mostly because we are in the process of selling it and I try to have it ready for a showing at a moment's notice). I enjoy making home cooked meals that nourish my family's mind, body, and soul. Yup, I'm feeling pretty good about everything these days except me, ya know, that person who is supposed to be #1 for herself, so she can be everything to everybody else. Yeah, I'm failing miserably with that.
    After 2 beautiful children (my son is 3 and my daughter is 5 months) I can honestly say I have no clue who I am anymore other than "mom." I also hold the title of "girlfriend," but that's not so helpful either. I used to be wild, carefree, fun, always ready for an adventure, and continuously trying to learn new things. The only new things I've learned in the past several months are a few nursery rhymes. I don't identify with any specific religion, but I used to feel connected and one with the universe around me. My soul feels stagnant. I used to love to write poetry and was beginning to attempt painting. I haven't even so much as looked at a pen or brush in months.
    The irritating thing in all this is that I know better than to have let myself get to this point. I know I matter. I know I need me time. But that is really hard to come by anymore and I always have an excuse:

The baby will flip out because I won't be there to nurse her and whoever is left caring for her will be stressed.
I need to spend more time with my son since his sissy came along.
I need to cuddle with my man because our relationship matters, too.
The house is a mess and I can't rest until it's somewhat clean.
I'll do something for me tomorrow, or next week, or next month.
I could nap but who am I kidding one of them will wake up as soon as I close my eyes.

      If I had a penny for every excuse I'd be rich. I guess I just feel like "me time" is selfish. And I'll have to work twice as hard to catch up for whatever time I do get. But I'm starting to really feel the run down. The depression. The overwhelming feeling of I just can't freaking do all of this...and it's because I simply can't. None of us can do it all but, wow, do we exhaust ourselves trying! I'm waiting for something to give. A levy to break. Eventually, I'm going to have to suck it up and take the first step. Go get a mani/pedi- the baby and babysitter will survive. Only sing 5 bedtime songs to the boy instead of 10. Tell my lover tonight will have to wait. Splurge and hire a maid one week. Do something in the next hour for myself, like cover my head in pillows, put on Mickey Mouse, and make that nap happen! I'm going to have to just do it at some point because if not, I run the very serious risk of spontaneous combustion. I have to take care of me so I can take care of them. They need me. We have to take care of us because they need us.
     This evening I took a baby step and went on a walk. Granted I had the baby with me but the stroller kept her occupied and my ear buds bumping Florence and the Machine let me escape for a much needed break. Tomorrow, I might just polish my nails. Haha, gotta dream big. Got to take it one day at a time. Got to find me again and honor her, because she is an awesome hardworking mama and she deserves it. We all do!