Now, I don’t like to promote tabloids nor celebs, but I couldn’t help but pick up the latest issue of People while standing in line at Gelson’s check out. As a birthing blog writer and mother, I can’t resist reading a birth story, celeb or not. When I saw Nicole Richie with her new babe, I was admittedly curious. Thankfully, I was not disappointed - for several reasons (in no particular order).

1. Nicole was quoted as saying, “I feel like a superhero. I have such a newfound respect for my body.” I’m so glad that she not only realizes this, but said it for the world to hear. It grates at my nerves when people say, “You don’t have to be a superhero.” Because, as women, that’s what we were made to be.

2. She’s breastfeeding - and we all know by now how beneficial that is.

3. When asked how long she was in labor, she said she didn’t know. I love that. I don’t like when people ask me how long I was in labor because I don’t exactly know either. I just know how long I pushed, because that’s the important part. Nicole was quoted as saying, “I don’t what time I actually went into labor, but I pushed for 10 minutes. Three pushes and she was out.”

Everyone’s labor progresses differently. Some women wear their badges of honor by how long they were in labor. It’s assumed that they were writhing and gnashing their teeth for all those hours. And if you don’t know me by now, I’m all about focusing on the positive – it’s more powerful.

For me and those whom I coach and others who know how to control and overcome fear, we can’t really mark a time when labor actually begins. We can notice when the contractions coming on more regularly. But it’s not an exact science, for anyone I’ve ever met anyway. Contractions may come every ten minutes, then five, then three, then you might have a seven minute span, then three, then five, then three again. It’s all relative. And while we’re talking about contractions… They shouldn’t hurt, unless you’re resisting them in fear. (Read more on this topic in the Prepare Your Mind section.)

4. Little Harlow Winter Kate Madden, baby girl of Nicole Richie and Joel Madden, is adorable - and I personally love the name. It’s classic, but unique.

Cheers and Blessings,
Jennifer

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