New Year’s Eve 2022 Reflection
We used to write a little reflection at the close of each year (see our 2019, 2018, and 2017 posts).
But honestly, we haven’t been feeling it the last couple of years. After many similar conversations with loved ones, peers, and clients, we know we’re not alone in that sentiment.
But this year has felt a little different.
Maybe it’s that our business has really put down roots this year, allowing us to support some amazing Pittsburgh families. Maybe it’s that our mental health is on the upswing after the hardest parts of the pandemic. Maybe it’s that we have some plans for next year that we’re pretty excited about.
Whatever it is, I’m grateful for it.
We’re still taking a lot of COVID-related precautions because we have immunocompromised family members and work with pregnant folks and babies in person again. But the “pandemic pressure” has definitely lightened a bit, and we’ve been adventuring out more in the past few months (masked, of course). It’s been so lovely to start exploring our new hometown!
What we learned about in 2022
We spent dozens of hours in continuing education workshops this year, as we do most years.
Topics this year included:
Trauma Informed Perinatal Care (Stephanie Hillman)
VBAC Doula Training (The VBAC Link)
Debriefing Skills For Birth Workers (Krysta Dancy)
Abortion Companionship (Jacoba Cruz-Rodriguez, Birthing From Within)
Calling In: How We Perpetuate Ableism in Modern Times (Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings)
Queer & Trans Reproductive Support (JB Brown, Moss Froom, Chaney Williams, Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings)
COVID-19 & Lactation Research (Hope Lima, Ph.D., RDN, LRD, IBCLC, Annie Frisbie, MA, IBCLC)
Our most popular blog posts in 2022
Highlights from this year
Megan started offering placenta encapsulation - something we never thought we’d do! It’s been a wonderful way to offer some extra support for postpartum folks.
Marlee became a volunteer admin for Baby Led Weaning for Beginners and Beyond, an international Facebook group to help parents learn safe and developmentally appropriate ways to introduce solids to their little ones.
We expanded our birth doula package to include more 1:1 time with our clients. This has made a huge difference in how much support we’re able to offer, and how well we know each other going into birth!
Marlee started offering in-person postpartum support again for the first time since before the pandemic!
We’ve gotten to know some wonderful local birth workers. Being in community with these folks makes this work easier and more fulfilling, and we’re so lucky to be surrounded by so many passionate care workers! We are also grateful for colleagues from our Southern California days whose support continues to enrich our lives and make us better at what we do.
Last but certainly not least:
The biggest highlight of 2022 was working with all of our wonderful clients!
We really do learn something new from nearly every interaction we have with you all. Your insightfulness, bravery, and vulnerability amidst so many unknowns is truly inspiring. We are deeply moved by witnessing your grace and strength, even in difficult circumstances.
We’re so grateful that you welcome us into your lives and allow us to be a small part of your story. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.
