Winners!

It looks like we have some winners for the gown poll!

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Purple Polka Dots and Abstract Blue

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I really was wishing for a purple gown.

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Now it is time to place an order and hopefully get some XXL sizes! Those bellys get big!

Happy Anniversary

In honor of our 1st anniversary of the start up of Laborlooks we are adding 2 new gown fabrics and we need your help. We need your input to find your favorite fabric so please vote on our poll, send us an email, or enter a comment below. You have 2 weeks :)

Lovely Blogs

I love blogs on birth. I recently found this one: http://birthbabieseverythinginbetween.blogspot.com/

So exciting. Especially for us is the posting on hospital gowns.

I like any people who talk about hospital gowns. You know why? Because no one... I repeat... no one likes the regular hospital gowns.

Wear your own clothes, go naked, or bring your own gown. Whatever way you choose, make sure you are comfortable and know that you have options.

What is Lamaze?

When people think of Lamaze they think of "hee hee hoo" breathing, but that isn't all that Lamaze is. Started by Dr. Ferdinand Lamaze this method of patterened breathing and cleansing breaths have been around sine the 1950's to help women have natural childbirth. (or to just help them get through that early labor until they get their epidurals!!)



The first type of breath is the "cleansing breath" and this is used at the beginning and the end of every contraction. It is the slow, deep breath that is meant to signify starting and finishing contractions with peacefulness. The "slow breath" is to help you relax and is usually used in between contractions.



Then there is the famous blowing breathing, the "hee hee hee hoo" which is three quick exhales and then a long exhale. This not only helps mothers to not hyperventillate but helps them to focus on a simple task during contractions.

I do remember during my labor I used focus breathing. However, my breathing was basically sucking in as much air as I could for a fast count to 15 and then blowing it all out really hard for a fast count to 20.

It worked for me. It could work for you. Either way check out Lamaze.org because they have some amazing blogs, stories, evidence based practice articles and more.

I Promised

I promised I would post more often. How come life comes so fast and so busy all the time?? I feel that 5 months ago (when I was wearing a laborlooks gown!) was yesterday.

Anyone else feel this way?

Just in case your pregnancy is flying by way to fast and you aren't sure how to keep everything in order- check out www.thebump.com

Even better check us out on the bump!

End of Summer Sale

I don't think Ashley and I have mentioned how thankful we are to not be pregnant anymore and have these beautiful babies in our arms. They are getting big at 4 and 2 months old!!

I don't know what we are thinking... living in Phoenix it isn't nearly end of summer... but I know in other areas of the country it is almost fall! Wow-o.

To celebrate:

25% off all of our gowns for this week only!!
Just enter "endofsummer" for your coupon code!

Happy babies and birthing!

Send us your birth stories. We would love to post them on the blog!

Labor Day

Have you heard of BOLD?
Birth On Labor Day

Last year in my community the www.birthonlaborday.com play came to town.

According to the website:
Birth is a play based on over one hundred interviews Karen Brody conducted with mothers across America who gave birth between 2000-2004. It tells the true stories of 8 women painting a portrait of how low-risk, educated women are giving birth in America today

I know it is too late to find a play near you, but check out the website and what this all is about. Labor Day is quite an important holiday in our country but on this day I also tend to reflect on the mothers around the world who have gone through Labor and what it means to them.

I also have spent some time thinking about the differences in my labors and how amazing my last labor was. Not to mention I was wearing a cute gown!!!

Hypnobabies

Very similar but very different from Hypnobirthing is Hypnobabies. A friend of mine out here in Phoenix teaches these classes and you can also do a Hypnobabies homestudy course. Here is a quick description of the hypnobabies course:

Hypnobabies Childbirth Hypnosis Class

Hypnobabies® is a 6 week complete childbirth preparation course that teaches the same medical hypnosis techniques used by people who undergo surgery with hypnosis as their only anesthesia. Couples will learn about the stages of birth, prenatal nutrition and exercises, how to stay healthy and low risk, powerful “Eyes Open” childbirth hypnosis and more! For more information and/or to register please contact Noelia Waldo at (480) 295-0895.

Hypnobirthing

My husband told me last night that I need to blog more on the "laborlooks" blog. I told him there is only so many things you can blog about with hospital gowns. Being the marketing manager that he is he quickly reminded me that Laborlooks is more than just hospital gowns.

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Laborlooks is about labor. It is about preparing mothers to become the best mothers they can be. It is about bringing life into the world. Granted we are attempting to make sure this all happens with STYLE, but with the resources of a midwife and a labor and delivery nurse we need to start blogging about more things.

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This made me realize that I do need to branch out and talk about more things. Which leads me to my topic today which is "HYPNOBIRTHING". I decided to talk about all different styles of childbirth preparation and since I have the most experience with Hypnobirthing I figured I could start with this.

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www.hypnobirthing.com

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The main idea of hypnobirthing is that when muscles in our body are working correctly they don't cause us pain. When we are in a relaxed enough state of mind we are able to go through labor without pain, or with minimal pain. I have actually worked with many clients that say they didn't experience any pain using this method!

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My personal experience with Hypnobirthing was that I unfortunately taught myself to fall past deep relaxation and into sleep. So every time I tried to practice my self hypnosis I fell asleep. When it came to labor this happened as well. When listening to the guided prompts I would immediately fall asleep but then wake up for each contraction. Not the best way to do it- but I was able to relax completely between contractions which helped my labor go faster.

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Another nice thing is that whenever I have problems falling asleep now I just turn on my hypnobirthing CD!

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I did have an amazing instructor and if you are searching for an instructor you can find a list of them near you on the hypnobirthing website

Welcome Addison!

Just as Brittani shared with you three months ago, I will share my labor story. First of all, I have to say, I have heightened respect for my sister Brittani and her natural childbirth in April. I was ready for an IV and pain medication as soon as I walked through those hospital doors. Shortly thereafter, I had an epidural as well. As many of you know, labor can be quite unpredictable. After several heart-rate scares and a slow-moving labor, I went in for a C-Section. This was not what I had anticipated, but my little girl needed to get out and the wonderful doctors (and my midwife) made the best decisions for her health. Because of the C-Section, I spent a number of days in the hospital. I was a bit nervous to try out the gowns, worried that perhaps my product would in some way not measure up to my very high expectations. But I was pleasantly reassured as I found the gowns to be very functional and fabulous. Immediately following my C-Section I changed into the first of my three gowns. I received compliments to no end, coupled with questions from physicians, nurses, lab workers and other patients. I even managed to throw in a few shameless plugs for my LaborLooks line ;) I have to say, I received the most compliments on the Devyn line of gowns. They are funky, retro patterns with bold black and red colors. What an amazing experience! As for you new mommies and mommies-to-be, continue to send us your feedback, your stories and your photos...

Big Brother!

This little guy is a big brother now!

"Mompreneur"

Look at the publicity we are getting!
Check out:
http://raisingarizonakids.com/index.php?page=article_view&ar_id=898


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p.s. Ashley had the baby and we are waiting on some pictures to update the blog!

2 months already?!

It has been a little over 2 months since my labor and delivery experience but it still feels so very fresh in my mind. It is one of those life changing events that will never fade.

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Well...the intensity and pain of the contractions does fade a little... but I do remember it like it was yesterday.

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So now we are looking forward to the arrival of my new niece. Her "due date" (we all know how accurate that date is!) is wednesday, July 8th and we are all getting anxious.

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I will have a first hand account from Ashley on how well the laborlooks gown does with an epidural, right??

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LOVE YOU and sending POSITIVE ENERGY towards a HEALTHY, FAST, POWERFUL, BLISSFUL BIRTH!

Finally

I finally got to wear my own laborlooks gown for the big day! I got to experience the action first hand! I wanted to test it the whole way so I wore it for labor/delivery/post partum.

Here are my thoughts on the gown during the three stages:

Labor- It was roomy enough to move around, get in and out of bed, and to rock on the birthing ball. I had a natural childbirth so I didn't have an IV or an epidural- so I can't speak to how well it worked with those aspects.

Delivery- I did consciously make sure the gown was untied and lifted up from underneath my bottom so I didn't have any messes on the gown. I did bring an extra one with me to the hospital- just in case- but it kept very clean. I did take if off after the birth when the midwife lifted her up to my chest- for skin to skin and breastfeeding time.

PostPartum- Easiest time to use the gown I think. I had snapped and unsnapped the gown at the shoulders a couple times before I wore it because the snaps can be a little stiff in the beginning and this could have made undoing the gown a little hard for breastfeeding- but I seriously had no problems. After showering I threw on a hospital breastfeeding gown and the slits were always showing a boob or too much tummy so I quickly switched back to my laborlooks gown. I also got lots of compliments and people asking me where I got my gown. It was such a fun and neat experience.

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Maybe another day I will share the birth story with you!

Welcome Word

This Mama had a successful VBAC in a laborlooks gown!

Reese Butterfly

Kristen Said...

"it was so much fun to have one of your hospital gowns after my c-section. Every single nurse and person who walked into my room complimented the gown and asked where I got it from. I had a PUPPS rash with my first baby so my pictures were horrible and I tried not to show them to anyone. I love showing off the newborn pictures with this baby, not only because I don't have a rash, but because the gown makes everything so much nicer!"

-Kristen K

Mother of 2 and first time laborlooks gown user

Gilbert, AZ

Kylee Powder

Such a joy for little baby boy Simon to have his mommy all dressed in the powder blue gown. Congratulations!

Another beautiful addition

This is proof that you can use gowns even if you are planning a cesarean section.
Look how happy and beautiful this mama is!

Beautiful Girls

What a beautiful first picture of all the sweet girls in this family! Congrats to all of you! (to submit your photos email brittani@laborlooks.com)

Busy Holiday Season

This holiday season has been extremely busy! Not a lot of gown orders right before the holidays, but a bunch after Christmas-- were all you mommies waiting to see if someone bought you a laborlooks gown before you bought one for yourself?

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Either way- let us post your pictures of you and your new baby in your gowns. Others would love to see them and hear what people thought of them.
Email us @ brittani@laborlooks.com or ashley@laborlooks.com