Author Archives: Ashley Derderian Sousa

As a labor, delivery, and postpartum nurse I know the definition of a cesarean birth is a surgical procedure which allows for delivery of your baby through an incision in your abdomen and uterus. However, as a mama who has sat in that bed laboring, uncomfortable, having racing thoughts full of the unknowns – IContinue reading “Everything You Need To Know About Cesarean Births”

The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new. – Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh I have been a labor, delivery, and postpartum nurse for nearly 10 years (not sure how that’s even possible) and have seen thousandsContinue reading “Ten Things No One Tells You About Postpartum”

“Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson Now that what I’m calling “the dark winter” has ended and the beach days have arrived – I’m honestly bursting at the seams with joy and happiness! That being said I also now have a walking (mostly running), talking, andContinue reading “Toddler Beach Days”

“We are born of love; Love is our mother.” -Rumi Mother was a title I wasn’t sure I was ever ready to have. However, for others, it’s a title they have dreamt about since they were a young girl. I thought being a mother was about sleepless nights, toddler battles, preteens, and puberty. I thoughtContinue reading “What It Means To Be A Mama”

Last week I was asked to do an Instagram takeover and talk about my top tips for breastfeeding mamas! I started to think back to when my breastfeeding journey began and what I would have wanted to hear as guidance! I know you’re thinking duh you’re a labor, delivery, postpartum nurse, AND a lactation consultantContinue reading “Top Breastfeeding Tips For New Mamas”

“Birth is not only about making babies. Birth is about making mothers- strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and know their inner strength.” —Barbara Katz Rothman As a labor and delivery nurse with 8 years of experience in the field – I’ve seen every kind of birth. The beautiful ones, the scary ones, theContinue reading “A Labor of Love”

There must be something strangely sacred in salt. It is in our tears and in the sea.”- Khalil Gibran The beach has got to be hands down the best place on earth- amiright? I won’t lie I’ve spent most of my life on the beach between my childhood days, life guarding teenage years, and upContinue reading “Beach Babes”

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – I am a hot mess. When it came to packing my hospital bag – I started around 11 pm Friday, September 6th. For reference sake, my daughter was born Saturday, September 7th. I am NOT good at packing. To the point where I actually haveContinue reading “To Pack Or Not To Pack…”

“You don’t ever balance it completely. It’s a constant struggle of a little more time there, a little more time here, and feeling a little bit guilty all the time. I just keep telling all my mom friends who work that it’s OK to give ourselves a little slack sometimes and not let the guilt sit onContinue reading “Finding Balance”