Inclusive Introductions with Alyssa Leigh

08/01/2022

Team work 💪

07/04/2022

Repost from Doctor Aziza Sesay| MBChB DRCOG MRCGP]
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x Doctor Aziza Sesay| MBChB DRCOG MRCGP] collab 🙌🏾

Do you do your self checks? How often do you do them? We talk about checking our breasts, balls and skin but how frequently do we include our vulvas?

It’s so important that vulval checks are done regularly too. This way you know your normal and are able to pick up changes early.

As in the beautifully illustrated image that has made above (check out her page if you haven’t ♥️), all you need is a handheld mirror, good lighting and clean hands. Some people stand with one leg perched on a stool whilst others squat or sit. Do what feels most comfortable for you as long as you can clearly visualise all of your ge****ls. Always LOOK 👀 then FEEL. You may ask your partner/trusted person to help too.

If you notice any of the changes mentioned or are concerned that something might be wrong, please do seek further assistance from your Doctor. It does not automatically mean you have something serious but it’s always best to rule them out. Conditions like lichen sclerosus, lichen planus, melanoma, fissures and cancers etc can be spotted by doing this and hopefully diagnosed earlier which improves outcomes immensely 🙏🏾.

As always early detection saves lives.

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Did you find this helpful? Please do share with friends and family.

06/30/2022

I went to Liam's book reading and panel discussion on q***r and trans birth tonight at Seattle Town Hall and it was wonderful! I'm going to add their book to my professional library eventually and hope to see them again in my professional life soon.
As a brand new doula and child birth educator who wants to support all families this was a great education experience

Midwife and author Kristin Liam Kali chats with The Seattle Times about their new book, navigating the process of becoming a parent and more.

04/08/2022

04/06/2022

It’s C-Section Awareness Month!

Surgical births don’t have to be traumatic.

Scheduled surgical births, or unplanned surgical births that are not emergent, can be joyful events that allow parents to be fully included in their child’s delivery; clear drapes, delayed cord clamping, skin to skin contact with either parent, cord cutting by the support person, and even breastfeeding initiation are all practices that can still be implemented in the OR.

Respecting as many of the parents wishes as possible based upon what circumstances allow (NOT care provider or hospital preference!) lowers trauma and postnatal depression rates and increases breastfeeding and parent satisfaction rates.

Even if the birth is performed in emergency circumstances, clear communication and respect for the parents wishes before, during, and after the birth are an essential part of trauma-informed care lessens potential negative effects of a traumatic event upon parents mental health.

04/06/2022

Art ♥️

04/04/2022

Something about those babies in their Easter pastels 😍

03/31/2022

💋
From
Happy Monday 😍​​​​​​​​
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Just a little reminder to y'all! 😏​​​​​​​​
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Artwork by ❤️ ​​​​​​​​
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*xuality *xual *xuales *xuality *xual *xual *xual *xeducation *xpositiveart *xrevolution *xpositivefeminism *xuality *xtherapy *xpositivefamilies *xedforall *xedsaveslives

03/20/2022

Swedish photographer Lennart Nilsson spent 12 years of his life taking pictures of the fetus Developing in the womb.

These incredible photographs were taken with conventional cameras with macro lenses, an endoscope and scanning electron microscope.

Nilsson used a magnification of hundreds of thousands and “worked” right in the womb. His first photo of the human fetus was taken in 1965.

Post brought to you by https://ourcultures.org/

01/21/2022

The more you know!

🌈💩What’s the deal with period poops?💩🌈

If you’ve ever experienced gnarly poops during your period, here’s the loo-down on what’s going on down under.

🚽Changes in bowel habits are common mainly due to fluctuations of hormone levels during menstruation.🚽

🩸At the start of your period, the uterine lining is producing high levels of prostaglandins — inflammatory, hormone-like substances that cause the muscles and blood vessels of the uterus to contract to help stimulate the uterine lining shedding process.🩸

Prostaglandins can also cause muscle contractions in the gut, which can trigger more discomfort with bowel movements and even intestinal-like cramps.

Changes to your number twos typically don’t last long, so fret not! BMs should subside once menstruation ends.😘

12/13/2021

In labour Vs in love. Fourth trimester is the most perfect one.
My body is amazing. My tummy is amazing.

Dear tummy,
In the last year you’ve endured nearly 100 hormone injections
You’ve swelled painfully during two rounds of IVF to accommodate nearly 40 follicles
You carried two embryos - one for a few days, one for over 9 months
You’ve stretched to house my beautiful baby
You’ve had several rather heavy handed scans due to my size
You’ve allowed by us to hear our baby’s heart through you
You’ve been manipulated in order to feel the baby’s position and descent into my hips
You kept her so perfectly safe until two days before her due date
And then you endured 20 more injections to help aid my recovery

You’re a lot bigger than before. You’re wider. Softer. You hang lower. Your stretch marks are more obvious. The extra belly hair still adorns you. My baby loves to lie on you. My pillowy body comforts her. Makes her feel safe. My muscles below have been working extra hard to help me get up off the sofa and bed with a warm sleepy baby in my arms.

You are a work of art.

You’ve been amazing. Thank you 🤍

12/11/2021

In the US, people of color face disparities in health care, the quality of care received, and health outcomes leading to emotional, physical, and mental trauma or even death.

One of the issues contributing to these disparities is a lack of proper representation of Black people in medical literature. One medical illustrator and aspiring pediatric surgeon, Nigerian Chidiebere Ibe at , is aiming to change that.

Going viral this month, ’s illustration of a Black woman and fetus is one of the first of its kind to make its way into the public eye. Birth and medical professionals have been flocking to his Instagram, asking for a way to purchase prints for their offices, and any other illustrations of POC he may produce.

“I wasn’t expecting it to go viral,” Ibe, an aspiring pediatric neurosurgeon, said of the image in an interview. “I was just sticking up for what I believe in, advocating for equality in health through medical illustrations. I made a deliberate action to constantly advocate that there be inclusion of Black people in medical literature.”

12/08/2021

💅💅💅

11/29/2021

11/29/2021

This time last year my breath was guiding you towards me and with each contraction, you got closer and closer. I could feel you, slowly approaching your exit with every new breath. As the bump that was you, slowly moved down my tummy I remember moments of pause. Moments when I could see my grandmother rocking your soul, just before standing up and bringing you to me.

When she placed you in my arms, Her hand gently brushed across my cheek and her smile radiated warmth. What I didn't see in the moment but do in memories, was my grandfather standing behind me with his hands on my shoulders. You look just like your grandma did as a baby, Wilder Lea. And now, it all makes sense.

I miss this moment deep in my soul. I would 1000% give birth again, and again, and again.

I'm sharing tons of birth photos today in celebration of Wilder's first birthday!

📸:

11/14/2021

When someone has pre-existing trauma, pregnancy and childbirth can be an overwhelming experience that leaves a person feeling like they have little control over themselves and their body. This feeling can lead to retraumatization, postpartum depression, and difficulty bonding with their infant.

Trauma-informed providers are essential when caring for those with pre-existing trauma, whether from childhood, a prior birth, or s*xual assault.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23064898/

Maria Muzik, et al, 2012 Oct 12

*xualassault

10/20/2021

I do enjoy how Schitts Creek handled pans*xuality in this scene. Normal and easy breezy ☺️

Schitt's Creek is so brilliantly written and acted.

10/20/2021

Cw: cis gender language regarding pregnancy in article

October is infant loss/stillbirth awareness month. And as troubling and upsetting as the topic is, a lot of people experience miscarriage in pregnancy but yet it's such a taboo topic. Same with babies born sleeping.infant loss means more too it's also people who chose adoption for their babies; that baby may live but it's a loss non the less or even people who chose abortion as their right option, you're allowed to grieve a pregnancy you terminated. It's all vaild, I hear you and I love you ❤️

I hold space for all of us that don't have earth side babies for whatever reason this month and always.

Women who have miscarried have seen their bodies change exponentially, but with no baby to prove why. It can all feel so futile

10/18/2021

10/13/2021

Embarrassment or discomfort over using the correct words for ge****ls is a learned response.

It isn’t because the words or body parts are inherently uncomfortable.

Hold compassion and grace for yourself if you’re feeling challenged in this area as a result of:

🔸being raised to be silent about ge****ls, bodies, or s*x
🔸experiencing s*xual trauma or consent violations
🔸receiving s*x education that lacked positive, inclusive, and medically accurate messaging
🔸not having s*x ed at all
🔸being shamed or punished for using accurate terms, or for your body or s*xuality, by adults in your world
🔸learning about bodies and s*x through the lens of p**n or s*xualized media
🔸growing up around adults who couldn’t bare to say the words themselves

It’s absolutely possible to begin to create healthier, informed, and confident possibilities for yourself and the children in your world. We break the cycle of shame by teaching correct names to kids early and talking openly and confidently about bodies, without introducing embarrassment.

Change starts with us.

10/12/2021

Wondering why your pregnancy or new baby isn’t making you happy?

Being pregnant and having a baby are major life events and can cause worry, tiredness and sadness. Usually these feelings don’t last long, but if they do, you may be suffering from depression or anxiety.

Depression and anxiety during pregnancy and after childbirth are very common. Don’t be afraid to seek help. 💚

10/09/2021

09/18/2021

So sweet 💗

09/07/2021

*parenthood

Normalize feeling like your newborn is an alien raisin!

I realized the only way I'll possibly be able to organize all my thoughts on parenthood is through a-lli-ter-a-tion ~ so welcome to: ! When I first gave birth there was this expectation that I would feel an immediate bond and love like I never had before. But I really felt more like, OK I know this little wrinkly-pink-bean is the most important thing in my life now, and I must protect and nourish it at all cost...but I really needed more time to get to know her to love her like I do.

How did you all feel when you gave birth? There's no wrong way to feel! Tell me your true stories 😍

08/20/2021

07/17/2021

Parenting is healthy masculinity.
-C

06/01/2021

We're celebrating love in all of its beautiful forms. Happy ! 🌈