Hello!
My name is Jade George. I am a working Speech Language Pathologist, that specializes in pediatrics. I received my BS in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology in 2016. My MS in Speech Language Pathology was completed in 2018. I received both degrees from Clarion University of Pennsylvania. Since my graduation I have worked in pediatrics. I continue to build relationships with families and began to see a HUGE need for services with children and educating their mothers about development. I just received my CLC through Healthy Children's Project to further my education In order to guide mothers during their breast feeding journey as well. I want to give you the support that I did not have. Listen closely to why I became a CLC!
Rewind to December 2020 when I, myself, became a mother. Through my postpartum journey, I had found that there is very little support for mothers once they leave the hospital. On top of being In the middle of a pandemic and I am now a new mom. My whole pregnancy I was In complete Isolation. The world was shut down. My husband could not go to any appointments, some of my family and friends were able to attend a baby shower, and we were not allowed to have family with us for the birth of our daughter. Let me tell you about my Parker's birth story.
At my 37 week appointment I was having symptoms of pre-eclampsia. So they sent me to the hospital to be monitored. FTM here and I didn’t know what “monitored” meant. And let me remind you that to this point I’ve done most of my pregnancy appointments have been alone due to COVID-19 restrictions that were in place. So I headed down to the hospital and got checked in to be monitored by myself.
I was at the hospital for 6 hours by myself while they put a monitor on my stomach, blood pressure cuff on my arm, and sat me in a bed for 4 1/2 hours. The nurse would come in and check to be sure I didn’t need anything, but I just sat there - alone. They took me for an ultrasound somewhere in there which took about 1 1/2 itself because of staffing and such. Everything checked out and I repeated all of this again on Friday of that week. At which time everything checked out.
Through my postpartum journey, I had found that there is very little support for mothers once they leave the hospital. I want to give you the support that I did not have.
Fast forward to 38 weeks and 3 days. I woke up at 4:30 AM because I had an extreme headache, my husband checked my BP multiple times and in 45 minutes it just kept rising. I called the OB on call and she told me to come into the hospital. I went to the hospital for monitoring again by myself. My husband went to work 2 hours away!!
About 5.5 hours later (1 PM Thursday 12/3), they decided to admit me to the hospital for an induction. The induction started with insertion of cytotec every 4 hours. The wait consisted of snacking, walking, and watching Christmas movies on the TV.
Friday at 11 AM my water broke on its own and I started to progress. Then walking and bouncing started until I couldn't progress anymore, but the contractions were stronger and faster. I was dilated to a 4 and I was 10% effaced. My husband and I discussed our options and we thought an epidural may help. I got my epidural that completely stopped my contractions and only took on my right side. I could completely feel everything on my left side. I joked with the nurses that I could be on a kick line!!
After what felt to be 4-5 hours of movement intended to reposition the baby (my perception of time was definitely skewed), my back laboring began. For about an hour I back labored and the pain was like nothing I had ever experienced. I had dilated to a 5 and was 30% effaced, but I could not progress. My doctor discussed our options and recommended a c-section. I immediately began to cry because no one has prepared me for a c-section and "I was having a natural birth". All of these questions flooded my mind, but just like that - I was being prepped for the OR. Due to fatigue and pain medication, I was in and out of consciousness. I heard Parker cry for the first time and that’s when I knew she was here. I remember saying "hi, baby" and then immediately saying "I’m going to be sick". I turned the other way and threw up. I woke up for periodic pain in my abdominal region and I remember making a “whine/wimper” noise to which one the nurses kept asking me if I was okay. I was wheeled into the recovery room at 3 AM. From recovery I was exhausted and felt so lost.
They encouraged skin to skin and feeding, however, I was so weak and tired. My husband tells me he remembers me sleeping the whole time in recovery. BUT my reason WHY I’m here is because of my birth story. I was not prepared for a c-section. No one tells you to do your research beforehand. No one tells you that just because you have a birth plan doesn't mean that will be your birth story.
I am here to support mothers and babies that were like me and did not have postpartum follow up support. I had people that would say, "What can I help with..?" But how do you say "EVERYTHING"? I am here to support mothers with their breast feeding journey. I am also here when they little ones grow and need further feeding guidance and recommendations. I am here...so let's get to know each other!