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Best LGBTQ+ Books: Trying To Conceive (TTC)
Happy Pride! I am more of a Pride-is-everyday and inclusive-is-good-for-everyone kinda guy, but who can resist a post with all the best...
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Melissa F. Haley
Jun 34 min read
Places to Give Birth in Chicago: Illinois Masonic
Part 2 of my series about places to give birth in and around the Chicago area features Advocate Illinois Masonic Hospital. Illinois...
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Melissa F. Haley
May 204 min read
Cord Blood Banking: Is it Worth It?
Chrissy Teigen banks her kids' cord blood, should you? Many families have heard of cord blood banking through targeted ads and influencer...
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Melissa F. Haley
May 65 min read
Choosing a Sperm Donor: Known Donor
A known donor is anyone who you find without using a sperm bank. They don't necessarily have to be someone you "know" deeply to be...
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Melissa F. Haley
Apr 292 min read
Baby Carrier Review: Meh Dai
I love baby wearing! The benefits seem to be endless: bonding and co-regulating, a baby who cries less often, fewer missed hunger cues....
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Melissa F. Haley
Apr 246 min read
What is in My Birth Doula Bag?
Want a sneak peak into what I bring with me to every birth? This is the bag that sits ready by the door at all times. Ultimately, my...
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Melissa F. Haley
Apr 153 min read
Should You Drink Red Raspberry Leaf Tea? When?
Does red raspberry leaf tea (RRL) work to induce labor? If it can start labor, should you be really careful about when you drink it for...
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Melissa F. Haley
Apr 86 min read
Places to Give Birth In Chicago: Birth Center of Chicago
There are so many places to give birth in Chicago. I'm starting off this series with a review of one of my all time favorites! BCC is...
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Melissa F. Haley
Apr 45 min read
Ready to Start Your Family? How to Choose a Sperm Donor
I have noticed that once people with access to eggs and a uterus decide to start a family, the donor search quickly takes center stage....
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Melissa F. Haley
Mar 284 min read
What Does a Doula do at a Home Birth?
Occasionally someone reaches out to me and shares that they are planning to deliver at home in the Chicago area unassisted by any medical...
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Melissa F. Haley
Mar 264 min read
How to Find the Best Doula in Chicago: Interview Questions
You've found some doulas to interview that might be the right fit. You've scheduled some interviews. Now what? Awkward conversations are...
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Melissa F. Haley
Mar 253 min read
How Will My Relationship Change in Postpartum?
Internet forums for new moms have a lot of resentment directed at husbands. Is this true for every relationship, even LGBTQ+...
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Melissa F. Haley
Mar 243 min read
How to Find the Best Doula in Chicago: Agency v. Independent
Finding the right doula for you is so important. The key is that the right doula for you might not be the right doula for someone else....
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Melissa F. Haley
Mar 186 min read
LGBTQ+ Second Parent Adoption in Illinois: Resources to Get Started
EDIT November 2024 : If you are finding this because you are frantically searching about how to secure your family after the election...
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Melissa F. Haley
Mar 154 min read
Does Belly Oil for Pregnancy Stretch Marks Work? A Recipe & Ritual
Many pregnant people grapple with their bodies changing during pregnancy. For queer pregnant people, feelings of body dysphoria can...
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Melissa F. Haley
Mar 112 min read
Hot Labor Tips for Queer Partners
Maybe you are thinking that you are a fantastic partner and you don't need help. You know that support during labor is crucial for the...
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Melissa F. Haley
Mar 92 min read
What does a doula DO-la?
I mentioned that I was feeling sore after a birth to my father-in-law and he looked confused. "How are you sore?! Aren't you a liaison at...
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Melissa F. Haley
Mar 84 min read
Why are doulas so expensive?
Chicago doulas typically charge anywhere from $1200-2800+ per birth. That can give anyone sticker shock! Over a thousand dollars for a...
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Melissa F. Haley
Mar 75 min read
A Guide for Queers Considering Conception in Chicago
If you have a uterus and are looking for sperm, this is a good place to start. Whether you are just starting to think about it or already...
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Melissa F. Haley
Mar 43 min read
Placenta Encapsulation Process at Wyld Garden
While the placenta encapsulation might seem unconventional, the process itself follows a strict set of guidelines aimed at ensuring...
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