inspiring women series | jenni kayne
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“The biggest thing I have learned about being a mother is to stick with your instincts. Your intuition is spot on, especially after becoming a mom. But at the same time, I had to come to terms with the face that you just can’t control everything. ”
It has been a true pleasure to get to work with and know Jenni Kayne. She is a successful business owner, wife and mother, and some how balances it all with ease and grace. Not to say it doesn't take a lot of hard work and organization, but she has seemed to figure out how to juggle life so eloquently. She has been a true inspiration in the last couple of years I've gotten to know her, and her support for other women is both admirable and sincere. I am thrilled to be able to feature her as one of our inspiring women so you can get to know her as well.
AO: What is one thing you have had access to before, during or after pregnancy that has positively influenced your experience? (product/professional service or treatment/class/book etc...)
JK: I would have to say working with you! Doing physical therapy before, during, and after I had my third baby made my pregnancy so much easier and bouncing back was much easier than my first two. Throughout my pregnancy and postpartum I felt stronger and more in touch with my posture and pelvic floor, which made recovery and pregnancy much easier and essentially pain-free.
I also had a doula for my delivery and a few weeks postpartum which was amazing—I didn’t have one with my first two. I loved my birth doula, Erica Chidi-Cohen. She really helped me to hold out on being induced and listen to my intuition, and I was so happy that I went in to labor on my own because I was induced with my first two and I hadn’t had that experience before. When I went home with Trooper I was lucky to have Stephanie Matthias as my postpartum doula. Stephanie nourished me with delicious foods that helped the healing process our bodies need after giving birth. It made the first few weeks so much easier and much more enjoyable.
AO: What are you surprised by (that no one ever talks about) that happens
to your mind or body during or after pregnancy?
JK: Honestly, everything. I don’t think anyone tells you the whole truth about having a baby, and even if they did I’m not sure you’d want to hear it, or understand it, until you go through it yourself.
With all three of my babies, I experienced a huge hormone-driven rush of emotions and anxiety the first few days at home. With each baby, it was like clockwork—literally, it would happen every day around 5 pm. When it first happened with Tanner it was really scary, and I felt panicked. I attributed it to being nervous about being up at night with him, feeling helpless and alone, even though I was surrounded by my family. Then when it happened with Ripley I spoke to someone about it who explained that the feeling is related to the hormones that make your milk. With all three babies, those feelings ended once my milk came in, and it was over faster with each, and thankfully this time it only lasted a few days. No one warned me about this and I truly felt helpless.
AO: With your experience, what knowledge would you share with a new mother?
JK: The biggest thing I have learned about being a mother is to stick with your instincts. Your intuition is spot on, especially after becoming a mom. But at the same time, I had to come to terms with the face that you just can’t control everything.
AO: How has your body amazed you on this journey of pregnancy and/or motherhood?
JK: I am blown away that women’s bodies are able to create, carry, and deliver a beautiful baby. I am so grateful that I was able give birth to three healthy babies. Women can do everything. Making babies and being a mother is one of the greatest things we get to do in our lifetime. As hard as being pregnant can be, emotionally and physically, I absolutely love being pregnant and think it’s such a special time.
AO: Fill in the blank: My current self care must do/have: _______________
JK: I have so many! Micro-current facials with Julie Civiello Polier, acupuncture and acupuncture facials with Sherri Matthews, bodywork with Lauren Roxburgh, and obviously seeing you for physical therapy!
AO: Fill in the blank: Motherhood means: __________________
JK: Loving someone else unconditionally and putting their needs above all.