Name:
Latham Thomas
How your clients refer to you:
My clients call me a lot of things: Maternity Maven, Celeb Doula, Mama Glow Guru, Auntie Latham… Rebecca Minkoff and her hubby Gavin call me “The Birth Producer”.
Company:
Mama Glow (MamaGlow.com)
Contact info:
email: info@mamaglow.com; Instagram: Company @MamaGlow; Personal @GlowMaven
How many years have you been in business in NYC?
Mama Glow is celebrating its 5th year in NYC this year and we’ve served hundreds of women in the tri-state area and beyond.
How did you get your start and what was your initial inspiration?
Mama Glow is an abundant radiant energy that comes from within. It’s not just our company, it’s also a movement. We are all about women embracing optimal wellbeing during pregnancy and beyond. We offer nutrition support, yoga, and birth doula services for expectant mothers as well as an array of events. When I was pregnant with my son 13 years ago, I was looking for resources in holistic maternal health and realized they didn’t exist in the way I saw fit. I instinctively knew that women need hand-holding when they are moving through a life-event like birth and wanted to provide that level of support for clients.
What do you feel differentiates you from others in your field?
We really created a blueprint for supporting women along the birth journey. We put soul into our work. I think everyone offers their own unique experience. I’m here to help women cross a river and feel empowered when they get to the other side. That’s important to us.
What do you feel gives you longevity in this big city with so many options?
I provide an exceptional service. My clients are happy because we make it a point to lead with excellence. We are knowledgeable and trusted sources on all things maternal health. We have a strong and vetted group of supportive practitioners we work with. We become family, we are with women at a particularly vulnerable and powerful time in their lives. I think people want to know they are in good hands, and they are with us.
How do you positively impact your clientele?
There are so many ways we positively touch the lives of our clients. Being a constant presence of support, being present for the birth, supporting them along the pregnancy as they grow into motherhood, helping them stand up for themselves and make choices that will inform their lives for the better. One of our big initiatives is helping mothers set healthy boundaries in place and establish a glow time practice. Glow time is a self-care practice where you honor yourself. Whether that’s getting a massage, reading a good book, taking a yoga class, a meditative moment, whatever feels good to you. Doulas mother the mother. You can read about the benefits of having a doula present here.
What is your favorite part of your job?
The moment the baby arrives, meeting that new baby and witnessing the mother in her glory.
What is your favorite secret NYC spot?
I live on the Highline, so in the Springtime I enjoy spending time on the highline in the early morning to exercise and on the rooftop to do yoga. I teach yoga but I enjoy checking out some classes around town with my friends. Everyone should take a class with Sifu at the USA Shaolin Temple, and water cycling class at AQUA in Tribeca, which is where I teach Mama Glow Yoga.
How do you benefit mamas?
We help empower women to rise up and spawn the best version of themselves. We hold their hand along the journey and provide support where necessary. We are all about supporting women.
What is the most memorable feedback a client has given you?
I have so many incredible stories but one that really resonated recently is that a mother who read my best selling book, Mama Glow, and followed all of the advice, made all of the recipes, ended up with an abundant milk supply and lost 40 pounds postpartum and was able to breastfeed until her child was 3 years old. She felt the support although we never met until after her child was born. It really touches me to hear testimonials. You never know how much you are touching others until they tell their story.
Pay it forward and name your top colleagues in the same field or related field:
I love Elizabeth Bachner of Graceful Birth, she is an incredible midwife and if I ever have another baby, she would be my birth partner!
What is the best advice anyone has ever given you? Or what is your "mantra" / words to live by?
Mother yourself first! Remember to take glow time to honor yourself and be sure to take care of your needs. Set healthy boundaries so you don’t end up resentful and exhausted. We have to show our children the example of how to love themselves by loving ourselves and making time for our own needs. When you take time away to recharge, you come back with a new sense of calm and presence and that grace touches everything in your orbit. Be kind to yourself mamas.
As moms, the day can escape us, what is your best time-saving trick?
A very quick and practical tip- take a phone fast. So much time gets sucked into an abyss because we devote our time and energy to social media and communication. Try shutting off your device for a few hours and see how much you get done. I also use The Daily Greatness Journal they have a business one which is incredible for staying organized. I also love these worksheets by The Organized Student for my son to use to stay organized at school. Being organized helps to save time too!