About Cara B.
Let's get to the Root of the story...
Hi! I’m Cara Drescher, but you can call me Cara B. *Yes, that is a “B” not a “D“. I am the owner and founder of Rooted In Bloom, and I am SO excited that you’re here! Rooted In Bloom is the culmination of 23 years of experiences (both professionally and personally) in wellness, infertility, education, pregnancy, bodywork, postpartum, esthetics, perimenopause, coaching, and so much more.
For years my brain was flooded with idea after idea but I just couldn’t figure out how to tie all of my ideas, experiences, & expertise, together. I thought I knew where I was headed in my career and my business… and then one day everything became clear and Rooted In Bloom was born.
Cara B. Design & Wellness Rebrand
Cara B. Design Studio which specializes in designing handbags and wallets for women using antique and vintage upholstery fabrics, is founded. With this new business, Cara B. Health & Beauty is rebranded as Cara B. Design & Wellness. In home massage is discontinued and clients are seen in 1 of 3 locations in Conshohocken, Chestnut Hill, or Bryn Mawr, PA.
1 year after leaving her full time job as manager of a wellness center in Philadelphia, PA, Cara finds a permanent space in Conshohocken and the state board of Cosmetology officially licenses the space to provide skin care services.
Upon deciding that we were ready to start our family, we quickly discover that things aren't going according to plan. We're diagnosed with unexplained infertility, undergo 14 fertility treatment cycles, including a failed IVF (picture of our little embryo Nemo, who didn't stick around) and 9 IUIs.
On our 14th attempt, we opt to do our 10th IUI, but I ovulate too soon and miss our window. Miraculously, I manage to conceive triplets and miscarry one of the babies at 9 weeks on Christmas Eve.
After a very difficult 1st and 2nd trimester, I develop preeclampsia at 28 weeks. At 32 weeks I give birth via unplanned c-section due to IUGR and worsening preeclampsia. My babies are extremely small for their gestation and are taken to the NICU for 25 and 26 days respectively.
As the world plummets into an unprecedented global pandemic, I grapple with new motherhood and the complexities of the postpartum period. I navigate this new phase of life by launching The Hormonal Mama Podcast and in 2021, The Hormonal Mama Coaching. Both are focused on infertility.
I begin having subtle symptoms of perimenopause but don't realize what is happening for 2 more years. About 6 months prior to my 45th birthday, I realize that it's perimenopause and I prepare myself for the last biggest change in my reproductive hormone journey: menopause.
I look back at all of my life journeys, specifically my motherhood and beyond journey and realize that I've experienced some of the biggest changes in reproductive hormones that a woman can experience (fertility treatments, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause). Those personal experiences juxtaposed against my professional training and experiences painted a clear picture: Rooted In Bloom. A place for women struggling with the ups and downs of reproductive hormone changes in 4 distinct phases of life, to learn about self care and feeling better about their body, their skin, their mental health, and ultimately... gain control of their life again.
was born
Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.
Journey of a Lifetime
Of all the journeys I’ve been on in my life, my journey to motherhood has been the most complex, confusing, devastating, yet rewarding experience of my life. On the one hand, I feel angry that I had to suffer through the hell of infertility, but on the other hand, I feel honored that I experienced that excruciating battle. Infertility is a unique fight. One that messes with your mind and makes you question everything you’ve ever known. It makes you question your sanity, your faith, your goals, your worth, and ultimately your own strength. “How much more of this can I take?”, “How much more of this can I afford?” And so many existential questions that change you in ways you can’t even fathom… even years after the fact.
For 3 long years i fought the infertility battle. I fought so hard and it truly sucked the life out of me. The darkest times of my life have been when I’ve been emotionally gutted. When my heart has taken such a beating that it hurts to take even the smallest breath. Infertility was like a bowling ball crushing my severely bruised heart, making those breaths feel impossible.
I used to have a recurring nightmare about tidal waves, and when I was stressed, those tidal waves grew immensely. They’d reach straight up into the sky, past the clouds before crashing down and drowning everything in site. THAT is what infertility felt like.
That crushing tidal wave of infertility eventually swept in with it a different kind of battle. A battle that started with an unexpected triplet pregnancy.
A pregnancy that came after 13 failed fertility treatments. After a failed IVF that left me with just 1 embryo that chose not to make its home in my womb. After 9 failed IUIs. After dozens of negative pregnancy tests. After years of getting my period on big family holidays, sealing my fate for that month. Thanksgiving, Christmas, my birthday, Mother’s Day, and so on. After so much sadness, I struggled to find any kind of hope. Any kind of potential happiness. There was nothing but sadness and anger. And then on our 14th fertility treatment attempt, everything changed. And nothing was ever the same.
“The Tidal Wave of Infertility”
An animated short by Cara B.
When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.
In preparation for a second IVF cycle, our 2nd reproductive endocrinologist (aka fertility specialist) took a radical approach and tried something different with me. For 3 years we had zero answers for our infertility. Unexplained infertility was our diagnosis. We opted to do our 10th IUI and agreed to let the doctor do some experimenting with fertility meds to see how my body reacted, so she could prepare a protocol for our next IVF cycle. We never made it to the IUI because I ovulated significantly earlier than expected and we missed the IUI window. Miraculously, I got pregnant that cycle, without any invasive procedures. My very first positive pregnancy test. I considered having it framed in a shadow box… but a stick that I peed on seemed a little gross to memorialize in that way, so I just took a picture.
At our first ultrasound, which came extremely early at 5 weeks, they detected 3 embryos. The following week, the each had a heartbeat. My doctor told us that while it was possible that the fertility medications had caused me to hyper-ovulate (release more than one egg in a cycle), it was equally possible that it was simply genetics, as my sister had previously conceived spontaneous twins. Either way, it was a win. For the first time in my life, I was pregnant. Me. Cara B. I was shocked in ways i can’t truly articulate. In fact, years later I’m still shocked. Shocked, and happy. But the shock and happiness didn’t last long.
At our 9 week ultrasound, we saw that our 3rd baby didn’t survive. I had miscarried. The other 2 babies were fine, but in addition to miscarrying their sibling, I also had a subchorionic hematoma. To make matters worse, it was Christmas Eve. What ensued was 7 weeks of spotting, heavy bleeding, and constant calls to the OB for reassurance. Being that I was still pregnant with 2 babies after miscarrying, I never really got the chance to grieve. I spent the rest of the pregnancy with 24/7 nausea.
At 27 weeks I was suddenly diagnosed with mild preeclampsia and put on modified bedrest with 2-3 checkups at the hospital each week. It was rough. Then at 32 weeks, I was admitted to the hospital for the remainder of pregnancy as one of the babies had stopped growing. I had an unplanned c-section 3 days later.
Out came a teeny tiny girl and a slightly bigger teeny tiny boy. They lived in the NICU for the first 25 and 26 days of their lives, respectively. Due to my worsening preeclampsia, my c-section recovery was not easy or quick. I was supposed to walk multiple times a day, but when I’d start walking, my blood pressure would spike, and they’d have me back in bed. This went on for 5 days until they sent me home, with a walker. The walker transitioned to a cane, and after a few weeks, I was finally able to walk without support and eventually faster than a sloth. The life of a NICU mom is not for the faint of heart. Monitors, beeping, wires, blood draws, feeding tubes, and babies that were smaller than dolls. One of my babies was less than 3 pounds at birth, but came out breathing on her own. Her brother, a mere 11 ounces bigger came out with an attitude and struggling to breathe. Those first 26 days as a mom are now a blur. But the one thing in clear focus was the overwhelming stress of my body failing me yet again.
Throughout my life, my body has “failed” me. Over and over again. “My body hates me.” That has been my catchphrase for 45 years. Infertility cut that wound even deeper, and left me with even bigger emotional scars than I had ever had before. Pregnancy made me feel like my body was finally doing something right. Finally! And then postpartum kicked my butt harder than I expected it to.
“The New Motherhood Roller Coaster”
Another animated short by Cara B.
Everyone tells you that your body knows what to do after you give birth. No one tells you the alternative. I expected to breastfeed my children because that’s “what you’re supposed to do”. Now, let me be very clear. I always knew that I would do what was best for my children, whether that was breastmilk or formula. But I wanted to breastfeed. I knew it was possible that I wouldn’t be able to, but I wanted to try. I sought support from lactation consultants, nurses, anyone who had any experience whatsoever with breastfeeding. Unfortunately, I was met with dead end after dead end. While I was able to breastfeed, it was minimal. Rather than supplementing my breastmilk with formula, I supplemented formula with breastmilk. For an entire year, I went through 5 different electric breast pumps, 4 manual breastpumps, 3 different haakaa-like pumps, dozens of specialty breast pump flanges, and more unique breast pump parts than I can list. None of these things helped. Appointment after appointment with various lactation consultants, but for that entire year, I never made enough breastmilk for my children. Even through triple feeding, pumping every 3-4 hours, nursing both babies at every feeding right before giving them formula… my body just didn’t “do” what it was “supposed” to do.
The weird thing about it all is that even if you’re prepared for the possibility that things won’t go the way you want or the way they’re supposed to, it doesn’t matter. It still hits you like a ton of bricks and messes with your mind. Just like infertility. It’s different, but it’s that same kick in the gut. And then the years that follow… After that first year, the stress changed. It didn’t get better or worse, it just got different. I still had to deal with my body doing it’s own thing, but most of the stress of parenting young children has revolved around choices I’ve made. It’s more “Was that the right call?”, “Does that choice make me a bad mom?”, “Am I screwing my kids up?”, “Am I too harsh with them?”, “Am I not harsh enough?”. Constantly questioning my parenting choices.
But, in that same vein is the joy of perimenopause. Ugh. I don’t even like saying it. Perimenopause came as a SHOCK to my system. It started when i was 42/43ish, but it didn’t really click that it was perimenopause making me forget things more than usual, lose my temper quicker than ever before, wake up feeling like i’m passed out in a swamp but it’s the dead of winter… you get the picture. The realization that menopause is on the horizon, and therefore, I’m not the 25 year old I was just last week. It’s a weird time in life, and yet again, those pesky reproductive hormones come and wreak havoc like they did during infertility, pregnancy, and the postpartum period.
And here we are.
Where it all began...
Ever since i was a young child, I always loved working with my hands. More than anything, I liked to make 3 dimensional things. Sometimes with clay, sometimes with paper and tape, and sometimes with wire coat hangers. I always assumed Id follow in my mom’s footsteps and be a professional artist. My mom was a middle school art teacher, but I knew that wasn’t for me. I didn’t want to teach and I didn’t want to deal with middle schoolers. But, I’m a people person and the thought of working in an art studio all day by myself was not appealing to me.
When i was 19, I worked as a dental assistant for my dad who was a dentist, and then I worked as a medical assistant for a group of surgical oncologists in Philadelphia. During my time working for the oncology group, I discovered an unexpected fascination with the human body and how it all works. I spent a lot of time attempting to figure out how to blend an art career with a biology career and nothing came to mind or sounded appealing. That all changed when I turned 21 and found a book that set me on the path to where I am now.
A Brand New Path
After reading the book “Do What You Are”, I learned a lot about myself. I learned my personality type, my interests, what kind of learner I am, and so much more. By the end of the book, I was presented with 3 careers that might be ideal for me. 1. Florist, 2. Psychologist, 3. Massage Therapist. A brief discussion with my best friend later, and I was signed up for massage school. When I graduated and worked at my first day spa in 2002, I quickly became interested in esthetics when most of my massage clients would follow up their massage with a facial. Within a few months, I was signed up for
esthetician school. Upon graduating in 2003 and passing the Pennsylvania state licensing exam, I began my career in the wellness industry.
From 2003 to 2008 I worked part time as a massage therapist and esthetician, while working part time at other jobs. worked for 2 years in psychology research studying schizophrenia, and found myself even more interested in how the human body works… particular our brains. But in 2007, when one of our patients took his own life, I decided it wasn’t for me, and I refocused on massage and skincare. In 2008, I took my first prenatal continuing education course and I FELL IN LOVE. I was absolutely fascinated by the massive changes in women’s bodies during pregnancy. I had no idea just
how interested I was, until I started seeing more and more pregnant clients.
I knew I wanted to start a business, but I didn’t feel comfortable diving in head first. The laws in Pennsylvania that govern esthetics fall under the Cosmetology state board, and are very strict. Estheticians are not allowed to do in home facials or practice in a space that is not inspected and licensed by the state board of cosmetology. So, I began offering in home massage therapy services and bridal makeup.
The Long Game
In 2010, I ended up in the emergency room with severe back pain which left me unable to walk. After a very long weekend of being admitted to the hospital and test after test, an MRI showed 2 herniated discs in my spine. My lower back to be precise. For months I was unable to walk or work, and through boredom, I taught myself how to to sew. My interest in sewing became so all consuming, that it became a very serious hobby, which later became a part time business known as Cara B. Design Studio.
In 2012, I married the love of my life and he encouraged me to continue to pursue my dreams of business ownership. I renamed my business Cara B. Design & Wellness. 2 years later, I quit my job managing a wellness center to focus on my business full time. The following year, I applied for my esthetician salon license and the state board of cosmetology came out, inspected my space, and approved my license. I worked in that beautiful studio space for 9 years.
2 years after leaving my full time job, I had a freak accident, and fell down a flight of stairs. I dislocated my shoulder during the fall, and then landed on it, cuasing my entire body weight to jam my shoulder back into place. Unfortunately, that fall caused a rotator cuff tear which required surgery and then cuased severe frozen shoulder. This entire ordeal put me out of work for over a year.
During this time of recovery, and intense physical therapy, I picked up a new hobby which turned into a part time business. I began making bath and body products including hand soaps, muscle balms, face oils, roll on perfume oils, and more. I had already had a background in aromatherpay, so I took my knowledge of plants, and my extensive education and experience with muscular, skeletal, and skin anatomy to make truly therapeutic skin and body care products.
This business proved to be more labor intensive than I could manage once I was pregnant with my kids, so I had to discontinue my bath and body product line after a couple of years. The experience of making my own bath and body products and the knowledge I amassed during this business adventure taught me a lot about cosmetic ingredients, which helped me grow as an esthetician. Rooted In Bloom was born.
All good things...
In February of 2020, my maternity leave was nearing its end and I had planned to return to work part time… and then the pandemic happened. I found myself unable to work due to the shutdowns, and massively overwhelmed with 9 month old twins. As a way of navigating the trauma of infertility from the other side of the battle, as well as navigating new motherhood as a stay at home mom, I started a podcast called, “The Hormonal Mama Podcast”. I focused on talking about anything and everything related to infertility. By the second season of my podcast, I was interviewing people within the women’s wellness industry, specifically infertility, pregnancy, and postpartum wellness.
I enjoyed my podcast, but I felt like something was missing. I wanted to help people more than I could via my podcast. So, I enrolled in an introduction to life coaching program to see if it felt right for me. I quickly realized that it did, and I furthered my coaching education and became a certified integrative wellness life coach. I wanted to help women struggling with infertility, but over time, as I got more first hand experience as a first time mom, I knew I wanted to help with more than the infertility struggle. I looked at my own fertility story and I knew that I couldn’t be the only woman in the world who had pregnancy complications, just like I wasn’t the only woman in the world who struggled with infertility. At this time, i was in the thick of my postpartum journey and I was struggling with breastfeeding and pumping, sleep deprivation, and all the stresses and anxieties of being a new mom. I expanded my coaching practice to include pregnancy & postpartum in addition to infertility.
By the fall of 2024, I was ready to get back to work full time. I continued offering my coaching services virtually, and I started seeing massage and facial clients more regularly at my studio. Soon after returning to work full time, my landlord sold the studio and a new landlord took over, with plans to make big changes to the studio space. Eventually I was left with no choice but to find a new space. Luckily, the stars were aligned because I very quickly found a new space. A beautiful space, closer to home, and perfect for my business.
In the Spring of 2025, after some necessary self-reflection and goal planning, it became glaringly obvious that Cara B. Design & Wellness no longer reflected my vision and it was time for a big change. I made the decision to rebrand and combine Cara B. Design & Wellness and The Hormonal Mama into one cohesive business, offering all of my wellness services. Years of personal and professional experiences prepared me for this moment.