Doula supported cesarean birth was rare before the pandemic, extremely rare now, and almost unheard of in Northern Michigan. Often, huge amounts of resistance by policy, staff and care providers lead to being separated from clients until recovery. This was not the case for this family, or birth setting. Read more with me about a family-centered cesarean birth!
Each client that has welcomed me into their circle of support has been so unique. Learning about them, their past, and their lives allows me to support them physically, emotionally, and spiritually (when desired). I often wonder if they realize that they do the same, for me.
One of my most cherished pieces of advice that I pass along to new families came to me from the wisdom of my Sister and her Mothering instincts. With bodies comprised of about 60% water (as adults), it makes sense to trust and utilize this essential element during pregnancy, birth, and life.
When a seasoned Nurse spoke these words to me at the birth of a first time Mother it confirmed a variety of misconceptions & sad truths about the culture of birth experienced in the lives of families in the U.S. today.
There are few things that intrude upon my mind like the misinformation given to pregnant people that does nothing more than undermine their confidence to birth their baby. Several times now I’ve been left scratching my head after visits with clients and hearing updates about… Read More »Narrow Vagina or Narrow Minded?
The open-ended nature of working with folks that have a wide range of backgrounds and pregnancy in-common often leads to curious adventure, and sometimes tight-chested moments. Gratitude is always the outcome.
I used to believe that dreams, by definition, were unobtainable. It seemed foolish to have lofty goals with no clear path. Learning that inspiration is forged under flame and intensity is a lesson I hold close and share with my families. I was in my… Read More »When a dream is born
To be trusted with the deepest of human emotions and vulnerability while supporting pregnant and birthing women is a path laced with sharp edges and great reward. My personal reproductive experiences are quite vast and include an induction at 38 weeks gestation with a (failed)… Read More »Cloaked in Red; Living. Breathing. Birth.
Statistics, data, tests and machines are often higher on the decision making scale of importance when it comes to having a baby. But what are we replacing with these numbers on a chart? Have we lost sight of the things that actually promote safety during… Read More »Birth, Rainbows, and Daisies
With a body that never stops changing and being neck-deep in a culture that dictates everything from what clothing to wear and how to behave it’s understandable that as a Woman of the U.S. – It’s taken all of my life thus far to accept… Read More »Sitting in Sisterhood. Finally.