A Mother's Light

06/11/2019

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10/10/2019

The headline below is the topic I’ll be keynoting at DONA International Leadership Summit in Houston next week. Doulas and Midwives: Keeping the Kinship.

And, tomorrow is the beginning of National Midwifery Week.

There is much confusion in our country about midwives and doulas. What are they? What do they do? Are they safe? As if both have unicorn-like features sneaking around the margins of the US maternal health landscape.

Why are we warriors for better birth? Because we believe labor and birth is a normal physiologic event for most women. And that healthy women should not be cared for as high risk. That overuse of technology is a major variable in the escalating c-section rate and contributing factor to maternal mortality. And evidence shows that thru education, ongoing assessment and continuous supportive presence families can have an empowering experience with better outcomes and reduced cost of care. We also believe that choice in the services families can access is essential. Women are too often being told what to do, rather than being given information to make their own decisions. Why? Space, staffing, time, fear of liability... Hospitals are increasingly at capacity with inductions skyrocketing at 39 weeks, low and stressed nursing staff have little time to offer options let alone give the care they want to provide at the bedside. And, we have an epidemic of rural hospital closures causing increased risk for women who must now travel great distances without a plan of integrated support.

I could go on...

Until the US establishes national policy that elevates motherhood, and works collectively to design a NEW model of better birth such as UKs five-year plan, we will continue to see preventable maternal events correlated to poor systems of care. Take a look at UKs vision. The entire 5-year plan (outlined in 125 pp) is demonstrative of taking on challenging conversations.https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/national-maternity-review-report.pdf

“Our vision for maternity services across England is for them to become safer, more personalised, kinder, professional and more family friendly; where every woman has access to information to enable her to make decisions about her care; and where she and her baby can access support that is centred around their individual needs and circumstances. And for all staff to be supported to deliver care which is women centred, working in high performing teams, in organisations which are well led and in cultures which promote innovation, continuous learning, and break down organisational and professional boundaries.”



https://www.wnpr.org/post/women-america-are-dying-childbirth-are-midwives-and-doulas-answer-0

29/09/2019

Women in America die more frequently from complications of childbirth than in any other industrialized nation in the world. In addition, women of color are

22/09/2019

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I am so excited to share this beautiful en caul birth gallery with you all. Jessica and Alvin labored, connected through every contraction for 12 hours on the day of the full moon. Jessica gave birth to her sweet baby girl just as she imagined it. In a birth pool in her home surrounded by a birth team she carefully thought through to support her during pregnancy, birth and the important postpartum.
Jessica kept moving and went up and down two flights of stairs a few times while working through her contractions and getting her daughter moving down and ready to come earth side.

The moment of birth was so special coming out in the sac with an added magical touch being surrounded by fairy lights around the birth tub and Jessica dancing back and forth in the water to the low hum of labor land.

I must make note that Alvin was such an incredible support and I hope these images can serve an example to all the nervous fathers out there who don't know how they can help, that they are so important during birth.

From Jessica:
I’ve always dreamed of having a natural water birth in my home. Even as a child, I'd always been amazed by the beauty of birth. I was always amazed at how a woman's body could change so drastically during pregnancy - creating, nourishing and nurturing life. I'd always taken this seriously, probably a little more seriously than my peers as my husband would say. I've always known the importance of choosing a loving, caring and supportive partner; among other things. I remember telling my girlfriends in middle school, how whenever I had a baby, I wanted my baby in water and they would come out swimming, we all laughed. I mean, those aren't the exact logistics of water birth, but you get the point. On Aug 15, the night of a full moon; that dream came true for me. I was able to let go of myself and give in to the instinctual drift of my body and roar my sweet daughter earth side with my carefully picked birth team.

Images by Kate Carlton Photography (www.katecarltonphotography.com)

01/09/2019

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

30/08/2019

🧡

27/08/2019

Your baby is protected.

21/08/2019

15/08/2019

Please remember to be kind with your words and your approach. Something innocent can be hurtful. Sending love and light to all the beautiful woman on this journey.

04/08/2019

LOOK AT THAT CONTRACTION THO 😱 The human body is INCREDIBLE. It’s irrelevant how it looks- it’s whole function is just to, well, function. And if your body did not or could not birth vaginally, don’t think you are less rad somehow. Your organs were set outside your body, your baby came out through your stomach, and after it was all put back together your body healed itself back up because you are a goddamn GODDESS. 😍 Love you mamas. H/t Meredith Westin Photography: Birth Stories and Films with
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My business partner Gina () is the best doula I know. We had the privilege of attending two births together in the last week and I am always so impressed by how invested, intuitive, and fun she is at births. In this photograph, she’s sitting with our client as she works through contractions on our favorite labor spot: the dilation station (also known as the toilet! 🤣). Her gentle touch let our client know that she was supported, and her words reminded our client to keep her body soft and her shoulders relaxed.
Let’s make this a doula appreciation post! Who was your doula? What’s something about them that will always stick with you?

04/08/2019

In honor of National Breastfeeding Month, I just want to say that no matter your avenue of feeding you are absolutely amazing! For the month of August I am offering Nurture Portrait Sessions. I want to document your story of the loving bond you form feeding your Baby, no matter your feeding style!
Hair Hillary Richardson
Makeup Amanda Clark
Beautiful Mommas and Babies Mykel Cooper Courtney Espejo Tiffiny Grace
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02/08/2019

To improve access to safe birth at home, nationwide standards are necessary.

31/07/2019

Hump Day newborn laughter!

30/07/2019

The safety of home birth in low risk women has been confirmed.

28/07/2019

Doula Melina

28/07/2019

When your taxi driver turns into your doula!

27/07/2019

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21/07/2019

Did you know a comb can be used during labor?! And no its not for your hair.

When gripped in your hands, a comb can help hit acupuncture points in your hands.

It also plays into the gate control pain theory. This theory states that the brain can only focus on a select number of sensations. Because the nerve endings are closer on your hands they reach your brain faster. Helping your body forget about the contractions.

ETA: For those who have asked how to hold it Having the comb hit at the base of the fingers (across the palm of your hand).

15/07/2019

Do you know the benefits for both mother and baby by having an undisturbed first hour after birth? Here are 7 massive benefits worth considering.

08/07/2019

Birth is beautiful, no matter how a child enters the world.

23/06/2019

😍

13/06/2019

"...a bill aimed at reducing racial biases in maternal health care, called the Maternal CARE Act, which would create incentives for medical schools to educate students about racial bias in maternal health care so that it can be prevented." http://ow.ly/oYD230oI5aq

10/06/2019

Joy 🧡

Baby Royer's success story brings hope to families whose unborn babies have been diagnosed with spina bifida. Royer was born last week in Texas with the debi

15/05/2019

When s***m meets the egg.....

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13/05/2019

Reposted from - The stories we tell ourselves
Become the beliefs our daughters carry
In their hearts and minds
About their bodies, their worthiness
And their voice

To heal ourselves is to follow
The deepest calling of our soul
This is why we've come to be
Here and now

When we say yes to this calling
We are liberating lineages
Replacing pain with power
And fear with love

So when our little girls become strong women
They aren't burdened with the old stories
We brought with us
From the past

Old voices that said
"Love hurts, it's hard to find...
He didn't want you, he didn't want us
You're broken
Or dirty
Or ashamed..."
No, those stories are not ours to carry.
We will not pass those whispers on... And so we do the hard work
We face our demons and find our light

So our daughters may carry new stories
Of strength, of courage and trust
And impart this wisdom of healing
On the generations that follow

So the women that pass
Through our daughters bodies, and their daughters bodies
Arrive stronger
As fierce feminine leaders
Healers
Medicine Women
Teachers
And Gentle Mothers
With deep wells of maternal love to draw from
And the capacity to receive

When the darkness reaches out to you
And holds out its hand
Remember this wild woman, you are not alone
We walk this path together

This is the gift we give to our daughters
When we embark on the healing path
It's a hard job
But no one else can do this for us.
It’s up to you, and me, and us
to Rise
Words of
Photo by of stunning mama
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