Sacred Journey Midwifery

Oliver again. After his first breath he found the breast. Some babies come ready to seek food and comfort, and others need time to recover from their journey. The personality experienced during pregnancy is also apparent at the birth. Oliver Fox, coming his own way and in his own time, asking us to all trust him. Birth story is coming very soon indeed!

The pre-breath look. The transition between the placental oxygenation system and the cardiovascular system. Oliver is warm, and waiting upon mechanisms happening for him. Ducts in the heart are closing, blood volume is increasing which is absorbing residual fluid in the alveolar spaces. He will, for the first time, experience the NEED to breathe. All within 10 seconds to 60 seconds. This moment is so impressive to me. I am keenly aware of what the baby is going through, being careful to not interrupt the parents as they welcome their child during this radical transition. Birth story coming. #firsttimemom #waterbirth #sacredjourneymidwifery #homebirth #sons #fatherhood @xenham Photo by @photobynicolette Mom @drbeehappy Doula @agapebirthdoula

Kristina @krisme_ferris writes The beauty of homebirth I love this beautiful, musical family so much Not even two hours after River joined us in the big wide world, he was welcomed into the Cole family by his NeeNee and Popop and Daddy with the most beautiful impromptu rendition of Moon River (thank goodness for Mom Cole knowing literally everything and holding down the lyrics ) Thank you so much @barefootmidwife for always encouraging us to be still. I really reli...sh these peaceful after-birth moments with my loved ones. Each of our babies has been welcomed by a different set of family/friends, each time it is so special this time, it felt so right to have Mom and Pop Cole IN THE HOUSE for River’s journey here. After having lived with them for most of the pregnancy, there was something extra calming about hearing them downstairs between my contractions. Hearing Popop’s booming laugh and Hoarders on the TV yes, eventually someone had to ask that the volume be turned down, but only because I’d seen that episode already! I love these people, I’m so so glad they were here for these sweet midnight moments welcoming our son. The beauty of homebirth is when you can have these incredibly intimate, unrushed moments. Taking time to welcome our new little one, taking time to love on him and allowing a moment for each of us to honor this new connection before any exams or tests be done. What a miracle. Thanks for the music, Greatgranny Perlina We felt all the women elders helping usher him here and what a welcome he received

Tori and Trent hired us later in her pregnancy. She had very high ideals for what she wanted, including being able to decline routine things with informed consent and signed disclosures. We were such a good match on multiple levels. Every prenatal I walked away with new information from various things she was studying. Having been a former gymnast I strongly recommended Chiropracrtic care by @landerchiro. She can assess if the mama is hanging too deeply in the sympathetic ...nervous system and will remedy that before birth. Tori began care and I could see over time greater movement with her body, especially in her ligaments that supported her uterus. Both Dr. A and I sensed Tori would have an uneventful labor, with no major issues. And that was the reality. I am hoping she will write out her experience but suffice it to say, her baby found the way out in record time. #homebirth #sacredjourneymidwifery #waterbirth #socal #birthbywater #midwives See more

We visit our families in their home. I know this is not a reasonable choice for many midwives, but our children are all adults and I find some invaluable advantages to this. First, it appears that people are just more of themselves at their own home: this provides a window into the labor energy that will be present. Secondly, the preborn acclimate to our voices, our touch, and our energy in the house before labor. We are able to explore issues in greater detail because we ca...n stay if a great need arises. And this has happened before, where we were closing up a prenatal visit when the grandma shared some very disturbing information to her daughter before her first birth. The grandma knew that this would help her to enter her labor with a fuller perspective. We stayed and supported the conversation, which made the rest of the day late. Being a mobile midwives means I will be late and many times we have to re shuffle the schedule to meet the many needs a day may serve. So thank you all whom I have had to reschedule; I would do the same for you! I love how you can see me smiling in the #lefffetoscope #prenatal #antenatal #sacredjourneymidwifery @gin_za See more

Breinne Chavers wrote out her birth story, birthing after losing #sterlingwilde within a years span. In the beginning of December 2019, my 5th birth brought us Sterling, a wise and wild soul who only needed a mere six days to complete his work on earth. After his departure from this world, we were left with shattered souls and broken hearts. I gave birth, my womb was empty, but this time, so were my arms. And one day, in the midst of our grief, we learned of another who woul...d join our incomplete family. At the end of December 2020, another wild soul made her way to us earthside. After five fast labors, all between 1 and 5 hours long, I was used to rushing. I've rushed to hospitals, rushed to call the midwife while she rushed to get to me. We've even scrambled to fill the birth tub in time. My last three labors all began with my waters releasing and then, we didn't have much time before baby was born. Eisley knew I needed a little more time and I was delighted to have a labor begin with waves instead of the familiar burst and rush of waters. On the last day of December, I woke up with mild waves and called upon my birth team. The tub was already blown up and Randy lined and filled the pool, while my birth team trickled in. I was close to being fully dilated when everyone showed up, but baby was on the opposite side and needed to rotate all the way around before coming down to be born. I wasn't used to a relaxing, slower labor. Lisa Marie reminded me to enjoy my labor and that was something I had never considered before. Enjoy. I can enjoy this! It is work and it is hard, there will be some pain, but I can enjoy this. The waves felt intense, but far apart. I reached inside to feel where baby was and was discouraged by how high she felt. I knew we could have a while to go and I didn't want everyone waiting on me. Lisa Marie had to remind me again to enjoy this time. I got into the tub to float and relax during the waves.. please visit https://wilde-at-heart.com/2021/01/22/eisleys-birth-journey/ for the rest of the story or go to @wilde.atheart and click the link in her profile. #homebirth #birthafterloss #daughters #sacredjourneymidwifery @xenham

Sometimes she has to go there alone. We cannot pretend to know the journey an individual has to travel to see their baby, especially when grief is interwoven into the experience. Offering our presence is enough. #birthafterloss #homebirth @wilde.atheart

From @wynreeandmilosmama wrote I have had 1 live birth, 3 miscarriages, and 1 stillbirth. What some people don't understand is that all of my miscarriages and my stillborn son are just as real and are my children as my living daughter. Your pain and sorrow is real because your baby is real. Please don't be afraid or feel strange for talking about your Angel Babies, or naming them. They are now and forever a part of you and your story. For all my babies: Wynree Mae, Marley Quinn, Parker Reese, River Blake, and Milo Thomas. #stillbirth #miscarriage #homebirth

@wilde.atheart Randy gets it. #homebirth #birthafterloss #fathers

The snow had just started that evening, forecasted to drop a lot of snow in one day. Just in case I pulled my car out of the driveway so I wouldn’t have to plow that section, knowing that the streets would be plowed, but not till morning. I get a text from @milaward5 that her waves were closer now. @agapebirthdoula Kiesha arrived first with the pushing update right as I pulled into her driveway. It is wonderful to have a student who has attended so many births with me that ...she was half set up, calm, and absolutely confidence that the baby knew what to do. They parents had never met before, which I try and avoid whether possible, but Kiesha instantly connected, offering the gift of midwifery flawlessly. For those of you about to ask Where was Richard?, he was recovering from being ill. #studentmidwife #homebirth #fastbirth #daughters. Birth story to come! See more

Jeremy and Annalisa @annalisaschnitzler had told me that she was most excited about being able to experience her baby in that liminal space between born of her but not into the atmosphere. With her previous birth, her baby Lucia just swan right up and out of the water, which surprised us all. So with Louie she wanted to let him do his own thing and was hoping he would give her a second whilst still under the water to see him. Her birth was much more work than what you see h...ere! Please read her full birth story at www.HappySchnitzlers.com! *Disclaimer: Babies born underwater cannot take a breath until the head, namely the Trigeminal nerve (5th cranial nerve with receptors around the mouth and nose), is exposed to air and the constituents of air: gravity (14.7 pounds of pressure per square inch/ 2 kilos per sq. Millimeter) C02, Nitrogen, and Oxygen. This causes a ph change in the Cerebrospinal fluid. When placental blood flow ceases lung respiration can begin: this rapid change in right atrial pressure pushes the septum primum against the septum secundum, closing the foramen ovale. The ductus arteriosis begins to close almost immediately. Links for more info www.homebirthfacts.com Also, please follow Karen Strange @neonatalresuscitation to understand more about how babies transition post birth. #homebirth #waterbirth #studentmidwife #thisisbirth #naturalbirth #childbirth #birth #midwives #doulas #sacredmale #informedconsent #pregnancy #sacredjourneymidwifery Student midwives @xenham and @agapebirthdoula

From @hannah_mcneely Oh, it’s you! You were the one I was talking to as you grew each week. You were the one we found out about just as the country was shutting down. You were the one giving me hell and making it impossible to eat a damn salad. It was you we were talking about when we tried out our favorite names. You, the topic of so many conversations. That lady at the hair salon was pointing at YOU when she jokingly asked if I had just eaten a big lunch. You were there wh...en your daddy and I did crosswords at midnight during my sleep-preventing heartburn, when all I could eat was vegan cup of noodles, when I jumped in cold mountain creeks and lakes, when I flew to Maui to meet your youngest cousin. It was you all along! You and I had the most transformative birth experience. It was real life magic. And now you’re here. I both recognize you and I don’t because you’re both familiar and strange. Welcome to the outside, Cosmo Valentine McNeely. My heart explodes more and more every hour. #homebirth #waterbirth #studentmidwife #thisisbirth #naturalbirth #firster #childbirth #birth #midwives #informedconsent #pregnancy #sacredjourneymidwifery @xenham Photo by @ellenfisher See more

Being ambidextrous is a great advantage with suturing. Can you identify which instruments are for the left hand? #lefthanded #ambidextroussuturing

@ v.anayra Aryana and Rashad birth Lotus. I had prayed over the course of my pregnancy that Lotus would come healthy, free of complications, and would have a smooth descension coming earthside. On Sunday night I woke up around midnight not feeling well. I woke Rashad up & text my birth team to let them know things were picking up. The kids got picked up, Lisa & Richard shortly arrived followed by my aunt, mom, and Sara. I felt safe and ready. Between the waves I found mysel...f laughing, talking and cleaning. Once the waves grew stronger I found myself recalling passages from Ina Mays Guide to Childbirth. I remember reading to unclench your jaw with each wave that passed and I did just that. As I got back into the birthing tub for a second time,I could feel her come lower and lower. I remembered to not run from the pain but to surrender. I surrendered to my body, to my little girl, to God and from any fear that I had. A few minutes before the clock struck 8 AM Lotus Mae had made her way into the world. I did it. We did it. I remember gleeming in joy. I had freed myself of the shackles of self doubt and fear that I had. I surrendered. I trusted myself, and my body. I birthed our daughter Lotus Mae in the comfort of our home, in a room filled with love and familiar voices. The room was calm and serene. It truly was the birth I had envisioned and dreamed of. #waterbirth #naturalbirth #homebirth #midwives @yourwaterbirth #oasisbirthpools @xenham @echo_of_eden See more

Shavon births her daughter peacefully in her own home on her own terms. Pardon the moving lights as the video was taken with a night enhancing camera and the room was very dark and we were wanting to make sure she was transitioning well. I have noticed that when the heart rate is low, which is normal to a certain extent right after birth, a bit of touch goes a long way, or initiating the Moro Reflex (when babies splay their arms out when they startle) which causes a baby to pull a breath in, which gets the heart rate up quickly. Please keep comments respectful

Please do this for yourself if you are pregnant!

Shetera @velasandwicks had two babies before her Homebirth with us. We will post a longer version of her labor that includes some clips of her waves. Often people think the birthers are so calm but it’s mostly because the head is out. Shetera managed to push out her daughter OP (posterior) without any lacerations. She was intentional with letting herself stretch. I am always amazed at how our bodies work! #posterior #sacredjourneymidwifery #homebirthing #homebirth @xenham

Self care IS how we properly care for others. I have such a deep respect for every #midwife, #doula, #monitrice, #birthassistants and #obstetrician. This work is closely tied with trauma: past trauma, current traumas, or the trauma we can unknowingly create for those we have promised to serve. The providers see and experience so much that those who know us deeply don’t understand how we can do what we do. @krystadancymft teaches a trauma course for birth workers and one aspec...t that really hit home was the need to care for ourselves. So much is said of trauma for the pregnant person, but what is being done for those who serve and witness it? We need tending to. PLEASE take her course if you can! #birthtraumasupport One of the participants recommended the book #traumastewardship (swipe) and I a eager to dive in. The October babies are going to start a’ comin’! See more

Saw this the other day and just HAD to share it! The evidence surrounding the benefit of midwifery care is overwhelming so grateful we get to do what we do!

Happy National Daughter’s Day to my Elizabeth Catherine (@catcassio ) who was my true first homebirth and blew my heart open to love! She is dynamic and a fabulous singer. My other daughter, Richard’s Katheryn Elizabeth (@littleox ) is always thinking of others and has a heart for the underdog. I love you both so much! A day late but not short on meaning! #nationaldaughtersday @ Tustin, California

From @ashmyers_ My midwife wrote an adorable children’s book on water birth. I bought it for Blake and the boys when I was doing my first water birth with Rhett. It’s probably one of Blake’s favorite books. I always find this book next to or on her bed. Yesterday, I had my first appointment with @barefootmidwife to check on our newest little babe. When I laid down on the couch, Blake instantly sat on the end of the couch and held my feet. Just as the little girl did with her mom in the book. My midwife instantly pointed it out. I thought it was precious. Blake is excited to be witnessing this whole home birth process again. Her gently holding my feet made my heart melt. @teggydee who did the art. @agapebirthdoula who is the doula depicted here. #birthbooks #waterbirthpreparation #sacredjourneymidwifery @lisamarieoxenham

Following up the the previous post. First prenatal with Breinne @wilde.atheart with this newest sibling to the Chaver clan! Visits with those who have had a loss need even more time to integrate joy and grief. We spent far more time talking, remembering than diagnostics and planning, although the latter do not lack in priority and significance. I’m sure the time balance will change as we approach the birthing time. #infantloss #homebirth #sacredjourneymidwifery #prenatalcare #pregnancy

Remember this baby a few videos down with @s_nunn09 ‘s baby Kawhi? #homebirth #sixweeksold #waterbirth #waterbaby

This is a novel written about Dr. Semmelweis. You will cry and mourn all of the unnecessary deaths of thousands of women and children, while rejoicing for the lives he did save. #handwashing #drsemmelweiss #semmelweis

Today we honor Dr. Semmelweis, who died this day in 1865. He discovered handwashing and was shamed by his colleagues for even implying that doctors could transmit disease. The surgeons would do an autopsy on a woman who died in childbirth and then go try and attend a delivery, transmitting puerperal fever to the other women. He figured out the issue and began an experiment of sorts. He died in shame and his treatise he wrote was not acknowledged for its genius until after 1880, when Joseph Lister (think Listerine) figured out antisepsis. Check out my stories to a link. #semmelweis #handwashing #peurperalfever