SCV Birth Center

Every day! I love being a community midwife. If we didn’t catch your baby in your house, we most likely did a home visit on you 24-36 hours after you gave birth. One of the many benefits of community midwifery is the home visit to check on you and your new baby. We offer all the tests that are done in the hospital in the comfort of your home and most likely in the comfort of your cozy bed. ... #homeiswheretheheartis #scvmidwife #communitymidwife #santaclaritamidwife #scvbirthcenter @ohiohillsmidwifery

Your breasts don’t flip a switch at some arbitrary point and start producing hindmilk instead of foremilk. Instead, think of the beginning of a nursing session as being like turning on a hot water faucet. The first water you get out of the tap isn’t usually hot, but cold. As the water runs, it gradually gets warmer and warmer and warmer. This is what happens with the fat content in mom’s milk mom’s milk gradually increases in fat content until the end of the feeding. The ...breast only makes one type of milk. The term foremilk refers to the milk at the beginning of a feeding; hindmilk refers to milk at the end of a feeding, which has a higher fat content than the milk at the beginning of that particular feeding. There is no sharp distinction between foremilk and hindmilkthe change is very gradual. @kellymomdotcom #scvbirthcenter #proudibclc #breastfeeding #midwifelactationconsultant #humanmilkforhumanbabies

Birth can be a family affair. When the older kids are given the opportunity some are super eager to participate. Here is big brother cutting the cord of his newest sibling. ... #scvbirthcenter #scvmoms #scvbabies #valenciamidwife #homebirth #normalizebirth #scvmidwife #friendsforlife

Siblings. Today on my hike I meet three older men - all brothers, ages 73-69. They were the 3 boys in a family of 7. Just out for a hike. Friends for life. The gift of a lifetime... #siblings #friendsforlife #scvbirthcenter #scvbirthcenterbabies #waterbirth #borninthesametub

Deep breathing increases the supply of oxygen to your brain and stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes a state of calmness. Breathing techniques help you feel connected to your bodyit brings your awareness away from the worries in your head and quiets your mind. Deep breathing and relaxation activate the other part of your nervous system, the parasympathetic nervous system, which sends a signal to your brain to tell the anxious part that you're safe... and don't need to use the fight, flight, or freeze response. The parasympathetic system controls your rest, relax, and digest response. When the parasympathetic system is dominant, your breathing slows, your heart rate drops, your blood pressure lowers, and your body is guided back into a state of calm and healing. Putting your body in a parasympathetic state is easier than you might think; it just takes a slight manipulation of the breath. #breathoflife #deepbreaths #breathwork #scvbirthcenter #midwifetalk

The gift of siblings If given the opportunity to have another child, some parents may experience a pang of sadness for their first born Grieving that they will have to divide their attention how will your heart ever love another child as much as your first?... my word for you is that having another child is not about dividing the firstborn’s allotment of love. It’s about giving him more. my wish for you is that as your nest expands so will your heart my wisdom knows our hearts grow exponentially with each precious child I am humbled and grateful for the families that invite me back time and time again to support them as their family grows #siblings #bornathome #scvbirthcenter #scvbcbabies #gottacatchemall

That rooting reflex is strong! The rooting reflex happens when the corner of a baby's mouth touches the skin or nipple. You can also trigger the reflex by stroking or gently touching the corner of a baby's mouth. A baby will then reflexively turn their head to follow and root in that direction. #scvbirthcenterbaby ... #scvbirthcenter #chunkymonkey See more

Hello world! This one is mighty! #readyfortheworld #scvmidwife ... #scvbirthcenterbaby See more

When Momma is working her way out of the birth tub, Dad gets some skin-to-skin time before baby goes back into her arms to begin their breastfeeding journey. The immediate connection partners get to experience with their baby in a community birth setting is so special. Partners matter! Their experience is important. Fostering that immediate connection is what we do. ... #scvbirthcenter #scvbabies #naturalbirth #midwives #fatherhood #waterbirthbaby #communitybirth #skintoskin #2chronicles714

2020 has been a wild ride! Thank you all for trusting us to accompany you on your journeys. The silver lining of covid has been the spotlight put on out-of-hospital-births. May you all find the silver lining in your lives and as we ring in the new year. May 2021 be filled with blessing for you and your families ... Photo credit @couchiephotography #scvbirthcenter #seeya2020 #scvbc #scvfamiles #seeyouin9months

As the year draws to a close, we at the SCV Birth Center are so thankful and honored that you allowed us to be a part of your journey during this wild ride of 2020. #joytotheworld

The last night of Chanukah and perhaps our last catch of 2020. This year has been such a wild ride. We have had the great blessing of catching babies, making friends, supporting families, setting boundaries, letting go things that don’t serve us, always learning and growing. Giving thanks and praise for the opportunity to serve our beautiful community. May we all be kind to one another and see the blessings that are before us. #scvbirthcenter ... #babycatchers #scvmidwives #scvbcbabies #tiredmidwives See more

Reposted from @avivaromm There is a tremendous amount unknown about the virus, the cure, and even prevention. With a vaccine coming to market so quickly, there are inevitably uncertainties, including about safety and efficacy. As with all pharmaceuticals -- adverse effects often don’t come to light until post-market surveillance of many users over a length of time. Without being able to rely on years of clinical studies and longitudinal outcomes tracking there’s a lot we j...ust don’t know at this time. Whether to receive this vaccine is a matter for deep personal consideration and decision-making, weighing personal concern and lifestyle, risks, and a very real and very serious global pandemic. Therefore, as with all vaccines, I do not share what I will do, or what I think you should do. For pregnant and breastfeeding mamas, however, the guidance is more clear. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), states there are no data as yet on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnancy, either from human or animal studies. Given the lack of evidence, JCVI favours a precautionary approach, and does not currently advise COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy. For breastfeeding mamas, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (RCOG) says that, women who are breastfeeding are also currently advised not to have the vaccine. Mamas at high risk - including frontline workers - are encouraged to consider the vaccine when done breastfeeding. ACOG recommends they not be withheld from pregnant or BF’ing women who meet criteria for vaccination based on benefits outweighing risks. The FDA cautions pregnant and breastfeeding moms against getting the vaccine due to lack of data. As data evolves, I’ll update you. PS. This post is meant for your information and support. Infighting, trolling, etc., will not be tolerated and such posts will be removed. Please be respectful - these are scary and uncertain times, with tough decisions to make. #informeddecisionmaking #riskvsbenefit #vaccinechoices

Showing the next generation the miracle of birth. When we teach the beauty of birth rather than the fear of birth I believe we can change how the next generation experiences birth. Photo cred to the fantastic @veroscula ... #scvhomebirth #scvmidwife #normalizebirth #scvbirthcenter

Hanukkah is not just a festival of lights and dedication; it is also a festival of love, happiness, and blessings. Happy Hanukkah from our family to yours! #lightthelights ... #festivaloflights #celebratelife #godspromises #peacelovejoy See more

Everyone has a heart beat During prenatals @scvbirth sometimes everyone gets a check up. But, of course, only if they consent #bodyautonomy ... #informedbirth #bigbrother #scvbirthcenter #scvbirth #midwifecheckup See more

No matter how or where you birth ... sometimes our birth plans don’t turn out how we thought they would. It’s okay to grieve that plan. We can grieve that loss and still love and be thankful for our babies. Grief, love, gratitude and many other emotions can co-exist. ... #emotionsarenteasy #grieflove #birthplandisrupted #bestlaidplans #godsplan

The Cord of Three Strands A normal umbilical cord has two arteries and one vein. This is known as a three-vessel cord. It is covered by a thick gelatinous substance known as Wharton's Jelly. In this picture, which I think looks like a smiley face, shows the two arteries - the eyes and the bigger vein - the mouth. ... Once baby has been born, the quick temperature change to the umbilical cord will forceWharton’s Jelly to compress the 3 vessels, essentially creating a natural cord clamping over a period of 5 minutes. This process gives the baby a chance to obtain a few extra benefits. It is common in most western hospitals to immediately cut the umbilical cord after birth. Most midwives in the community setting (ie out-of-hospital birth) will delay cord clamping until the placenta is born. If you’re growing a little human right now, consider having this conversation with your healthcare provider before delivery. Your body was designed to create life perfectly and it doesn’t end once the baby is out. Wharton’s Jelly can safely clamp the cord when the time is just right, if given ample opportunity. Another fascinating bit of trivia ... The Cord of Three Strands is also referenced by Solomon in the Old Testament in Ecclesiastes 4:12. #godsdesign #science #scvmidwife #scvbirthcenter #delayedcordclamping

Vernix offers many benefits for baby when you leave it on and rub it in. 1 It’s unique to humans. According to present knowledge, vernix production is unique to humans. About 61% of the proteins found in this white substance, can only be found in vernix. And humans are the only ones that produce it, making ittruly unique. 2 It’s a skin cleanser and antioxidant... 3 It offers a protective covering while going through the birth canal. This allows baby to pick up good bacteria as well as potentially avoidovergrowths of bad bacteria, viruses and fungi in the mother’s vagina including: * E. coli * Group B Strep * Staph aureus * Pseudomonas aeruginosa * Candida albicans * Listeria monocytogenes * Serratia marcescens * Klebsiella pneumonia These pathogens can cause things like diarrhea, meningitis and pneumonia in newborn infants. 4 It insulates the baby. With its thick, waxy coating, Vernix helps to insulate the baby.Infants who have itimmediately washed off have a significantly higher rate of heat loss. 5 Minimizes birth trauma. Birth can be a traumatic or stressful time for a baby. The vernix acts as a lubricant in the vaginal canal. This helps baby make his transition into the outside world, and decreases friction during birth. Vernix also smells of mama,which may provide comfort and ease of bonding post birth. @mamanatural #birthdayfrosting #scvbirthcenter #thebodyisamazing #skintoskin

The Bag of Water or Amnionic Sac. This is a photo showing the amnion and the chorion which make up the bag that contains the amniotic fluid. The amniotic fluid protects the developing baby; ... It helps to regulate the baby's temperature; It contains antibodies which help protect the baby from infection. The amniotic fluid also helps the baby to move in the womb, which allows for proper bone growth. It keeps a constant temperature around the baby, protecting from heat loss. #midwifelife #placentageek #scvmidwife #scvbirthcenter

We may not know the result but ... The stage is set The mood is set The mind is set... The will is set The journey will now unfold This is the beauty of birth #homebirth #scvmidwife #borninwater #waterbirth #itsinthejourney @scvbirth

Papi, Papa, Daddy, Dad, Pops, Abba whatever you call him let’s give them a big shout out for being there to offer so much support. They may not be doing the physical labor but here are just a few of the things they do: a sip of water a cold compress a gentle word of encouragement a sweet kiss... a mighty back rub a powerful double hip squeeze a prayer warrior and so much more #homebirthdads #godlymen #scvmidwives #scvbirthcenter #homeiswheretheartis

A baby may: Be unable to latch on to the breast at all. Be unable to latch on deeply, causing nipple pain and damage. Have difficulties staying on the breast, making a clicking sound as they lose suction. Splutter and choke when coping with fast flowing milk.... Breastfeed constantly to get enough milk. Have poor weight gain or need supplementation to maintain adequate weight gain. Develop jaundice that needs treating. Be fussy at the breast when the milk flow slows. Develop colic. The breastfeeding person may experience: Pain during feeds, with damaged nipples. Nipple may be compressed or distorted into a wedge shape like that of a new lipstick immediately after feeding, often with a stripe at its tip. Engorgement, blocked ducts and mastitis because of ineffective milk removal. Low milk production because of ineffective milk removal. Oversupply if baby compensates for not being able to breastfeed well by nursing very frequently. Tiredness, frustration and discouragement. A premature end to breastfeeding. @lalecheleagueusa #scvmidwife #tonguetied #breastfeedingsupport #itsnotafad

Informed decision making is your right. That means you are entitled to ask the questions and deserve all the information until you fully understand your options. Before anyone touches your body you have the right to understand what the plan is and how the information will help you move forward and make decisions that are right for you. #midwiferymodelofcare ... #informedconsent #scvmidwife #scvbirthcenter #consentmatters See more

Big brother taking his job very seriously during his momma’s prenatal @scvbirth Part of midwifery care is supporting the whole family. Birth is a sacred event and needs to be treated with reverence. Teaching our next generation that birth matters, touch matters, respect matters, body autonomy matters, and that consent is imperative. During these challenging times we hope to help bring joy and comfort even if just for a few minutes. ... Your birth matters.

Haha so true! Hang in there everyone! (I know, I know- next year is too soon to do it all again)