Cat’s Cradle Doula Services

Normal birth magic

You read that right. Per ACOG's 2019 VBAC guidelines, the risk of maternal death during a planned VBAC is 0.0019%. Expressed another way, that is a risk of 1 i...n 52,600. Did you have any idea the risk was that low? Whereas the risk of maternal death with an elective repeat cesarean after one cesarean is 0.0096% or 1 in 10,000. Again, both really small numbers but the risk of maternal death is five times higher in a repeat cesarean. This is why when pregnant people are threatened with "you could die if you plan a VBAC," it falls flat. But it is often really successful in coercing someone into a repeat cesarean... as well as eroding patient autonomy and any trust when the birthing person learns the facts. As a L&D nurse told me, "There is no real informed consent anymore." This is just yet another example. #vbac #vbacfacts #vbacaccess #repeatcesarean #plannedvbac #TOLAC #ACOG #ACOGguidelines #informeddecisions #informedchoices #patientautonomy #doula #midwifery #midwiferycare #midwives #hospitalbirth #homebirth #birthcenterbirth #laboranddeliverynurse #obgyn #birthprofessional #birthworkers #pregnancy

Did you know zinc can help with pms?

Mothers around the world

"Our cultural norm of hospitals as the safest places to give birth reflects both medical and sociological assumptions that may no longer hold up."

Some great educational opportunities are popping off at the original instructions school, check it out! Doula trainings, herbalism for midwives, and more!

Breastmilk Production It is so important for women to have an understanding of how our breasts make milk. Our breasts contain clusters of cells called Alveo...li. Milk production occurs within those cells. After birth our brain releases Oxytocin and Prolactin when we birth the placenta, and baby snuggles with us and begins nursing. The receptors inside the Alveoli pick up on the Prolactin and then begin producing milk within themselves! When baby breastfeeds, Oxytocin is released which squeezes the Alveoli and causes milk to come down get out through our milk ducts. This is often referred to as a let-down. Pretty amazing, huh? As we continue our breastfeeding journey our milk supply becomes more driven on supply and demand. When the Alveoli are filled with milk they change shape which stop them from being receptive to Prolactin. But when the cells empty during breastfeeding or pumping, they go back to their regular shape and this allows Prolactin to re-enter and signal them to make more milk! This is the science behind why we often remind women that empty breasts make milk faster! Words and #Repost by @doulalyndsay #lactation #breastfeeding #breastmilk #breastfeedingisbeautiful #birth #homebirth #love #birthkeeper #doula #lactationconsultant #lactationsupport #midwife #freebirth #breastfeedingmom #breastfeedingmama

Alternative Feedings How did you feed your baby? There are many ways to successfully feed your new baby, let’s normalize alternative feedings ... @motherboardbirth #birthmatters #blackbirthmatters #inclusivebirth #lgbtq #blackwomen #indigenouslivesmatter #representationmatters #birthjustice #transbirth #equalaccess #reproductivejustice #empoweredbirth #birthequality #birthisdiverse #lgbtqbirth #birthisbeautiful #blackmamasmatter #motherboardbirth #baby #birth #lactation

Nothing about Birth is clean. But oh how we try. Fresh linens Bright lights Antiseptic... And it still comes out A mess. Shit, blood, mucus, Hips writhing Breasts swollen Anyone who’s witnessed birth Knows It’s worse than sex. And we grasp This thing With sterile gloves As if terrified To touch Something so honest. If only birth came In a sweet smelling onesie Fresh diaper And oiled skin. A tidy package From the stork. At least it’s Conceived in a hidden place Where muffled screams And furtive glances Acknowledge Our shame. But in birth, You must, Spread your legs Before the world. Scream And ruin the sheets. There is no other way. Needles, Knives, The best we can offer Is to not Feel. It takes a bold woman Breasts swollen, Hips writhing, Shit, blood, mucus To stand exposed. To birth Herself Before the world Without shame. - J.M. Wild Painting by Amanda Greavette

"Vernix Caseosa. Did you know that this incredible substance serves so many purposes?! It is a white, creamy biofilm that appears in the last trimester produc...ed in part by fetal sebaceous glands. It is unique to humans! It acts as protection for the baby’s skin. It’s akin to Shea butter in texture. (Could you imagine soaking in water for 9 months? This stuff creates a barrier between the water and the skin. Genius!) It acts as an insulator, keeping in warmth. When left on the skin to be absorbed, helps the skin transition to a land environment by providing moisture and reducing the rate of skin dehydration. Often seen in babies born before 40 weeks but that is just the average, some babies have little to none before 40 weeks and some babies are frosted at 42 weeks. It has its own microbiome! It contains oils and antibiotic peptides. An anti-microbial barrier of sorts! Plus, it is seeded by beneficial bacteria from the birth canal. The vernix within amniotic fluid when swallowed by the fetus has potential effects on the developing gut! I’m not even kidding. I had to stop adding brilliant facts about vernix because Instagram said no more room. There are loads more magical facts all about vernix!" [Image credit: H20 Photography @h2o_sonya] [Original post by Erica Andrews @laughing.moon] . #Repost @bellybellybaby . . #bellybellybaby #birth #vernix #vernixcaseoso #vernixcaseosa #vernixbaby #vernixbabies #birthphotography #magical #beautyofbirth #naturalbirth #midwife #doula #birthsupport

These dilation pumpkins are the scariest thing I’ve seen all night. It was set up by midwives at the Royal Oldham Hospital in Lancashire, England as part of a pumpkin decorating competition.

All the eggs a woman will ever carry form in her ovaries while she is a four-month-old fetus in the womb of her mother. This means our cellular life as an egg ...begins in the womb of our grandmother. Each of us spent five months in our grandmother’s womb, and she in turn formed in the womb of her grandmother. We vibrate to the rhythm of our mother’s blood before she herself is born, and this pulse is the thread of blood that runs all the way back through the grandmothers to the first mother. ~ Layne Redmond, When the Drummers were Women Artwork ~ "Triple Goddess" ~ Amy Haderer ~ www.mandalajourney.com

Hormonal imbalances are one of the most common concerns I see in my practice - including period problems, PCOS, fertility challenges, or menopause symptoms. Vit...ex, nature’s hormonal balancer, can be an amazing ally. It is one of my favorite herbs for women because it’s been used for so long traditionally, and modern research has demonstrated profound implications for hormone health. Here are some of the ways this powerful herb can impact your health and your life: PMS: Vitex is the #1 herb used for reductions in PMS symptoms, including breast tenderness, irritability, anxiety, depression, menstrual migraines, and menstrual cramps. Irregular Cycles: Regular use of Vitex has shown benefit for irregular menstrual cycles, including menorrhagia (frequent or heavy periods), dysmenorrhea (painful period), and amenorrhea (lack of menstruation). PCOS: Vitex extract regulates ovulation, increases fertility, and improves progesterone in women with PCOS. Vitex has been shown to be effective in reversing the adverse effects of hormonal imbalance in PCOS. Fertility and Pregnancy: Vitex promotes fertility, and has been used to prevent miscarriage in women who have a history of miscarriage, possibly due to effects on progesterone. Menopause: may help treat menopausal symptoms including vaginal dryness, sleep problems, and hot flashes. Because it has very few side effects, it can also be used during perimenopause if periods are irregular, and to provide emotional symptom relief. Vitex isn't a pregnancy herb per se, and while it's not dangerous, I don't generally recommend its use in pregnancy with the exception of women who were on it for history of miscarriage with low progesterone, under the guidance of a skilled women’s herbal practitioner. Vitex at the lower dose is commonly recommended for BF'ing support and to increase lactation; however, at the higher dosage range it could actually suppress breastmilk production. To learn more about this powerhouse herb in addition to my other tips for balancing your hormones naturally - head to the link below. And tell me below, what herbs, if any, have you found most important for your hormone health? https://avivaromm.com/vitex-hormones/

#Repost @voices4birthjustice COVID-19 has impacted many exciting milestones for expecting parents such as baby showers, gender reveal parties and childbirth... classes. . In order to support Black, Latin/x, Indigenous and Pacific Islander parents and families to prepare for low-intervention births during these hard times, the California Preterm Birth Initiative and @Sisterwebdoulas are joining together to host a free childbirth education class for communities of color . Led by Sisterweb Doulas, the class will especially focus on educating partners and family members to step in as a birthing support person since COVID hospital restrictions limit the number of people in the birthing room. . This will be an interactive class that will help participants feel more confident through the birth of their child. # [Link in bio] See more