Pacific Midwifery

We can’t be separated from our cellular beginnings. Today, my dad turns 84. This is the original of his footprints from all those years ago. His mom saved them. Found them important enough to pass to him. He found them important enough to not only keep, but pass to me. I am not the sum total of my genetics, but I do find myself bound to them. Complicated as our relationships grow over time, the basics hold fast these small feet. How glorious was the day those feet came into... being? How glorious all the feet since then (those lucky enough to be footprinted and those not so fortunate). And a mother’s devotion. I imagine my grandmother keeping this tiny paper safe through depression years, war years, years my dad was away in the military, college or building his own family. My grandma had this and kept it. Eighty-four years. A lot of us have complicated stories. But somehow these innocent feet speak to me, level the playing field remind me of the humaneness we all share, our frailties, our essential goodness. That simplicity that is love. And truthfully, these feet make me so grateful that I get to be part even a small part of other sweet feet making it earthside. #motherslove #keepsake See more

For all you first time parents -- check it out.

All you pregnant people, near and far. Here’s a great online resource for birth prep.

Give it a listen!

The lines on this photo are just divine. @bethanyjoymugg strikes again. Labor is a lot of things it’s a physical, mental, spiritual, emotional exercise. It calls us to push past what we imagined our limits to be. It asks us to acquiesce to forces in our own bodies that can seem overwhelming. It requires us to seek solitude perform deep inner work and accept assistance at a level we’re usually not accustomed to. This picture says all that to me deep focus, loving hands nearby, a second’s rest from an internal storm. Peace and power. Rest and work. Time and timeless. #homebirth #perfectlight #birthphotography #santamariamidwife #sacredspace #shecanandshedid #calminastorm #midwifelife #shhhhshesworking

I could watch this all day long.

Had a fun chat with Zabrina Cox at Central Coast Childbirth Network today about all things lactation....check it out. https://m.facebook.com/story/graphql_permalink/

This is important information for families.

I have had a lot of interest in my Postpartum Package lately. With the uncertainties of Covid-19 still present, women are facing altered care schedules in pregnancy and especially in the postpartum period. For families birthing in the hospital, the Postpartum Package allows for continuity of care in that most vulnerable time. It places the focus of care on the mother-baby dyad as an intricately bound unit, supporting the breastfeeding relationship, the adjustment to motherhood, and the physical recovery of all after birth. Plan ahead to care for yourself. You deserve amazing postpartum care. Period. #postpartum #breastfeedingsupport #midwiferycare #ibclc #maternalmentalhealth #motheringthenewmother #ittakesavillage #first40days #fourthtrimester

In the last week I’ve had several phone calls from new moms needing breastfeeding support. At this time, with erratic postpartum schedules and a lack of in-person support groups, it can be hard to get the care you need and deserve. Please reach out if you need help. I’m extending special pricing until the end of June to help new moms $25 for a 20 minute phone consultation; $50 for a one-hour virtual consultation; and $100 for a one-hour in home consultation (South County, SLO, Santa Maria). Please let new mommies know there is help available.

Two of my boys and I worked for a few hours at my office yesterday. They weed whacked and swept and raked. I organized and disinfected (again) and inventoried. It made me miss you all so much. I love my little office, all the times I've shared with families in that small space -- the tears, the laughter, the dirty diapers, the epic train track builds, all the imaginary food that gets made in that little kitchen. That's all...just thinking about you all and your littles. You each make my life so full of blessings. Be well..

A victim of the Corona Pandemic in Nairobi Maternity Hospitals, Finally arrived for gentle care. Momma Moraa was a victim of what is waiting to happen during th...is pandemic to local vulnerable pregnant women. Moraa, a new mother birthing last night came in yesterday supported by neighbours. In her birth plan she had identified a local private hospital not in Kawangware, Kangemi. In labour she proceeded there. When she arrived, the was examined for dilation and told she need to go to a well equipped hospital. She wasn't given a reason. She then followed the counsel of the nurses and went to a referral maternity hospital. Here she found a large number of labouring women in waiting line. She waited for her turn after a long delay to be examined. She was told to go back home. The idea of returning home made her think of demise. Next stop, another county referral hospital some kilometers away. Here, the verdict of the midwives were the same. Go back home and return when in active labour. At this time the pain were so strong she felt she was loosing it. After contacting family and friends, they recommendation FreMo. Go to Kawangware and birth there. They arrived at FreMo late afternoon. She was contracting strongly and overwhelmingly exhausted. She was admitted and in the early hours of the night, she delivered a baby boy. She is going home after travelling half of Nairobi to look for a place to birth. Her care she says went beyond better. In the birth room, supported by our team of compassionate and kind caregivers as well as the love and affectionate consolation of her own mother.

Hi you guys...local family in SLO County needing some help these days. Please text me @ 805.890.4001 if you have items to donate. Thank you!

I’m taking a break from #covid19 for a minute. Just before this whole #coronavirus thing took over our collective attention, I was wholly focused in other arenas. I’d just finished my @avivaromm Herbal Medicine for Women coursework (waiting to take my exam). I’d just finished my pre-requisite work with @postpartumsupportinternational to get ready to sit for my PMH-C exam. AND a project I was working on had just been completed and was ready for its big reveal. Man, did I ge...t upstaged by this #globalpandemic. (I’m sure a lot of people can relate.) While it’s true that there is serious stuff happening in the world that needs our attention, we must take time for creativity, joy, accomplishment, and gratitude. So let me introduce my project. Over the course of the last year, I’ve gotten to work with the incredible @kendraaronson on the design and relaunch of my website (link in bio). Kendra is the BEST project manager she kept me on time, focused, and helped to streamline and increase the content of the site. @shawnalaurin was kind enough to work during kids’ nap times to help with wording and site styling. And then we got to showcase the breathtaking artwork of @bethanyjoymugg, @stefanieelizabethphotography, @kaciejonesphotography, @natalielokkart and the one and only @iamroamingbarefoot. Genuine thanks to the families willing to share their intimate photos. I can’t tell you how many sweet friends helped with ideas and feedback. This was a true group effort. I hope you will spend some time on the site. Poke around. Send your own feedback. Did we forget something? I’d love to hear it. While it might not be perfect, it’s definitely a snapshot of me and my practice and what community birth and midwifery are all about. ALSO, if you are a past client, and you’d be willing to share a review on Google, I’d really appreciate it. While my favorite way to reach clients is word of mouth, these days lots of word of mouth takes place online. DM for a link if you’d like to write a review. Thanks for reading. Have a beautiful day. @ Pacific Midwifery