If I had just 5 minutes to speak with a newly pregnant mama, here is what I would say: Birth is a sacred rite of passage. It is not a medical event, except in rare cases. You are not sick and being pregnant is not a medical condition. In fact, it is the exact opposite. [...]

As midwives, we use many tools. Most of them are of the simple variety–fetoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes. But I have noticed the focus for me, on using a tool that is way more simple than any of those things. This tool is, however, more sensitive than anything made of steel or rubber. It is [...]

I’d like to approach the delicate subject of transports to the hospital from home; mainly for my own reflection and processing. I say “delicate” because for many (midwives and mamas alike), a transport conveys the “failure” of someone or something. In the past, I’ve been the midwife that, I’ll admit, has heard other midwives’ transport [...]

On the morning of Oct. 18th, I woke up at 9:00am feeling a few strong sensations of “tightness” in my stomach and also a sense of “elimination”. I often have one poop in the mornings, but this morning I went 4 times in a matter of a few hours and I felt two cramp-like contractions [...]

Just a quick post since I have gotten a few requests to sum up how one might encapsulate a placenta. (A few weeks ago, I posted on ingesting my placenta in a smoothie. To round out my experience, I tried my hand at encapsulating for a client of mine. Just to clear that up–although I [...]

“Placentophagy”- to me, the “Art” of eating one’s placenta…beginning this journey almost 4 months postpartum, under the order of my acupuncturist. Eagerly anticipating this journey, not just for physical reasons, but also spiritual ones. And excited to delve into this whole world of knowledge that is basically new to me; as well, excited to be [...]

Then this post is for you! Like many midwives, I was trained in the “apprenticeship model” and I very much believe in it as a valid, unique way to becoming a midwife. My apprenticeship lasted for about 5 years; 3 years with the same midwife, attended births with at least 2 other midwives during that [...]

Dear Potential Homebirth client, Congratulations on considering a homebirth! As you know, there are several midwives that serve this area; we range in age, experience level and most importantly, personality and philosophy of practice. You are of course welcome to email me or call me for a chat before we schedule a “consultation”, but this [...]

I am excited to announce that Arizona is moving up in the “birth choices” world–there is not one, but two free-standing birth centers that are about to open their doors for business in Phoenix. This is huge, because there has not been a free-standing birth center there (or anywhere even remotely close) in geez, who [...]

We made this short little video, for my other site, Indie Birth. Check it out, and pass it on. Be sure to sign up for Indie Birth updates once the video is over. The Birth Movie