The blessingway ceremony is the perfect opportunity for the pregnant woman to connect with their community as they prepare for birth. It is so important to honor each family as they embark on this incredible life-changing journey through pregnancy, birth, and parenthood. I encourage you to take some of these ideas and get creative to come up with your own ways to plan your blessingway.

Our Soothing Herb Bath and our Postpartum Herb Bath are perfect gifts for an expectant mother.

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The high rates of cesarean sections (C-sections) worldwide stem from various factors, including medical indications such as fetal distress or maternal health conditions, technological advances making C-sections safer and more accessible, cultural and litigation concerns, financial incentives, and maternal choice. These factors contribute to overuse or unnecessary use of C-sections, leading to increased healthcare costs and potential risks for mothers and babies. Preventing unnecessary C-sections involves attending regular prenatal check-ups, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, educating oneself about childbirth, discussing birth preferences and concerns, staying flexible during labor, considering labor support, and discussing VBAC options if applicable. Doulas can also play a crucial role in preventing C-sections by providing continuous support, advocacy, and guidance during labor and childbirth. Additionally, natural remedies and herbs like St. John's Wort, arnica, and calendula may aid in C-section recovery by promoting healing and reducing discomfort, but it's essential to consult with a healthcare provider before use. Continue reading

For the laboring mother, the work of birth is internal. You’re focusing on breathing and your baby as you move toward that moment when her velvet skin will be on your chest. Meanwhile, the birth team is busy with their own tasks, which aren’t so self-contained. They'll use tools and supplies from beginning to end to help you move through birth as comfortably as possible. Though birth will happen no matter what, some important supplies can help your team support you in safe and comforting ways.

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Learning to develop heart-centered life/birth/parenting decision-making is an art and a skill that requires cultivation.  Cultivating the full-body-yes feeling leads to living/birthing/parenting authentically and courageously. Continue reading

Motherhood is a journey, pregnancy is an effort, and labor is a marathon. It only makes sense to prioritize fitness and become an active part of the process rather than a passive participant. The “range of normal” tends to be wide whenever humans are involved, and you may find major differences in your body and habits from pregnancy to pregnancy. Today, we’re going to refocus fitness, away from physical shape and form and instead look at what it really means to be fit in pregnancy and how you can stay that way from beginning to end. Continue reading

Spring is blooming and the urge to create, be productive and generative is potent. Some of us want to create a new life for ourselves, a new identity, some of us are making art, reinventing our business or careers, some of us are growing gardens, others are making babies. Continue reading

I want to take time out and acknowledge all the awesome dads out there. Today's post is dedicated to the beautiful men in our lives. We will explore loving ways to communicate and how you can include and involve your partner in meaningful ways during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

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This is a must read blog if you want to know how to plan or prevent a pregnancy naturally and safely. Now more than ever, women must claim the power of their bodies!

We live in a time of so much information and it is hard to sift through everything especially if there are still these inaccurate myths circulating.

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Hey there! Are you pregnant and looking for more information about midwives and doulas?  Awesome, I’m so glad you’re here because today's episode of Apothecary Wisdom is focused on giving a overview of the crucial distinctions and scope of practice of the different types of midwives, obstetricians, and doulas. 

 

Working in the birth community has revealed that the general public is unclear about the important distinctions and differences of these essential birth workers-their training, and the services they provide.  Knowing the scope of practice of the birth professional you are about to hire for your birth is critical in order for you to be informed and have realistic expectations about your care and upcoming birth.

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