“The imitative nature of the baby and young child is so obvious and so all-pervasive that we tend to be blind to it, unaware of its implications for parenting,” opens a 1987 Mothering Magazine article by author Rahima Baldwin. “Your child learns everything through imitation - walking, talking, toilet training, tying shoes, endless tasks. And imitation manifest in expressions and gestures, as when we see and hear ourselves in our children’s play. “ I’d add that while parenting is now extremely child-centered, none of these actions are learned better from a screen or app. “The most effective way to correctly behavior in the young child is to provide an example in movement rather than to reason it out….”

In an impersonalized health care system, the professional doula has become a tremendous asset for modern birth in any setting. Doulas are experienced, trained, sensitive, labor-support privately hired by families to be with them during the labor and birth of their babies. They provide continuity of care, share knowledge of the normal process of labor and birth, and use their experience to ease the mother/baby’s birth process.

Informed consent is legally and morally mandated throughout ALL health care in the United States. This important process is to educate you about the risks, benefits, and alternatives of a given procedure or intervention. And that you have the protection to freely decide what course of action, or if no action, is in your best interest. In spite of ACOG’s clear definition of autonomous informed consent, it is still alarmingly absent from maternity care.

Drinking Red Raspberry Leaf tea is one thing a pregnant mama can do that nourishes her uterus, her baby, and her immune system all at the same time! Many of us midwives suggest that at the top of your list would be drinking red raspberry tea infusion throughout pregnancy, and especially during the third trimester and after birth!

Historically, pregnancy tea has been safely used by herbalists and midwives for nourishing all aspects of pregnancy, birth & postpartum for generations. And, contrary to internet dogma, red raspberry is most recommended to help PREVENT miscarriage, not cause it. (See my previous blog on red raspberry for more information and references.) This infusion is tasty, and nourishing for the whole family!

This question gets asked a lot around the holidays. Here’s my midwife perspective from helping mothers birth, and navigate family holidays, for over 40 years.

A fever can feel alarming, but it’s actually a sign of a strong immune system! Here’s how to support a fever naturally and know when extra help is needed.

Here’s a quick summary of the PFAS issue, and natural options to effectively relieve our bodies of PFAS’s toxic accumulation and reduce our continued exposure. Tap water is confirmed to be a major source of contamination, and there is specific mineral supplementation to consider in helping to shift the bio-burden of PFAS out of the body.