Healthy Birth of Rochester

09/17/2026

Bradley Natural Childbirth Classes - Fairport/Rochester, NY
(*Please Note the date change*)

Bradley Method classes are a comprehensive 10 week course that covers pregnancy nutrition, exercises, how to stay healthy and low risk, relaxation techniques, deep abdominal breathing, natural labor/comfort techniques, pros and cons of medical interventions, emergency situations, breastfeeding, newborn care, postpartum, and more. All information is research and evidenced based. Families who choose the Bradley Method usually desire to have a physiologic birth, and to have a loved one/husband/partner/friend trained as their primary labor assistant ( or at least thoroughly educated so they know what to expect, what is normal, what is not, how to help, and when to ask for help.) The primary focus is a healthy baby and mom, which are best achieved through a healthy natural birth. The course teaches specific techniques to achieve this goal, and gives families the information they need to make important decisions that are right for their family, and their individual circumstances.

You must be at least 12 weeks pregnant to join. The schedule for the year is as follows:

October 20th – December 22nd, consecutive Tuesday evenings 7 – 9:30 pm
January 5th - March 9th, 2027, Consecutive Tuesday evenings, 7 - 9:30 pm

Please email Amy for more information: [email protected]
(Link to website in comments.)

09/10/2026

How do you feel about sweeping membranes to get labor going?(From Midwifery Today)

Part 1

"Nope. Nope. Nope.

—Lois Wilson

As a last resort before my client will be required (by my state rules) to be transferred to the hospital for postdates. So, it's an option around 41+5-6 weeks. But otherwise, no way. It's about relative risk.

—Grace Fox

Last resort when it’s Try-everything-we-can-at-home-versus-sending-to-the-hospital-for-Pitocin-or AROM.

—Lindsay Erin Meyer-Munger

One of the risks of a membrane sweep is pre-labor release of membranes. >12%, almost 1 in 8, sweeps ends in pre-labor ROM. This can lead to induction, infection, intervention cascade, and NICU admission. I've seen it, and it can be devastating, especially for those wanting an out-of-hospital birth. Once membranes rupture, you are on the clock, and it could have been avoided.

—Chantel Manson Haynes

The rate of SROM in cases of cervical sweeps was 12% in one study, compared to 7% overall population. Then a 2025 meta-analysis found no differences in SROM rates in sweep versus non-sweep patients and, interestingly, zero cases of accidental/iatrogenic ROM during a sweep. I’ve personally never had it happen. In my opinion, it’s not risk free. Might increase the risk of SROM but probably not.

Effectiveness of Single Fetal Membrane Sweeping in Reducing Elective Labor Induction for Postdate Pregnancies (38+0 to 40+6 Weeks): A Randomized Controlled Trial

—Whitney Herrelson

In the UK, ROM is done as part of the induction process. We use balloon/dilapan/misoprostol/propess/prostin to open the cervix enough to be able to break waters. If labour doesn’t start, then we commence oxytocin IV. I’ve had three clients have ROM caused by sweeps and two of those got an infection.

—Lucy Coombes

I did a sweep on myself which brought on more Braxton Hicks contractions. Had the baby later that day after a 30-minute labour. Felt like a good choice for me.

—Leesha Dawn

Anything natural or otherwise that is used to try and “force” the onset of labor is unnecessary. I’ve had the best labors and births with nine out of ten babies when I’ve trusted my body (and have learned a lot in the process)!

—Jodie Kilpatrick

In some cases, it can save having to use other means of induction.

—LeaAnna Hazzard Miller

I had one successful sweep with baby number six, then with baby number seven, it put me into false labor for two weeks so, after that, I would not suggest doing it. Painful and wasn’t necessary. Baby comes when baby is ready! Most of mine were over 42 weeks.

—Carly Jeffers

There is a time and place for everything. It’s important to “never say never.” I think it’s also important to remember that we all don’t practice within the same scope. For me, many of the women we see are high risk, unhealthy and require interventions. Some come to us for the first time at 40 weeks with low fluid and others may walk in at 35 weeks with pre-eclampsia and require immediate attention. I’m happy to have this tool and use it as medically indicated.

—John Morgan Crowson

In eight years, I have done it three times, and they were very overdue (except one that demanded it). We discuss pros and cons.

—Heidi Cohen

My reasons to do it would be if the client asked for it, if there was a medical reason to try and get labor going, or if we were approaching transferring for postdates. Other than those types of things, I probably wouldn’t recommend it. Definitely not as just a routine “thing we do” for everyone.

—Katie Condra Kropf

It’s a good tool to have in your repertoire, as long as it’s used with permission and not indiscriminately.

—Baby Catcher by Peggy Vincent

Never did it in 18 years as a home birth midwife, and only one induction! S*x is much nicer than a sweep for both parents.

—Joanne Teina

I prefer not to do them, but if the woman requests one, I talk it through with her and, occasionally, she will still want it. I have used a similar technique for stalled dilation with success on primips but that has been infrequent as well.

—Victoria Sherick Garwood LM

Birthed three babies at home. During my third, my labor stalled for a very long time. We tried everything and I was exhausted. My midwife did this and it did the trick.

—Kim Wiita

After over 2000 babies, I’d say it’s great when used judiciously and with consent.

—Pat Serio

Lots of things can be a reasonable option at a specific moment in pregnancy or labor ... this one isn't necessarily my go-to, but certainly a possibility in a pinch!

—Amy Medwin

I did it to myself and it worked. In seven hours, baby was born at home.

—Kiya Rios

Sometimes it’s the solution to stalled labor.

—B Loiuse Thompson

I was lucky that two sweeps, twenty-four hours apart kickstarted a super easy 1-1/2 hour VBAC at 40+1 weeks. I had been deadset against any form of induction, but my blood pressure was creeping up and the risks of waiting and potentially needing a hormonal induction or repeat c-section allowed me to feel more comfortable with a Stretch and Sweep.

—Casey-Lee Fleming

Did it with all three, worked with all three.

—Shana Palmer

I have an 11-day old baby now, I was 41 weeks, exactly, showing signs I was on the verge of labor, already 3.5 cm dilated. Got the sweep and labor kicked in 9 hours later, baby was born 4 hours after that. Went great that time. With another baby, I got the sweep at 41 weeks and it just put me in a crazy 6-day long prodromal labor, that slowly dilated me for 6-days until I went through a freaky fast 10 minute “transition” and pushed out the baby. True story. I was never even in labor that time. I was shocked to feel the head. Seven babies and all the birth stories are different but that’s my experience with membrane sweeps.

—Glenn Amanda Johnson

The best labors are natural onset. My preference by far.

—Jeanette Cardon Dayley

Great, not especially invasive and if it prevents a postdates induction then fabulous. As long as it’s done properly, it can be very effective."

—Emma Greenway

09/10/2026

Obesity remains a significant public health concern. One of the primary messages from providers and health-care organizations is to eat healthier foods with lower fat. Many in the lay press, however, have suggested that lower fat versions of foods contain more sugar. To our knowledge, a systematic c...

09/10/2026

09/10/2026

Twenty years ago, I wrote a poem called When I am an old midwife.

Inspired by Jenny Joseph's famous poem Warning, it was a tongue-in-cheek critique of rigid, over-medicalised institutional practices, in which I wrote of prioritising joy, physiology, movement, and autonomy over sterile, compliance-driven environments.

Reading it now, I'm struck by how many of the ideas that mattered to me then have stayed with me throughout my career.

The importance of listening.

The value of experience and stories as well as science.

The things that can't always be measured in research studies.

The knowledge that develops when people pay attention over time.

If you're on my email list, you'll have just received an email about my upcoming book, and how this poem relate to it.

If you're not on my email list and would like to be, so you get all my news and are among the first to know when the book comes out, you can join up at https://www.sarawickham.com/announcements/would-you-like-me-to-email-you-a-relevant-reliable-regular-update/

And you can read the rest of the poem at https://www.sarawickham.com/articles-2/when-i-am-an-old-midwife/

09/09/2026

09/09/2026

The thought behind routine fetal surveillance testing is that even in uncomplicated pregnancies, a baby may not be doing well. Tests can provide early warning, allowing delivery—usually by inducing labor—of a baby who appears to be at risk.

This month’s article looks at four commonly used tests, what they measure, why they measure it, what the research concludes about whether they reduce newborn adverse outcomes, and whether there’s a downside to performing them. As always, the article concludes with tips for making decisions and taking action based on what you’ve learned.

https://hencigoer.com/do-fetal-surveillance-tests-accurately-identify-babies-at-risk

09/08/2026

Evidence Based Birth Management of the 3rd stage of labor.
(link in the comments)

09/08/2026

The next Bradley natural childbirth series in Rochester/ Fairport New York area will start October 13th. please email Amy for more information: [email protected]
Link to the website in the comments.

09/08/2026

focus on folate as opposed to folic acid. But yes, more research is needed