In Bloom Birth

Car seats should always be placed inside the basket of shopping carts. Remember to always keep the harnesses buckled securely on your baby every time they are in their car seat.

National Safety Council National CPS Certification NHTSA Safe Kids Worldwide

Photos from Motherboard Birth's post

Divine touch. The hands of her parents along with the warmth of the placenta that grew her, sustained her. Birth takes my breath away. Over and over again.

I'm team alien raisin myself!

Love this. And so true ❤️

{Artwork by Loryn Brantz}

I vividly remember my midwives encouraging a class and I (foolishly) thought I'd just figure it out when my baby arrived earthside. We did figure it out, thankfully, but it would have been heaps easier with the info Sarah gives in her classes!!

There is still time to register for the prenatal breastfeeding class THIS WEDNESDAY! Reminder: masks are required, and we will have lots of room to spread out!

https://fb.me/e/2ghb0BE2N

Client: “After my last scan, my provider said my baby is really big and now I’m worried…”

Doula: “Well, good thing va**nas are stretchy 😉 and that newborn heads mold beautifully to accommodate their path. (Plus ultrasounds can be up to 2 full lbs off, and are usually over estimated.) You got this. Trust that your body is growing a baby the perfect size to be born the way they need to ❤️”

📸: 🥰

Timeline photos

Waiting for the results of a COVID-19 test?

You can continue to breastfeed - your breastmilk provides important protection for your baby.

If you need support with breastfeeding, contact an Australian Breastfeeding Counsellor on 1800 686 268 or visit our website to use LiveChat.

Go to www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/covid-19 for more information on COVID-19.

We have some exciting news to share:
This little guy’s momma was proactive and received the COVID vaccine when it became available to her. She received it early in her pregnancy during her 1st trimester. The vaccine does not cross the placenta, but as you can see here from his test the antibodies sure do!!! His momma shared her vaccine immunity with him. ❤️

In Bloom Birth updated their address.

In Bloom Birth updated their address.

Love love love this position! And yes even with an epidural this is possible!

Yes!! VBAC after labor arrest (can also be called FTP/ failure to progress) can be a reality! Learn more about FTP & VBAC here: vbacfacts.com/calculator

Photo Credit: Nicole Angeline Hamic www.nicolehamic.com

Posted • VBAC after cesarean for labor arrest🤰🏻

* arrested labor*
Failure of labor to proceed through the normal stages. This may be due to uterine inertia, obstruction of the pelvis, or systemic disease.

About one-third of primary cesareans in the United States are due to labor arrest, which providers often refer to as “failure to progress.”

In an effort to reduce the number of primary cesareans, ACOG released new labor arrest definitions in 2014. Labor arrest in the first stage now has specific parameters. Labor arrest means that one must be at least six centimeters with their waters broken for at least 4 hours with “adequate contractions,” or at least 6 hours with “inadequate contractions and no cervical change.”

During the second stage, first-time parents should push for at least three hours, and all others for at least two hours before providers make the diagnosis of labor arrest. Further, ACOG is clear that there are no hard stops here as “longer durations may be appropriate on an individualized basis.”

Study showed 63% of the 137 women with a history of labor arrest had a VBAC, and only 37% had another cesarean🤍

I want. Give to me.

👶🏽🖥 What an amazing idea! This photo is from and enables this mother to see the care that is being given to her baby at the resusitaire if necessary, right from the theatre table! Do you have this in your hospital? 🖥🏥

Photos from Student Midwife Studygram's post

Look at all that beautiful birthday frosting!

✨Vernix ✨

For those expecting to have a baby born like on the movies, all clean, fresh and doll like. Here’s some fun facts about vernix for you...
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1. White sticky waxy stuff that coats your baby whilst inside the womb. It is really sticky but smooth and often after holding a baby with vernix on I’ll notice a patch of the stuff on my uniform 🤍

2. It protects your baby’s skin in the womb from looking all pruney, like how your fingers and toes get when you’ve been in the bath too long.

3. Overdue babies are less likely to have as much vernix so they can look a bit prune like on their hands and feet (they have been in the bath too long 😉!)

4. It’s got antibacterial and moisturising properties so, as tempting as it may be, don’t wipe it off. Let your baby’s skin absorb this in the first few hours/days of life 🙂 It will help their skin adapt to life outside the womb.

5. You may still notice it in baby’s creases (under armpits and groin area) several days later.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Can anyone remember this on their baby when he/she was brand new? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀


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This photo is a beautiful capture from
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👏👏👏

Malcolm... part five.

Rest and reset, that was the plan. After a good cry and the redirection to surrender to whatever needed to happen next, I found myself doing big figure eights with my hips leaning over the bed while we “watched” Mrs. Doubtfire to distract from the focus of labor.

At one point I felt the shift and all of the sudden we needed to move the monitors far down on my belly again. I knew I had managed to move him out of the way and give him room to find a better position, he was re-engaged and things started to pick back up a little more intensely.

One of the doctors and residents who had checked on us earlier came in to see if things had changed enough to break my water...

I want to explain to you what happens during a cervical check if you are pregnant before you go into labor or when you are already in labor.

Every time a doctor, midwife, or nurse does a cervical exam they are measuring three things.

1: they are checking to see how effaced your cervix is. This is a measurement of how soft and thin the cervical band is. Before you are in labor this is thick and hard (0% effaced) throughout the process of labor the cervix will soften and thin to about the width of a piece of paper (100% effaced).

2: they are checking for cervical dilation. This is the opening into your cervix. During your pregnancy you will be 0cm dilated, the cervix is fully closed to keep your baby protected while they grow. As labor progresses your cervix will continue to open, 1cm is usually measured as one finger width open... in order to deliver a baby va**nally the cervix must open all the way to 10cm or “fully dilated”.

3: they are checking the station of the baby. The station of the baby is the measurement of where the babies head is in the birth canal. -4 station is when you baby is floating high in the pelvis and not well engaged. 0 station the baby has reached the pelvic brim... +3 your baby is crowning. The baby had about 8 stations to transcend down the pelvis through the birth process.

Before labor begins, and in the earlier stages of labor, the cervix is typically in a posterior position... this means that the cervix is tipped towards the spine and behind the babies head, if you can imagine this means for the provider to reach the cervix to assess effacement, dilation and station they must reach far up and back into your va**na. As labor progresses, one of the markers we see change throughout labor is that the cervix will move forward towards the front of the body, making it far easier and less painful to check.

And this is where we are going to talk about trauma informed care and consent.

Pay attention here, because this alone made it worth it to drive 4 hours to have our baby.

Every single time someone touches your body they should be asking for consent to do so. Every. Single. Time.

If this isn’t the standard of practice, (which it sadly isn’t in most places) and they haven’t been trained in informed consent and trauma care, then I know how awkward it can feel as the care provider to ask so frequently for “silly” things like taking a blood pressure or checking an IV. I promise you that the more you practice this model of care the more natural in becomes and the less awkward it feels for everyone.

Whether or not someone has a history of trauma, (physical, emotional, sexual, etc) or not, we should be practicing the model of care that assumes we never know what someone has experienced.

The 2021 CDC statistics states that “Nearly 1 in 5 women have experienced completed or attempted r**e during their lifetime.” Most of which occurs in adolescence or young adulthood. This doesn’t even count other acts of moleststion or other sexual trauma. This is an incredible number to consider.

Every time BEFORE my body was touched by ANYONE I was asked “is it okay if I...”, “may I touch your...”, even if I told them they didn’t need to ask, they asked. That’s how this should work.

The doctor came in and asked me to tell her a bit about my other births. During that conversation I explained that I could not tolerate cervical checks at all in my past.

Without any other explanation needed the response from the doctor was, “what can I do to help make the exam better for you? Is there anything specific you need for me to do or not do? You are in complete control here”.

I want you to read that again.

This is trauma informed care. To treat each person without shame, shock, or assumption while giving them the tools to speak up for their own needs as part of the shared decision model.

It makes all the difference.

Never was I touched without my consent. Every step of every procedure, blood pressure check, cervical exam, etc. was a conversation where I was asked if it was okay, they waited until consent was given, continued to inform me of what was happening along the way, and made sure I understood each step.

“May I touch your belly”
“You’re going to feel my hand”
“Is the pressure I’m using okay”
“If you want me to pause say stop, if you want me to stop all together say done”
“You are in charge”

It was time to see if I had made change, would they be able to break my water?

The resident checked me first and “couldn’t hardly reach my cervix”, it was painful and discouraging and I felt more confused than ever. I explained in detail what I knew about the shape and placement of where my cervix was positioned from prior checks and the doctor asked if she could try one more time.

In a matter of seconds the conversation had shifted from “I can’t reach it”, to “oh you’ve made great progress and I can break your bag of water now if you’d like”. As soon as I gave consent she broke my water.

The entire room cheered. Marnie and I both wept in excitement and relief, the doctor exclaimed “I’ve never been SO thrilled to break someone’s water”, laughter and tears filled the room and immediately things intensified.

Our doula returned, contractions were every couple of minutes, and grit and determination took over. The surrender worked and our baby was on his way...

Yes to squat bars!! Does your hospital have them? Do people ask for them? Do you offer them to birthing people? Posted • I miss having a squat bar so bad!⁣
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It’s such a great tool when pushing and on my old unit it was so underused.⁣
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Today I’m going to try to get a quote on how much they are because I want to convince my director we need one!⁣
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Do you have/use yours?? ⁣
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⁣Photo by
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Birthworkers, take this week to learn something about how *you* can better serve mothers of color and be part of the solution for providing anti-racist care for families so they can have equitable outcomes in birth.

"Today the House has recognized this week of April 11th-17th as Black Maternal Health Awareness Week (HR 8057). This initiative was founded by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance and is dedicated to deepen the national conversation about Black maternal health in the US." --Rep. Kamia Brown
Thank you, State Representative Kamia Brown for your tireless work and dedication to Black mamas.

Y'all this panel discussion will be awesome! I'm moderating the live Zoom event and excited for what topics we will cover. Join us and send your questions for the Q&A segment!

Earth Day is coming up on Apr 22. This is advance notice that all of you people who have frozen placentae in your freezer will be returning them to the Earth that day. Start planning now for your rituals/traditions/celebrations. Find a spot to bury, burn or return the beautiful organ that nurtured your baby for 9 months to the ocean. Perhaps plant a little tree on top of it. Ask friends to bury it and never tell you where it is so that, wherever you walk on Earth, you may be putting your foot on the sacred place where part of your child is buried. Maybe do a little class for your children on how the placenta did the work of the kidneys, liver and lungs before they were born. Perhaps recall the child's birth and say prayers for guidance as parents. What rituals can others share about this act of letting go and enriching the family? It's time.

This incredible photo was selected for an Honorable Mention for our 2021 Image Competition.

“The Journey Traveled For You” by Paulina Splechta Birth Photography and Films

Excellent news!!!

We’ve posted about emerging research on breastfeeding after COVID-19 vaccination but wanted to provide an update! Research is ongoing on the potential immunity conferred to infants by mothers who are pregnant and/or nursing.

It is known that lactating mothers who receive their flu shot can transfer protective antibodies to their nursing infant, so experts have theorized the same may hold true for COVID-19. There have been a few small studies that have found SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the breastmilk of lactating mothers after vaccination.

One study identified that vaccine-induced antibodies were present in breastmilk starting 7 days after vaccination, with levels increasing after the second dose. In a study of 23 lactating individuals, researchers found significantly increased levels of vaccine-induced antibodies in plasma and breastmilk. In another small study conducted among 10 lactating healthcare providers, researchers found evidence for the rapid production of vaccine-specific antibodies. These antibodies were able to neutralize virus, providing more evidence of the potential protection to breastfed infants by vaccinating nursing parents.

What about vaccination during pregnancy?

Maternal vaccination for Influenza and TDaP has been well studied in terms of safety and efficacy for the protection of newborns by placental transfer of antibodies. Thus, it stands to reason, the same may be the case for COVID-19 vaccination.

Earlier this month, a healthy, full-term infant was born to a mother who received a single dose of mRNA vaccine 3 weeks prior to delivery. Cord blood antibodies (IgG) against the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 were detected at the time of delivery. In a small study conducted among 20 pregnant people, COVID-19 vaccination of mothers led to transplacental transfer, with all newborns having vaccine-induced antibodies at the time of birth. A third study found that amongst vaccinated pregnant women, vaccine-induced antibodies were detected in all cord blood samples collected during deliveries.

While small, these studies highlight that vaccination during pregnancy may provide maternal and transient neonatal protection from SARS-CoV-2 infection via passive transfer of antibodies.

Sources:
1. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/pregnancy.html
2. https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.02.23.21252328v1
3. https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.02.03.21250579v1
4. https://fn.bmj.com/content/early/2021/02/09/archdischild-2020-321074
5. https://www.providence.org/news/uf/649322987
6. https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.03.06.21252603v1
7. https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.03.09.21253241v1
8. https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.03.07.21253094v1
9. https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.03.11.21253352v1
10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7523143/
11. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/the-covid19-vaccine-and-pregnancy-what-you-need-to-know
12. https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/forefront/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/mrna-covid-19-vaccine-pregnancy-breastfeeding
13. https://khn.org/morning-breakout/vaccinated-mom-delivers-first-known-baby-born-with-covid-antibodies/
14. https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/maternal-or-infant-illnesses/influenza.html

😴LABOR NAPPING😴
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Earlier this week I posted about the Fully-Dilated-Labor-Nap. It doesn’t always happen, of course, even in the most undisturbed labors, but it’s very sweet when it does. Someone might be laboring hard, deeply entrenched in active labor and possibly even transition (shaking, vomiting, self-doubt), when suddenly they lay their head down between contractions and...... no next contraction comes. Their deep recovery breaths become slower, and easier, and the creases by their eyes, between their eyebrows, around their mouth all relax. For providers who are used to forward-moving labors, especially providers who are used to being responsible for making labors happen, can be very unnerved by this. Sometimes the partners & laboring folks themselves are a bit unnerved - “She’s sleeping! Is that ok?” The answer, of course, is YES. The body needs rest & energy for pushing, so if it asks we give! So many times I have said, “go ahead and close your eyes - don’t worry, you won’t sleep through the baby being born.”
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I’ve worked with people who sleep for a few minutes, or who’s contractions just space for enough time for them to come back down to earth a bit, but I’ve also worked with people who fall deeply asleep for hours. Just like with every possible way for labor to move off the common path, we just check to make sure that everyone is healthy. Is baby healthy? Is their parent healthy? Is everyone coping well physically and mentally with this new change? If so, there is no inherent need to intervene. Labor will eventually pick up again! And if it doesn’t, and there is a physical or emotional need to finally give birth, then you start the interventions at that point!
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Did you sleep during active labor? Have you seen a multip stop contracting at fully dilated for 10 hours? Tell us your stories!
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📸 of rocking her labor at home with me!
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That's one way to ensure your birthplan was read in its entirety!

✨ Perineal Tears ✨ ~ Different types of tears that can occur during childbirth.

Before having my first baby I was so overwhelmed with the different positions. It seemed impossible to learn them all. But soon we found our groove and got acquainted with each other. I discovered which positions worked best for us (crosscradle and sidelying)

My top suggestion for mamas to push effectively (especially with an epidural) is to touch baby's head. The biofeedback you get from this is helpful in ways that we have not yet measured scientifically.

Did you catch your baby or reach down to touch baby as they were being born?

Nourish the mama, so she can nourish the baby.

What is it?
is colostrum (the first milk) in the final weeks of and storing for use after .
This gets replaced, so there's no concerns about using it up before the arrives. It also doesn't cause the next stage of (milk coming in), as the needs to be delivered for this to happen.

Why do it?
This used to only be suggested for families who knew their baby might have challenges with blood sugar or feeding after birth, for example gestational diabetes, or cleft lip. But now, it's generally accepted that anyone that wishes to can store colostrum.
But why is it worth doing? Firstly, it's a great way of familiarising yourself with your anatomy, and how to .
It can be hard to predict which babies might need extra support with feeding and blood sugar after birth, so it's great to know you have some stored in case you need it.

When should I do it?
Usually suggested from , though there is some thought this could be sooner in a healthy, low risk pregnancy. Speak to your about your own individual circumstances, especially if you know you're more likely to give birth early, e.g. twins.
You can do it 2 or 3 times a day for a few minutes at a time. Stop immediately if you have any discomfort or experience tummy pain.

Where?
Wherever you like, but the key is finding somewhere you feel relaxed and comfortable.
A private space is often useful. You'll also need to have access to somewhere you can wash your hands, and have a freezer for storage.

How?
First you'll need to get hold of some syringes with caps so that they can be sealed, and some labels to put on them once used.
Wash your hands.
Do some breast massage, anything you like really, but whatever you do should be comfortable and warm. This is more about getting relaxed and comfortable than moving the colostrum.
Now make a C shape with your thumb and first two fingers. Feel back from your ni**le until you feel a change; a firmer, lumpy texture. This is the spot you'll be compressing.
Using the C shape you've created, compress for a couple of seconds in a firm but comfortable way and then release for a couple of seconds. Repeat. Build up this slow, steady rhythm without dragging the skin or causing discomfort. It can take a bit of time for the colostrum to come, or you may need to move your C shape back or forward ever so slightly until you 'hit the spot'.
Some people find a gentle roll forward with your fingers can be useful. Others may find pushing back a little toward the chest wall before compressing helpful.
There are ducts all the way around the breast so once you've finished the first spot you can move your C shape around to a different place.

Colostrum is often a yellowy/golden colour, but may be clear too. You may get no colostrum at all, or just get a glistening of it on the ni**le, or you may get drops coming out. Anything is normal! If you don't get any or much colostrum at this point it does NOT mean you will have a low milk supply.

Any syringes with colostrum in need to be labelled with your name and the date, capped and put into a clean box in the freezer. Make sure the box is deep in the freezer. They can be stored for 6 months, so even if you don't use them in the first few days, you can use them later down the line. (Some people like to think of it as a little immune booster!)

The more you practise the more likely you are to get some colostrum to store.
Remember, any discomfort at any time please stop x

A great tip! I'll put my breastfeeding nook in the comments!

In honor of World Breastfeeding Week, I am sharing some of my tips for breastfeeding. This year's theme is to get the message out about how supporting, promoting and protecting breastfeeding is imperative in the protection of our environment.

Photos from Monet Nicole - Birthing Stories's post

Photos from Marisa Noelle's post

I'm bathing my brain in relaxing mantras today. What are your favorite affirmations for birth?

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Timeline photos

❤ BIRTH FACT ❤
Newborn term babies that go through an uncomplicated birth into an environment that is dark, quiet and calm will initially go through the Quiet Alert State.

This state of alertness will usually last for the first hour after birth as the baby is calm, awake, alert and taking in his surroundings.

All of his attention and energy is focused on seeing and hearing everything around him, especially his mother’s and father’s voice and faces.

This is the perfect time to bond with your newborn. It is the perfect time to cuddle and speak to your baby. Holding your baby's face close to yours will allow him to see you and study your face.

This is a time not to miss or to waste with “hospital routine”. That can wait. This is a precious time to be together uninterrupted.

If the newborn remains close to his mother during this first hour, the Quiet Alert State can last even longer. ❤❤❤

Photo courtesy of 📸

To learn more, join my Private Facebook Group My Baby Experts Community

Explore CRMC - Labor & Delivery Hall 2 (& Labor Room) in 3D

I miss leading tour at the Family Center and I promise to come back as soon as it is deemed wise. In the meantime, here is the virtual tour!

Explore CRMC - Labor & Delivery Hall 2 (& Labor Room) in 3D Matterport 3D Showcase

Photos from Laughing Moon Midwifery's post

Timeline photos

Oh Prodromal Labor. You big, juicy tease.
You often begin your st******se at night, stealing precious moments of much needed rest. Your rocking waves tantalize the notion that labor is beginning & the coming of your sweet baby.
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Adrenaline and hope and rushes and possibly aching hips keep you awake. The desire to keep labor going drives you to bounce on balls, walk neighborhoods, eat all the spicy food & to avoid anything that might cause it to stop...warm baths, sleeping, holding still.
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But then no matter how hard you attempt to fan the flames of labor. Everything slows & stops. Only to start hours or days later. On repeat. Rushes that squeeze and tighten, hips & pelvic bowl sore from the weight of your babe pressing down, your mind tired from the what-ifs, the timing of rushes, the internal thought process of what & why this is happening.
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While no one knows exactly why prodromal labor occurs. I like to think of it as your final stages of ripening. Your waves that do not bring labor are like the warm sunshine warming the flesh of an almost ripe peach 🍑. With each day of warmth from the sun & gentle nudges from the breeze....the peach eventually reaches plump ripeness & it’s own juicy weight brings it to earth for our divine enjoyment.
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Prodromal labor may not be what brings the baby but it is what brings your complete & total ripeness. It is the prostaglandin gel & balloons that modern medicine uses. It creates gentle waves of oxytocin that is the pitocin bag of modern medicine. Prodromal Labor isn’t false. It isn’t useless. It is based in physiology. It is Mother Nature leading the way as it always has.
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Often, when one has experienced this “ripening” they find that when active labor begins, their progress is steady, quick, efficient. Because the ripening that has happened laid ground work, softening & shortening the cervix so that it gently yields to active labor rushes, opening with surrender.
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I’d like to change the language. It’s not false. It’s not for nothing. Prodromal labor is the prototype for which we created labor inductions. It is the grandmother, the OG, of inductions. Physiological ripening. It’s a good thing, a positive thing. Our bodies are amazing!