The Nurturing Place

05/22/2024

Posted • HERE’s what you need to know about GBS 👇🏻

But first, save 🔖 this to come back to when you need it!!

👉🏻 GBS or Group B Strep is a naturally occurring strain of bacteria that lives in the digestive tract both when you are and aren’t pregnant but can pose a small risk to baby if colonized during delivery

🔬your OB will perform a routine swap to test for GBS colonization around weeks 36-37 weeks

About 30% of mamas will test positive for GBS but what’s tricky is GBS can be colonized today and gone tomorrow

In fact ‼️ the US is one of the few countries who routinely test for it

If you test positive, antibiotics through and IV drip will be suggested

But here’s the thing ✋🏻

Newer research shows that GBS growth can be naturally lessened!

So whyyyyyyy 🤔 are women just told about GBS at their 36 week appt & not told how to reduce the chances of colonization 🧐

The gut & vaginal microbiome are interconnected so a healthy, balanced gut reduces colonization

Way to Reduce GBS 👇🏻

➕ Gut Healthy Food - yogurt, kombucha, coconut oil, kefir, garlic
➕ Probiotics - Certain strains are research-proven to target gut health & reduce GBS
➕ Balanced Diet - Cut out/reduce foods that can grow bad bacteria like sugar, processed foods, grains

More quick tips on GBS
👉🏻 you can perform the GBS swab test by yourself!
👉🏻 if you test + you can deny antibiotics
👉🏻 you can deny the test altogether
👉🏻 sometimes if you deny the test, an OB will still treat you as a positive patient
👉🏻 it’s important to ask questions, have informed consent and make the best decision for you and baby when it comes to GBS

There’s SO much to cover on GBS so check my stories or GBS highlight for more info!

Want the probiotics that are research-proven to lessen GBS?

🔗 in my bio -> Amazon storefront where I’ve linked the probiotics that are proven to lessen GBS
✨OR comment LINK and I’ll send you a DM with the info!

05/02/2024

Posted • What are the best questions to ask if you’re offered induction of labour?

As someone who has researched and written about induction of labour for more than two decades, I get asked that quite a bit.

Especially as I have a fundamental belief that there is no one ‘right’ path for everyone.

Twenty years before anyone hashtagged , I was promoting that very idea to women and families.

One size doesn’t fit all.

You need to decide what’s right for you.

And in order to do that, you might need to ask some questions.

So I have put together this guide to the five best questions that you can ask in order to get more information and make the decisions that are right for you.

I’m also going to tell you what can you learn from the answers you are given.

You can find my blog post at https://www.sarawickham.com/articles-2/five-questions-to-ask-if-youre-offered-induction-of-labour/

There’s a link to my website in my bio as well.

I hope you’ll find it useful.

04/28/2024

What an amazing and memorable three days we spent together. Though I wasn’t at my best with my raspy sometimes non-existent voice and random cough, we taught one another. There must be some sort of lesson I’m supposed to learn in losing my voice and having to power my way through my last DONA training after 29 years as a DONA-approved birth doula trainer. I think the lesson is about collective wisdom, generosity of spirit, and incredibly gifted people who step up— , , and especially .

Believe me, this is a group of doulas who can do hard things and will change the world one birth at a time.

04/28/2024

04/26/2024

Posted • These lies impact so many births 😢

Want to be part of a movement showing women the truth about birth?

Come to my next event on the 21st of May where you’ll see if teaching Hypnobirthing could be your dream career. Save your free place in my bio 🦋

04/12/2024

04/11/2024

Posted • In Memoriam: Penny Simkin, PT

With profound sadness and a heavy heart, DONA International announces the passing of our esteemed co-founder, Penny Simkin, PT, after a brief battle with cancer. Her departure on April 11, 2024 marks a tremendous loss not only to our organization but to the global doula community, childbirth educators, perinatal researchers, families she supported, and the countless lives she touched through her pioneering work in childbirth and maternity care.

Penny’s unwavering dedication to supporting families during one of the most significant moments of their lives has left an indelible mark on the field of labor support and childbirth education. Since 1968, Penny, a skilled physical therapist, embarked on a mission to transform the childbirth experience, making it more empowering, informed, and supported. Her tireless commitment to this cause led her to prepare over 15,000 individuals, couples, and siblings for childbirth, directly assist hundreds of families through labor as a doula, and author several influential books that have become staples in the field that have been translated into several languages.

Penny was a visionary and a luminary in every sense. Her work has paved the way for a new generation of doulas and childbirth educators, instilling in them the values of compassion, evidence-based practice, and relentless advocacy for birthing people and their families. Through her profound contributions and co-founding of DONA International, Penny has revolutionized doula care and childbirth education across the globe, leaving a legacy that will undoubtedly endure for generations to come.

Check the link in the bio for an updated blog post.

12/30/2023

Fulfill the childbirth education requirement for certification and take the next step towards becoming a DONA-certified birth doula. Join our engaging and comprehensive one-day training today.

Register at https://thenurturingplace.com/intro-to-childbirth-ed

12/30/2023

Fulfill the childbirth education requirement for certification and take the next step towards becoming a DONA-certified birth doula. Join our engaging and comprehensive one-day training today.

https://thenurturingplace.com/intro-to-childbirth-ed

12/08/2023

Lots of great continuing education options for birth workers.