Your Cherished Birth

23/07/2025

How amazing is this!

23/07/2025

What I'd love to see is something to show how big it is! But how cool is this?

10/07/2025

This is an amazing book! I highly recommend it for anyone.

01/07/2025

19/06/2025

Ths messy pile of donated items is on its way out of our office. Before I donate it all Ill tell you about it and you can come get some before its Gone.

Twin sheets
Queen sheets
(Perfect for your birth if you don't want to stain any of your own)
Several new and gently used breast pumps and accessories
Lots of cloth diaper inserts
Some clothing items
A sz small really cute bathing suit
Breast pads
Nursing bras
Sleep bras
Nursing tanks
Bottles
Pacifiers
Books not remotely related to midwifery birthing or breastfeeding but REALLY GOOD READS
baby food
Formula
And a few other items

We get so much donated and these items have been sitting for awhile. Please give them the gift of use so they don’t end up in a landfill eventually!

04/06/2025

Interesting information. Now also consider that they have long suspected that preecclampsia has to do with the placenta in some way, AND horse studies have shown that the placenta is mostly made of male DNA and it seems we might be headed somewhere.

Preeclampsia is complex, and part of the puzzle involves the male factor. A topic that is often neglected in conventional medicine, especially as semen parameters continue to fall. ⁠
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⁠One theory, or maybe one piece of the puzzle, may involve the semen microbiome (yes, the semen has microbes). Most research on microbiome and preeclampsia have centered on the female endometrial and vaginal microbiome. Still, this study (link in bio) argues that paternal immunological factors and semen microbiome may explain some PE patterns. ⁠
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Pregnancy presents unique immunological changes that prevent the maternal immune system from attacking the embryo (it is a natural pathogen, causing tissue damage after all). Failure in this immunosuppression has been implicated in PE, as have pathogenic presences that prevent the immune system suppression (such as infections). ⁠
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Seminal fluids also contain immunomodulating compounds that promote maternal immune tolerance, kind of like waving the white flag (friend, not foe). Exposure to a patern's semen over time reduces the risk of PE by facilitating immune adaptation; it trains the immune system that this semen is safe.⁠
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This may explain why PE is more common in first-time pregnancies, 2-3x higher risk, (maybe less exposure before conception), and seems to decline after subsequent pregnancies with the same partner. ⁠
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We also see that the PE risk is higher in women who are having a child with a new s*x partner, even if she has had pregnancies in the past without PE. A 2003 study found that the use of barrier contraception before conception increased the risk of PE by 17-fold in women with short s*xual relationships before conception (< 4 months). ⁠
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Semen can also be exposed to viruses and bacteria. While not overt STDs, these will cause immune system reactions. Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma could be involved. ⁠
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When pathogens are present, the maternal immune system does its job and attacks them (regardless of exposure). They produce compounds that activate the maternal immune system, induce blood clotting, and change the uteroplacental interface.⁠
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Wanna read more, check the Link in bio

05/05/2025

April and May, beautiful months for new beginnings and beautiful come backs, have been restoration months for me. In April I started work on my physical health, and now in May I'm focusing on my mental health. Going on a vacation mid month, refresh, reset... ready for June and the 2 clients due that month, and getting set for the overflowing months of summer!

11/03/2025

I hope that this service will one day be available to everyone, everywhere, I can't say how incredibly valuable this work is... my beautiful baby was photographed by a volunteer from this agency and I treasure those photos!

Without a volunteer photographer, we miss the chance to create memories and capture those only moments a family will spend with their baby. Your photography could make a profound difference for a family in your community. Join us as a volunteer, help us never miss a moment.

Visit nowilaymedowntosleep.org/volunteer to learn more about volunteering. Use the code RAV25 to waive the application fee through the end of the month!

26/02/2025

I hear a bird outside my window! It's been weeks maybe months! Spring must be coming!

23/10/2024

New alliances being formed every day! Got to attend a birth with Laurie Vance, and Jessica Scheffers, was served delicious food, and met a lovely family I hadn't expected to meet because so many babies needed their birthday on the same day that their midwife couldn't be at all of them at the same time. I am blessed indeed!

27/09/2024

I just love Henci Goer, her book is also fabulous and was the main reason I knew prior to having my waters broken with my 2nd baby, that I should ask questions before allowing it to happen (nevermind that I was railroaded into letting them and then had a cord prolapse and emergency c-section.)

05/09/2024

Looking forward to teaching childbirth class this weekend at the office, and showing Andrea Cervantes-Hines how to run the show so I can step back from that task.
It's going to be Fantastic!
Then on Saturday we'll be hosting the annual picnic for Oak Tree and Your Cherished Birth Services. Busy but fun weekend!