Mother Nurtured Midwifery

09/18/2025

"Use the baby as your barometer."

A quote from the brilliant Sara Morris, RM PhD. We were discussing pros & cons of time-based algorithms among a group of BWB instructors.

One algorithm that has been making the rounds in some local hospitals is: 5 minutes from bum to birth, 3 min from umbilicus to birth, 1 minute from shoulders to birth, step in if no progress for 90 seconds.

We at BWB take a different approach: the baby's condition and progress will tell you if you need to intervene, not the clock. Some babies can tolerate several minutes and remain vigorous, while others cannot even tolerate 1 minute.

If baby is vigorous and is making good progress, fantastic! Just wait and watch, as long as fetal condition and progress remain excellent. But if baby is limp, gasping, or making slow progress, or showing any signs of obstruction, then step in right away.

09/18/2025

💖 yes! My girls were little 8-10% babies and now they’re young adults who remain small: 5’ even and 5’ 1”. My son was a chubby baby and is now almost 6’! All of them were healthy in their own way.

09/10/2025

🤣🤣🤣

08/15/2025

07/09/2025

Now, more than ever, we need improved access to midwifery care in hospital and at home! Yes to integration! 👏

"Midwifery models of care are models of care in which the main care providers for women and newborns, starting from pre-pregnancy and continuing all the way through the postnatal period, are educated, licensed, regulated midwives who autonomously provide and coordinate respectful, high- quality care across their full scope of practice, using an approach that is aligned with the midwifery philosophy of care, which:

i. promotes a person-centred approach to care;
ii. values the woman–midwife relationship and partnership;
iii. optimizes physiological, biological, psychological, social and cultural processes; and iv. uses interventions only when indicated.
In midwifery models of care, midwives provide integrated care, addressing the needs of each individual woman and newborn, within functional and enabling health systems, equipped with necessary resources and streamlined consultation and referral processes. They collaborate within networks of care as part of interdisciplinary teams characterized by equality, trust and respect. This approach guarantees that every woman and newborn receives personalized care, tailored to their health needs.

Midwifery models of care are adaptable to all levels of care and contexts, including home-, community- and hospital-based settings; the public and private sectors and public–private partnerships; resource-constrained environments; and humanitarian and crisis settings. This ensures wide accessibility, equity and relevance across different cultural contexts for women, newborns, partners, families and communities."

Read More: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240098268

07/03/2025

We need to eliminate the word 'allowed' when it comes to birthing mamas.

You're a grown ass woman so no, you don’t need to be “allowed” to eat, move, stand, or hold your baby during birth.

But for far too many women, that’s exactly how it feels. They are told:

⚠️They can’t eat or drink anything but ice chips.
⚠️To stay in bed, hooked to monitors.
⚠️They can’t use the tub or shower.
⚠️They must push lying on their back, legs in stirrups.
⚠️Their partner has to leave during exams.
⚠️They can’t delay cord clamping or newborn care.
⚠️Photos or videos aren’t allowed.

This isn’t care. It’s control.
You are not a passenger in your birth.

Your body. Your baby. Your birth. You deserve respect, autonomy, and evidence-based support.

Most of these “rules” aren’t about safety. They’re about outdated protocols, convenience, and liability fears. Here’s what evidence actually shows:

🍎 Eating and drinking in labor is safe for most women—and fuels stamina.
🚶‍♀️ Moving, walking, using the tub (if your water isn't broken) or shower, and choosing your position can shorten labor and reduce interventions.
🤱 Immediate skin-to-skin and delaying newborn care improve outcomes for both of you.
📸 Photos and videos? Your birth is your sacred story.

Birth is not something to be managed. It’s a rite of passage. You don’t need permission to make informed choices—you need support to stand fiercely in them.

That’s why I created MamaPathway—a radical, compassionate birth course to prepare you for birth, protect your autonomy, and step into motherhood with unshakeable confidence.

We cover what your OB should teach you but rarely does:

🌿 Nourishing your body and microbiome
🌿 Your rights and options in the hospital
🌿 How to reduce interventions in labor and recover powerfully postpartum

Birth is not something that should happen to you. It’s something you get to do, your way, with respect for your preferences.

💭 Did you experience these restrictions—or were you supported in your choices? Share below. Your story can empower another mama today.

✨ Tap the link below to join MamaPathway and walk into your birth with clarity, courage, and power.

https://avivaromm.com/mama-pathway/

06/28/2025

We also serve clients who are “of a certain age”. We promise never to call you geriatric! 💖

Are you being treated differently at prenatal visits because of your age? Are you tired of being called elderly, geriatric, or advanced maternal age?

We are happy to provide care to moms of ALL ages.

We take an evidence based approach that keeps mom at the center of the planning. We are happy to talk about statistics, risks, and benefits of testing, and your preferences about what sorts of tests you want to have done.

If you are a mom in your 30s or 40s who is tired of being treated like an old lady, give us a call at 541-816-3008!

06/24/2025

So real

06/22/2025

06/21/2025

A New Way to Screen for Cervical Cancer: FDA Approves At-Home HPV Test

In a major step forward for women’s health, the FDA has approved a new at-home tool that allows patients to collect a sample for HPV testing—as a part of screening for cervical cancer.

What Is It?
The device, known as the Teal Wand, is designed to make cervical cancer screening easier and more comfortable for women. It’s similar in shape to a tampon applicator and includes a soft tip to gently collect cells from the vaginal canal. Once the sample is collected, it can be mailed to a lab for testing.

Is It Effective?
Early clinical studies show that the at-home test is highly accurate in detecting high-risk strains of HPV, the primary cause of cervical cancer. Most users also found the device easy to use, and the majority of samples returned valid results.

What It Doesn’t Replace
While this tool is a powerful step forward, it doesn’t eliminate the need for in-person yearly gynecological care. Also, women with abnormal results or symptoms still need follow-up exams, and this device is currently intended for women aged 25–65 at average risk.

Our View
At John Labban, M.D., PC – Women’s Health, we support innovations that improve access and empower women to take control of their health. However, the Teal Wand does not replace traditional exams, but it can help more women begin the screening process sooner and with more comfort. We worry that some women might consider this at-home HPV test is enough for their well being and not come for their annual exam. If you are intending to use this test, make sure it is covered by your insurance.