Southern Illinois Midwifery, LLC

09/21/2025

09/20/2025

09/19/2025

We frequently evaluate progesterone levels in the luteal phase. Low progesterone can show up as a short luteal phase (less than 10 day from ovulation to the next bleed), premenstrual spotting, several days of brown bleeding at the end of the period, etc. Low progesterone can be the reason for various PMS symptoms and one of the possible reasons for recurrent miscarriages. Learning to chart your cycle properly and getting a basic hormone profile blood panel will be the first way to evaluate for low progesterone!!
Melissa is taking new clients for hormone evaluation at

https://mycatholicdoctor.com/resources/doctors/melissa-coello-cnm-aprn/

✨ Your basal body temperature is a built-in progesterone detector. ✨

A great way to assess progesterone is to think in terms of progesterone days — the days you actually make progesterone. More progesterone days mean more of its benefits for your uterine lining, breasts, brain, and immune system. That’s why temperature tracking (BBT charting) is such a great way to assess the duration of your luteal phase and know if you’re making enough progesterone.

You can also measure progesterone with a blood test or at-home urine test, but timing is everything. Your peak progesterone will be mid-luteal — about 7 days after ovulation and 7 days before your next period. That might be “day 21” in a 28-day cycle, but in a shorter or longer cycle, the mid-luteal day shifts, too.

💬 Chime in with your questions, knowledge, and favourite charting resources!

09/16/2025

Southern Illinois has another doula now available for labor support! At SIM we ask all of our first time Mamas to hire a doula for labor support and encourage doulas for all. The education and support they provide are invaluable!!

Here for all of your labor and postpartum needs!!

09/14/2025

09/08/2025

Car seat checks done with love & care!

📅 Free Car Seat Checks (not a giveaway)

🗓 September 10 & 11 | By appointment only

⏱ Each check lasts 30–45 minutes

✅ Get peace of mind from certified car seat technicians

📍 Sign up here: https://calendly.com/k2academy/car-seat-check

Your child’s safety is worth the check! 💕💙

09/08/2025

At SIM we love doulas!!! They provide excellent education and support that your OB provider may simply not have time to give. Medicaid is now reimbursing doulas and IBCLC lactation consultants in IL. Call the Little Resource Center in Carbondale to learn more.

Moments like this remind us that support goes both ways the care we give grows into lasting bonds of love and gratitude.

Hire a doula today https://form.jotform.com/251326774044052

Gabriel Stockstill thank you so much! It was an honor supporting you both!

08/24/2025

01/25/2025

SIM is excited to announce that beginning February 4, Melissa Coello, CNM, APRN will be opening telemedicine GYN appointments for women in Illinois seeking Restorative Reproductive Women's Healthcare (RRM) services. RRM is an approach to women's health that is focused on restoring natural hormone and reproductive function rather than suppression. This approach is particularly well suited to women with abnormal or irregular cycles (PCOS, hypothalamic amenorrhea, ovulatory dysfunction), recurrent pregnancy loss, pregnancy hormone monitoring, painful periods, difficulty conceiving, as well as perimenopausal and menopausal hormone replacement therapy.
To learn more or to book a telemedicine appointment, follow this link! Most insurances are accepted and cash pay rates are available.

Faithful Healthcare You Can Trust

01/11/2025

“On the basis of a nationwide study, we estimate that the average cost of a home birth in the United States is USD 4650, which is significantly below existing cost estimates for an uncomplicated birth center or hospital birth.”

“Further, we find that each shift of one percent of births from hospitals to homes would represent an annual cost savings to society of at least USD 321 million.”

No, it’s not just about money.

But it makes you think.

Study details: Anderson, D.A.; Gilkison, G.M. The Cost of Home Birth in the United States. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 10361. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph181910361

The paper is freely available at https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/19/10361

If you’d like more information about home birth, and to see the evidence for its safety and the other things mentioned above, see https://www.sarawickham.com/research-updates/is_home_birth_safe/