Journey Midwifery Services

07/24/2025

07/19/2025

First babies take their time… but oh, they are so worth it! 💛
From timing those first contractions to dressing baby in their first little outfit—every moment is magic. ✨
Home birth is truly special. Thoughtful care, gentle monitoring, a soothing bath afterward... every detail is centered around comfort, safety, and love.
We’re so honored to be part of stories like yours.

07/11/2025

Good Monday morning, sweet and precious girl!
You were born just as the sun was rising—welcomed into the world by your loving father’s hands in the birth tub. What a sacred and beautiful moment that was! We are so glad you are here!

06/21/2025

A 2024 study looked at maternal and neonatal outcomes in midwife-attended planned home births versus planned hospital births in Spain.

Researchers analysed data from 3,463 low-risk births between 2016 and 2018, including 2,713 hospital and 750 home births.

They found several differences between the groups, which is often the case in this type of study.

“Women choosing home births typically had higher education levels and were predominantly Spanish. They were 3.43 times more likely to have a spontaneous birth and significantly less likely to undergo instrumental births than those in hospitals.

“Home births were associated with higher utilization of non-pharmacological analgesia and a more pronounced tendency to initiate breastfeeding within the first hour post birth. stronger inclination towards breastfeeding.

“Hospital births, conversely, showed higher use of the lithotomy position and epidural analgesia.” (Alcaraz-Vidal et al 2024).

“There were no significant differences in neonatal outcomes between the two groups.” (Alcaraz-Vidal et al 2024).

The researchers conclude that:

“Home births managed by midwives offered better obstetric and neonatal outcomes for low-risk women than hospital births.

"These results suggest home birth as a safe, viable option that promotes natural birthing processes and reduces medical interventions.

"The study supports the integration of midwife-led home birth into public health policies, affirming its benefits for maternal and neonatal health.” (Alcaraz-Vidal et al 2024).

We have added this to the ever-growing list of studies evidencing the safety of home birth on our home birth information hub.

You can find that, and the link to this study, at https://www.sarawickham.com/research-updates/is_home_birth_safe/

You can sign up to get my email updates (in which I share lots more than I post on social media) at https://www.sarawickham.com

06/02/2025

Ten pounds and a true knot in the cord! Babies are built to be born. Ever wonder why they can have a knot in the cord and still be just fine? Wharton’s jelly is a specialized connective tissue found within the umbilical cord, and it plays a crucial role in protecting the blood vessels (two arteries and one vein) that carry oxygen and nutrients between the placenta and the baby.

How Wharton’s Jelly Cushions the Umbilical Cord:
Gelatinous, Shock-Absorbing Matrix
Wharton’s jelly has a soft, jelly-like consistency made up of mucopolysaccharides (like hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate), which makes it resilient and compressible. This gel-like matrix cushions the vessels, preventing them from being compressed by external pressure or movements.
Elasticity and Structural Support
The jelly gives the cord elasticity and flexibility, allowing it to stretch and bend without kinking or collapsing. Even when the cord is coiled or forms a knot, the jelly maintains the shape and spacing of the blood vessels, reducing the chance of blood flow being cut off.
Prevents Vessel Collapse in Knots
In the case of a true knot (an actual looping and tightening of the cord), Wharton’s jelly can help keep the knot loose or prevent full occlusion of the vessels. It acts like a buffer, so mild to moderate knots typically don’t obstruct blood flow.
Resistance to Compression
Wharton’s jelly provides turgor pressure—it resists being compressed under pressure, much like how cartilage protects joints. This is vital in the womb, where the cord may be subject to pressure from fetal movements, uterine contractions, or positioning.
Summary:
Wharton’s jelly cushions the umbilical cord by acting as a gel-like, protective buffer around the blood vessels. It prevents compression and kinking, ensuring consistent blood flow to the fetus, even when the cord is bent, twisted, or knotted. While severe or tightly pulled knots can still pose a risk, Wharton’s jelly makes many such situations harmless by design.

05/29/2025

Snuggled in our cozy scale, all ready to be weighed and then tucked into bed with your amazing mama.

05/04/2025

Welcome to the world little guy!!! You were born with all your precious siblings peeking around the corner just dying to know if you were going to be another brother. It was such a sweet moment! We are so glad you are here 🥰

04/30/2025

Oh wow!!! What a beautiful day it has been! Sweet daytime birth, beautiful weather, and a super happy Addie! Lord, thank you for all your blessings!!!

04/09/2025

This sweet little guy was born just as the sun came up this morning. He made himself cozy in the sling while being weighed, and just hung out while sucking his thumb. He was also born with a heart shaped placenta ❤️

03/31/2025

Join us tomorrow night for pregnancy and postpartum support group!

03/27/2025

This morning we were so blessed to be present for a mama who chose to have a V2BAC. So, after two c-sections, she chose the peace and safety of a home birth for her baby.
What is the risk of uterine rupture during a labor after two cesareans?
So often, we hear the risk is 0.9 - 1.8%.
But that doesn’t tell the whole picture.
The truth is, those numbers are based on studies in which 49 - 65% of labors were induced or augmented.
As we know, induction and augmentation has been associated with increased uterine rupture rates.
So it’s quite likely that the risk of uterine rupture during a non-induced or augmented labor after two cesareans may be significantly lower.
This is why it’s so important to understand what the research says. And choose what is best for your specific situation.
Without induction, without scare tactics, this little one was born at 40 weeks and 4 days gestation in a 30 minute beautiful labor!

03/25/2025

Saturday was such a sweet day! I love repeat clients , they make birth just so special! Welcome to the world sweet baby girl!