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Tiny Toes Midwifery, Elgin, TX (2025)

01/12/2024

1 in 550 babies in the US are born with a Critical Congenital Heart Defect often requiring surgery soon after birth. This screen is perhaps the simplest and the least invasive of all newborn screens.

To perform, a probe is placed on the baby’s right hand and right foot to determine the oxygen content of the blood flowing by each of them.

The purpose is to evaluate if the heart is oxygenating the blood like it should be, and if not, the recommended follow-up test is an echocardiogram.

This test is performed after 24 hours of birth to allow for the transition from womb to world, and good news — midwives are able to do it at the bedside with your baby in your arms! Keep babies with mamas!

{ For a concise booklet covering information about pregnancy and postpartum testing, follow the link in my bio to purchase a copy of Simply Healthy Pregnancy Testing from my Etsy shop! }

01/11/2024

Group B Strep testing is extremely controversial, even among midwives. GBS is a bacteria that can colonize the va**na. It usually does not cause any symptoms or problems in the mama, but the baby can become infected during delivery.

It is controversial because…
• Prophylactic treatment means many mamas and newborns get unnecessary antibiotics as a “preventative” measure
• Group B Strep infection in the newborn can be life-threatening
• There’s no way to know with accuracy which babies will become infected
• There is no known effective treatment for positive GBS that will prevent the baby from becoming infected other than prophylactic antibiotics

What are the risks of GBS?
• 18% of mamas test positive for GBS
• 1-2% of babies will contract Early-Onset GBS disease
• 6.9% of full term babies sick with this will die
• 18% of babies sick with this will have serious neurological problems

Can testing help?
• Treatment with antibiotics can reduce change of *early onset GBS disease* by 83%, but does not prevent *late-onset GBS disease*
• Testing can prevent unnecessary antibiotics given to mom and/or baby
• Testing can allow for better informed decision making in situations such as having the waters broken for a prolonged period

It is extremely important to make an informed choice about this test because of the ramifications of either decision. GBS is difficult, because of the lack of effective and pointed treatment for infected babies without unnecessary interventions for the many babies that will not become infected.

{ For a concise booklet covering information about pregnancy and postpartum testing, follow the link in my bio to purchase a copy of Simply Healthy Pregnancy Testing from my Etsy shop! }

01/05/2024

Have you ever agreed to a test or procedure just because you felt pressured?

We shouldn’t be made to feel as if our concerns and opinions are not valid. Here are some questions to ask your provider to make an informed choice and avoid succumbing to pressure-made choices.

{ For a concise booklet covering information about pregnancy and postpartum testing, follow the link in my bio to purchase a copy of Simply Healthy Pregnancy Testing from my Etsy shop! }

01/04/2024

Did you know you can eat very healthy and still get gestational diabetes? Did you know that may women who have gestational diabetes have no risk factors? And up to 10% of women end up getting gestational diabetes in their pregnancy?

During a normal pregnancy, the body becomes slightly resistant to insulin, which allows sugar to enter the cells. This raises the available sugar in the blood to allow more available glucose to the baby. The body then utilizes proteins and fats for the mother’s needs. However, sometimes the body becomes too resistant to insulin, causing large spikes in blood sugar. Unmanaged, this can cause many problems for both mom and baby, including abnormal weight gain in baby, risk for future diabetes for both mom and baby, and shoulder dystocia (the shoulders having a difficult time being born).

What does the testing look like?

• Glucose Challenge Test — drink 50g of glucola drink or alternative and test 1 hour later. If the numbers are out of range, an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test is performed by fasting and then drinking 100g of glucola and levels are tested for 3 hours.

OR

• Home Glucose testing — testing amounts vary between midwives’ protocols, but it includes both fasting and post-meal testing. This along with a diet sheet can help pinpoint any specific foods your body has difficulty with.

While the glucola tests are standard, most women are not drinking 50-100g of pure sugar at a time, and it’s quite a shock to the body.

With home testing it’s important to test after your highest sugar meals to make sure you’re getting an accurate picture and not missing gestational diabetes.

Now, if you eat really healthy — is testing necessary?

Because blood sugar levels can become elevated even with healthy foods like whole grains and bananas, it’s helpful to at least do some home testing to ensure your body is handling the foods you are giving it well.

{ For a concise booklet covering information about pregnancy and postpartum testing, follow the link in my bio to purchase a copy of Simply Healthy Pregnancy Testing from my Etsy shop! }

01/03/2024

I remember when I first started caring for women, genetic testing seemed rather taboo. Because there were risks to the offered tests (namely miscarriage with cvs and amniocentesis), and the clients I served linked genetic testing with abortion. However, I find genetic testing can be extremely valuable for us who value every life in being able to prepare and obtain the best care for our little ones that may need additional assistance at life.

What kind of testing is available?

• Carrier screening — tests mom’s and dad’s genes to see if they are carriers. It does not prove if the baby will have the condition, but can assess the chances of it being passed to baby. This does not assess risk of baby having an abnormal amount of chromosomes, or neural tube defects.

• Blood markers such as the Quad screen — assesses different markers that can help assess baby’s chance for having for Down’s Syndrome, Edward’s Syndrome, and neural tube defects. It only assesses the likelihood of baby having a condition, and is not diagnostic.

• Nuchal translucency screening — measures the thickness of the baby’s neck via ultrasound. A thicker neck may indicate a baby with an abnormal amount of chromosomes, but it is not diagnostic. It is often used alongside a quad screen.

• Chorionic Villus Sampling — tests baby’s cells from placental tissue called chorionic villi by inserting a needle to collect samples. It is diagnostic, but comes with a risk of miscarriage. It can detect trisomy 13, 18, and 21, and other inherited disorders but not neural tube defects.

• Amniocentisis — tests baby’s DNA from the amniotic fluid by inserting a needle to collect samples. It is diagnostic, but comes with a risk of miscarriage. It can detect trisomy 13, 18, and 21, and other inherited disorders and some neural tube defects.

• Cell-free DNA Testing — Highly accurate testing of fetal DNA found in the maternal blood. Not diagnostic, but also does not carry risks of other tests. Screens for many types of abnormal chromosomes amounts but does not screen for neural tube defects.

01/02/2024

Have you ever wondered what exactly is being drawn and why during pregnancy?

While some blood work is similar between midwives and OB care, midwifery blood work is usually more in-depth, with a goal of addressing problems and preventing complications from happening in the first place.

Routine labs often include:

• Obstetric Panel
- Complete blood count (see below)
- Blood type in case a blood transfusion is needed
- Rh factor to rule out blood incompatibility with baby
- Antibody screen for antibodies that could attack baby
- Rubella immunity screen
- Hepatitis B scene
- HIV screen
- Syphilis screen

• Complete Blood Count includes:
- Hemoglobin is the blood’s oxygen carrying capacity
- White Blood Cell count to screen for infection
- Platelet count to assess clotting ability

• Blood Glucose
- A1c measures the average blood glucose level over the past 3 months
- Blood glucose for Oral Glucose Tolerance Test or Glucose Challenge

Additional tests that midwives more commonly run include:

• Thyroid panel
• Vitamin D levels
• MTHFR to assess body’s ability to utilize folic acid
• Complete Metabolic panel to assess liver function
• Hormones such as progesterone to help pinpoint hormone dysfunction so that support can be given where needed
• Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing to test for genetic abnormalities of the baby through mama’s blood

Again, our job as midwives is to SUPPORT the body to function optimally.

Some women may choose less intervention and less testing. Some women may choose more testing to pinpoint body weaknesses.

And midwives support women.

{ For a concise booklet covering information about pregnancy and postpartum testing, follow the link in my bio to purchase a copy of Simply Healthy Pregnancy Testing from my Etsy shop! }

01/01/2024

Happy New Year!!

To all the mamas with new babies in their arms — may this year bring wellness and joy and closeness. Wellness to you and your babies, joy in God’s gift of motherhood, and closeness to your baby no matter the difficulties that try to interfere.

To expecting mamas, eager to meet their little ones this upcoming year — may this year bring hope and wisdom and peace. Hope of meeting your little one this year, wisdom to make the best decisions for you and your baby, and peace to know that while we are not perfect parents, there is a God we can entrust with our imperfect decisions.

To those hoping to become mamas this year — may this year bring encouragement and courage and strength. Encouragement to keep pressing on in your journey, courage to hope through the pain of waiting, and strength to endure it .

To mamas who have loved and lost — may this year bring solace and hope and tenderness. Solace in God with you in every trial, hope for a future in heaven where there is no loss or sorrow or parting, and tenderness from those near to soothe your soul.

And to those who have accepted the silent “no” — may this year bring you expectation and nearness and rest. Expectation in God’s plans that He has for you, nearness to Him in a way you have not experienced before, and rest in His joy to give you His very best.

This year may or may not be what we expect, yet “He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭32‬

Happy New Year ❤️

12/28/2023

In 2021, an interesting study was done assessing the effects nature can have on pain experience (citation in the comments). While this study was small (only 24 participants), it indicated that visiting a greenspace while experiencing pain (an urban natural environment) significantly increased pain tolerance. What could that mean for laboring mamas?

Could laboring outdoors help labor to be more tolerable?

Many women walk in early and active labor to encourage the baby to get into a better position and speed up labor, but what if there was an added benefit to doing this walking outdoors?

It is well known that nature is rejuvenating and soothing, relaxing, and comforting. It makes sense to assume those could benefit laboring mamas!

Did you spend any time outdoors during your labor?

12/23/2023

In this time of frantic preparation and cookies and family, sickness is often just around the corner. The good news is ginger is helpful for more than just gingerbread cookies!

Immune Support Tea:

• 7 slices or fresh ginger
• 5 slices of a garlic clove
• half a lemon
• honey

To make my favorite immune-boosting tea, simmer the ginger and garlic in a small saucepan for 10 minutes. Strain some into a mug, and add the juice from half a lemon and honey to taste. Drink a few cups throughout the day to support your immune system.

12/21/2023

Who should be at your birth?

The easy answer is — whoever you WANT to be there.

Here are some points to consider though…

• Is this person SUPPORTIVE of my wishes?
• Does this person add VALUE to my support team?
• If I didn’t have any EXPECTATIONS put on me, would I invite this person?
• Am I EXCITED to share this experience with this person?
• Am I COMFORTABLE being exposed/pooping/crying in front of this person?
• Could I UNINVITE this person at the last minute and not put relational strain between us?

Also remember that each additional person is considered to add an hour to your labor. Birth is not a spectator sport nor is it a party! But you should have the freedom to have your support people — people that you can rely on to encourage and strengthen you.

Tiny Toes Midwifery

01/12/2024

01/11/2024

01/05/2024

01/04/2024

01/03/2024

01/02/2024

01/01/2024

12/28/2023

12/23/2023

12/21/2023

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Monday	9am - 5pm
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