Bear Together: Holistic Birth Services

12/17/2023

A FUTURE OF APPLE BLOSSOMS 🌸 Hello beautiful community! Big news— Bear Together is moving up to Northwest Arkansas… specifically Fayetteville!

This is such a huge emotional move for me and my family. I will miss everyone and everything about Texas more than I can describe. ♥️

I could not have imagined a better place to grow as a midwife.

I am full of gratitude for all of the families that have welcomed me into their lives and homes to support them. It has been a joy and an honor to know each and every one of you and witness your strength and love.

My heart will also forever hold a special place for all of my fellow midwives and doulas.. and this truly unique and incredible network of professionals in the Austin area. Wow. It is really something special that I will cherish and reflect back on with such deep reverence.

I know God is laying the stones for wonderful pathways in Arkansas. My eyes are lifted as I look toward all that the future holds there— even as I will sincerely miss Texas as my home. 💫

Let’s stay in touch. 💌
All my love,
Carly Bev

P.S … if you or your friends are local to NWA… please reach out!🌸😌

03/11/2023

Ellis Jude Robertson is here! He came spiraling into our arms almost one week ago, on the evening of March 5th. 🌀 He is such an incredible little peanut of a blessing! 🕊🥜♥️ We are all so in love— soaking up every moment of this first week together.

I am looking forward to sharing the full story of his arrival soon! With each labor and birth comes unique and profound wisdom. It took laughter, water, LOTS of prayer, and some big roars to bring Ellis here. 🌊

As I move through the fuzzy postpartum days, I keep reflecting with deep gratitude on all the people that have held me during this time and during labor and birth. 🤲🏼 My dear husband, family, community, and of course my midwives. ♥️ love love love love love surrounds Ellis and I … and I am so grateful. Thank you, God, for these blessings.

(I’ll cherish these photos forever! Thanks for capturing them — !!!)

The best midwife team I could ever dream of:



🤍

03/01/2023

An oldie but goodie! 🪩🌷

What’s the deal with people using exercise balls in pregnancy, labor, and postpartum? Welllllll....let’s talk about it!

02/23/2023

LABOR-AID ICE CUBES 🍋🤍
Have y’all heard about the homemade electrolyte drink referred to as “labor-aid?” (If you have been a client of mine in the past— I’m sure you have!😉)

It’s a little spin off of Gatorade but with wayyyy better ingredients and no freaky dyes.

It’s a great way to support hydration and energy levels in labor. The ingredients help your muscles (including your powerful uterus!!!) do their job. It also helps give your blood sugar a little boost and balance the ph levels in your body.

A client of mine made them into ice cubes a while back— and I loved the idea so much! It’s great to make a fresh batch in labor, but sometimes having the cubes ready takes the work out of it if you or your partner/support team don’t have a sec.

Some people also like to just drop a cube or two in a glass of water so the taste is less intense/less sweet.

Save this post and give it a try! 😙 Bonus points if you use heart shaped ice cube trays (swipe to second pic for extra joy!) 😊💛

There are lots of recipe ideas out there but this is the one I like:

4 cups water
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon pink salt
1/4 cup raw honey
a few drops of trace minerals
a few drops rescue remedy

🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋 Cool in the fridge and enjoy or freeze into cubes/hearts!

Some people make it with lime, coconut water … etc! You do you!

And if this isn’t your thing— (or if you get queasy in labor and don’t want to drink more of it) 🙃, try a smoothie, straight coconut water, red raspberry leaf and nettle tea, bone broth, LMNT powder, etc to keep your body hydrated and energized.

🤍

02/01/2023

April 2020- 12:28 am, 6 days postpartum with my first born son. This sleepy smile was a triumphant moment after a week of lots of sobbing and leaking and sleeplessness. My son wouldn’t latch and lost more than 10% of his birth weight. My milk took longer than normal to come in and when it did — my b***s were so engorged it was insane. 😵‍💫 I triple fed (nursed, pumped, then spoon fed) my son to get him back on track. I used ice packs and reverse lymphatic massage and herbs to help level out the engorgement. At the time — the best breastfeeding support I could get was virtual (via face time), due to the very new covid lockdowns and major unknowns. Even with all of the experience I had helping other mothers feed their babies — doing it myself was a whole new ball game. I don’t remember all of the fuzzy memories of those first few weeks but when I look at these photos— I have a physical remembrance deep in my body. I share this little diary entry to highlight how hard breastfeeding can be at first…. AND to share that it gets so much better 🥹🤍 and increasingly more beautiful and before you know it… you will be nursing your 2 and a half year old toddler and sobbing once again… but because you are weaning him while your second son grows within your womb. What a wild wild wild journey it is.

My first experience making milk and nourishing another life was completely transformative for me. It has been one of my favorite parts of motherhood. I couldn’t have made it through the first few months without my husband and support system. I have learned so much. The mother-child-bond and INCREDIBLE wisdom of the body brings tears of wonder to my eyes. So many humbling moments have come through my experience as a mother who chose to breastfeed.

I know my first few weeks (and years) of breastfeeding will be completely different with baby number two and I can’t wait to see how he and I connect in our own little way. 🤍 Looking forward to all the glowing weepy leaky moments ahead …. 🧡✨.. salt lamp glowing on my nightstand and triumphant midnight smiles.

P.S… if you are in your first few weeks postpartum, learning to feed your baby… don’t give up! Get support!!! xoxo

01/31/2023

Thank you, Ashley King for these words and resources 🤍 …

“If you've been watching the news this week, you've likely read about Lindsay Clancy and her children. The heartbreak, the tragedy...and yet, what happened to Lindsay Clancy could happen to anyone. And because of that, I thought it might be good to gather up all the resources in one spot.

If you have a pregnant mama in your life or if you're struggling with a Postpartum Mood Disorder yourself - please take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the resources/info shared. It could save the life of someone you love. ❤️

Postpartum Mood Disorders plague so many women to varying degrees. Many of these women suffer in silence, afraid to talk to their loved ones or healthcare providers for fear of how they may be perceived or the reactions they'll encounter.

Don't let Postpartum Depression have the final say. ❤️”

Women can experience a range of emotions in the postpartum period. Your body is facing massive physical and hormonal changes in a short period of time - which can definitely leave you feeling like you're riding a little bit of a roller coaster. While some emotional shifts are a normal part of the po

01/05/2023

Third trimester nesting! 🪺 Mixing up another big batch of my favorite herbs for a daily infusion of incredible minerals and nutrients. 💓 Nettles, Oatstraw, Red Raspberry Leaf, and Alfalfa take the lead— accompanied by lemon balm, rose hips, and rose buds. 🤍

01/03/2023

Happy New Year, from my little family to yours!! 🤍 It’s been a few months since I have posted here. 🙃🌿 I’ve been busy enjoying a full life — of supporting so many amazing clients and their families in 2022 (Bear Together’s busiest year yet!!) … as well as growing my own family by one more!

I am so excited to share that I am welcoming another sweet baby boy this upcoming spring.🌷It’s been an incredible and intimate pregnancy. The growth and love of this time is ever-expanding! 🌀

I am taking a very intentional maternity leave after the birth of my son. I look forward to coming back to practice when my family is adjusted and thriving as a family of four. 🌱 Gratitude consumes me as I consider how fortunate I am to have this time to center my energy around my children, my husband, and of course myself as a woman and mother.

Thank you for your kind support and encouragement as I navigate all of the emotions that come up with this choice. 🤍
I sure will miss attending births for a season, but know whole heartedly that being fully present for my boys and myself during this time is what we all need.

Cheers to all that lies ahead!
xo, Carly Bev

08/24/2022

Every month, I help to organize a Midwife meet-up in North Austin. 🤍 Each quarter, the meet-up is hosted as a Peer Review to encourage one another and help one another grow! If you are a local Midwife or student Midwife and would like to attend, please contact me directly for details! (Please email or text. I am not great at FB messenger. 🙃)

06/21/2022

Lydia’s full birth story is now posted on the Bear Together site! 🤍 It takes time and energy to record such a profound experience. ✨Thank you, Madison, ✨ for sharing your words and photos with us all! They are gifts!

05/10/2022

I love being a mother! In case you didn’t know it— I am mama to an amazzzzing 2 year old boy named Sam. 🤍 I am grateful grateful grateful to be a part of this special person’s life.

Happy Belated Mother’s Day to y’all! xo!

(I hope your Sunday was lovely! I spent mine assisting as a quick birth and then coming home to set up my new robot vacuum— gifted to me by my husband. Most of the day consisted of me, my son, and my husband sitting on the couch… watching our home being vacuumed. The best!!!! 💐😆)

04/27/2022

Congrats to Brandi and Matt as they welcomed their first child, Elias! What a beautiful blessing he is and what amazing parents you two are!!

Here is the story of Elias’ birth as told from my perspective as their Midwife. 🤍

I arrived to the home early in the morning. Music was playing as I entered. Their doula, Drea was boiling pots of water for the birthing pool and Brandi and Matt were cozy in bed. Brandi had her eyes closed and was breathing and humming through contractions that were coming strong and consistently. With each surge of contracting sensation, she would move her hand hovering over her belly in a soft gentle motion. Matt was so present beside her, witnessing her strength.

There was so much peace in their home on this gray rainy day. Brandi and Matt had done so much to prepare for the birth of their baby, and their preparation allowed this day to unfold with calmness and ease. Their trust and faith in God’s design and God’s plan for their life lead the way in each passing moment.

I quietly set up my supplies, assessed vital signs, and listened to baby’s heart rate baseline.

Labor progressed and Brandi’s contractions were now coming back to back to back to back … she was in transition and ready to enter the birth pool.

Baby boy’s heart rate sounded so great and Brandi was taking little nibbles of snacks and sips of fluids. Both momma and her baby were doing so well together!

After settling into the warm, deep water… things calmed. A little rest came for Brandi. I remember her looking at me and asking, “what are we waiting for?” I answered her.. “we are waiting for the urge to push.”

And soon enough… those surges came on again strong! The contractions tipped over into spontaneous bearing down. I called Midwife Kristin to come assist, as the birth was now imminent. Brandi worked through these sensations and learned how to use the uterine contraction and her added efforts to bring her baby down down down. She could feel baby moving and would share her progress with us all as we sat beside the pool. She was so amazing!! We were all in such awe of her beauty and strength through this process.

We began to see a bit of baby’s head and then it would slip back… a bit more of head seen… slipped back again… momma helping baby navigate her pelvis until eventually baby was low enough to stay. Just a few more powerful pushes and Brandi roared her little one into the water and up to her chest, receiving him with her own hands.

Matt announced “it’s a boy!” The room was filled with Elias’ voice and cries. Matt lifted up words in prayer. Brandi leaned back into Matt’s arms and took it all in.

It was a true joy to witness. 🤍 Much much love!!