Vanessa Valdes

07/16/2025

Slow and steady, I’m right on time.
Every experience softens me, teaches me, and reminds me
we are transformed again and again and again and again

70/80

06/09/2025

In the past two weeks, I’ve been to five births and driven almost 2,000 miles. I’ve spent 11 out of 14 days at either school, clinic, or a birth—and the days have started to blur together.

In an attempt to regulate my nervous system, we spontaneously went to Silver Springs after a postpartum visit yesterday. Did I want to do it? No. I wanted to crawl back into bed. But… we did it—and we saw some baby gators and other little critters along the way. After some fresh air and sunlight, I feel about 10% more like myself 💗

06/07/2025

Self-care feels impossible when you’re running around—but I packed my lunch and took my vitamins anyway. Bit by bit, I’m learning to care for the one doing the caring. On my way to do postpartum midwife things 🌬️

06/04/2025

66/80

stay focused, diva! 3 more months until graduation 🌈

04/22/2025

60/80

Along for the ride.

04/17/2025

Closing this chapter with so much gratitude.
Studying midwifery through these trying times has deepened my understanding of how essential community midwives are-especially for BIPOC, Latinx and marginalized communities. It's always been the midwives who showed up with love, skill, and courage. Now more than ever, we need radical care, connection, and commitment to one another.

Thank you to everyone who's supported my journey. My Amazon graduation wishlist is in my bio if you'd like to celebrate with me.

Much love always.

Vanessa

04/02/2025

trust the unfolding, embrace the learning, and honor the transformation

03/17/2025

59/80

Five months. That’s all that’s left between me and the finish line. And I know the exhaustion will only deepen before it gets better. But so will the gratitude. Because soon, this will no longer be about requirements, graduation and NARM. Soon, I’ll be standing on the other side, doing what I love—not as a student, but as a midwife 💗

03/14/2025

Good midwifery care means adapting to the unexpected with skill and compassion. Transfers and changes in labor are sometimes necessary, but our support is unwavering. We prioritize shared decision-making, encourage advocacy, and honor your choices every step of the way—because your voice matters in every birth experience.

*photo shared with permission*

Happy Half Birth Day to this sweet mama and baby bear 🌀

03/12/2025

Regulating my nervous system by noticing the glimmers around me, leaning on my friends and family, moving my bones, drinking water.

Just one complicated house plant over here.

03/04/2025

Sometimes things happen sloooooooowly and then all at once. Thankful for each and every experience that has brought me so much growth.

5 more months until graduation ❣️

03/04/2025

Birth Education Workshop on March 15 at The Dasha Collective! ❣️

Happy to be hosting this at the house this month. Contact for information on registration. 🪷