Bows and a Beard Birth Services

12/14/2023

My newest addition seems to be a huge fan of ring slings while most of my other babies preferred the ergo carrier or moby wrap. I have tried so many different carriers with my babies and honestly this ring sling seems to be the most comfortable and is probably my favorite too! Plus, these colors are gorgeous. 😍

Baby wearing has so many proven benefits. Babies are calmer and cry less often. They feel more connected to their mothers. And the overall comfort that a baby gets is great. Contact napping usually leads to longer napping cycles for babies too. Plus hands free means that you can get things done and parent older children too!

Baby wearing is something that I love to encourage. Who wore their babies and did you love it?! 😊 What was your favorite carrier or wrap?

11/25/2023

For anyone local to Stephen’s City or wanting to travel a bit, this is too good of a deal to not share!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! 🦃🍁

Because I dropped the ball on Black Friday promos, I wanted to offer a Small Business Saturday promo!

I’m offering 6 (2023 and 2024) newborn sessions booked today and tomorrow to receive $250 off their session fee!

You will receive an in-studio session (up to 2 hours) with full styling and access to my wardrobe for $100!

Packages and products purchased in advance will receive 10% off with payment plans available.

11/18/2023

Vernix Caseosa

What is it?
Why is it there?
Why you should delay your baby’s first bath!

Vernix is that white waxy substance that covers a baby. Some newborns have a lot of it and some newborns don’t, and both variations are completely normal and can be used as a factor to determine an estimated gestational age at birth since newborns tend to lose their vernix as your pregnancy continues. The closer to 40 weeks or longer, the less vernix newborns usually have.

My most recent baby was COVERED in vernix, but I still left it and let her skin absorb it for the many benefits that delaying a baby’s first bath have.

According to a study I found the main benefits of delaying the first bath and leaving that cheesy stuff on your baby are thermoregulation, antimicrobial properties, hydration, and improved breastfeeding and enhanced bonding.

When newborns are brand new they are wet and their need for warmth is important. Vernix adds another layer of protection against the outside world air that can cool a baby quickly. Adding the additional protection of skin to skin with Mom immediately after birth and you will have a happy and warm baby.

The antimicrobial properties of vernix are undeniable as well. This layer of extra protection can inhibit the growth of bacteria and lessen the chance of infection in the newborn. It can also aide in healthy flora on baby

Hydration is another added plus of leaving vernix on baby. After swimming in amniotic fluid for the duration of your pregnancy, leaving that environment for the outside world can sometimes leave a baby dry and peeling, which is normal! But vernix can help lessen that dryness in newborns by simply rubbing this waxy substance into your baby’s skin. It’s like natures moisturizer.

And enhanced bonding and breastfeeding is obtained through immediate skin to skin with mom after birth. Making “the golden hour” a priority instead of worrying about cleaning baby encourages Mom to initiate that very important first latch within the first hour of life which has been shown to to enhance bonding and encourage successful breastfeeding.

https://nwcommons.nwciowa.edu/celebrationofresearch/2022/researchprojects2022/33/

11/11/2023

After 40 weeks and 3 days of waiting we finally met our little Rhea Sunshine.

Born encaul at home after just 90 minutes of labor at 3:03 AM. Her midwives were at our home for only 13 minutes before she was born! She took her time deciding when to come but wasted no time when she finally wanted to have a birthday party!

She is 7.5 lbs of perfection and everyone is smitten with this little girl. 🥰

Going into the new year I will only be taking 1 client per month to ensure that I am able to provide the same level of care and give each family the time that I always have while adding this new little lady to our family. So if you are expecting and want a doula reach out as soon as possible to ensure your spot. 😊

10/04/2023

When I was first attending births in 1984, the obstetric model was to cut the umbilical cord immediately after birth & take baby away for evaluation & a first bath. This was based on the belief that placental blood flow would increase birth complications for babies.

Even back then, we midwives knew to do it differently. We waited until the placenta stopped pulsating—10 or more minutes—before clamping and cutting the cord. Babies did great, placentas came out readily & all was good—even if our methods were considered silly by doctors.

Times change and science has caught up. The midwives were right! We now know that immediate cord cutting, unless there’s a medical emergency that requires it, is not recommended. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists now recommends a delay in umbilical cord clamping for at least 30-60 seconds, and the WHO recommends 2-3 minutes.

The benefits of waiting include:

❣️ Transfer to baby of immunoglobulins & stem cells, which are essential for tissue & organ repair
❣️ Extra iron for baby, which has been shown to prevent deficiency in the first year of life
❣️ Possible reduced risk of hemorrhage & easier placental delivery for mom

While jaundice can develop from delayed cord cutting due to this influx of blood, this type of jaundice is not usually a medical problem. Baby will naturally clear this excess iron by pooping. Your midwife or pediatrician will keep an eye on baby over the first few days to make sure it’s clearing. The benefits of delayed cord cutting are more profound for baby than the risk of this jaundice.

Unfortunately, immediate cord clamping/cutting are still common practice in hospitals. You have to let your midwife or doctor know that you want to wait, with baby tummy to tummy on you, while you do. I recommend bringing this up with your care provider in advance to ensure that they are on board to do ‘delayed cord clamping and cutting’. Get specific with exactly how long you want baby to be connected to the placenta.

Unsure how to advocate for yourself? Want guidance on pregnancy, birth, and newborn care? I have just the course for you, launching soon. Stay tuned ❣️

Drop your questions and thoughts below!

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10/03/2023

October is pregnancy and infant loss awareness month. Lots of love to all of the parents who have a special connection to October. 🩷🩵

Feel welcome to crop out this image to make it something personal for you if you'd like, or just have it as-is. This is for us. This month is for us. For our babies. For their stories. For our healing.

09/25/2023

09/21/2023

Who has encapsulated their placenta?!

Out of my 6 babies that are already born I only encapsulated with my 6th and I can say, for myself, I saw a huge difference in my mood stabilization after her birth. While I still had some baby blues, they weren’t nearly as bad as with my others. Studies have shown that postpartum progesterone use can help level out those hormonal roller coasters and your placenta is chocked full of it! Not to mention the nutrient replenishment after birth.

If you are local to Harrisonburg hit up Brookhaven Midwifery & Birth Center! They did a great job on my encapsulation last time! 😊

Use what nature offers: Brookhaven is happy to offer placenta encapsulation!

80% of mothers experience mood swings it in the first days and weeks after giving birth.
Because it is so common, nothing is typically done about it until it worsens into a diagnosis of postpartum depression. It doesn’t have to be this way.

Placentophagy, or consumption of the placenta, is believed to gradually replace the hormones lost so rapidly after childbirth and therefore eases drastic mood swings that can occur postpartum.

09/18/2023

Did you experience an urge to “nest” at the end of your pregnancy?!

While the cause is unknown, there seems to be a strong correlation between hormonal changes at the end of pregnancy, along with pregnancy anxiety and stress, that can lead to many women feeling a strong urge to “take control of their environment” and make it tip top shape for a baby.

The end of pregnancy is full of anxiety, especially as your due date draws near with so many unknowns.

I am currently 33 weeks with baby #7 and while I know my new baby will not care that my area rugs and upholstered dining room chairs are being freshly shampooed, my intuition is telling me that this NEEDS to be done!

Pregnancy hormones are so unique and, honestly, super weird in the way they work sometimes. 😊

08/18/2023

While I may be having my own baby in just a few short months, don’t hesitate to reach out for your 2024 deliveries! I still have plenty of availability at the moment!

I am also going to be providing limited lactation support while on maternity leave. Feel free to reach out with any questions! 😊

08/14/2023

Big announcement! 😊

I will be taking a leave of absence starting the beginning of October for a couple months because my husband as I are expecting again. We are excited to welcome baby girl #7! Feel free to follow me through my final trimester as I prepare for my homebirth as a birth worker for over 10 years. I will be sharing what I do along with tips and tricks that have helped me through labor, birth, and the 4th trimester.

02/02/2023

The “4th trimester”.
In my mind this is this hardest. Mom just had a baby and everyone is adjusting.

During this time mom is healing. She needs time for her body to rest. A midwife I apprenticed with used to always say
“A week in bed then a week around the bed” and I have always loved that and have continued to use that piece of advice!
The support that Mom will need after birth is tremendous. Her body just went through one of the most powerful things a body can go through. Mom and baby should just be together during this time. Establishing nursing and a strong bond while mom heals.

Baby was in a temperature controlled walking buffet for the past 9-10 months. The outside world is so new, and being with mom and her scent and warmth and heartbeat is all her baby knows and baby is craving that comfort. Baby will not even understand that they are a separate entity from their mother until 6-7 months of age.
So after birth give yourself grace. The guests, laundry, dishes, and meals should be handled by a postpartum partner. You are allowed to be selfish and take care of yourself and your baby. ❤️

12/25/2022

Merry Christmas from my family to yours. ❤️🎄

11/18/2022

Just a reminder with the holidays quickly approaching. 😊

"Babies are people, not toys.
You do not have to "share" your baby just because an adult feels put out, and wants to hold them.
You do not have to put up with your baby fussing at being passed around.
Babies are people with the right to feel safe and choose who touches them-ie, if they are only happy with you, that is fine. Someone can sit next to you and interact with baby while leaving them in their comfort zone.
You are your baby's advocate and voice. Do not be afraid to speak up for them. Boundaries are healthy, manipulation is not; firmness does not equal rudeness, so don't allow others to put guilt on you for holding your baby." ~Jody, mom of 5.