River City Midwifery

08/05/2025

In 2018, Linsey and I spontaneously opened a birth center and spent countless hours attending births, renovating buildings, establishing gardens, and generally causing "good trouble." And, like every good thing in life-it evolved.

In 2023, Linsey stepped back from Midwifery, and I consciously chose to close the birth center; focusing on a lower volume home birth practice. Thru these transitions, we have remained solid support for each other.

It's not easy to survive business, life, and relationship transitions-but we did it! And, in a few weeks, Linsey will be starting law school!

Friendships are hard to find and harder to keep. When you get a good one, hold onto it🩷

07/17/2025

I know it's tough to hear, but you dont actually need to be "tough" for birth. This is why I don't question a person's ability to give birth at home based on "pain tolerance." Actually, practicing the art of "letting go" can go a long way when preparing for birth.

We are a tight ass society with lots of reasons to try and be perfect. But birth is NOT that. It's messy and unpredictable and requires flexibility. So, let's lean into that. And the softness❤️

06/24/2025

Posting with lots of feels for the past today. I have been harvesting calendula- which goes into the postpartum sitz and also makes an amazing salve. But it's hot as Hades out there, and when I previously grew and collected calendua, it was in Vermont-and not so hot. But the smell and sticky resin of these flowers take me right back to Vermont.

It was here that I studied under Helena Wu, an amazing herbalist and midwife. She is humble and no longer practices, but her words of wisdom still ring true.

We all hold memories.

There are a few items that I cherish and hold sacred - including my grandmother's rocking chair, her mortar and pestal, and the birthing chair that Helena passed down.

All of these items remind me to slow down. Per the wisdom of my mentor, I am drying flowers of calendula, st john's wort, plantain and comfrey in random closets, attics and cars. I grew them from the ground up and they will not be produced with production in mind-but rather healing and sacred memories.

Becoming a midwife does not happen fast. Sitting on your hands while a baby is born takes great patience. Growing the herbs that support pregnancy and then cultivating them is a labor a love. It is all a labor a love.

So, if you are moving slow in this heat, that is what we are supposed to do. Soak in this slow, labor of summer love.❤️

06/11/2025

There will be a few more friendly faces around here! Kiya and Capri have joined RCM as student midwives, learning the art, science, and love of community midwifery. Please read their bios-they are impressive and inspiring! I can't wait for you to "meet" them. 🎉🎈🎊

05/11/2025

Motherhood can be messy and complicated and beautiful and hard. I am truly blessed to be a mom of people who still want to hang out. I am grateful to have a mom I can still hug and call on the phone. I am honored to have witnessed the incredible making of hundreds of moms. But for those who are having a hard day, I hope today is soft and you are held in love. 🩷

04/28/2025

A large Gut study found that eating 30 different veggies, legumes, fruits, grains, and nuts per week had huge health benefits!🥑🍓🥬🥦🥕 This is usually my goal. Some weeks I do better than others (with special birthdays and celebrations this week, I was a little off). I would love to know how everyone did?!
https://microsetta.ucsd.edu/30-plants-per-week/

03/25/2025

I know we can all feel a shift. The warm sun, a gentle breeze, and of course-Richmond pollen. Spring is officially here! So, let's welcome all the new people that made their arrival over the cozy winter. Always an honor. Always grateful.
❤️-Adrianna

03/06/2025

Spring is close, and I feel kinda like a mama bear slowly emerging from winters slumber....only to be shocked by the collective dumpster fire of the world and wondering if I should retreat back to the Den. Maybe some of you can relate?!?

I have been intentionally quiet the past few weeks. Partly because I wasn't sure how to respond to this weight and also because many more beautiful souls have been born.

But, I wanted to share these tulips reaching for the sun. I want you to know that choosing to pause, breathe, pray, write, sing, dance, rage, lay in bed, and eat chocolate cake are all okay.

To all the good people out there-birthing, raising kids, supporting and advocating for our fellow humans, thank you. You are enough.

Flowers never ask if they are beautiful or if they have done enough. They just exist and bring joy. I hope you find some joy today.

Love,
Adrianna

02/03/2025

01/03/2025

It's always fun and somewhat nerve wracking to tally the yearly stats. Mostly because birth is never as clear as numbers. But I'm going to do my best to break down the info here. In general, I rounded numbers to keep it simple and most importantly every birth matters! There is no failure in birth, no matter the location or route into this crazy world. ✨

1. Regarding the transfer rate of 20% there was a pre-labor rate of 8% for things such as pre-eclampsia, cholestasis, IUGR, transverse lie, and postdates. A labor transfer rate of 8% for preterm labor, exhaustion and partial abruption. The post labor rate of 4% was for retained placenta, bleeding and baby needing some extra help.

2. A VBAC rate of 100% with one parent starting off at home and ending up with a VBAC in the hospital. This was also the biggest baby of the year:) And the second year that a VBAC has held the title for biggest baby!

3. Cesarean rate was low at 3%. One occurring for twins that liked to lay sideways and another for one of the hardest working moms I have ever witnessed in birth. ❤️

4. Biggest baby, a VBAC. Smallest baby had a very short cord at just 20cm but was mighty and fierce.

5. There were also 6 babies we thought would be welcomed in 2024 but left too soon (not included in the 56 babies born).

🌟As always it was an honor to be with each and every one of you. And a special shout out to , , the doulas, fellow midwives and doctors who continue to make community birth possible in RVA🎉

12/27/2024

I know I have been slacking with the SM posts....but it was a busy fall! Now that the Solstice has passed, let us honor our Autumn Equinox babies. Congrats to all these new humans and their parents. You worked really hard for them:)