Tammie Cook Birth Doula Services

08/27/2024

08/27/2024

People often claim we have limited research done on placental consumption, when actually there is a great body of medical literature spanning over 100 years. For example this study from 1917 found that "the percentage of protein and lactose contained in breast milk increased after ingestion of desiccated placenta."

Hammett F S, Mcneile L G. The Effect Of The Ingestion Of Desiccated Placenta On The
Variations In The Composition Of Human Milk During The First Eleven Days After
Parturition. J Biol Chem. 1917;30:145–153.

https://brilliantbirthacademy.com/placenta-encapsulator-certification-course/

04/25/2024

If you're not comfortable with your birth team, birth location, or birth options... change them
No one is served well by staying in a situation that feels unsettled.
No situation is right for everyone. There are many times where we must lay our ideals and wishes aside and surrender to the Lord's will... but there are many times when we're simply not addressing something that is attainable. More than anything, bring up the questions and concerns and lay them out on the table and see how they are handled... you might be surprised how far a bit of honest communication goes!

04/17/2024

April is Cesarean Awareness Month!

In the US approximately 1 out of every 3 births is by cesarean.

Sadly, most of these cesareans are unnecessary.

In the 1970's only 1 out of every 20 births was by cesarean.

That's a 540 Percent Increase!

Cesarean is major abdominal surgery which carries greater risks than vaginal birth, longer recovery periods, and greater risks for future pregnancies, for example, the risk of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS).

One way to lower your risk of Cesarean is to attend Dancing For Birth™ Class.

Dancing For Birth™ Class participants had a 56% lower cesarean rate than the US average.

Sign up today! Find a class near you: https://www.dancingforbirth.com/prenatal-postpartum-childbirth-education-fitness-class

02/19/2024

❤️

Breech birth in a hospital setting💫

A variation of normal, not so common in many places and to many providers.

This mama was planning a home birth, and at 36.5 weeks, the morning she was supposed to have an ECV (external cephalic version) her water broke and labor started.
She headed to the hospital with hopes of finding a provider that would be trained in breech births and would support her. And she was lucky enough to find this doctor .

I met mom and her husband at their hospital room and stayed with them while she labored beautifully and uninterrupted. No IV, no constant monitoring, no medications or restrictions. She was confident and trusted her ability to birth.

When time came, her body started showing all the signs of baby being ready to meet them.
The doctor and other members of the hospital staff stayed close to witness the miracle.
With no one telling her what to do or how to do it, she roared her baby girl, feet first, into this world.
The doctor sat on her hands, supporting without intervening. Encouraging mom while teaching other about this incredible way of being born. When baby was fully out, she passed her to mom while reassuring her that everything was ok.

Baby took some time to transition. She was being stimulated without leaving mom’s side. As a pre term baby, it was common to take a little longer to adapt.

Mom was in control of her birth the whole time. She decided when the cord should be clamped and cut, when the placenta should be born and what interventions should be performed on baby. And the hospital staff respected that at all times.

krrrristaaahhh you are amazing! So determined and strong. You advocated for yourself and readjusted your sails when the wind wasn’t blowing your way.

I hope this becomes the norm for babies that decide to be born differently.

02/12/2024

A newborn mother's sleep is so important. Dr. Alexandre Bonnin’s study on the placental production of serotonin recently overturned sixty years of conventional medical thought. He explains, “The placenta was seen as a passive organ, but we now know that it has significant synthetic capabilities.”[1] The serotonin-rich placenta helps to regulate sleep patterns and increase a mother’s ability to return to deep sleep cycles after late night/early morning feedings. Serotonin levels also aid in balancing weight, mood, and contribute to clearer cognitive functioning.[2]

[1] Bonnin A, Goeden N, Chen K, Wilson Ml, King J, Shih Jc, Blakely Rd, Deneris Es, Levitt P. “A Transient Placental Source of Serotonin for the Fetal Forebrain.” Nature, 21;472(7343), 2011, pp 347-50.

[2] Mckay R. “Developmental Biology: Remarkable Role for the Placenta.” Nature, 21;472(7343), 2011, pp 298-9.

01/02/2024

01/02/2024

How does Spinning Babies® make birth easier?

Labor contractions help babies change positions to fit the pelvis. Spinning Babies® Three Principles: Balance, Gravity, and Movement guide us to help the uterus position the baby. The positions that open the top of the pelvis are different from the positions that open the bottom of the pelvis. Balance first followed by smarter birth positions may facilitate an easier labor. Spinning Babies® offers a new paradigm for birth.

01/01/2024

Happy New Year!

12/30/2023

What was the best item you packed in your labor bag?

12/30/2023

NEW!!! Placenta Encapsulation forms are available online with jotform!!

Please click the link to complete this form.