Susan Fisk

12/18/2020

Excellent labor prep exercise routine!

10/06/2020

Anyone in need of some smiles? 😁

08/24/2020

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ for all the rainbow babies ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

08/23/2020

These numbers are pretty telling. Normal, natural birth with a competent midwife in attendance is a safe option for low-risk pregnancies!

08/21/2020

I am beyond excited to introduce my new logo for Nurtured Birth and Wellness!

The creation of it has been a labor of love and each component of it has special meaning. I will highlight the symbolism below. I sketched out my concept and then the amazing and talented Holly Brooke Jones of Holly Graphics made my ideas a reality. Thank you, Holly!!

Flowers are a universal symbol of the beauty of the process of pregnancy, labor, and birth. I knew from the start that I wanted my logo to incorporate a flower. The overall representation of a flower comes forth in this logo.

The leaf on the right of the logo represents the pregnant belly and the three lines that create that leaf represent the three trimesters of pregnancy.

The stylized heart at the center of the logo represents the baby, the heart of pregnancy. The baby's heart is a theme throughout pregnancy, as the heartbeat is monitored carefully to ensure the health of the baby.

The curved line on the left represents the mother's arm, cradling the belly and the baby.

The leaves at the base of the flower represent caring hands, nurturing the mother and the baby.

I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to do this sacred work.

08/20/2020

Love dates! They have many nutritional benefits and in pregnancy can help as a labor prep 😊

Dates have been used around the world for centuries as a natural approach to preparation for labor. Several studies now support their effectiveness. Though we don’t know exactly why, they do have an impact on the start and progress of labor - likely due to an impact on the hormone oxytocin which helps labor start and progress effectively.⁠
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A 2011 study found that women who ate dates starting at 36 weeks were:⁠
🔸 Significantly more dilated when they got to the hospital⁠
🔸 Had a significantly higher rate of intact membranes⁠
🔸 Were significantly more likely to go into labor spontaneously (i.e. without induction)⁠
🔸 And had nearly half the length of first stage of labor⁠
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A 2014 study found that women who ate dates from 37 weeks on had:⁠
🔸 Greater cervical dilatation at admission⁠
🔸 Higher success rates of labor induction when needed⁠
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A 2017 study concluded that all the above was accurate and yet another study found that eating dates in pregnancy led to less bleeding immediately after birth.⁠
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Any type of dates work! The ‘dose’ is about 2.5 ounces of dates ( ~6 to 8 small dates or ~4 larger dates) daily, starting at 36 or 37 weeks and until labor begins. I love eating them plain, but you can include them in my “herbal bliss bites” (recipe on my IGTV), use them to sweeten cashew or almond milk, or include them chopped in yogurt or oatmeal. Amazingly, they also haven’t been shown to be a problem for blood sugar.⁠
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Did you use dates to prep for your labor? Do you know a pregnant mama who is prepping for labor? Tag her in the comments below so she can learn about the power of this ancient medicine!⁠
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06/20/2020

I just discovered that my favorite yoga app, Down Dog, has released a prenatal yoga app. It looks great for those who are expecting and I wanted to share my discovery in case anyone would like to check it out. I have no affiliation with them and receive nothing in return for my recommendation. Just want to help spread the knowledge of resources available to help with a healthy pregnancy. I’d love to hear feedback from anyone who gives it a try!

A new practice every time!

06/17/2020

https://magazine.nursing.jhu.edu/2020/06/mother-infant-contact-and-breastfeeding-should-remain-top-priorities-during-covid-19/

While the pandemic has disrupted many hospital routines, keeping mothers and babies together and supporting breastfeeding must remain top priorities, regardless of COVID-19 status.