Kristin Whipple, CNM, IBCLC

03/19/2026

Great information about IV pain medication in labor!

03/11/2026

Compared to women who had standard care, we found that those who had continuity of midwifery care were:
* less likely to be induced or have an oxytocin drip to speed up labour
* much more likely to have a vaginal birth
* less likely to have a caesarean section
* less likely to have their baby admitted to special or neonatal intensive care or receive formula in hospital when they had chosen to breastfeed
* half as likely to describe their birth as traumatic.

Most women give birth in public hospitals, seeing whichever midwife or doctor is rostered on. But research shows seeing the same person reduces a number of risks.

02/21/2026

Pelvic exams and Pap smears shouldn’t hurt. If you’re seeing a provider who rushes through and doesn’t take your comfort into consideration, get a new provider! If you’re nervous and avoiding cervical cancer screenings because you’ve heard they’re painful, let’s talk!

“Jersey Shore” star Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi revealed that she has been diagnosed with cervical cancer.

“My results came back for my cone biopsy, and it came back stage 1 cervical cancer called adenocarcinoma. Obviously not the news that I was hoping for, but also not the worst news just because they caught it so early. Thank freaking God!"

That’s why I’m literally telling you guys to get your pap smears done. I’m 38 years old… and now look at me,” she said. “And instead of just putting it off because I didn’t want to go and it hurt and I was scared, no, I just went and did it. And it was there, cancer is in there. But it’s only stage 1 and it’s curable. So get your appointments done, bi***es! I’m telling you."

https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/jersey-shore-nicole-snooki-polizzi-cervical-cancer-1236668839/

02/18/2026

Mental health is important in every phase of life, especially in times of transition like pregnancy and parenting. Taking care of yourself makes you a better partner and a better parent. ❤️

In a new study presented at , researchers shared that pregnant patients who stopped taking their antidepressant medication during pregnancy were almost twice as likely to experience a mental health emergency compared with pregnant patients who continued taking their prescription.

Learn more at www.smfm.org/news/

01/23/2026

🗣️ Come get your Pap!

01/19/2026

01/08/2026

Well-known pregnancy influencer, author and L&D nurse Jen Hamilton is busting myths about changes in fetal movement. She said it best: A change in your baby’s movements is a red flag.

Her advice? Go to the hospital and get checked, because you need to see what’s going on in there if you are worried.

Want to learn more about how to monitor movements but not sure where to get started? Head to Count the Kicks

12/02/2025

The office is operating on a one hour delay today. If you have questions about your appointment time or would like to reschedule, please call 270-251-4543 after 9am.

11/30/2025

11/23/2025

More delivery options for my patients starting early next year at JPMC! Here’s some great reading material to tide you over. 🤭

In this article, we discuss the evidence on waterbirth. Is waterbirth safe? Are there any benefits? Are there any risks to the baby? Learn the research on this and more in our popular article on waterbirth!

10/23/2025

The 2025 Cochrane review on immediate and early skin-to-skin contact after birth highlights that further randomized controlled trials comparing skin-to-skin contact with ‘usual care’ are no longer ethical.

The findings show there is now enough evidence to make immediate skin-to-skin contact after birth the global standard of care, and as WHO already recommends skin-to-skin the standard of care, the authors argue that randomizing the separation of mother and newborn may no longer be justifiable.

Read more:
https://centerforbreastfeeding.org/cochrane-review-2025

09/15/2025

In her research on Respectful Maternity Care, EBB Team Member Dr. Morgan Richardson Cayama asked mothers and birthing people for their recommendations on ways to make sure that care during pregnancy and birth is high-quality and respectful.

One of the most common recommendations was encouraging pregnant people to do their own research when it comes to picking out a hospital or birth setting and a care provider. They felt that it was important that you make a birth plan early, discuss this plan with potential care providers, and find someone (and someplace) willing to honor your preferences. It’s also important that your care provider makes you feel comfortable and supported, and that you trust yourself and your intuition when it comes to making decisions about your care.

They also encouraged other mothers and birthing people to get some type of support during labor, like a doula or a close family member or friend, who is also willing to advocate for you if needed and if this is something you desire.

You can hear more about Dr. Morgan’s research and Respectful Maternity Care by checking out EBB Episode #369 “What is Mistreatment in Childbirth” and our new 2-page handout, the “Evidence on Respectful Care in Pregnancy and Birth” at ebbirth.com/rmc.