Matrescence by Diana

03/17/2026

https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/allina-health-minnesota-acquired-by-california-based-sutter-health/

Allina Health, one of the largest health care providers in Minnesota, is being bought out by California-based Sutter Health, the health systems announced on Tuesday. ⬇️Click the link in the comments to read more

03/09/2026

Love this

Oh, baby... UMass Memorial Medical Center recently celebrated the arrival of triplets, Akeem (baby C), Elikai (baby B), and Eliana (baby A). The 35-week triplets can be seen here with members of our Labor and Delivery nursing team—Danielle, Beth, Heather, and Jeannie.

In the past, newborns born at 35 weeks were routinely admitted to the NICU. While this approach ensured close monitoring, it often meant that families were separated during those first critical hours and days, impacting early bonding and the family experience.

Through thoughtful review of evidence-based practices and collaboration across teams, our workflows have evolved. Today, many 35-week newborns who are stable and do not require specialized NICU care are able to remain with the birth person and family in the Maternity Center. Our Labor and Delivery team is trained and highly skilled in caring for high-risk births and is dedicated to keeping the birth person and their families safe while providing the highest quality care in every situation.

Highlighting that this change would not be possible without the dedication and growth of our Postpartum Nursing team, who have elevated their practice to safely care for this population within the Maternity Center. Their expanded knowledge and expertise allows families to stay together through the continuum of care, supporting bonding, promoting family-centered care, and enhancing the overall patient experience.

Moments like this highlight the power of teamwork, and a shared commitment to continuously improving the care we provide to families during one of life’s most meaningful milestones.

03/02/2026

Minnesota this Friday! North of the cities

02/23/2026

Wonderful new resource to supplement Baby Toddler Closet-Durand WI!

Pepin County, big news! 💙

The UW Valleys Diaper Bank will begin distributing diapers on March 1, 2026 at the Family Resource Center of Buffalo and Pepin Counties in Durand, WI.

This expansion will help more families get the diapers and essential supplies they need every day. We’re thankful to our partner for making this possible and proud to grow support for families across the region.

Learn more at uwvalleys.org/diaper-bank

02/20/2026

"From 2020-2022, there were 63 pregnancy-related deaths in the state of Wisconsin, 33% of which occurred after the 60 day postpartum period currently covered by BadgerCare. 76% of those who died had Medicaid coverage during their delivery and for the first 60 days following birth. A majority of these deaths were due to mental health conditions, substance use disorder, cardiovascular conditions and hypertensive disorders. This bill supports new mothers who are already eligible for BadgerCare with uninterrupted healthcare coverage for an additional 10 months after birth, aligning coverage with her baby's coverage, for the full 12 month postpartum period. Uninterrupted healthcare coverage is important in not only managing pregnancy-related medical complications but also to maintain critical access to mental health providers for treating postpartum depression, a prescription drug benefit, breastfeeding support and substance use treatment and providers."

—Joint statement of Sen. Jesse James (R- Thorp) & Rep. Patrick Snyder (R - Weston), lead authors of SB 23/AB 97

Once this legislation is signed into law, Wisconsin will join 48 other states in protecting people who have recently given birth during the critical one year window, when women are still at high risk of preventable maternal death.

Yesterday, the Wisconsin state assembly voted to ensure that new moms on Medicaid have health insurance for a year after giving birth, instead of the current 60 days. Wisconsin will soon become the 49th state to extend postpartum coverage for one year.

02/20/2026

Did you know babies born before their due date are more likely to have lots of vernix compared to longer gestations? 🤗

Vernix acts as a protective barrier between baby’s skin and the outside world (or amniotic fluid while in utero), buffering against infection, and aiding in temperature regulation for easier transition and adaptation at birth. In Latin, vernix means “cheesey”!

This little guy was born just shy of 38 weeks. His parents were overjoyed to meet him!

{Cheesy baby shared w client permission to inspire & educate}

02/18/2026

🏆This client gets the award for being the fastest to go into labor after a sweep ever🏆

Her first birth had ended in the OR after 3 hours of pushing did not move a posterior baby below +2 station. She was put under general and her husband rushed out of the room when surgery began and she could feel it.

He described being “swept along by a machine with a life of its own,” and abruptly removed from his wife’s side then handed a baby with no idea if she was okay or what had happened.

When client came to after surgery, all the blood vessels in her eyes had burst from pushing so hard, and she was completely incapacitated.

The delivering doctor and a second OB both told her her pelvis was too small. They emphasized that there was probably no way she’d get an anterior baby out vaginally, either.

But her labor had been pretty fast to 10cm, especially for a first time mom with a posterior baby, and she’d had no issue getting him below 0. I told her I thought this birth would be fast, and that I expected her to have a great VBAC.

Well…she walked around 3cm from 37 weeks, having contractions on and off.

By 39 weeks, client was sitting at 4cm/80% effaced with baby low and uncomfortable. That morning, after a night of cramping and waking with contractions, she told her husband, “I think we’re gonna have a baby today.”

Client had a sweep at 10:40am which started some short contractions almost immediately. She took a shower, and put her oldest down for a nap.

After a brief pause, contractions returned with a vengeance and by 2:40pm she was admitted at 7-8cm with me flying down the highway on the way back from a postpartum visit trying not to get pulled over 😂

It was a whirlwind, but not long after I arrived, a sweet little 8 pounder FLEW out covered in vernix and ALL cheeks. Client hung onto the freight train for dear life, periodically opening her eyes to yell, “wait I don’t need a c-section? She’s coming?” We reassured her this was happening and there was no turning back!

After being separated and left alone last time, her husband got to glove up and help catch this baby! He watched his daughter come into her body and start crying right before his eyes, while client wept with joy and relief.

“Now I feel like I could have a million babies!” client gushed, followed by, “but I’m never getting an epidural again! Don’t let me do that next time!” after it suddenly took effect 30 minutes after baby was already born 🥴

No popped blood vessels this time, and only a minor 1st degree tear. Not bad for a pelvis that’s too small 👏

Please join me in issuing a giant HAPPY VBAC to this family!

02/14/2026

*UPDATE: I was informed that hunting season babies are off limits in Wisconsin 🚫

Friendly doula FYI 😂

02/13/2026

Amazing event coming up next week at the birth center!

Next Wednesday is our monthly Mother's Tea and we have a treat for you! Jennifer Hafele from Mama Bear Family Care will be joining us to discuss "Establishing & Maintaining a Strong Milk Supply." New moms and families often have many questions surrounding breast feeding and Jennifer will be here to help you understand what is normal and what steps need to be taken to truly support breastfeeding in the early days and weeks. There will also be plenty of time to ask questions!

Our Mother's Teas are for everyone... for the mothers out there and the people that support them! Come and learn something new, enjoy refreshments, and leave feeling supported and cared for! ❤️

02/11/2026

Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Special Statement: Updated checklists for preeclampsia risk-factor screening to guide recommendations for prophylactic low-dose aspirin.

Read the statement here https://doi.org/10.1002/pmf2.70212

02/09/2026

Thank you to everyone who voted in the Volume One poll! Results are in and I’m honored to land at #2 behind the real fairy godmother, Rhonda Gearing, Doula, LLC!