Joyful Beginnings Birth Care

01/02/2026

5 Midwives. 1 Student Midwife. 1 Charis. 164 Babies.

We've had a busy & blessed 2025! We are honored to have cared for the families that've walked through our doors and cannot wait to see what 2026 brings!

01/01/2026

When we aren't catching babies or running clinic...
Cheers 🥂 to our growing team and all the fun accomplishments and memories from 2025!

01/01/2026

Closing out 2025 with a flurry of babes! Keep your eye out for our yearly stats posting tomorrow!

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas, from Joyful Beginnings to you 🎅🏼🎄

12/05/2025

11/29/2025

There’s something profoundly humbling about being invited into the space where new life enters the world. Midwifery honors birth as more than a medical moment — it’s a threshold, a transformation, a place where courage, intuition, and tenderness all meet. We walk beside families as they discover their own strength, protecting the physiology of birth while holding space for the emotional and spiritual shifts unfolding in real time.

Midwives matter because presence matters. Patience matters. Trust matters. We bring hands that are skilled, hearts that are steady, and a belief in the power and wisdom of the birthing body. We listen deeply. We advocate fiercely. We support families in ways that ripple far beyond the moment of birth itself.

Every birth is a story, and every story is sacred. This work is not just what we *do* — it’s who we are. ✨🌿👶🏽

10/18/2025

As a midwives, one of our favorite comfort tools during labor is water. Whether it’s a warm shower, deep bath, or a full birth pool — water can be incredibly supportive through every stage of labor. Here’s how it can help you:

✨ Early Labor: Setting the Tone
Feeling crampy, anxious, or just unsure if “this is it”? A warm bath or shower can calm your nervous system, ease tension, and even help you rest. For some, it may slow labor down to give you time to sleep or regroup. For others, it can kickstart things gently.

🌀 Active Labor: Your Natural Epidural
This is where water really shines. The buoyancy helps take the weight off, making movement easier. The warmth relaxes your muscles and increases oxytocin (that’s your labor hormone 💕). Some call it the “aquadural” — because for many, it brings big pain relief without medication.

🌊 Transition: The Storm Before the Calm
These are the most intense contractions. Getting into a birth pool at this stage can soften the edges of that intensity. People often feel safe, contained, and centered in the water — helping them ride the waves, literally and emotionally.

👶 Pushing & Birth: Gentle Entry
Many people choose to stay in the water for birth. Warm water softens the perineum, reducing the chance of tearing, and can make the pushing phase feel more intuitive. And babies born in water are greeted by warmth and calm — a gentle welcome earthside.

Did you use water during your labor? If so, tell us below when in your labor you found it most useful👇

09/14/2025

15 years ago a young 18 year old girl emailed and asked about becoming an apprentice. I was a fairly new midwife myself, but something about her story tugged at my heart. Her passion for mothers and babies reminded me of my younger self and after meeting with her, I decided to give it a try.

Very soon after that, on September 1, 2010 she attended her first home birth with me. It was apparent that she was a natural and I knew God was bringing her into my life for something more than midwifery. Ashley was a great student and had a very teachable spirit and we soon became a great team. As time went on, God began to show me more of His plan for our relationship and soon I was mentoring her in many other aspects of life.

Ashley, I’ve watched you grow into a remarkable woman. You have walked through many challenges and have persisted in your journey for healing. I am so proud of the woman you have become and so grateful for all that you bring to Joyful Beginnings. What started as a student/teacher relationship has blossomed into a beautiful friendship. You are like a daughter to me and I am so glad our paths crossed 15 years ago.

- Midwife Joani

09/11/2025

To the ones who lost their lives that day,
to the heroes with unfettered bravery,
to the survivors and the grieving families left behind,
to the country that wept for it's people...

We remember. 🇺🇸

09/03/2025

What to do with your placenta once it is born, you ask?! Let’s chat about it!

Your placenta did the incredible work of nourishing your baby throughout pregnancy — but did you know it can continue to support your healing journey after birth? 🌿

Here are some placenta options many families explore in the postpartum period:

🌸 Encapsulation – One of the most popular methods! The placenta is steamed (or left raw), dehydrated, ground, and placed into capsules. Some believe it may support energy levels, hormone balance, milk supply, and mood stabilization.

🥤 Placenta Smoothies – A small piece of raw placenta is blended into a smoothie shortly after birth. Many report feeling an immediate energy boost—this is typically done just once or twice, early on.

🍷 Tinctures – A small piece of placenta is steeped in high-proof alcohol for 6+ weeks to create a long-lasting remedy. Some use this for hormonal transitions, menstrual cycles, or even future menopause support.

🖼 Keepsakes & Art – Umbilical cord “dreamcatchers,” placenta prints (using natural or food-safe inks), and even jewelry can be made to commemorate this unique part of your birth story.

💉 Medical & Research Use – The amniotic sac (which surrounds your baby during pregnancy) is being used in modern medicine for wound healing — including burn care, diabetic ulcers, and pressure sores. It’s rich in stem cells and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a powerful tool in regenerative medicine. While this use typically happens in clinical settings, it’s a fascinating example of how much potential this organ holds.

Not every option is for everyone — and that’s okay. Tell us in the comments below what you did with your placenta 💛