Together Midwifery

01/09/2026

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Mother’s singing has profound effects on a baby’s brain, acting almost like a natural medicine. Studies show that hearing her voice can calm a baby’s heart rate and regulate their nervous system in mere seconds, even if she thinks she cannot sing.

The soothing qualities of a mother’s voice provide safety and predictability. Babies are highly attuned to vocal tone, rhythm, and melody, which help them feel secure and supported. This effect strengthens emotional regulation and attachment.

Singing during daily routines feeding, changing, or bedtime offers consistent opportunities to promote calm and connection. The brain registers these moments as positive, helping infants manage stress and develop resilience.

Even imperfect singing works. Babies respond to the emotional intent and presence behind the voice, not technical skill. The act of singing itself fosters neural development, reinforcing pathways related to language, attention, and social bonding.

Parents can use singing as a simple, accessible tool to soothe, engage, and support their baby’s nervous system. Incorporating short songs or lullabies throughout the day enhances both emotional and cognitive development while strengthening the parent-child bond.

12/18/2025

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12/15/2025

An incredible new study found that pregnant women who consume just 6 dates a day in the 4 weeks leading up to their due date were 74% more dilated upon their arrival to the hospital, had a 77% shorter first stage of labor and a 42% lower rate of caesarean sections.

Eating dates in the late stages of pregnancy lead to higher cervical dilation upon hospital admission because the fruit contains nutrients that influence oxytocin receptors, preparing the cervix and uterus for labor by increasing muscle response to oxytocin and other labor-supporting hormones. Dates are a rich source of energy from natural sugars and fats and also contain prostaglandins, which contribute to cervical ripening. Additionally, they provide serotonin, calcium, and tannins, which contribute to powerful uterine contractions.

Eating dates in the late stages of pregnancy shortens the first stage of labor due to their ability to stimulate the production of prostaglandins, which promote cervical ripening (softening and thinning of the cervix) and increase uterine contractions. Dates also contain tannins, which have a similar effect, and provide a natural sugar source for energy during labor. Some studies even suggest that dates can increase uterine sensitivity to oxytocin, leading to more effective contractions and a quicker and smoother labor process.

These actions are also the exact reason why women who eat dates in the late stages of pregnancy and far less likely to need a c-section!

The most common recommendation is for women to begin eating 6 dates a day starting in their 37th week of pregnancy.
PMID: 40322306, 21280989

12/10/2025

If your bay was born today, December 9th, 2025, here is his or her sunset

11/13/2025

This is why my top recommendations for prenatal vitamins all contain choline.

Intake of choline in pregnancy—folate’s long lost cousin—is essential to a healthy pregnancy and your baby’s brain development. Find out why you need choline in pregnancy, which foods are rich in choline, & why vegetarians rarely get enough of it.

11/11/2025

A wee lad was born in the weeeee hours this morning and this was his sunrise.

10/29/2025

📖 What’s been your favorite pregnancy 🤰 or birth 🫶🏼 related book? Bonus points if there’s an audio version 🎧

09/26/2025

🙂‍↔️ No caption needed 🙂‍↔️

07/24/2025

Thriving! This guy weighed over 14 lbs at his 6 wk checkup!!

07/04/2025

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06/27/2025

✅ Study with a little work ✍️ sprinkled in ✨!! Oh and coffee ☕️ for brewing in those wee hours 🌚⭐️🌝🌙, whatever they may be 😊

06/22/2025

“Midwifery care models emphasize informed choice as well as communication and non-invasive techniques—such as mobility during labour, breathing guidance, varied birthing positions and emotional support— that seek to empower women, and reduce the likelihood of invasive procedures.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) today released new guidance to help countries adopt and expand midwifery models of care - where midwives serve as the main care provider for women and babies throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period.