Full Well Midwifery

07/25/2025

Are you planning your pregnancy, birth and postpartum care in Roanoke, Franklin or Henry County and looking for a provider? I would love to schedule a consultation to talk about what makes care with Full Well Midwifery so different. As a small homebirth provider we take very few clients to offer you holistic, unhurried, personalized support, so don’t hesitate to reach out and schedule before the calendar is full.

One of the most beautiful differences in midwifery care? I come to YOU during those precious early days, allowing you needed rest and recovery while also providing support.

24-48 hours postpartum: We are checking on both you and baby, helping with breastfeeding, answering all those 3am questions that suddenly felt urgent, and making sure you’re healing well. We talk through your birth experience and process any emotions that are coming up. Perform normal newborn screenings that are usually done in the hospital setting.

1 week postpartum: How’s feeding going? Are you getting any rest? Let’s check baby’s weight gain and your emotional wellbeing. I’m making sure your support system is strong and breastfeeding is going well, guiding you to any needed local resources.

2 weeks postpartum: We’re settling into rhythms now. How’s your recovery? Any concerns about baby? I’m still here, still listening, still supporting.❤️

Then we have 4 & 6 week visits in my office.

Compare this to: one appointment at 6 weeks in a clinical setting.

The difference this makes:

• Problems caught early before they become emergencies

• Breastfeeding support when you need it most, in your home.

• Real recovery and support in your own space

• Someone who knows your birth story checking on YOU

• Postpartum mental health support that’s ongoing, not an afterthought

Your care doesn’t end when your baby is born - in many ways, that’s when it becomes most important. 💚

07/22/2025

After your baby arrives, there’s still important work to do - birthing your placenta!

Typically at homebirths, we practice “expectant management” which means allowing your body’s natural process to unfold without rushing.

Here’s what this looks like:
• We wait for natural signs that placenta is ready (usually 10-30 minutes after birth, sometimes longer)

• You remain upright when possible - gravity helps!

• Cord stops pulsing and is white and limp before we clamp and cut. Usually the placenta is out before the cord is cut.

• No pulling or tugging on the cord unless there is needed gentle guidance.

•Limiting loud noise, bright lights and being in your safe space without intrusion helps to facilitate this process.

• Your body releases the placenta when ready.

Why does this matter?

✅ Reduces risk of retained placental fragments.

✅ Allows complete blood transfer to baby, up to 1/3 of their blood volume remains in the placenta if clamped and cut immediately.

✅ Lower risk of hemorrhage.

✅ Honors your body’s wisdom and timing.

Your uterus has been working beautifully for months - we trust it to finish the job perfectly. Some families choose to encapsulate their placenta or plant it with a tree, or just toss it- However you choose to honor this amazing organ that nourished your baby, we support your decision.

Your body knows what it’s doing, even in those final moments of birth. 💙

07/19/2025

What’s the scoop on continuous fetal monitoring?

💙

Here’s what the largest research review (over 37,000 women) found about continuous fetal monitoring during labor (the straps they put on your stomach to monitor contractions and babies heart rate)-

What continuous monitoring DOESN’T do:

❌ Reduce fetal death
❌ Prevent cerebral palsy
❌ Improve long-term baby outcomes

What continuous monitoring DOES do:
⚠️ Increases cesarean rates by 63%
⚠️ Increases instrumental deliveries (forceps/vacuum)
⚠️ Has a very high false positive rate
⚠️ Restricts movement and birthing positions

Meanwhile, intermittent monitoring (what we use at homebirth):
✅ Reduces unnecessary cesareans
✅ Allows freedom of movement
✅ Provides same safety outcomes for low-risk mothers
✅ Follows AWHONN/ACNM evidence-based guidelines

At Full Well Midwifery, we use intermittent monitoring - listening to your baby’s heart rate every 30 minutes in active labor with a doppler, just as professional guidelines recommend. This gives you the freedom to move, change positions, and labor naturally while keeping your baby safe.

The rate of cerebral palsy hasn’t changed in 40+ years despite widespread use of continuous monitoring, because 70% of cases occur before labor even begins.

This is why evidence-based care matters - and why your birth team matters more than your birth plan.

We’re here to provide you with the research so you can make truly informed decisions about your body, your birth, and your baby. 💚

Sources: Cochrane Review 2017 (37,000+ women), American Family Physician 2020, CMAJ 2021

07/16/2025

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Attention Henry and Franklin County Mommas!

EXCITING NEWS! Full Well Midwifery is Moving & Growing! 🎉

I can barely contain my excitement as I share that Full Well Midwifery is expanding to serve families in Roanoke AND Franklin/Henry County/Martinsville Virginia!

Starting with clients due in March 2026, I'll be bringing personalized midwifery care to this beautiful, underserved area that holds such a special place in my heart—because it's HOME! 🏡There's something so meaningful about being able to serve the community where my own roots run deep.

As I return from my own maternity leave in March 2026, I'm looking forward to walking alongside Franklin and Henry County families through their pregnancy and birth journeys. This area has needed accessible, empowering midwifery care for so long, and I'm honored to be part of bringing that vision to life.

✨ What this means for you:
• Personalized, relationship-centered care for low risk moms right here at home
• Evidence-based midwifery care that honors your choices
• 12-15 hours of prenatal time together before birth
• 24/7 support during your on-call period
• Postpartum care that continues beyond birth
•Education, support and resources for pregnancy , birth and breastfeeding.

💕 And here's something important: **I accept Medicaid as a payment option!** Every family deserves access to empowering, individualized birth care, regardless of financial situation.

Franklin and Henry County mamas—your community is about to have something truly special. Homebirth midwifery care that sees you, knows you, and empowers you to birth with confidence.

Ready to learn more? I'm already booking consultations for March 2026 and beyond. Let's connect and see if we're the perfect fit for your growing family! As I take a limited amount of clients my calendar is filling up already.

🩷

07/14/2025

I know those last weeks feel endless, mama. Your back aches, you can’t sleep, and you’re SO ready to meet your little one. But I want to share some important information about why those final weeks matter so much for your baby’s development.

Here’s what many don’t realize-
36 weeks is considered “early term,” while 39 weeks is “full term.” Those 3 weeks might seem small, but they’re absolutely crucial for your baby’s brain and lung development.

What’s Happening in Those Final Weeks?

Between 36-39 weeks, your baby’s brain is working overtime. The brain grows by about one-third of its size during the final month of pregnancy! Neural pathways are forming rapidly, and your baby is developing the coordination needed for feeding, breathing, and temperature regulation. This isn’t just growth - it’s the foundation for everything your baby will need to thrive outside the womb.

The Reality About Early Term Births

Babies born at 36-38 weeks are significantly more likely to experience:

- Breathing difficulties and respiratory distress
- Feeding challenges and difficulty latching
- Temperature regulation problems
- Increased risk of NICU admission
- Higher rates of jaundice
- Greater likelihood of readmission to the hospital
- Increased risk of infant mortality- even a few weeks can make a life-saving difference

Even though these babies might look “ready,” their organs - especially their lungs and brain - are still maturing in ways that can’t be seen from the outside.

Your Baby Knows When They’re Ready 🔬

Here’s something beautiful about how birth works: while we don’t fully understand everything that triggers labor, we do know that your baby’s lungs play a crucial role in starting the process. When your baby’s lungs are fully mature, they secrete specific hormones that help initiate labor. It’s like your baby is saying, “I’m ready now!”

This is why inducing labor - whether medically or through “natural” methods like castor oil, evening primrose oil, or other techniques - can bypass these important biological signals. Even natural induction methods are essentially overriding your baby’s internal wisdom about their readiness to be born.

Your Due Date is a Guess, Not a Deadline 📅

Remember, your due date is an estimate based on your last menstrual period and early ultrasounds. It can naturally be off by up to 2 weeks in either direction! Your baby knows when they’re truly ready to make their grand entrance.

The First Act of Surrender 💝

Waiting for your baby to come naturally is truly your first act of surrender as a mother. It’s saying, “I trust my body, I trust my baby, and I trust this process.” There’s no medal for delivering early, and there’s profound wisdom in letting your little one choose their birthday.

I know it’s hard when well-meaning people ask “Still pregnant?” or suggest ways to “get things moving.” But your baby is exactly where they need to be, doing exactly what they need to do. Every day they stay cozy inside is a gift to their development.

Trust the Process 🌱

Unless there’s a medical reason your doctor recommends early delivery, try to embrace these final weeks. Rest when you can, enjoy the kicks and rolls, and know that your patience now is one of the most loving things you can do for your baby.

You’re doing an amazing job, mama. Your baby will come when they’re ready, and that timing will be absolutely perfect. 💕

Always consult with your healthcare provider about any concerns regarding your pregnancy. This information is for educational purposes and not medical advice.

07/13/2025

💤 Let’s talk about baby sleep expectations vs. reality

That “sleeping through the night” milestone we’re all told to aim for? It’s actually not biologically normal for babies - and that’s OKAY. Babies are little for such a short time- following their cues and meeting their needs is so important.

Here’s what the evidence tells us:

• Frequent night waking is actually protective against SIDS¹

• Breastfeeding significantly reduces SIDS risk²

• Babies are designed to sleep close to their mothers to help regulate their breathing, heart rate, and temperature³

Your baby isn’t “broken” if they wake up multiple times a night. They’re following millions of years of evolution that kept our species safe. Those little wake-ups? They’re features, not bugs.

Babies don’t need to be “trained” to sleep - they’re not dogs. They’re tiny humans with big needs and developing nervous systems that require our responsiveness and care.

This doesn’t mean you have to suffer through sleep deprivation without support. There are gentle, responsive ways to help your family get more rest while honoring your baby’s biological needs. Many mothers have to return to work, and having a routine and support is key. Sometimes, supporting our mental health has to come first❤️

Trust your instincts, mama. Your baby knows what they need, and so do you. 💕

Sources in the comments!

07/09/2025

Wednesday Wisdom❤️

“I never knew I was that strong.”

A client recently told me this at her 24 hour visit and it is so true! Birth has a way of revealing strength you didn't know you possessed.

My role isn't to "deliver" your baby—you're going to birth your baby with your own incredible strength. I'm here to support, encourage, and create the safe space where you can do what your body was beautifully designed to do.

Whether it's your first baby or your fifth, whether labor is three hours or thirty, I've watched mothers discover they are capable of far more than they ever imagined. You have everything you need within you already.

Sometimes you just need to be surrounded by people who believe in you to remind you of that truth. 💪

Ready to explore what empowered birth looks like for your family? Let's chat❤️

06/27/2025

Fridays are always the best days, spent at the office loving on mommas and babies! We got our new little wall of FW babies going!

❤️

06/19/2025

Our clients give us the most thoughtful gifts! This placenta mug will be perfect for my morning coffee.

Spent a beautiful day in office doing prenatal visits today, and getting to see some amazing repeat families!

I can’t believe we are starting to see clients with sweet 2026 babies! ❤️

06/16/2025

New research continues to show the beautiful outcomes possible with home birth! A recent study (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S187151922400324X) following 100 women who gave birth at home found some wonderful results:

-Higher rates of physiological birth - allowing your body to work naturally

-Better perineal outcomes - with more intact perineums

-Reduced postpartum hemorrhage rates compared to hospital births

-Fewer interventions - including less assisted deliveries and cesarean sections, even for those who transferred to hospital

Most importantly, baby outcomes were excellent with no differences in Apgar scores between home and hospital births.

At Fullwell Midwifery, we’re passionate about supporting families in creating the birth experience that feels right for them. Whether that’s at home, in a birth center, or in a hospital, we believe in honoring your choices and providing evidence-based care every step of the way.

Ready to explore your options? We’d love to chat about how we can support your unique birth journey! 💕

04/10/2025

❤️❤️❤️
Your story matters to me and to other families seeking support during this important time. If I've had the privilege of being part of your birth journey, I'd be so grateful if you could share your experience on my Google Business page.

Your honest review helps other families find the support they need. Even a few words about your experience can make a meaningful difference!

Full Well Midwifery

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