http://www.fullwellmidwifery.com/

Full Well Midwifery, 291 Arrington Lane Unit 401, Roanoke, VA (2025)

09/11/2025

✨There’s nothing quite like it…✨

The moment you birth your baby right in your own bedroom, surrounded by love and safety. You climb into your own bed, wrap yourself in familiar blankets, and snuggle your brand-new little one close to your chest.

That first moment—feeling their warm skin against yours, realizing you did it—is pure triumph. It’s joy and relief, strength and softness all in one. No rush, no bright lights, no strangers coming and going—just you, your baby, and that deep exhale as your whole world changes forever.

This is the beauty of homebirth: welcoming your baby in the comfort of your own space, where rest and bonding begin immediately.

At Full Well Midwifery, it’s our honor to walk beside families as they experience this sacred beginning—because every birth deserves to be full of joy, trust, and deep connection. 💛

09/06/2025

Sometimes I am asked about child spacing, and while this is going to be a very personal individual decision for each family, I love to chat about the history of child spacing and breastfeeding throughout time. Understanding how our ancestors naturally spaced their children offers fascinating insights into the wisdom of our bodies and the importance of allowing full recovery between pregnancies.

Research by psychology professor Darcia Narvaez and other scholars studying hunter-gatherer societies reveals that for most of human history—the 99% of our species’ existence before agriculture—women typically had only 4-5 children throughout their entire reproductive years, with natural spacing of 3-4 years between births. This wasn’t family planning as we know it today, but rather the natural result of extended breastfeeding patterns and attachment parenting.

In small-band hunter-gatherer communities, children would have grown up with few siblings, surrounded by playmates of various ages, making sibling rivalry less of an issue and allowing for lengthier breastfeeding with an average age of weaning of four years. Archaeological evidence shows that hunter-gatherers like the Gainj of highland Papua New Guinea had an average of 43 months between births, with Pennington calculating 39 months for hunter-gatherers overall.

What made this natural spacing possible was the continuous, intimate care that characterized hunter-gatherer child-rearing. Narvaez’s research on humanity’s “evolved developmental niche” shows that traditional societies practiced nearly constant carrying, extensive positive touch, prompt response to babies’ needs, and infant-initiated breastfeeding for several years. There were no bottles, pacifiers, or scheduled feedings—just responsive, on-demand nursing.

This pattern of extended breastfeeding wasn’t unique to hunter-gatherers. In biblical times, children would have been nursed for several years, with ancient Hebrews completing weaning at about three years of age. According to Jewish rabbinical traditions, weaning could take place anywhere between 18 months and 5 years of age. The celebration of Isaac’s weaning in Genesis 21:8 with a great feast indicates this was considered a significant milestone.

The 3-5 year spacing allowed for something crucial that modern fertility patterns often don’t provide: complete physiological recovery between pregnancies. Research shows that breastfeeding length is positively related to the development of children’s inhibitory control and conscience development in 3-5 year olds. Maternal social support, which was facilitated by this natural child spacing, positively correlated with child cooperation, social competence, and reduced aggressive behavior.

This extended spacing allowed for:

- Full restoration of nutrient stores, particularly iron, folate, and calcium
- Complete healing of reproductive tissues and restoration of core strength
- Hormonal rebalancing and return to optimal fertility
- Emotional and mental restoration from the intensive early parenting period
- Each child receiving intensive, individualized attention during their most crucial developmental years

This intensive caregiving in the early years wasn’t just about nutrition—it was about optimal brain development. Warm, responsive caregiving keeps the infant’s brain calm during the years it is forming its personality and response to the world. The constant physical closeness, immediate response to needs, and extended breastfeeding relationship created the neurobiological foundation for empathy, cooperation, and emotional regulation.

The wisdom of our ancestors reminds us that intensive, responsive caregiving in the early years—including extended breastfeeding that naturally spaces children—isn’t spoiling or indulgence. It’s providing the foundation for optimal physical, emotional, and neurological development that serves children throughout their lives.

09/05/2025

Ever wonder why so many labors begin in the evening or middle of the night? There's beautiful wisdom in this timing.

When the sun sets and the world grows quiet, your body naturally increases melatonin production. Melatonin doesn't just help you sleep - it also helps ripen your cervix and can stimulate contractions.

Darkness triggers a cascade of birth hormones. Your body knows that nighttime offers:
• Privacy and quiet
• Fewer distractions
• A sense of safety and calm
• Your husband nearby and resting
• The cover of darkness (remember, mammals often birth at night!)

So if you find yourself with those first gentle surges as you're winding down for bed, know that your body is being incredibly smart. It's choosing the optimal time for this sacred work.

Labor starting at 2 AM might not feel convenient, but it's often exactly when your body and baby are most ready. Trust the timing. Trust the process. Trust your body's ancient wisdom. 🌟

09/02/2025

As a midwife, I’m often asked about swaddling and whether it’s beneficial for newborns. While swaddling is a popular practice that many families consider, I generally advise against it on a regular basis based on current research. Here’s the evidence behind my recommendations.

One of my primary concerns with swaddling relates to its impact on infant arousability – how easily a baby can wake when needed. A 2022 systematic review found that swaddled infants showed higher arousal thresholds and less spontaneous arousability during sleep – both considered risk factors for SIDS.

Recent studies note that “implementing conditions unfavorable to arousability may increase SUDI [Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy] risk among infants who have not previously been swaddled.” While swaddling creates deeper sleep, this can interfere with babies’ natural protective mechanisms to wake when encountering breathing difficulties.

The most significant concern I have with swaddling is its impact on breastfeeding establishment. Research shows that babies actively use their hands throughout feeding to locate the ni**le, self-soothe before latching, and provide massage-like movements that stimulate milk production.

Swaddled babies cannot express crucial hunger cues like hand-to-mouth movements, leading to missed feeding opportunities and reduced feeding frequency. Studies demonstrate that babies swaddled immediately after birth have delays in breastfeeding initiation, less effective suckling, and greater weight loss.

I frequently see families struggle with establishing breastfeeding when babies are regularly swaddled. The practice masks both hunger and satiety cues, interferes with optimal positioning, and reduces the essential skin-to-skin contact that supports milk production.

Instead of swaddling, I encourage parents to:

Prioritize skin-to-skin contact for comfort and temperature regulation while maintaining baby’s communication abilities.

Practice responsive feeding by keeping baby’s hands free to recognize early hunger and fullness cues like bringing hands to the mouth, sucking on hands etc

Trust natural sleep patterns rather than artificially deepening sleep periods.

While swaddling isn’t dangerous when done safely, the evidence suggests potential risks that concern me as a care provider. The combination of reduced arousability and negative impacts on breastfeeding establishment leads me to recommend alternative comfort measures for the families I serve.

Every baby is unique, and I work with each family to find approaches that work for them. However, supporting babies’ natural ability to communicate through unrestricted movement aligns with current evidence on optimal infant development.

Additionally if baby is extra fussy and wont settle - swaddling on occasion can be a helpful tool!

See sources in comments!

08/30/2025

When our phone rings in the middle of the night and we answer that call- we head out with adrenaline pumping. Birth kit arranged just so, resuscitation equipment checked and double-checked, emergency protocols running through our minds like a quiet prayer. We are vigilant but hopeful. Ready for anything but expecting the ordinary miracle of a healthy baby slipping into waiting arms.

And then sometimes, in the space between heartbeats, the ordinary becomes extraordinary.

This week I stood in that sacred between space. Momma roared her baby earthside with the power of every woman who came before her, and then… silence. Not the good kind of silence that holds its breath a moment before a l***y cry. The kind of silence that makes your heart forget how to beat for just a moment. A pale, limp little soul hovering between worlds.

In those moments, all your training crystallizes into pure instinct. Your hands know what to do even when your mind is racing. You stimulate, you suction, you position. But here’s the thing - through it all, you keep your voice soft, your movements gentle. You become the calm in the storm that no one else even knows is happening.

“Talk to your baby, mama,” you say quietly, your voice steady as a lighthouse beam. “Tell them you’re here. Tell them you love them.” Because even in crisis, we hold the sacred space. Even when adrenaline is coursing through your veins, you protect the peace of this moment for her.

And when the protocols aren’t enough, when your training reaches its limits, you do what we have done since the beginning of time - you breathe your own life into theirs.

I placed my mouth over that tiny face and gave him my breath, my life force, my love for his mama who was whispering now, “Come on baby, mama’s here. I love you so much.” One breath. Two. Come on, sweet baby. Choose this world. Choose your mama.

And then that answering cry that sounds like joy and chaos breaking and the universe remembering how to spin on its axis. The way his color bloomed from gray to pink like a sunrise happening in fast forward. The way I placed him on his mama’s chest and watched her fall in love with the speed of light.

This is what midwifery is. It’s holding space between life and death and sometimes, when called upon, becoming the bridge between them. It’s the knowing that every birth carries within it the possibility of requiring everything you have to give. It’s the humbling understanding that sometimes your training isn’t enough and you have to trust something deeper, something ancient, something that connects you to every midwife who has ever whispered a baby into breathing.

And then you clean up your equipment and drive to school pickup and help with homework and make dinner, carrying that sacred moment in your chest like a secret ember. Because this is also what midwifery is - living in the ordinary world while holding extraordinary moments that change you at the cellular level.

If that is all I ever did, it would be more than enough. This is what it means to serve through birthwork.

08/26/2025

Birth is just the beginning of our journey together. In those precious, overwhelming first weeks, you need more than a quick 6-week checkup - you need comprehensive support for both you and your baby.

Here’s what postpartum care includes:

👩‍⚕️ Complete Care for Both of You: We can be your sole healthcare provider for both mother and baby for the first 6-8 weeks, providing holistic, comprehensive care (barring any complications that require specialized medical attention). No juggling multiple appointments or providers during your most vulnerable time.

👶 Complete Newborn Care: We perform thorough newborn screenings, including PKU and congenital heart defect screening, to ensure your little one is thriving. Every check is done with gentle hands in the comfort of your own home.

🏠 In-Home Visits: For the first two weeks, we come to YOU. No packing up a newborn for appointments when you’re still healing. We check on both mama and baby in your safe, comfortable space.

💕 Emotional Support: Those early days can feel like a whirlwind of emotions. We’re here to listen, normalize your experience, and help you process everything from birth to those big feelings that come with new motherhood.

🤱 Breastfeeding Support: From positioning to supply concerns, we’re here to troubleshoot and encourage. Breastfeeding shouldn’t be a struggle you face alone.

📞 24/7 Support: Yes, you read that right. When you have questions at 2 AM about feeding or you’re worried about something with your baby, you can call.

Because peace of mind doesn’t keep business hours.

This is what the midwifery model of care truly means - caring for the whole family through the entire journey, not just the moment of birth. One trusted provider who knows you, your birth story, and your unique needs.

Because you deserve more than a checkbox visit. You deserve care that sees you as a whole person navigating one of life’s biggest transitions.
Ready to experience postpartum care that actually supports you? Let’s talk about your vision for those precious early weeks.

08/25/2025

Mama, if you're reading this at 3 AM while nursing your baby for the third time tonight, this one's for you. You're not doing anything wrong. Your baby isn't "broken." And you don't need to "fix" anything.

Here's what's really happening:

Breastfed babies are designed to wake frequently, especially in those first 6 months. Those night wakings aren't a bug in the system - they're a feature. Frequent waking actually helps protect against SIDS by keeping your baby in lighter sleep cycles. Your baby's frequent hunger is also what signals your body to make exactly the right amount of milk.

The truth about newborn sleep:
→ Nursing every 2 hours at night is completely normal- most babies nurse 10-12 times in a 24 hour period.
→ A 6-week-old sleeping "through the night" is actually rare, not the goal.
→ Your baby's sleep patterns are protective, not problematic.
→ Babies don't need to be "trained" to sleep - they need responsive, loving care.

Why responsive parenting matters:
When you respond to your baby's needs (yes, even at 2 AM), you're not spoiling them - you're building security. Children who have their needs met consistently learn that the world is safe and that they are worthy of care. This creates the foundation for confidence, emotional regulation, and healthy relationships throughout their lives.

Instead of looking for ways to make your baby sleep longer, focus on finding support that honors your family's natural rhythms. Connect with other mamas who are nursing. Find providers who support safe bedsharing and breastsleeping if that works for your family. Sometimes just hearing "you're not alone in this" can make all the difference. And if you are struggling with your mental health, it is ALWAYS ok to prioritize that and ask for help❤️

Remember: You are exactly the mother your baby needs. Those night wakings won't last forever, but the security you're building will last a lifetime.

Need to connect with other supportive mamas or have questions about normal infant sleep? We're here to help you find your village.

💕 You've got this, mama. One feeding at a time.

08/24/2025

When you leave a beautiful homebirth of a surprise gender baby and are gifted homemade baked goods on your way out the door- what a perfect Sunday!

08/21/2025

Informed consent isn’t just about saying “yes” or signing a paper- it’s about having all the information you need to make the best decision for you and your baby.

Here are some powerful questions to ask about any intervention or procedure:

✨ “What are the benefits of this intervention?”
✨ “What are the risks or potential side effects?”
✨ “What happens if we wait/do nothing right now?”
✨ “Are there alternative options we could try first?”
✨ “How does this align with my birth preferences?”
✨ “Can I have some time to think about this?”

Remember: You have the right to ask questions, get second opinions, and make decisions that feel right for your family. A good care provider will welcome your questions and support your informed choices.

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

Full Well Midwifery

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