Breathing through Birth Doula

02/24/2026

Let gravity and movement work for your body and baby!

02/23/2026

Ripening your cervix helps prepare you for labor! In this study, mothers used different methods of application and all received better Bishop scores (scoring which shows how ready your cervix is for induction purposes). Soft gels can be inserted at night and work as you sleep! I carry soft gels in my studio! Reach out if you are in need. NOTE: wait until 37 to 38 weeks to use evening primrose oil.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9947258/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQFPRhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJFOE5CcENYck9RaDd5U3NFc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHusPKrwJsFLpRpZl3yRrcsh_0zcicvP_W_lOKcapxW1tNC0Ex7DPMJytxkl-_aem_ooAPRiMZnml-2MEV_9jP1w

The results of various studies on the effect of evening primrose oil (EPO) on cervical ripening are controversial. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the effect of EPO on cervical ripening and birth outcomes. The ...

02/23/2026

For years, pregnancy nutrition has been framed as something that only matters for nine months. But the research tells a very different story.
A growing body of evidence shows that metabolic health begins in utero (and arguably, preconception) — and that what a mother eats during pregnancy can influence her child’s health not just at birth or in early childhood, but all the way into adulthood.
Roughly two years ago, I presented at the Metabolic Health Summit, a conference full of incredible research and clinical insights from leading experts in the health field. I finally carved out the time to share some highlights of that presentation in written format, which I titled (no surprise) “Metabolic Health Starts In Utero.”
This concept, known as fetal programming, has been a through-line in my work for decades. From early exposure to ancestral nutrition research to years spent working clinically in gestational diabetes and high-risk pregnancies, I’ve seen firsthand how blood sugar balance and micronutrient status during pregnancy shape long-term outcomes.
In this new article, I break down:
• What fetal programming actually means (and where that concept originated)
• Why blood sugar matters, but isn’t the whole story
• How protein and fat support baby’s development
• How key micronutrients help “build” lifelong metabolic and brain health for baby
…and more.
If this topic is new to your friends or colleagues, please share—it’s a clear, research-backed primer on why pregnancy nutrition matters long after birth.
👉 Comment STARTSBLOG for the link.

02/23/2026

Any momma's needing postpartum support . . . read more for all the benefits of what's in your placenta that has supported your baby for 9 months!

Offerings include; Birth Doula, Lactation Counseling, HypnoBirthing® Childbirth Education, Placenta Encapsulation, Prenatal and postnatal yoga, Core Consulting, Pelvic Floor and Diastasis Recti support!

02/22/2026

Offering Placenta encapsulation including placenta prints, salves, cord keepsakes, plus tinctures! So many nutrients and hormones in your placenta that help postpartum challenges! Reach out!

02/21/2026

Your body doesn’t just “make space.”

It transforms with intelligent and extraordinary design.

Before pregnancy, the uterus rests quietly within the pelvis.
During pregnancy, it rises, expands, and gently reorganizes everything around it to protect and nourish life.

The female body doesn’t simply stretch —
it adapts, coordinates, and breathes differently.

And in yoga, we learn to honor that intelligence.
Pelvic awareness.
Breath connection.
Nervous system support.

Whether you’re pregnant, postpartum, or simply deepening your understanding of your body — this wisdom matters. FIND a prenatal class for your pregnancy. It makes a world of difference for your body, your baby and your birth!

02/16/2026

As a doula I am asked quite a bit "How can I induce baby naturally?"

For baby to arrive a few things need to happen.

One is for your uterus to develop oxytocin receptors.
Two Is for the baby's lungs to fully mature and produce surfactant. Three is for the cervix to start thinning out in response to the surfactant and oxytocin receptors.

You literally can't "induce" labor and have it be successful if your body and baby aren't ready.

But here's ways to help the above 3:

Movement & Positioning
The easiest thing you can do is increase mobility. Try walking, gentle stretching, yoga, curb-walking, and using a birthing ball to get some movement in. It can help baby settle into an optimal position and encourage natural contractions.

Relaxation & Oxytocin
Just relax! Calm, connection, and comfort matter. Try warm baths, deep breathing exercises, massage, or even laughter with your partner. Watch a funny movie!

All of these activities can help release oxytocin, the “love hormone,” which helps soften the cervix and start contractions. They also help you to get into a better mindset to welcome your baby into the world.♥🙏

02/11/2026

Coming up in March! Save the date and join us at my studio in St Marys!

02/11/2026

I recently had a 1st time momma have a 2 1/2 hour labor! She swore by this! It certainly can’t hurt! 🤩. Do make sure your dates are organically grown!

02/09/2026

https://insig.ht/0LNGj7nuC0b Find all my free meditations on Insight Timer App!

10/29/2025

An absolutely beautiful twin breech waterbirth.! The mom is a HypnoBirthing Childbirth educator and chiropractor! Get out the tissues! ❤️

https://www.drjosiahhackney.com/post/birth-video-of-hannah-phoebe?fbclid=IwY2xjawNvKepleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHhW9jTed4pwkruoIpp1XZacJDBbsTHgGnxIzwhVuBLjJgtl6B8MaZYgJ9BB__aem_m5i5Hu3ONv_C2X41cOkfMw

09/03/2025

Pushing on your back is for the doctor/midwifes comfort. If this is not YOUR comfort, it's your body, your baby, your choice.

🌟 Why Pushing on Your Back Hurts More 🌟

By full term, the whole “package” of pregnancy, like the uterus, baby, placenta, and amniotic fluid is surprisingly heavy. Here’s the breakdown:

📊 Average Weights at Term (around 40 weeks)
• 👶 Baby: ~7–8 lbs (3.2–3.6 kg) on average
• 🌸 Placenta: ~1.5 lbs (0.7 kg)
• 💧 Amniotic fluid: ~2 lbs (0.9 kg)
• 🫀 Uterus itself: ~2 lbs (0.9 kg) (it starts at just ~2 ounces pre-pregnancy!)
• 🩸 Extra blood & fluids within uterus area: ~2–3 lbs

➡️ Total weight carried in and by the uterus: ~13–16 lbs

When a parent is asked to push in a flat or semi-reclined position, here’s what’s really happening ⤵️

💥 Pressure on the Sacrum
➡️ The sacrum (tailbone area) is meant to move backward during birth, giving the baby more room.
➡️ Lying flat pins it against the bed, narrowing the outlet and adding painful pressure to the lower back.

💥 Circulation Gets Compromised
➡️ The heavy uterus presses on the vena cava (a major vein), which can reduce blood flow.
➡️ This may cause dizziness, nausea, or even dips in baby’s heart rate.

💥 Less Help from Gravity
➡️ On your back, you’re pushing uphill.
➡️ In upright or forward positions, gravity works WITH you, not against you.

✨ Better Options ✨
✅ Side-lying 🤰
✅ Hands & knees 🙌
✅ Squatting 🧎‍♀️
✅ Kneeling forward 🧘

These positions:
🌈 Free the sacrum
🌈 Take pressure off the back
🌈 Improve blood flow
🌈 Often make pushing more instinctive and effective

💡 Birth isn’t meant to be forced flat on your back. Movement + gravity + choice = more space, less pain, safer birth 💪👶💖

If you feel good on your back then that’s ok, too! But this should not be the default from your providers or forced!

-Love,
Badassmotherbirther