Stay Awhile Midwifery, Saratoga Springs, UT (2025)

12/09/2025

Can we just for a second talk about how empowering births can occur anywhere? Obviously we love being home, we are homebirth midwives after all. But this last week we attended two hospital births, one planned, one a change of plans. And both? Incredible, empowering, earth shattering, brought tears to my eyes. One was very physiological, no interventions, hardly any staff ever, they even let me catch knowing I’m a homebirth midwife. The other, utilized tools that were needed, made hard but correct choices, fought with all their might, and had a beautiful va**nal birth right as things were looking like they were turning a different corner. Both brought tears to my eyes, gave me the feels, empowered the women who were birthing, and changed the lives of everyone in the room. Both had much if not all of their birth plans honored. Both lucked out on really incredible nursing staff and midwives who worked with us rather than against us. And I know, I do KNOW that midwife/doula presence and lucking out with incredible hospital providers were two keys to the beauty and success here. But I had to share, because it breaks my heart when a hospital transfer is called a “failure”, neither of these births were failures, they were just as big of a win as other homebirths I’ve been a part of. And why? Why were they so incredible? Because they left two mothers and empowered. In very different ways and on very different paths, but empowered nonetheless. And when it comes down to the nitty gritty, empowered births are what we really are all about. Birth always has its own path and plan, and it is a success when those in our care can walk that path any direction it takes and make to to their baby feeling empowered and cared for the entire way. What a gift it is to us to see that come to fruition even in spaces where some don’t think it to be possible.

11/18/2025

Let’s talk food and water in labor! Whenever we are discussing early labor, we really push great nutrition and hydration in early labor, but why?
✨First, early labor is going to be the best timing for hydrating and getting good nutrition because you’re least likely to be feeling icky and your contractions are the furthest apart they are going to be.
✨Early labor can also last the longest of all the stages and phases of labor, specifically if this is the first baby your body is having. We are talking 24-48 hours in some cases. If you’re not eating well for 1-2 days you’ll feel the impact, more severely if you’re laboring that entire time.
✨Your body is working so hard!! Seriously, you may not be super impacted by early labor, but your body is, and by the time you’re in the thick of active labor you’ll be grateful you gave your body the fuel that it needs.
✨Labor can give you wonky contractions if you’re not hydrated or nourished enough. We have literally seen an IV change the way a labor is going for the better. Our bodies struggle to contract normal and well without proper hydration and nutrition and it shows. Your muscles are working every contraction, muscles need support!
✨Eating and drinking frequently don’t just provide support for pushing, but they can actually lessen nausea! Sort of like in the beginning of pregnancy, we need water and good protein to lessen the nausea and vomiting even when it’s the last thing you feel that you want in those moments.
✨Drinking water also helps your baby with amniotic fluid levels, this is especially important when water is broken and consistently leaking.
All in all, we see a huge difference when our clients hydrate and eat frequently throughout labor. We always suggest figuring out a good high protein snack you will eat when you’re not wanting to eat anything. We also really encourage eating a high protein and carbohydrates rich meal at the beginning of labor when you’re less likely to have no appetite or feel nauseous. If you can sip and snack every other contraction, you’re already headed in the right direction, because we really do see these things reduce the need for transfer later on.

11/17/2025

In honor of Kalli’s baby turning 4, enjoy some of our favorite moments from her labor and birth. That 18th photo has our hearts though, you can feel the joy and bliss of that moment. Every tear, every contraction, every ache and pain, all felt worth it in that moment her baby came into her arms. 🖤
Photos by:

11/15/2025

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, our Yule event is here! This is by far our favorite event we host annually! If you birthed with us or were pregnant with us in 2025, join us for a cozy night filled with delicious food, birth stories, and a simple craft. We are so looking forward to gathering with you beautiful humans for a wonderful night!
If you weren’t in care with us for 2025 and wishing you could be here, take this as a sign to be next year ;)

11/14/2025

Sometimes babies come into our arms through our belly rather than va**na. Whether this was planned due to known complications or a surprise due to unknown complications, it can be a really beautiful way to bring your baby into the world.
Typically when we think of cesarean birth, we envision a birth where we loose autonomy and choice, but this doesn’t have to be the case. You can request and advocate for different things that can make your experience more supportive and comfortable including:
—Having your arms free and ready for newborn snuggles
—Immediate skin-to-skin for optimal bonding
—Lowering the drape or a clear drape to view the birth of your baby
—Music playing that’s comforting to you
—Requesting no shop talk amongst the staff
—Vaginal seeding to be done by staff or your partner after baby is born
—Delayed cord clamping (best results I’ve seen come from requesting a lotus birth and later “changing your mind”)
—Having your partner or support person present and then requesting they follow your baby if they must go to the NICU
—Having it photographed by either your partner or doula
I always encourage clients to write an A, B, and C plan, the C plan being C-section plan. We always want to think it won’t be us, but sometimes it is, and when it is, having a plan you’ve thought through can make all the difference.

11/13/2025

Absolutely feeling the love with these kind words flooding in from so many beloved clients and families. We feel honored to serve such incredible human beings and that so many of you end up becoming family.
After looking at these kind reviews, Teryl and I conversed deeply, both expressing joy and peace and gratitude that this is our work and these are our people. It is an absolute gift.

11/04/2025

Sometimes birth plans and postpartum plans change, no matter how intentional you are, no matter how prepared you are, birth and postpartum often have their own path and we are simply passengers.
And though it can feel disappointing and even traumatic to experience a transfer, having a team of midwives who are there for you to hold your hand, guide you through, and provide emotional and physical support, can make all the difference.
We don’t leave you or your baby at the hospital’s doors. We walk through them with you and stay by your side every step of the way. And as we make our way through postpartum together, we sit with you as you process, be it with tears or words or both.
We are your midwives through and through and love being there for you no matter the scenario, no matter the birth. 🖤

10/29/2025

Let’s talk about feeding the newborn in the first twenty-four hours. Before we leave your home we will help you establish your newborns first latch. Our hope is that we can give you the tools and confidence to know how a food latch feels and it’s also important to get your newborn their first feed. The first feed provides vital nutrients and antibodies for your baby as well as promotes bonding which is crucial for both you and your new little one. Getting your baby to latch in the first hour post birth provides all of the above and helps lower infant mortality rates.
After the first feed, your baby may give you a 4-5 hour nap. This nap is important for you both to get crucial rest and brain development for baby. After that period of time is is crucial to wake your baby to feed every 2-3 hours for the first few weeks or until they are back to birth weight. If they want to feed more frequently, this is alright as well. Frequent feeding is necessary because:
✨Your baby’s belly is tiny, about the size of a grape at birth. They need more frequent meals because of the small size.
✨Frequent feeds help stabilize blood sugar levels which can avoid baby being lethargic and harder to wake and feed.
✨Frequently placing babies on the breast/chest encourages milk supply to make enough milk to provide the nutrients your baby needs for weeks and months to come.
✨Weight gain! Newborns all typically lose some weight, but we don’t want them losing more than 10% and we need them to be back to birth weight by 2 weeks of age. Frequent feedings help limit the amount of weight lost and encourage getting them back to their birth weight and beyond.
✨Frequently feeding your babe also helps to eliminate excess bilirubin through the stool, lessening the incidence and intensity of jaundice.
✨Lastly, frequently nursing aids in newborn bonding which is essential for life. Spending time snuggled together providing nutrients that your baby needs is crucial for you both.

We love supporting our parents in their feeding goals with their babies. Whether it is in our realm of knowledge or if we need to bring in an experienced IBCLC, we are here for you and hoping for your success too!

10/28/2025

We love our community gatherings. Tonight we had bookclub and discussed the book Hester, it lead to beautiful conversation and connection. I love learning from these incredible humans and all they bring to the table. Afterwards we all learned to embroider cute Halloween embroidery pieces!
If you’re a past or present Stay Awhile Midwifery client and haven’t joined our book club, we want you here! Come join us in reading, crafting, and building community. 🖤

10/26/2025

We would love to chat with you! Book a free consultation. We have a couple discounted spots left for December and January due dates.

10/21/2025

We saw this post by our wonderful student and had to repost!
Early labor starting can feel like such an exciting time that it’s hard to relax and let the process move forward. Or maybe you’ve been waiting what feels like forever for labor and you’re worried it will fade like previous prodromal labors you’ve had and you’re wanting to chase it. We get it, we have all felt these ways before. But the thing is, is that real true labor will not stop from rest or position changes and our bodies need less adrenaline than more to continue forward with labor. This acronym lists the ways that you can encourage your labor to move forward naturally and regularly, allow your body to rest so that when you need energy it’s there, and are how you nourish your body when it’s working hard.
If you’re a first time parent, we recommend you take this acronym even more seriously. We have seen first timers birth incredibly and powerfully when they remember that resting, hydrating, and eating are highly important for stamina during labor. Instead of an early labor activity, consider an early labor nap, we promise it will pay off! 🖤

10/17/2025

Water birth can be a really beautiful and gentle way to bring your baby into the world. Laboring in water is often referred to as “nature’s epidural” because of how powerfully it works to helps lessen the sensations of childbirth. Water birth was first reported in medical journals in 1805 and became more popular in the late 1900’s.
It’s important to note that like any intervention, there are both risks and benefits to birthing in the water.

The benefits found for birthing in water include:
🩵Lessening pain and sensation
🩵Lower anxiety
🩵Better fetal positioning
🩵More privacy
🩵Shorter labors on average
🩵Lower rate of postpartum hemorrhage
🩵Less likelihood of transfer
🩵Lower rate of severe tearing
🩵Overall greater satisfaction with birth process
🩵Lowers risk of GBS bacteria spreading to newborn

On the flip side these risks were found:
🩵Higher risk of cord evulsion, where the cord tears or snaps (.57% versus .37%)
🩵Higher rates of postpartum uterine infections (that didn’t require hospitalization) (.31% versus .25%)

Across all studies there were no differences in NICU admission rates or rates of newborn infections from land to water birth. There was also only one true case of neonatal water aspiration but it occurred when the newborn was dropped into the water after being born.
The most important factors appeared to be care providers who were trained in water birth delivery and who knew when a birthing parent should be moved out of the birthing tub due to specific risk factors.
Overall evidence highly suggests that water birth is not only safe but leaves parents feeling more satisfied and less anxious.
We LOVE water birth! That is why we always include a birth tub with our client’s global fee, it’s literally built into our care. Whether you labor in the water and enjoy its pain relief properties or birth in the pool entirely, we are here for it! And if hydrotherapy just isn’t for you, land birth is really beautiful too!

Stay Awhile Midwifery

12/09/2025

11/18/2025

11/17/2025

11/15/2025

11/14/2025

11/13/2025

11/04/2025

10/29/2025

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10/21/2025

10/17/2025

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