Golden State Midwifery & Birth Services

02/20/2026

10 centimeters of dilation does not make for a whole picture. Waiting for the need to push can reduce pushing time and can lead to less exhaustion and an easier time for babies. For folks that get epidurals, it makes sense to wait. 10 centimeters is not the whole story.

Collinot H, Miloradovic Klein A, Guilhard C, et al. Passive second stage of labor: Does a fourth hour increase maternal morbidity in nulliparous patients at term with epidural? J Gynecol Obstet Hum Reprod 2024;53(9):102818.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38936801/

02/01/2026

I used the term informed choice- the decision making power is for those seeking care. Healthcare providers provide information and act on decisions made by the person in their care.

12/31/2025

Birth trauma isn’t always avoidable. But so often communication, true informed choice, and support are the keys to minimizing it and often creating experiences that help birthing people see and maximize their strength and joy, even when experiences are different from what’s imagined.

12/31/2025

Investment in midwifery is the public health we need.

We’re not there yet, far from it.

The US is 55th in perinatal health compared with leading countries where midwifery and guaranteed health care are the standard care for all birthing people.

Organizations like Californians for the Advancement of Midwifery (CAM) are crucial to improving care and giving people options and access to midwives.

Like I said, 55th in perinatal health outcomes. Midwifery and single payer are key. Donating to CAM is a good way to support midwifery in California.

If you’re able and can, especially if you’ve seen the difference midwifery care makes, consider a donation.

11/07/2025

Now at First 5 Mendocino

Starts this Friday!

Hosted by local doulas, this is a welcoming space for new parents to connect, share, and find support.

📅 When: First Friday of every month at 10:00 AM
📍 Where: First 5 Mendocino – Community Room
419 Talmage Rd, Ste M

✨ Babies are welcome! Bring your little ones and come as you are.

Questions? Contact Shelby at 707-391-7202.

10/24/2025

Skin to skin has been the way in community birth settings. Keeping the baby with their parent is the norm. And it comes with all the benefits you might imagine and more.

The 2025 Cochrane review on immediate and early skin-to-skin contact after birth highlights that further randomized controlled trials comparing skin-to-skin contact with ‘usual care’ are no longer ethical.

The findings show there is now enough evidence to make immediate skin-to-skin contact after birth the global standard of care, and as WHO already recommends skin-to-skin the standard of care, the authors argue that randomizing the separation of mother and newborn may no longer be justifiable.

Read more:
https://centerforbreastfeeding.org/cochrane-review-2025

09/23/2025

No need to suffer. Reducing fever with appropriate medication is good for fetal development. And pain relief is important too!

The American College of Nurse-Midwives affirms acetaminophen, also commonly known as Tylenol, remains a safe and effective option for relieving pain and reducing fever during pregnancy when used as directed. Ongoing research and expert reviews continue to support its appropriate use, and pregnant individuals can feel confident using it in consultation with their midwife or other healthcare provider.

09/18/2025

❤️. Access to support and care are key to ending inequity.

For the inaugural Deaf & Hard of Hearing Breastfeeding Week, The Anthropology of Motherhood are sharing an ASL Breastfeeding Education Video Series.

The first of its kind, this breastfeeding series features education and information specifically targeted to engage Deaf and Hard of Hearing people. There is no spoken English used throughout the series, only ASL and closed captioning. The production company, Blue20, is owned by a Deaf person; more than 90% of the talent engaged and the production team is Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

The series includes:
1) Answers to Common Breastfeeding Concerns
2) The Gift That Lasts a Lifetime
3) Breastfeeding: In the Beginning; Returning to Work Advocacy
These three videos were produced by the D.C. Breastfeeding Coalition and Blue20 with love and care.

Link to access these free resources 👉 http://bit.ly/46wumBI

09/17/2025

Labor Induction: Why, When, and How? takes a close look at the most common reasons induction is recommended and what the research really shows.

It also provides strategies for every path: supporting a safe, healthy birth if you want to await labor, ways to encourage labor naturally, and best practices for an induction to go smoothly if that is your choice or when it becomes necessary.

Find out more: https://hencigoer.com/labor-induction/

09/10/2025

07/26/2025

Autonomy and informed choice are the foundation of good care.

What are the ethical implications of routine medical intervention in childbirth?
A new piece from the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics explores the rising rates of cesarean sections and labor interventions in U.S. hospitals—and their impact on autonomy, informed consent, and maternal well-being.

The article examines:

📌 Trends in cesarean rates and outcomes
📌 Financial and emotional costs of intervention
📌 Ethical concerns around informed consent during labor
📌 The role of patient autonomy in decision-making
📌 Implications for marginalized and low-income communities

As author Madison Patrick writes, "Childbirth is not a problem to be solved, nor a liability to be managed. It is an intimate, human experience that demands the highest standard of ethical care."

🔗 Read the full article via the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. : https://www.scu.edu/ethics/focus-areas/bioethics/resources/ethics-of-medical-intervention-in-childbirth/

For more News and Research visit: https://www.nacpm.org/researchandcurrentevents

07/04/2025