Parenthood in Bloom

03/24/2026

🚨 New Study: increasing breastfeeding rates to 90% could save 72,300 noncommunicable disease deaths globally per year.

✨️ Formula feeding does carry risks, which is why breastfeeding on a population level is a public health concern. Individual benefit vs risk is different for each mother baby dyad.

This study also found increasing breastfeeding to 90% could prevent 10 million cases of diabetes across the lifespan of the cohort.

Of the delayed NCDSs, most delayed deaths were from ischaemic heart disease (43%) and stroke (33%), with cancer accounting for 18%.

Study authors interpreted the data to mean: Scaling up exclusive breastfeeding coverage could lead to benefits in reducing NCDs, complementing its established benefits for child mortality and early childhood development.

Essentially, this study added to the importance of breastfeeding on a global population level. Breastfeeding absolutely saves lives.

This study, published in the Lancet, focused on low and middle income countries. What does this mean for people in wealthier countries? Breastfeeding benefits still exist wherever you live and reduce the risk of developing cancer, diabetes, etc. However, in a wealthier country, you may have access to additional preventative measures and care, and access to medical care if you become sick.

Wherever you live, breastfeeding is the biological norm following a pregnancy

At the population level, breastfeeding reduces risk and has significant benefit.

As parents, we make decisions on individual levels.

For simple math, let's say on a population level the risk of allergies is 15 in 100 in not breastfeeding infants but in breastfeeding infants it's 5 in 100. Breastfeeding does not mean there's a 0% chance of allergies and not breastfeeding doesn't mean a 100% chance of allergies. Simply, when we look at large groups, more formula fed infants have allergies compared to breastfed infants.

All this said, breastfeeding is not easy. Low rates are often associated with lack of support, early return to work, birth complications, etc.

What support did you wish you had?

03/23/2026

Statistically speaking, a doula is the most effective "intervention" you can have in the delivery room.

Research consistently shows that continuous support from a doula can reduce the risk of a primary cesarean by up to 39%.

This World Doula Week, we are celebrating the birth workers who help our community navigate the system and lower the rates.

Did you have a doula who helped you? Drop a "🙌" and tag them below to show some love!

Help ICAN: https://www.bonfire.com/cesarean-awareness-month-2026/

03/23/2026

🌿 Wise Woman Workshops: Session 1 Women & Trauma 🌿

Join us for the first session of the Wise Woman Workshops, a powerful series created by women, for women, focused on mental health, healing, and well-being.

🗓 Saturday, April 25, 2026
🕘 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Girard First United Methodist Church
22 N. Market St., Girard, OH

This session explores women and trauma, offering education, understanding, and space for healing. Together, we’ll open meaningful conversations and build a supportive community where women feel heard, empowered, and understood.

✨ This is a FREE event
⚠️ Limited to 25 participants, registration required

🤝 In collaboration with:
NAMI Mahoning Valley, THRIVE 10:10, & Full Spectrum Community Outreach Center

📧 Questions? Email: info@namimahoningvalley.org

Reserve your spot today and be part of a supportive space for growth and healing.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wise-woman-workshops-session-1-women-and-trauma-tickets-1985607698076

03/23/2026

03/22/2026

According to the March of Dimes 2025 US report card:

"In 2024, nearly 380,000 babies were born preterm—1 in 10 births—placing the US among the highest rates in developed nations. Progress is not reaching the families who need it most."

"For the fourth consecutive year, the United States earned a D+ grade for preterm birth, marking the longest stretch of the lowest grade in Report Card history."

Less than 8 US states earned A and B reports. The US is failing our most vulnerable women and children.

We cannot emphasize enough that doulas are bandaids on the massive wound that is US health care. We aid in improving outcomes for each of our clients but we are not the solution, neither is the responsibility ours.

Nonetheless, a 2024 study found doula support was associated with a 29% lower risk of preterm birth. Why?

It's likely multifaceted but doula care is often associated with:

✨️ Education about risk factors, red flag symptoms, and ways to reduce risks around a variety of pregnancy complications
✨️ Encouragement to attend all prenatal care appointments
✨️ Continuity of support and encouragement of advocacy - if something feels off, you deserve appropriate care!
✨️ Reminding parents of their rights during pregnancy and labor

Not all cases of preterm labor can be prevented and we don't always know why a preterm labor occurs. However, there are things we can do, when families have access to proper medical care, to reduce the risk of preterm labor. Some ways to reduce risk include:

✨️ Adequate prenatal care
✨️ Continuity of care with midwives
✨️ Continuity of care with an OB
✨️ Addressing any signs of and treating UTIs
✨️ Adequate support, including nutrition support, for parents with hyperemesis gravidarum
✨️ Educating parents and providing screening for risk of cervical insufficiency and treating it
✨️ Establishing care in the first trimester
✨️ Proper support for managing gestational diabetes
✨️ Monitoring blood pressure and signs of preeclampsia

If your response to this is, "but doesn't everyone already have access to those things?" unfortunately, no. Many disparities in care exist.

03/20/2026

Reminder, you can ALWAYS ask questions.

Unlike the ridiculous legal fight of a Florida woman, most facilities will accept your autonomy - even if there's some pushback.

Discussion and respect is how we have safe birth without unnecessary trauma. Doctors, midwives, nurses who practice with respect will have these conversations with you to help you make informed decisions and understand if there's a true medical concern.

What questions did you ask in labor?

03/19/2026

We’re 3 weeks out from Grounded & Growing—a sacred pause in honor of Black Maternal Health Week. This is a space where Black mothers can be seen, heard, and held—through breath, movement, and intention. On April 11, from 12:30 to 2, we will gather in sisterhood, planting seeds of wellness—inside and out. Register now

https://www.eventbrite.com/manage/events/1983684424513/details

03/18/2026

After three years trying to conceive, and one early loss, we are grateful to announce that we are welcoming a bouncing baby boy into our lives this summer 🥰

What does this mean for Parenthood in Bloom?

For in-person services, I will only be taking photography clients and repeat doula clients until February 2027 🗓️

Virtual services I will continue to offer throughout the next year include birth prep and lactation education:

🤰🏽 The standalone birth prep package is an entirely virtual (live) experience that includes two 2-hour meetings where we discuss any of the intake items of your choosing, from mindfulness techniques, to comfort measures and expectations. This also gives you access to my client-only resources, including a customized birth plan template. Those that are local to the Youngstown-Warren area will also have access to my lending library and rentals (TENS, rebozo, baby carriers, etc).

A few major points we typically hit on are a unique concept I refer to as “birth philosophy” and general childbirth education. This package also includes text support and resource connection throughout your pregnancy.

In the weeks following delivery, you have the option to schedule a virtual check-in. This is another two-hour meeting in which I will hold space for you to process your labor and delivery experience, answer any questions you may have about postpartum or infant care, and screen for PMADs.

🤱🏻Lactation 101 is a live, virtual class that you can sign up for individually or with a friend. In this lesson, we will cover the basics of breastfeeding, proper latch, warning signs and symptoms, pumping, and so much more! I highly recommend this to anyone that is new to breastfeeding or did not have an exceptional journey in prior pregnancies.

🌸🌸🌸

I know this is a big shift over here and I have a few more things up my sleeve yet, so please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have about the future of Parenthood in Bloom ☺️

03/18/2026

If you’ve had an epidural in labour, you may remember the little button attached to the pump. That’s part of something called patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA), and it’s actually a really smart system.

Here’s how it works:

When an epidural is placed, medication runs continuously through a small catheter in your back to help manage labour pain. But labour isn’t constant because contractions change, babies move, and sometimes the pain ramps up.

That’s where the PCEA button comes in.

With patient-controlled epidural analgesia, you can press a button to give yourself an extra dose of medication when you feel more pain. The pump delivers a small, pre-programmed bolus of medication through the epidural.

A few important things to know:

• It’s safe. The pump is programmed with limits so you can’t give yourself too much medication.
• There’s usually a lockout period (often around 10–20 minutes) between doses so the medication has time to work.
• You’re still getting a background infusion of medication even when you’re not pressing the button.
• It gives you control so you don’t have to wait for someone to adjust the epidural when contractions get stronger.

Many people find that having that button reduces anxiety during labour because they know they can respond to pain right away.

It’s one of the ways modern epidurals are designed to be more personalized and responsive to labour as it changes.

✨ Little tip: If you feel pain building with contractions, pressing the button before the pain becomes intense often works better than waiting until you’re already very uncomfortable.

Did you have an epidural in labour?
Did you use the button, or did you forget it was even there? 👇

03/16/2026

Everybody shows up for the baby…
but a doula shows up for YOU.

During birth nurses rotate shifts, doctors come and go, and family can get overwhelmed.

Your doula stays focused on one thing — supporting you through every moment.

If you’re pregnant or planning a baby, make sure you have someone in the room whose job is to advocate for you.






614-687-4755

03/15/2026