Chava Birth, Brigham City, UT (2026)

06/09/2026

Scroll through and you’ll see words I wrote this from a hospital bed on 5/31/17, 9 years ago. I was nearing 35 weeks pregnant, terrified, exhausted, swollen, on bed rest with preeclampsia, and convinced my body had failed me. I wrote about feeling like a fraud because I loved pregnancy and birth so much, yet felt “bad at pregnancy.” A week later, my baby girl was born at 5 lbs 5 oz, tiny and perfect and far healthier than I had spent weeks convincing myself she might not be.

At the time, I couldn’t see anything beyond the grief of losing the pregnancy and birth experience I thought I was supposed to have. I couldn’t see past the monitors, the lab draws, the fear, the loss of control, and the overwhelming feeling that I had somehow failed at the one very thing I was building my life around.

But hindsight really is everything.

What I thought would disqualify me as a provider actually shaped me into a better one. It taught me what it feels like to sit on the other side of the conversation. To know the guidelines and still feel scared. To understand the medicine while simultaneously grieving the experience. To feel conflicted between gratitude and disappointment at the same time. To know that someone can be deeply informed, deeply capable, and still deeply heartbroken.

Her pregnancy humbled me in ways I desperately needed. It made me softer, empathetic, and more understanding of the complicated emotions that can exist alongside complicated pregnancies.

And Emilia, who arrived so small and fierce and determined, is now 9 years old today. And just as fierce and determined as ever.

Happy birthday to the little girl who changed me long before I ever realized she did. 💗

06/06/2026

Ultrasound in pregnancy is one of those topics where there is a wide range of recommendations, opinions, comfort levels, and personal preferences. Some families want every scan available. Others prefer to keep ultrasound exposure minimal. Most fall somewhere in the middle.

There are many different types of ultrasounds that may be offered during pregnancy including early dating scans, nuchal translucency scans, anatomy scans, growth scans, biophysical profiles, presentation checks, fluid checks, and more. Some are routine depending on provider and setting, while others are recommended only in certain situations.

The only ultrasound we routinely ask our clients to complete is the mid pregnancy anatomy scan, usually around 20 weeks. The biggest reasons for this are to look for major structural concerns that may make delivery safer in a hospital setting and to confirm placenta location. Occasionally these scans also identify things that simply help us better prepare for birth and postpartum care.

If baby has not arrived by 41 weeks, we also recommend a biophysical profile, often called a BPP, to help assess how baby is doing inside and check things like movement, breathing motions, tone, and fluid levels. We typically repeat this again around 42 weeks if pregnancy is ongoing.

Beyond that, we are always happy to refer for additional ultrasounds whenever they are wanted, requested, or medically indicated. Some families enjoy seeing their baby more often for reassurance or bonding, while others prefer a more minimal approach.

We also respect that some clients choose to decline ultrasound entirely. In those situations, we review informed refusal, discuss limitations and considerations, and have clients sign a waiver acknowledging those discussions.

As with so much in midwifery care, our goal is informed decision making, individualized care, and making space for families to choose what feels right for them. ❤️

06/03/2026

One of the most important parts of preparing for birth is preparing for what comes after!

One of our clients recently had these lists posted outside her bedroom postpartum and we loved it. Simple reminders of things she may need, along with tangible ways visitors and family could help without having to ask over and over what they could do. It created such a gentle supportive environment during those early days.

We spend so much time planning the nursery, the registry, the birth itself, but postpartum deserves just as much thought and care.

Sometimes people truly want to help but don’t know how. Giving family or friends simple practical ways to support can make such a difference postpartum. That might be as simple as a filled water bottle or a snack. Folded and put away laundry. Holding the baby so mom can shower or taking care of older siblings. Quiet company instead of expectation. These are the little things that often end up feeling huge.

Postpartum care should be planned, not improvised in exhaustion after the baby arrives and the time to do it is now!

What was the most helpful thing someone did for you postpartum?

05/31/2026

A true knot in the cord is exactly what it sounds like. A knot that forms in baby’s umbilical cord, usually early in pregnancy when baby is still very small and has lots of room to move around. They can sound really scary when people hear about them, especially because they’re often talked about in dramatic or fear based ways online, but the reality is that many true knots never cause a single issue and are only discovered after birth. Two of my own babies (in a row!) had them.

The umbilical cord is protected by something called Wharton’s jelly, which helps cushion and protect the blood vessels inside the cord. Most true knots stay loose and continue functioning normally throughout pregnancy and labor. Occasionally, though, a knot can tighten and affect blood flow to baby, which is why paying attention to fetal movement matters so much, like I talked about in the post earlier this week. Your baby’s movement patterns tell us far more about how they’re tolerating pregnancy than the presence or absence of a diagnosis alone.

At the same time, we also know there are families who have experienced devastating loss related to cord accidents, and we never want educational posts like this to feel dismissive of that reality or the grief that comes with it if there are any reading here. Two things can be true at once. Most true knots do not cause harm, and some families have experienced very real heartbreak connected to them.

True knots are also a reminder that pregnancy and birth are not always something we can completely control or predict. Sometimes babies arrive with cords wrapped around them, knots in the cord, or all kinds of things that would have sounded terrifying beforehand, and they come earthside crying and perfect anyway.

One of the hardest parts of modern pregnancy is that we now know about so many possible risks and “what ifs.” Information is important, but so is context. A finding does not automatically equal danger. Sometimes it’s simply part of the story of how your baby made their way here.

05/28/2026

It’s been awhile since we’ve shared a cute set of baby footprints outside of our stories! 💜👣

And every time I look at something like this, I think about how different birth and then immediate postpartum can look and feel depending on the environment you’re in.

Same physiology, same baby, same process, but a completely different pace.

At home, there isn’t that moment where everything shifts and a new team walks in. It’s the same people who have been there, the same hands, same trust, the same energy. Nothing suddenly changes! Things don’t speed up or get taken out of your hands. It just unfolds, and then it settles.

Baby stays with you, the space stays familiar, and there’s time to actually take it in without bright lights and sounds and hustle. I think that’s a big part of what draws families to home birth in the first place. Not because birth is always easy, but because it gets to stay personal. That continuity is something people don’t always realize matters until they experience it firsthand.

05/25/2026

One of the simplest things you can do in pregnancy can also be one of the most important: Kick counts!

The organization Count the Kicks was created with the goal of helping families learn their baby’s normal movement patterns and recognize when something changes. Their app and website help families track movement and better understand what is normal for their baby specifically.

One of the biggest myths we still hear is that babies “run out of room” at the end of pregnancy. They don’t. Movement may feel different later in pregnancy, but babies should continue moving consistently right up to and even during labor.

Another misconception is that you should drink juice, eat candy, or chug ice water to make your baby move. Current research has moved away from that recommendation. Kick counts work best when you are monitoring your baby’s normal baseline, not trying to force temporary movement.

And this part matters too. Even babies who are normally very active can experience distress, sometimes quickly and without other warning signs. Decreased movement can be one of the earliest signs that something may be wrong.

We also know many families own home fetal dopplers now, so this feels important to say. Hearing a heartbeat on a doppler is not the same thing as assessing fetal well being. A heartbeat can still be present even in situations where a baby is struggling. Paying attention to movement patterns is actually much more useful at home than repeatedly checking for a heartbeat when something feels off.

If you are worried about movement, call us!

Truly. That is our job.

We would always rather you call and have everything be completely fine than second guess and wonder if you’re overreacting. You are never bothering us by reaching out about decreased movement or changes in your baby’s normal pattern!

05/22/2026

An affirmation wall can be one of the most grounding parts of a birth space!

There’s something powerful about surrounding yourself with words you chose ahead of time. In labor, when everything gets intense and your focus turns inward, having those phrases right in front of you gives you something steady to come back to. It helps guide your thoughts, your breathing, even the way your body responds to each contraction.

An affirmation wall isn’t just for you, either. It gives your partner or support team a way to stay connected and supportive without guessing what to say. They can read your words back to you, remind you what you already know, and help you stay anchored in it. You can create your own, make them personal, or buy ones that are premade that you resonate with.

A few affirmations that we see a lot:

“I can do anything for one minute”
“This contraction has a purpose”
“My baby and I are working together”
“I am safe”
“My body knows how to open”
“One contraction at a time”
“Relax your jaw, relax your body”
“I trust myself in this”

When those words are familiar and visible, they’re easier to reach for when you need them most.

If you’ve given birth before, was there a specific affirmation that really stuck with you in the moment?

05/19/2026

Some births look like this. A room filled with people who love you, hands reaching in to support, familiar voices, maybe even a little movement in and out as the moment builds. There is laughter, anticipation, emotion, and a sense that this is something being held not just by one person, but by a whole circle of love.

And some births look completely different. Quiet and minimal. Just one or two people, soft voices, no extra energy in the room. A space that feels tucked away and protected.

Both are normal!

There is a tendency to think there is a “right” way to set up a birth space. That more support is always better, or that fewer people is always calmer. But that is not actually how it works. Safety in labor is not about numbers, it is about how your nervous system responds to the people around you. The same room that feels comforting and grounding to one person can feel overwhelming to another.

I have seen people labor beautifully in a full house, feeding off the energy and connection of everyone present. I have also seen others not fully completely settle until the moment the room clears and it becomes quiet. Neither is better. It is just different.

Your birth space should feel like yours. The people in it should make you feel safe, not watched. Supported, not managed. Able to go inward, not pulled out of yourself.

Whether that means a full room with a revolving door of family and friends, or a quiet, intimate space with just a few trusted faces, the goal is the same. A mother who feels safe enough to let go and do the work her body already knows how to do.

There is no right or wrong way to be supported in labor. There is only what feels right for you. ❤️

05/16/2026

It always feels a little wild to say this before the current year is even half over, but here we are…

We are officially booking 2027 due dates! In fact, we only have one spot left for January already and people finding out for February is just right around the corner.

If you’re newly pregnant or even just starting to think about growing your family, know that midwifery care often fills up faster than people expect. I only take a limited number of clients each month so I can show up fully, stay present, and provide the kind of care that feels personal and supportive.

There is something really special about starting care early. We get time to build a relationship, to walk through your questions as they come up, and to create a space where you feel safe, informed, and truly known long before labor ever begins.

If a 2027 baby might be part of your story, now is a good time to reach out and start the conversation! ❤️

05/13/2026

Mother’s Day may be over, but I’ve still got mamas on my mind. ❤️

People always talk about midwives holding babies. And I love to do that, but after birth, unless offered, I usually don’t ask to hold the baby again until the 6 week appointment.

Because I became a midwife to hold the mothers. To mother the mothers.

To sit beside them through the fear, the excitement, the transformation, and the vulnerability that pregnancy and birth can bring. To remind them they are safe and capable and strong. To protect their space while they do one of the most powerful things a human can do.

I became a midwife for the quiet moments too. The hand holding, forehead rubbing, and the reassuring eye contact across the room when labor feels endless. The checking in days and weeks later. The reminding them that they matter too in a season where everyone else is focused on the baby.

Because babies aren’t the only ones being born…mothers are born here too.

Chava Birth

06/09/2026

06/06/2026

06/03/2026

05/31/2026

05/28/2026

05/25/2026

05/22/2026

05/19/2026

05/16/2026

05/13/2026

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