Crown & Cradle: Birth to Beginnings

05/22/2023

💯 yes! 🥰🤩🤣

07/16/2022

🌟🥰💪🏻

📸PhotoCred: Joselyn B. Photography📸

Upright breech birth with gentle hands awaiting.
Because we are capable.
We are intuitive.
We are everything that is badass!

-Love,
Flor Cruz

07/13/2022

The more you know! 🌈

Nope 👇

Some facts about nuchal cords:

🔆 Nuchal cords are incredibly common, occurring in an estimated 1 of 3 births.

🔆 They are very rarely dangerous.

🔆 Fetuses receive oxygen through the umbilical cord, not by breathing through the mouth or nose, so a cord around the neck is not cutting off their air like it would for you or me. If the cord is left in tact, the baby can still be receiving oxygen from the placenta for several minutes after birth.

🔆 Most babies with a nuchal cord have one that is very loose and it can be simply slipped over the head after birth. There is usually no indication of the nuchal cord at all.

🔆 The main way for a nuchal cord to be harmful (if the cord is healthy) is if it is wrapped multiple times and is so tight that it compresses itself, thereby decreasing blood flow inside, or if there is a true knot so tight that it does the same (rare). The cord would have to be extremely tight to cut off blood flow between the body and brain.

🔆 Nuchal cord is very difficult to identify before birth, even with ultrasound.

🔆 You do not need to have a c-section solely due to a suspected nuchal cord.

🔆 Medications given during a birth induction/augmentation can cause erratic & extra strong contractions, causing heart decelerations in the fetus. If a c-section is performed and a nuchal cord is discovered, it is frequently blamed (though the cause was more likely the induction meds). This can lead the mother to feel her baby was "saved" by the hospital staff, when they may have actually been the ones to CAUSE the issues the baby was "saved" from.

🔆 A healthy umbilical cord is filled with a gelatinous substance called Wharton's Jelly that protects the cord vessels as a fetus twists and turns its way inside the uterus.

If you want to read up on the evidence on nuchal cord, visit my Instagram account () and scroll back to my post of that name.

01/21/2022

🌟 New for 2022-

•We have classes and education starting up this year! I am so excited to be making connections and partnering with some amazing people to have accessible education for labor, lactation, womb support, and tween menstrual workshops!! I'll be announcing the availability for those as we get dates set in stone!

•This is also the official announcement to introduce our new sliding scale system. See the long winded details below!

As a birth keeper I believe that everyone should have access to the support they want and need during their pregnancies and birth. I recognize the chaos that our current economic system has created, and envision another model in which every birthing person is supported and empowered and truly are the owners of their births. However, while we work toward a new model in which the rights of birthing people are paramount, accountable institutions are created, and equitable birth support is accessible for everyone, I realize we are not there yet. The sliding scale I am implementing is one way of acknowledging differences in wealth, income, costs, and actively addresses the economic disparities in our communities and society. The sliding scale is a way to say no to the way things are and yes to the way they can be, while providing support for everyone. I have had mentors discourage me from using it, but what I want more than anything is to help people and make sure that services are accessible to anyone interested. I recognize that this isn't going to change the world, but it can hopefully help tidy up our corner of it.

This scale is intended to be a map, inviting each of us to take inventory of our financial resources and accept or extend a hand. While I ask you to take these factors into consideration, please don’t stress about it. Pay what you feel is right. I will not ask questions or quiz you on your payment choices, or ask you to prove anything. I trust you to have authority for your own complicated needs.

I recognize that some people may not be able to afford the low end of the scale, and I am in the process of building a partnership with a local outreach here in our community to assist those people. If you believe you fall into this category, please let me know and we can work something out.

I appreciate so much the support that I've received from friends, family, and even strangers on this journey. My goal is to be able to offer support to anyone who wishes to have it, regardless of position or opinion.
Thank you for supporting my business.