Daisy Midwifery

09/26/2025

Older Siblings at Birth? Yes, Please.
When families first come into midwifery care, one of the most common questions I get is:
“Can I bring my older child to visits?”
“Would it be weird if they were there for the birth?”
My answer is usually, “Sure—but just so you know… this is how midwives are made. Don’t be mad when your 3-year-old starts asking to help me take heart tones and check your blood pressure.”
I love when kids are included in the prenatal and birth journey. It’s a powerful way to normalize birth, celebrate the body, and build early connections with the baby on the way.
One of my all-time favorite births included a 4-year-old big sibling who took her job as “doula” for baby #3 very seriously. She stood at the side of the birth tub, whispering sweet encouragement into the birthing person's ear and gently pouring warm water over her lower back while the partner provided some of the most legendary hip squeezes I’ve ever witnessed. This child had the calm presence of a seasoned birth worker—and after the baby arrived, she looked at her mama with sparkly eyes and said:
“I knew you could do it.”
Let me tell you something: I ugly cried (in my car of course).
These moments are sacred. They’re not just about welcoming a new baby, but about expanding the love and strength in a family. So yes—bring the kids. Invite them into the magic. You might just leave your prenatal appointment with a mini apprentice.
And I’ll be over here, passing down the doppler like it’s a family heirloom.
Want to learn more about my midwifery care or support my home birth practice?
Visit www.daisymidwifery.com
to explore services, birth philosophy, and ways to work together.
Feeling generous? You can also support my GoFundMe to help launch this full-spectrum birthwork dream into reality:
https://gofund.me/41ec3624
Thank you for cheering me on—it means the world.

Support Community Midwifery Care in California Greetings friends… CECILIA DUNCAN needs your support for Join Ceci's Mission for Inclusive Care

09/24/2025

What Midwifery Care Really Looks Like and Why It Matters

1. Relationship first care:
Prenatal visits are unhurried and focused on you. We talk about your health history, goals, questions, and what the evidence actually says. We do the routine clinical work too vitals, belly checks, labs by order, referrals for ultrasound when indicated and clear informed choice every step of the way.

2. Safe settings for low risk pregnancy:
Care happens at home or in a birth center for clients who meet eligibility. Screening and ongoing risk review are built in. When something falls outside our scope we consult and if needed transfer to hospital in a calm and organized way. Collaboration is a feature not a last resort.

3. What happens on the big day:
You get continuous support from someone you already know. I monitor well being for you and baby, offer position changes, comfort measures, hydration and nutrition reminders, and real time education so you always know the why behind the what. I bring emergency equipment and skills and I keep the room steady when the room needs steady. Also yes the birth bag has enough supplies to look like a camping trip.

4. Newborn care that starts immediately:
Normal physiologic birth is protected while we keep a sharp clinical eye. Newborn assessments are done right by you. Parents choose options like delayed cord clamping and vitamin K after discussion. Lactation support begins on day one and continues.

5. Postpartum is part of care not an afterthought:
I return multiple times in the first days and weeks to check recovery, feeding, sleep, mental health, and family systems. We troubleshoot sore latches and swaddles and also the very real question of when to shower and what to eat. You get clear plans and direct text reachable support.

6. Teamwork with the wider system:
Out of hospital midwifery works best with strong relationships across OB, CNM, pediatrics, lactation, pelvic PT, and mental health. I coordinate care and handoffs so families experience continuity not confusion.

7. Why it matters:
You get relationship based, evidence informed care that centers your values and autonomy. You know who will show up. You understand your options. You are not a passenger in your own birth.

8. What I bring to the work:
As a direct entry midwife of color with a masters degree in midwifery I practice with cultural humility, trauma informed principles, and a commitment to making high quality midwifery care more visible and more accessible. Clinical skills and community wisdom both belong in the room.

09/03/2025

Why I Became a Midwife: A Story of Chaos, Coffee, and Catching Babies

If you know me, you know I have a special talent for winging it and stumbling into wild adventures. Becoming a midwife? 100% accident. A plot twist no one — least of all me — saw coming.

Back in the day, I was teaching preschool and kindergarten, nannying in between, when I noticed how many new parents were basically shoved out of the hospital with a baby and a “good luck!” look. I thought, someone should really fill that gap in those early days. So naturally, I decided to become a postpartum doula. Easy, right? Except I somehow managed to register for a birth doula training instead. Total accident.

I figured I’d treat it like a “scared straight” program. Sit through the class, get horrified, and walk away swearing never to set foot in a delivery room again. Joke’s on me. The trainer had already given my number to a few families from her childbirth class. I fully intended to decline when they called, but then one family reached out, and I felt bad saying no. I met with them. Loved them. Then another family called. Loved them too. Next thing I knew, I was showing up at births like it was just another Tuesday.

By birth number nine, I found myself standing next to an OB and casually asking, “So what do I have to do to catch the baby?” He looked me straight in the eye and said, “Become an OB or a midwife.” And here we are.

Fast forward through a whole rollercoaster of midwifery school — a saga I’ll save for my future tell-all — and now I’m a licensed midwife, starting my own homebirth practice. My beginning may have been chaotic, but my passion for this work is intentional, fierce, and deeply rooted in community.

And honestly? I wouldn’t trade my messy, hilarious, flying-by-the-seat-of-my-pants origin story for anything.

Welcome to Daisy Midwifery. Let’s do this.

https://www.daisymidwifery.com/