Sacred Start Birthkeeping

07/23/2021

On Monday I attended a beautiful free birth.

Just the mama, dad, their toddler and me (well, plus my toddler too).

Around 36 weeks, mom was told her iron levels were too low to deliver at the birth center she had chosen. Her midwife said that she would have to recieve iron infusions in order to try and get her numbers up and hopefully be able to continue care there. This was not something that she wanted to do, but going to the hospital was also not for her, so she took the situation into her own hands and decided to plan to birth at home without a medical provider present.

Neither her, nor I, were worried about her "low" iron status as iron testing is usually inaccurate. Plus, it is not a for sure sign that you will hemorrhage anyways. So I fully supported her decision, but as always we did have herbs on hand in case of pph that I suggest for anyone birthing at home - thankfully that did not happen.

Baby boy was born perfect and healthy, with zero labor complications for him or mama, into a happy and undisturbed environment. Just the way it should be. We were both so over joyed that she ended up getting the birth that she had desired.

Remember that you always have a choice!

The raw strength and soul of a woman bringing a life into the world, truly never ceases to amaze me ❤️✨

06/06/2021

I would love to put together a resource to help women find a holistic birth worker in their area! Please comment below with your business name, contact info, and location if you are a home birth midwife who serves the mother not the system, a radical birthkeeper, or a naturally minded doula.

For those that don't know, I am located in WA - specifically snohomish county, but in some cases willing to travel further out, and also offer virtual services as well.

Feel free to share and tag friends, let's make this a large list in hopes of supporting as many who need to find the right assistance as possible!

06/04/2021

Listen, if you know someone doesn't have a clue about birth, especially natural/physiological birth, why in the heck do you care if they don't support your choice to birth at home?! That just doesn't make any sense.

I often see/hear conversations like:

"Help! I want to have a home birth, but, my Aunt Sally says it's dangerous and I shouldn't do it because my baby will die. How do I convince her?"

"Oh, it sounds like she didn't have a great birth experience, care to share?"

"She had a scheduled induction at 37 weeks because her OB said that her baby would be too big to let go to full term and wouldn't be able to fit through her pelvis. After a while of the pitocin and epidural her and baby showed signs of distress so they rushed her into a c section. He ended up being totally fine and normal sized, but she is so glad that the doctor was able to save both of their lives! So, she doesn't support home birth at all since you can't do any of that without being in a hospital."

🤦🏼‍♀️ Just no. And this isn't the only example I could give, there are countless, but I'll spare the rambling! This is 100% just projecting and has nothing to do with you. Plus, hello cascade of interventions, none of that would have happened had she been educated.

My point is, don't let someone criticize your choices, when you have the calling to birth at home and have done the research to know it's safe, especially from those who can't even give you advice because they are completely misinformed and see doctors as Gods. It's your body, and your baby, only you get to decide what you want!

Honestly you shouldn't let anyone deter you from your birth plans. But situations like this drive me nuts! Validation comes from within, give it to yourself sis.

05/21/2021

I know it can be hard to accept, but it's the truth! We have to start taking responsibility for our choices.

Birthing in a hospital, is an open invitation to the cascade of interventions. You'll likely be met with unnecessary testing/checks, induction, meds, and ultimately - c section.

Even in birth centers, you still have an increased risk of unneeded involvement or transfer. Most are even under the ruling of hospitals and/or OB's!

My advice of course is to just stay home. If you want the best chance at a 100% natural, undisturbed, physiological, hands off, peaceful, and safe birth, then don't leave your space. And if you do choose home birth, make sure to hire the right provider (if you want one that is - I 100% support unassisted as well), because there are even some home birth Midwives out there who are still not the best option, if they follow all laws by the book.

This is not to shame anyone, tell you what to do, or say that *good* outcomes can't come out of facility births, but it is the tough love reminder you deserve in order to be aware that you will never be in full control when you step into the medical system.

Do your research and be your own advocate! It is your body and your baby, you have the right to decide and set yourself up for the experience that you desire 💚

05/20/2021

When I started this page just about 1 month ago I couldn't have imagined gaining over 500 supporters in that timeframe! I just wanted to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for following along. Your love and shares are greatly appreciated!

I also wanted to give a couple reminders:

Don't forget that I do offer my services virtually for birtheekping, lactation counseling, and birth trauma releasing sessions. Just message me for a free consult!

If you have an Instagram, and want to catch me over there too, just click the link below-

Instagram.com/sacredstartbirthkeeping

Again thank you so much for being here and receiving the info that I have to offer. I look forward to continuing growing this community and helping families gain knowledge surrounding pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and breastfeeding 💗

47 Followers, 24 Following, 20 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Sacred Start Birthkeeping ()

05/18/2021

What many refer to as the eye "goop" is actually called Erythromycin, and it is an antibiotic eye ointment. This is another standard newborn procedure that is given to all babies, routinely, in hospitals and birth centers, that is usually unnecessary and also harmful.

Per the manufacturers insert, it's only purpose is to prevent conjunctivitis (pink eye) in babies who's mothers had an active case of Gonorrhea and/or Chlamydia at the time of birth. That's it. Not any other STD/I, not a yeast infection, not GBS, not prolonged broken water, not prevention of pink eye in general, not even having either C or G in the past, ONLY an active break out during delivery. And guess what, you are screened for these infections prior to giving birth in those establishments.

So why the heck is it given to all babies? That is a great question. It shouldn't be! There is absolutely no reason for it to be a standard practice. Back in the 1800's they found that 10% of babies developed conjunctivitis from vaginal birth, and 3% of those babies developed blindness from the untreated eye infection. That is how it became routine and is still today. Crazy right?! A very small risk, with specific reasoning, and for something that can be screened and treated for those who actually have it... suddenly turned into "necessary" for every single baby, and was never reconsidered.

Now let's talk about the harms.

Not only can the ointment cause burning, itching, redness, and swelling, but it also actually blurs baby's vision to where they cannot see you very well which can hinder bonding and your breastfeeding relationship. Most babies who recieve it will even keep their eyes closed as well for a good period of time after receiving it due to those painful symptoms. Poor things!

But the greatest risk, is damage to the gut. As we know, antibiotics wreck your gut microbiome and lining, which leads to countless other health issues. Studies have shown it takes upwards of 2 years for the gut to repopulate and heal after antibiotics, and most of the time it still does not reseal on it's own so the health issues continue on past that mark. It takes a lot of work to undo gut issues.

Personally, I decline the antibiotic eye ointment for my babies. There is just no need to give medical treatment, without reason, that comes with risks. And if I did have Gonorrhea and/or Chlamydia, I would use colloidal silver and breastmilk in the eyes instead, as I do not use allopathic medicine for my family. This is not medical advice, just my personal choice. Again, some things for you to research for yourself. And if you wanted to give it due to having a break out, then that's ok, but why give it if you don't?

I hear a lot of women ask if they can just allow it to be administered and then wipe it off once the nurse walks away. Well no, it would already be absorbed into the babies system by that time and the affects would still occur. You have the right to decline this, and anything else. Stand up for yourself and your child. And as always, I recommend just birthing at home where you will not be challenged on your decisions. Yes some Midwives still offer it but it is absolutely not pushed.

Most moms do not even know it's being given to their babies and if they do, they have no idea what it is, why it's used, or what the harms are. Did you know all of this?

05/11/2021

Breech is a variation of normal! There isn't an issue with birthing a breech baby, the real issue with a breech baby is an incompetent provider. Hospital staff are not properly trained in this type of delivery and as a result will always slap a c section on you as your only option. This is not true!

Listen, if you prefer to deliver a head down baby, that's absolutely ok, you can try to turn your baby. But it should not be because of an ultimatum from your provider or out of fear. Sadly even many home birth Midwives aren't willing, so if you choose to go assisted, you'll need to find a provider that is (traditional Midwives are out there) and I always suggest asking this question at your initial consultation. Regardless of birthing route, educate yourself on the topic and the hands off approach.

Personally I recommend Spinning Babies exercises, a Webster certified Chiropractor, hot/cold therapy, acupuncture, and homeopathy, over an ECV medical procedure. Honestly, that comes with more risks than just leaving the baby be how they are most comfortable, being breech in this case, and allowing nature to take its course with delivery that way.

I also hear a lot of women trying to turn a breech baby early on. When the reality is, babies can flip even in labor. Yes, you heard that right, a breech baby can turn head down IN labor. Save your worrying mama, it's not going to benefit either of you!

But again, you don't have to do a thing, you can absolutely birth a breech baby.

Wondering how you would know if your baby is breech? Very easy to do belly mapping and feel for location of hiccups when they have them.

Breech births are beautiful and should not be the reason alone for changing your unhindered delivery plans!