Golden State Midwifery & Birth Services

05/25/2026

It’s the last week to enroll in the brand new California satellite midwifery Commonsense Childbirth School of Midwifery! If you’ve been considering a career in community based midwifery, check it out!

04/21/2026

Love to the doulas! And to the two doulas who supported me, VBAC was easier with you! And safe and successful with midwifery care! Midwife outcomes are the thing!

A 2025 study published in AJOG adds powerful, up-to-date data showing associations between doula care and improved maternal and newborn outcomes.

Key Maternal Outcomes:

More vaginal births after cesarean (VBAC): For every 100 patients who received doula care, there were 15 to 34 additional VBACs compared with those without doula care.

Higher postpartum follow-up attendance: 5 to 6 more per 100 received postpartum office visits.

Key Neonatal / Infant Outcomes

Increased exclusive breastfeeding rates: Babies whose families had doula support were more likely to breastfeed exclusively.

Fewer preterm births (and early preterm births): Doula-supported births showed a reduction in preterm birth rates.

In short, the study links doula care with improvements in birth outcomes — across birth mode (more VBACs), infant health (less prematurity), and early infant care (breastfeeding, postpartum follow-up).

Read more: https://internationaldoulainstitute.com/2025/11/evidence-for-doulas-new-ajog-study-finds-doulas-improve-outcomes/

04/21/2026

Birth planning isn’t just a wish list. Developing plans helps to make them more likely. When we know what our choices are, we have options. That kind of mapping creates more possibilities and paths toward uncomplicated (or less complicated) births.

Birth plans work! The Role of Birth Plan in Shaping Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials..... "Birth plans were associated with a higher likelihood of normal vaginal delivery (RR 3.22; 95% CI 1.49–6.95; p = 0.003) and increased odds of early breastfeeding (RR 3.68; 95% CI 1.48–9.15; p = 0.005)... Conclusions: Birth plans may be associated with improved maternal outcomes, including increased rates of vaginal delivery, and early breastfeeding. The overall evidence suggests birth plans as a strategy to promote a more respectful childbirth."
https://www.thieme-connect.de/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/a-2849-7990
(Full text not yet available)

03/20/2026

Consist data. Midwifery care is why I became a midwife.

👩‍⚕️ Is it better to see the same midwife or a small team of midwives throughout pregnancy and labour?

Evidence from 17 studies involving 18,533 randomized women was included in this updated systematic review.

Women or their babies who received midwife continuity of care models (seeing the same midwife or team of midwives) were:

⚕️ Less likely to experience a caesarean section or instrumental birth with forceps or a ventouse suction cup.

⚕️May be less likely to experience an episiotomy (a cut made by a healthcare professional into the perineum and vaginal wall).

⚕️More likely to experience spontaneous vaginal birth.

⚕️Reported more positive experiences during pregnancy, labour, and postpartum.

⚕️Additionally, there were cost savings in the antenatal (care during pregnancy) and intrapartum (care during labour and birth) period.

Further evidence may change our results, and future research should focus on the impact on women with social risk factors and those with medical complications, and understanding the implementation and scaling up of midwife continuity of care models, with emphasis on low‐ and middle‐income countries.

Read the full Cochrane review: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD004667.pub6/full

03/19/2026

People know breastfeeding has benefits, but did you know this? Or that breast cancer risk increases for people who have been pregnant and do not breastfeed or pump even more than in people who have never been pregnant?

A groundbreaking study provides the first global quantification of breastfeeding’s role in preventing chronic diseases.

The data is stunning 📈 and the study reinforces what we have long advocated: breastfeeding protection, promotion, and support are lifesaving, cost-effective, and essential.

Read the full results here: https://bit.ly/49fcYEc

02/20/2026

10 centimeters of dilation does not make for a whole picture. Waiting for the need to push can reduce pushing time and can lead to less exhaustion and an easier time for babies. For folks that get epidurals, it makes sense to wait. 10 centimeters is not the whole story.

Collinot H, Miloradovic Klein A, Guilhard C, et al. Passive second stage of labor: Does a fourth hour increase maternal morbidity in nulliparous patients at term with epidural? J Gynecol Obstet Hum Reprod 2024;53(9):102818.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38936801/

02/01/2026

I used the term informed choice- the decision making power is for those seeking care. Healthcare providers provide information and act on decisions made by the person in their care.

12/31/2025

Birth trauma isn’t always avoidable. But so often communication, true informed choice, and support are the keys to minimizing it and often creating experiences that help birthing people see and maximize their strength and joy, even when experiences are different from what’s imagined.

12/31/2025

Investment in midwifery is the public health we need.

We’re not there yet, far from it.

The US is 55th in perinatal health compared with leading countries where midwifery and guaranteed health care are the standard care for all birthing people.

Organizations like Californians for the Advancement of Midwifery (CAM) are crucial to improving care and giving people options and access to midwives.

Like I said, 55th in perinatal health outcomes. Midwifery and single payer are key. Donating to CAM is a good way to support midwifery in California.

If you’re able and can, especially if you’ve seen the difference midwifery care makes, consider a donation.

11/07/2025

Now at First 5 Mendocino

Starts this Friday!

Hosted by local doulas, this is a welcoming space for new parents to connect, share, and find support.

📅 When: First Friday of every month at 10:00 AM
📍 Where: First 5 Mendocino – Community Room
419 Talmage Rd, Ste M

✨ Babies are welcome! Bring your little ones and come as you are.

Questions? Contact Shelby at 707-391-7202.