Indigo Forest, P. O. Box 1068, Ann Arbor, MI (2026)

01/27/2026

♥️ THERE IS NO GOOD REASON TO CUT THE CORD RIGHT AWAY.
* AND MANY REASONS TO LEAVE IT ATTACHED LONGER!
* Bare minimum - For the first 5 breaths the baby takes
* At least - 10-20 minutes
* Even better- 1-2+ hours when mom & baby are both ready

Cutting the cord too quickly deprives the newborn of millions of its own healing stem cells, along with critical portions of their own blood supply!

♥️ Before birth, the baby’s entire blood supply moves between their body and placenta for oxygenation, via their cord. Term babies have around 30-40% of their blood in their placenta at any one time. This is not excess blood, just like 30% of your blood is not excess. It also plays an absolutely essential role in helping the baby to adapt to life outside the womb, when parts of their body need more blood than it did when they were in utero.

For the baby’s first breath to be successful without stress, the lungs must immediately get an extra 1.5+ oz of blood, in order to come online for the first time. Without it, the needed blood will be borrowed from vital organs, such as the brain and heart. So sadly, cutting the cord to “work on the baby to breathe”, can unfortunately cause some of the same damage that we’re working to prevent. (Resuscitating a baby with their cord. attached brings far better results; intact cords are the norm at home births, but rarely even considered in US medical settings.)

♥️ ALL babies benefit from keeping their entire blood supply at birth! Evidence points to needing an intact cord for an absolute minimum of 1-3 minutes, which allows for primary transfer of blood from the baby’s placenta back into their body; or a minimum of five good breaths. 1-3 is ideal & safe even in most cesarean births. LONGER IS BETTER! I personally think 10-20 min should be the routine minimum at vaginal births. At home we respect mom and baby’s timing - in my practice we averaged 1-2 hours. Often the mom felt ready after coming back from her first p*e, and then we ALWAYS asked the baby if they were ready (yes, out loud). ♥️

01/25/2026

Most women can feel this in their own body when they’re in labor. It’s also why sometimes when moms are first in labor and go to the hospital, contractions stop when they walk in. It’s a hormonal mammalian response at a biological level.

Some strategies for everyone, regardless of the location they’re birthing in?

1. Make sure you’re well informed about both birth and your facility - the unknown raises anxiety, which inhibits helpful hormonal cascades.

2. Make sure you and your partner have third-party support, a friend or relative who’s confident and experienced in Birth, or professional Doula, who acts your medical advocate and can help you ensure that you’re getting informed consent as things unfold.

3. Use light to your advantage. The same bright blue light that keeps us awake from our phone screens at night is also found in fluorescent lights at the hospital. And it affects the labor hormone oxytocin, as well as the sleep, hormone melatonin. If it feels good to mom, keep the room more dim. And if early labor starts at home use candlelight in the night. Romantic settings worked to get pregnant 😁, and help the same hormones do their job for smooth births.

01/25/2026

🎙️Catch our most recent podcast! “Rediscovering the Power of Birth” - Beth joins Ginny Yurich on 1KHO podcast episode no. 647

Together we explore the profound impact of birth experiences – not only on babies, but on mothers and families. Ginny shares her personal journey through five births, beginning with little information and progressing towards empowerment. Our conversation offers wisdom, context, and a respect for every birth story. In this episode, we underscore the transformative power of birth, the need for informed choices, and the importance of regaining generational wisdom around childbirth. It’s a wonderful conversation, don’t miss it!

Look for 1KO, episode 647 - The 101,000 hours outside podcast with Ginny Yurich.
Or comment 647 and I’ll DM you the link directly. 🫶

01/23/2026

Every family is different—and your birth plan should reflect that.

I think it’s important to have a birth plan no matter where and how you plan to birth - birth center, hospital, planned surgical birth, or home (where at least a transport birth plan should be printed out for a ‘just-in-case’ scenario.)

Birth plans can be powerful tools for clarity and informed consent, and help staff you may have just met quickly see your family’s priorities. They are usually most powerful as a one page, positive and matter-of-fact document. (NO CHECK LISTS!)

They do not guarantee anything, aren’t legally binding in their current form, and do sometimes create friction in the system.

Your process of drafting and discussing a plan will help you and your partner get clear about your priorities and be on the same pate. It often exposes whether the provider or hospital culture you’ve chosen is aligned with physiologic birth as you intend. No plan can “fix” a high‑intervention culture. If that’s where you are birthing, it’s critical that you understand this BEFORE you are in the throes of labor so you can line up additional support or potentially change providers.

I know birth plans have got a bit controversial in some areas. Have you used them yourself? (Or doulas, do you encourage your clients to use them?) If so, how did it go?

My upcoming Pregnancy and Birth Course and Community, Navigating Birth, has an entire bonus on Birth Plans, including same plans for every scenario. Comment ‘Birth’ for the waitlist link - you’ll get first announcement.

01/20/2026

The stats are nearly unbelievable. In spite of the United States spending more per birth than any other country in the world, we actually have some of the worst outcomes. And it’s not because the US has unusually high risk populations.

The difference between us and the other 52 to 64 countries that get better outcomes for mothers and babies than we do is that they use midwives to care for other babies unless the surgical specialty OB doctor is necessary. The United States uses this high risk specialty to care for normal mothers and babies. And as we all know, we tend to use the toolbox with which we are the most familiar.

The world health organization has repeatedly said that there is no reason for there to ever be a cesarean surgical rate anywhere, no matter how high risk or malnourished the population, over 10 to 15%. The United States averages at least be 25 to 30% across-the-board ,with some areas as high as 75%.

When mothers rely on obstetricians, who have zero training usually in nutrition, for instance, their risk factors are massively increased as problems are left to advance without empowering families to affect their own health through information and healthy approaches

protect yourself by:
1. Use a midwife for your care if at all possible inappropriate.
2. Always have a medical advocate with you, and a friend or relative experience in Birth or a professional Doula in addition to your partner.
3. Let your facility know how the birth went. What went good? What was a challenge. They usually have a link on their website for feedback. If things were done wrong, it really helps to let them know. I have been surprised to see far more interest, and responsiveness to feedback then we did to complaints in person at the time. In our town, Doula‘s are now allowed in the operating room during C-sections as a second support person due to consumer complaints.

01/19/2026

The epidemic of routine induction has implications that have not been brought into the conversations.

Practical questions:

Is it a a genuine and pressing medical need if it can be scheduled a few days or weeks ahead, or can be postponed at the last minute because there’s no room at the Inn? And if it is a genuine need and we’re worried the baby may not tolerate waiting for labor… What makes us think it can better tolerate artificially strong labor?

As with all medical interventions, induction has its place and its gifts.
I would also argue like all medical interventions, using it routinely bypasses the biological wisdom of mother and baby, and creates additional potential risks.

Even with induction, seeming to be a choice, informed parents want to make, I always encourage them to check in with her baby, talk with her baby, and include them in the process and decision-making. In my small sampling, it seems to me that outcomes are far smoother and efficient. Wouldn’t you like to be included?

this is such a bigger conversation. Midwives, mothers, doulas - love to hear your stories!

Here’s mine. Back when I was an apprentice, we had a young mom who was having her fourth baby at age 26. They had just moved and we’re pretty overwhelmed. Finally at the prenatal at 42 weeks, the senior Midwife told the mom, I know you haven’t had time to find the baby clothes and the sheets for the bed. You want a birth hunt… But it’s time you have to do it today. She went into labor a few hours later. REALLY seemed Baby didn’t wanna come if they weren’t ready for them!!
nter

01/16/2026

🚿If you have a shower, you have a cure for your snotty baby!

🙌Home remedies to the rescue!

Watch the reel for your encouraging practical approach for safe ways to hold your baby in the shower - to make sure they’re secure in your arms.

Take them in the shower with you and let the warm steamy water run over their little faces.

They will snort a little, but you will be friendly, upbeat, and help all that snot run out of their head. 🤪

Dry and dress your baby in your warm bathroom, do not let them get chilled!

Expect them to finally be able to have a great feed, and a solid sleep afterwards.

🥰🥰You’re welcome!🥰🥰

01/13/2026

Is labor unbearable? One mom told me within an hour after birth that she was surprised that, having experienced labor, she’d rather have a baby every month than her painful periods!

Natural birth is quite manageable for most women who are well-informed and well-supported. Who are nourished and encouraged to move. And especially that are respected in the positions of HER choice. Even if a mom plans on having an epidural or a C-section, it’s protective to have some tools in your pocket.
 What helped you work with your labor sensations?

Share your GOOD stories, your positive voice of experience is how we encourage those coming along behind us!

01/13/2026

🍃Red Raspberry is safe for all stages of pregnancy. There, I said it out loud!

🍃Herbalists and midwives experienced in botanical medicine have long documented the safe use of red raspberry leaf throughout pregnancy, NOT just at the end! Its astringent qualities mean that it helps to tone relaxed tissues. In fact, it’s actually one of primary herbs used to PREVENT threatened miscarriage!

🍃Of course, individuals may have health conditions or nuances in their personal health histories to consider (let’s not make medical decisions based on brief social media conversations, ok?!) but red raspberry is universally considered by experts to be a safe and family-friendly herb, including throughout the entire maternity year for normal pregnancies.

In addition to the uterus, it has an affinity for intestines and is a primary herb used during the cold season (HELLO!) because it’s so effective helping to resolve running clear snot problems.

As a midwife who has safely used Red Raspberry personally and professionally for decades, I’ve been rather astounded at the level of incomplete information and all the fear mongering promoted on social media. Let’s take the fear down a big notch. There’s a lot more info in my blog on Red Raspberry at www.IndigoForest.com.

🍃Or just comment ‘RED’ and I’ll DM the link directly to your messages.💚

12/23/2025

🩵 MAMAS- BE PROACTIVE IN RESPIRATORY SEASON!! You are NOT just at the mercy of RSV. Here are 3 ways to help prevent respiratory illnesses in your baby and some RSV vaccine info:

🌟PROTECT NEWBORNS
It takes at least 6 wks for their immune system to get up to sp*ed. Protect from serious exposure by staying home & cuddling 1st weeks. Get grandparent photos, but decline large gatherings in first 4-8 wks. When you do emerge, babywear facing a parent.

🌟COLOSTRUM HELPS
Mothers’ first milk is nature’s ‘Liquid Gold’ that transfers immunities to the baby. Even if you are not breastfeeding, these first drops are LIFE-LONG protective game-changes for your newborn.

🌟VITAMIN D
Low levels are linked to increased respiratory infections. Even moderate maternal levels help to dramatically reduce risks for babies: 62% less lung infections, 66% less ear infections, 70% less colds.

🌟Daily supplementation to maintain MINIMAL levels of 30 ng/ml: Neonates: 400-1,000 IU; Children 1 yr+ : 600-1,000 IU; Adults: 1,500 to 2,000 IU.
*Many consider these levels too low and suggest maintaining 70-100 mg/ml.
*ALL PREGNANT LAB WORK should include vitamin D; resistant physicians are lacking up-to-date info. This info should be routine!

🌟VACCINES
Do your research on sites for CDC, the vaccine brand, or JustTheInserts.com. Docs are required by law to provide informed consent as part of your decision-making process:

RSV vaccine in pregnancy ups risks of:
Low birth weight; premature birth (why it’s administered after 32 wks); newborn jaundice. Reduced immune response to vaccine if the immune system is suppressed (Ie. pregnancy).

Stated side effects of the RSV vaccine for infants include: Respiratory failure; anaphylaxis; low blood pressure; unresponsiveness.

🩵 This is just the beginning of what you need to know! I cover how to evaluate sick kids in my new free webinar, COMMENT GETWELL for the link for the free download and on demand training. 🥰

12/18/2025

💙Women have always benefited from an experienced mother present during their birth, and still do. The profession of Doula developed in part ( opinion) from the lack of those near-by and experienced relatives for many modern women, not to mention the increasingly complex medical experience mothers and fathers are having to navigate.

💙Doulas provide labor support (into a large degree, education) during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. They bring support for the mother emotionally and physically, and for the couple as a unit as well. (Dads/partners are also having an experience, and need support and info!)

💙There’s tons of good information about doulas available online now, and plenty of wonderful, passionate and devoted Doulas eager to help! They bring their personalized blend of information, pain relief measures, positioning insight, explanations of medical procedures, and and net work of local resources. Their value for smoothing the path to parenthood cannot be overestimated.

✨ I personally would not consider giving birth in a medical setting without one under any circumstances, from a planned “natural” birth to a planned C-section.

💙Fun fact: I worked as a Doula before labor support adopted the name. I remember the days of explaining the word over and over again to everyone we met.😄

12/15/2025

✈️ Should you fly in late pregnancy? This question comes up in holiday prenatal appointments ALL the time!

Well, it depends….

💙MOST IMPORTANTLY:
Please use common sense and your own longing as your guide,
NOT the feelings, expectations, or holiday politics of your extended family! 🙄

✨ Under most circumstances, not after 36 weeks.📆

✨ DO factor in that you will need a longer runway for recovering after traveling than when you are NOT pregnant.
- There’s a longer time in the sky, multiple plane changes, perhaps time zone chances or a short turn around which all amplify the drain on your energy.
- The normal window for birth is roughly 37-43 weeks. You want to be as RESTED as possible when you go into labor.
- Going into labor exhausted increases the risk of a longer labor, higher experience of pain, and postpartum bleeding. Who needs that?
BECAUSE labor will be smoother, safer, and honestly more pleasant if you are rested!

Still can’t decide?
💙 If this trip fills your cup and you “can’t wait”, then this is in the trip’s favor.
💙 If you are dreading it, if you sigh telling me about it…, then I urge you to back up and look at traveling right now with fresh eyes.

✨If you have a midwife or doula on your team, talk to them about this! They’ve seen this story many times, and can bring their insight to your own unique situation. 🥰♥️

how has your holiday travel worked out when YOU were pregnant?

🌟Merry Christmas!🌟

Indigo Forest

01/27/2026

01/25/2026

01/25/2026

01/23/2026

01/20/2026

01/19/2026

01/16/2026

01/13/2026

01/13/2026

12/23/2025

12/18/2025

12/15/2025

Address

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category