Doula Michelle Martinez

13/04/2024

You can recreate that first meeting - days, weeks, and even months after it actually happened. Sometimes our births look different than we envisioned them. Sometimes they can be faster, longer, harder, in a different location...the list goes on and on. Some of those differences are so small but sometimes they're quite large.

One of the best things you can do as you process these changes is find a way to return to what you originally envisioned. Snuggle in bed, skin to skin...no interruptions. Get into the birth tub...warm water and herbs. Spend the minutes or hours together and recognize that you will meet your baby (and your child) again and again and again as they grow older. Each meeting is different but beautiful.

03/09/2023

https://youtube.com/shorts/vtQWZIADEI4?si=DGq-_olTBoVJIBHl

Even though we all think we know how long a pregnancy lasts, it turns out there's a pretty wide range for how long a bun can stay in the oven!Hosted by: Sava...

14/07/2023

💫 Galaxy Babe💫 I have been asked if I photoshopped the pool around mom and baby. I am flattered that some think I can do this with photoshop but I have never used it before. This is a birth tub with a rope light that was white/blue/purple. The combination of blood and after birth made the pool like the galaxy. I remember pointing it out to everyone in the room as well. I thought it was so beautiful! I stood up on my handy dandy step stool that I take to all my births and took this photo. In Lightroom, I blacked out the background as well as the top of the blue pool to make it look like they were floating in space.✨

Mother Wolf with

22/05/2023

I love seeing parents admiring their new baby. Thank you for letting me be a part of your journey! You are a beautiful family.

22/05/2023

The love! 💜😍

I am late posting this picture from back in October! What a joy it was to work with this family a second time. This is one strong, powerful mama.

20/02/2023

“People tell us not to feed for comfort while they sip their sleepy-time tea.

People tell us to not cuddle our children to sleep while they spoon their partner.

People tell us our child is too old to breastfeed while they sip their cow's milk.

People tell us not to nurse or rock our babies to sleep while they sell us the latest gadget that’s supposed to do the exact same thing.

People tell us to let them cry, while they go comfort a friend.

People tell us responding to our child is creating bad habits, while they smoke and drink.

Man, do they tell us! But I'm not them and neither are you. Because we hear our instincts loud and clear and they will not be silenced.

Because even though we are exhausted, we know our baby’s cry is not a protest, but a communication.

Because we know their need for us at 3am is not a manipulation.

Because even though our backs and hips ache from sleeping in that dang c position, we know that little indent on the right side of our bed will soon fade away - and we would welcome that pain in our body just to feel them latch one more time.

People tell us, but we know. we know this is important, we know that this is right for us and our baby, and we know this is just how it’s supposed to be.

We know mama, they may tell us, but let’s rest in our know.”

Absolutely adore these words by
📷: .photography of beautiful mama and babe

06/01/2023

06/01/2023

06/01/2023

Labor can look like this. Supported, warm, comforted, active, safe. For low risk people who prefer an unmedicated labor, it’s possible to not be frightened, attached to wires, strapped to machines. Hard work? Yes ✅ Worth it? Yes ✅ This couple waited patiently for labor to start on its own, 20 hours after her water had broken. She then labored in the comfort of her own home, supported by her husband, doula , student midwife , & nurse midwife , where she birthed her beautiful son in the same place where love made him. First time moms can have home births too. Congratulations to this precious family! We love you so much & are honored to have been a part of your journey!