Southern Adirondack Midwifery

04/24/2026

There's a misconception that 6 weeks is all it takes to return to "normal" after having a baby, but that ignores a HUGE part of a woman's physiology.

Postpartum is not only the first 6 weeks. The first year of your baby's life, your body is still going through significant hormonal changes. So if you're still feeling a little odd at 6 weeks, that's within normal (and honestly, a bit expected!).

Babies take time to learn to eat, sleep, and be comforted. Let alone the fact that your own body is still recovering from a major process! Add breastfeeding into the equation and you're looking at potentially longer than 12 months.

Be gentle with yourself and your baby - you're both new to this. Even if you've done it before, you haven't with this unique baby and another kid or two in tow!

04/21/2026

Every labor unfolds differently. Even for the same mom, the baby often has a story to write of their own! Midwife arrival time is a shared effort.

Your first phone call to our team should be with signs of early labor -- ANY sign of early labor. This gives our team a heads-up that things could change, and quickly. This could be leaking water, regular contractions increasing in strength, frequency, and intensity, bloody show, and more!

Our team aims to arrive during ACTIVE labor. We find arriving too early can be discouraging and cause setbacks, but we don't want to arrive too late!

If we do arrive too late, we have a plan for that, too. If you're feeling like things are moving along faster than you anticipated, make that phone call to us again.

Most importantly, trust your instincts. If you're thinking it's time to call --please do. It's never burdensome to hear from you. We are part of your labor and birthing TEAM.

04/20/2026

MYTH: Birth plans are pointless.

TRUTH: A birth plan helps your provider understand your preferences, values, and priorities so you can be supported in all variations of how your birth goes.

What a birth plan IS NOT:
A Guarantee. Controlling every detail.

What a birth plan IS:
Clear communication about preferences.
Pre-meditated decisions.

Having a birth plan allows you to make fewer decisions in the moment when, realistically, you won't really want to be making decisions.

At SAM, we discuss your hopes and plans for your birth many times before your baby's birthday. We talk about your fears, hopes, and desires. We talk through what-ifs so we have answers when we need them -- before we need them!

There are many templates online to help you find the highlights to the big questions, but please share in the comments below something that is uncommonly planned for that you think would help expecting mamas to know!

04/16/2026

We're still collecting for our community postpartum + motherhood cookbook!

Our goal is to collect nourishing, convenient, and quick recipes that our moms use in the busy seasons. We want you to have a convenient resource built by the village right here at SAM.

Have a favorite freezer prep meal that just hit the spot postpartum?
Please share the recipe with us in the comments below!

04/15/2026

Let's talk delivery positions!

There has been a lot of chatter, and understandably so, that laboring moms should use gravity when it's time to welcome baby earth-side.

If you've already delivered your newest family member, which position did you prefer? After the fact, were you surprised with what felt most comfortable to you?

If you haven't had your baby yet, which position do you hope to use?

04/12/2026

April is Cesarean Awareness Month - a time to support, educate, and empower.

Cesarean birth is a valid and sometimes lifesaving mode of delivery. It comes with its own unique recovery needs and considerations for future births.

Every mother deserves support and respect, and the right to informed consent. We at SAM want to ensure you have evidence-based information and all the support you need to make that decision for yourself. And we're here to support you postpartum, too!

04/08/2026

Reminder for today!

Another month is here and along with it, another The Village meet up! This event is virtual only unless we have registration that someone can and would like to meet up in person.

All moms are welcome and come as you are -- you don't need to be alone (unless you want to be) and you can be multitasking. We know this event is during dinner and evening routines, and we want to meet you where you're at!

Please register via the link on Earth & Moon Holistic Wellness page.

04/07/2026

You never have to guess what that pain is in your breast with us as your provider -- but here's a quick guide to help you tell the difference!

Engorgement is common shortly after birth while your body adjusts to lactation, but can be present any time you have a missed feed or your baby slept through the night. It's most likely in both, but could be a single breast if baby skipped a feed for that side.
If baby is having trouble latching, sometimes expressing before or reverse pressure softening before latch can make the difference. Remember if you're newly postpartum, your baby is learning to feed, too! Be patient with yourself and your baby. Cold compresses are incredibly soothing.

Clogged ducts appear as a single spot or section, typically on one side. They're tender and sore, and can be warm. They're common after tight clothing, a poor latch/insufficient draining, or if you have oversupply.
Continue feeding on the affected side, vary positions, gentle massage, hydration, cold compresses, and breast gymnastics (or milkshakes) can help clear the duct. Sunflower lecithin is also a great tool to have in your medicine cabinet if clogged ducts are a frequent occurrence!

Mastitis - please call us! Mastitis is a breast infection that can be managed at home, but we as your provider would love to know. It is typically one breast, one section or spot. It is firm, extremely tender to touch, red, and hot. You will have accompanying fever, body aches, chills, and fatigue.
Keep milk moving! Frequent nursing, gentle massage, rest, cold compresses, anti-inflammatory support, and support from your midwifery team!

04/02/2026

Another month is here and along with it, another The Village meet up! This event is virtual only unless we have registration that someone can and would like to meet up in person.

All moms are welcome and come as you are -- you don't need to be alone (unless you want to be) and you can be multitasking. We know this event is during dinner and evening routines, and we want to meet you where you're at!

Please register via the link on Earth & Moon Holistic Wellness page.

03/20/2026

There is no one size fits all for labor and pain management. We've included a few popular options, and we would love to hear which worked best for you!

Do you labor the same every time or have you found you needed something different?

Found something that works that we didn't list? Share it with us below!

03/19/2026

Have you ever heard of overactive letdown?

For some breastfeeding mothers, milk releases very quickly and forcefully. This can sometimes lead to babies coughing, gulping, or pulling off the breast during feeds.

It can feel overwhelming at first, but it’s actually a fairly common breastfeeding experience, especially in the early weeks as milk supply is regulating.

The good news? Many babies learn to manage the flow over time, and small adjustments in positioning or feeding patterns can often help make nursing more comfortable for both mother and baby.

Breastfeeding challenges can feel isolating, but you’re not alone—and support can make a big difference. 🤍

Did you experience a strong or fast letdown while breastfeeding? Feel free to share your experience below 👇