Highland Birth Support

03/31/2026

In the last three years, I’ve had over 50 endometriosis lesions cut out of my body. A chocolate cyst that was adhering my o***y to my side was removed. An appendectomy and a hernia repair. I’ve felt indescribable, inescapable pain. Trying to keep my invisible illness to myself after being told by doctors it was just “part of being a woman.” I spent 10 years being undiagnosed. As a teenager and young woman, I felt weak and deeply insecure. I was trapped in my own body. March is endometriosis awareness month. As this month comes to a close, I urge everyone to remember this invisible disease each and every day. To lend support, compassion and grace towards the millions who suffer. It’s up to all of us to raise awareness, not just for endometriosis but for women’s health as a whole. No one deserves to suffer in silence. For more information I turned to and . If you’re in pain, my heart breaks for you. I believe you. Please find answers. And don’t give up on yourself. I know how hard that can be.

03/30/2026

The merger documents tell a specific story. So does the outcome

03/28/2026

❤️

The WVPP Doula Directory is a great resource for both families and providers!
Learn more about the 42 current doulas that cover 50 WV counties at https://wvperinatal.org/doula-directory

03/27/2026

“Where do you attend births?”

Here are the counties I served in the past year! Mainly I’m going to stay in the Pocahontas/Randolph/Barbour/Upshur/Tucker area, but if scheduling allows I’ll go a bit further when needed. 🥰

03/27/2026

The Midwives Model of Care includes:

🌟Monitoring the physical, psychological, and social well-being of the mother throughout the childbearing cycle

🌟Providing the mother with individualized education, counseling, and prenatal care, continuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery, and postpartum support

🌟Minimizing technological interventions

🌟Identifying and referring women who require obstetrical attention

The application of this woman-centered model of care has been proven to reduce the incidence of birth injury, trauma, and cesarean section.

Copyright (c) 1996-2008, Midwifery Task Force, Inc., All Rights Reserved.

03/27/2026

Pregnancy can feel like something that happens to you, with all the nausea and fatigue and a body that’s changing- but it can also be an action that you participate in , an act of becoming.

You become stronger in unexpected ways, softer in others. You grow and change and enter into Matrescence- the act of becoming a mother. It’s not always easy, but it is powerful.
On a scientific level your body and mind are changing in permanent ways. The increased cognitive load of motherhood requires continuous adaptation.
On a spiritual level it’s an awakening. A new awareness of yourself and your children, a new purpose for being.

03/26/2026

This is devastating news. To announce closure a month prior to their closing date is absurd. Currently WV only has 18 hospitals with active labor and delivery units. In May that number will reduce to 16 with the closure of Greenbrier and Weston’s units.
16 units to cover approximately 16,000 births annually.

03/25/2026

When will my baby come?

While we can’t ever say for sure, sometimes it helps to look at the demographics. Statistically your baby (in a healthy, low risk pregnancy) is most likely to arrive during weeks 39, 40, or 41, but that doesn’t mean before or after isn’t normal! As long as your baby and body are healthy, it’s ok to wait 💕

I went back through all the births I’ve attended in the past 3.5 years and compiled the data from all spontaneous labors. All inductions and planned cesareans were excluded.

Each week on the X axis refers to the full week of pregnancy: example “39w” represents 39 weeks and 0 days to 39 weeks and 6 days. Some mothers are in here more than once, which does influence the data. The two charts have the same data, but in different visual representations for easier reading 🫶

03/25/2026

What does a neonatal resuscitation set up look like at your house?

Usually something like this. The base (something mobile and rigid- could be a resus-a-cradle or just a sheet pan) is covered with a heating pad and a bunch of blankets and towels. On top are devices for suction and giving baby breaths. Any meds, oxygen, or special equipment otherwise I typically keep out of sight, but nearby.

It’s not scary or intrusive, we want the birth vibes immaculate and the space safe ✨

03/24/2026

Y’all wanna know how relaxing and restoring acupuncture is?
Every session my health tracker (Oura ring) asks me if I took a nap. Not just from prolonged inactivity, but from a significantly lowered heart rate.
I’m very lucky to have Allegheny Holistic Health Care moved in right next-door to me in Elkins!

03/24/2026

Onto the next training! My aim is to become certified in Perinatal Mental Health by the end of the year ☺️

03/22/2026

We had an awesome NRP class today with an amazing group! Big thanks to Delphine for her instruction and thanks to all for coming 💕