Dueling Doulas

03/17/2026

Where are our daddies at!?

03/16/2026

The numbers speak for themselves! If you want to go into labor spontaneously- which provider are you choosing for your birth?

Spontaneous vaginal birth is associated with the best outcomes for mothers and babies. To which all the independent/private midwives say.....DUH.

Evidence shows that who provides your care might be the biggest predictor of your outcomes.

Private OBs had startlingly low rates of spontaneous labour,(8.2%) whereas private midwives had the highest (82.3%).

Stats out of Australia

09/26/2025

From Lamaze:
What Experts Say: Acetaminophen Remains Safe in Pregnancy

Dear Lamaze Community,

You may have seen recent headlines questioning whether acetaminophen use in pregnancy is linked to autism. These stories can cause confusion and concern, but leading experts and international authorities are clear: the evidence does not support a causal link.

Lamaze International encourages all educators, parents, and families to look to science and reliable sources when making health decisions, and to reach out to their own healthcare practitioners with individual questions to inform shared decision making about their healthcare.

To support you in staying informed, here are reliable sources you can review and share with parents and your community.

International sources confirm that acetaminophen (paracetamol) remains a safe option in pregnancy when used as directed.

World Health Organization (WHO): Emphasizes that there is currently no conclusive scientific evidence confirming a possible link between autism and use of acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol) during pregnancy. Read more

European Medicines Agency (EMA): Confirms EU recommendations remain unchanged: paracetamol can be used in pregnancy when clinically needed. Read more

UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA): Confirms paracetamol is safe in pregnancy and there is no evidence it causes autism in children. Read more

Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG): Advises paracetamol remains the recommended pain relief option in pregnancy and highlights the risks of unmanaged fever and pain. Read more

UK Government Drug Safety Update: Reinforces there is no evidence of a causal link and points to large cohort data. Read more

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG): Affirms Safety and Benefits of Acetaminophen during Pregnancy. Read more

Childbirth educators can help parents prepare for prenatal visits by encouraging them to bring specific questions to their care team. For example, families might ask:

Do I need medication for this symptom now, or are there non-drug options I could try first?
If medication is appropriate, what dose and timing are best for me?
What are the risks of leaving my fever or pain untreated?
Where can I find more information from credible sources?

Lamaze remains committed to sharing evidence-based information that fosters confidence, clarity, and informed decision-making for families around the world.

09/16/2025

09/13/2025

Way to go Krista!!!!!!

This Week’s Midwife of the Week is Krista Parcell, APRN, CNM, FNP-BC. Krista is the owner and operator of Transitions Midwifery, where she brings years of experience, deep compassion, and personalized care to families throughout the Charleston, WV area.

She began her healthcare journey in 2007 as a Registered Nurse and spent a decade in the fast-paced world of Emergency Medicine. In 2015, Krista earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Marshall University and became a Certified Nurse-Midwife through Shenandoah University. Just two years later, she completed her Family Nurse Practitioner degree, also from Marshall. Since 2015, she has been serving women across hospital, birth center, and—most recently—home birth settings. For the past 3 years, she’s been offering safe, comfortable, and empowering home birth options through Transitions Midwifery.

A proud West Virginia native, Krista grew up in Clay County and now lives in Sissonville with her husband of 19 years, George, and their three teenage children. Outside of midwifery, she loves collecting vintage glass, hunting for treasures in antique stores and flea markets, relaxing at the beach, and attending concerts.

09/09/2025

Check this out!

08/12/2025

Remember to think about how you’re being offered your stats…

08/01/2025

This is pretty neat- check her out!

07/31/2025

💪