The Sweet Surrender, LLC

11/04/2025

If you’ve heard me talk about food first, you know I’m picky about supplements. That’s exactly why I use and recommend Juice Plus+® capsules, a concentrated blend of fruits, veggies, and berries that delivers naturally occurring folate alongside the phytonutrients that actually show up in real food.

Since 1995, Juice Plus+ has invested in 33 human clinical trials on its Essentials capsules, resulting in 47 published, peer-reviewed papers demonstrating 13 distinct health benefits, all using gold-standard methods that confirm bioavailability (your body actually absorbs and uses it).

If you want whole-food-sourced folate with a solid paper trail in the medical literature, Juice Plus+® capsules are a clean, sensible way to nudge your micronutrient status in the right direction.



🍊 swflbirthdoula.juiceplus.com

Our products are packed with plant-based nutrition from fruits, vegetables, legumes, ancient grains, and superfoods, so you can add more goodness to every day. Join us, inspire health, and start incorporating more fruits and veggies into your diet today!

10/15/2025

As Hippocrates said, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”
This TCM recipe reflects that philosophy by using herbs and ingredients that strengthen the body’s defenses as the seasons change.

10/08/2025

09/28/2025

With Doula On-Demand, I offer last minute labor support for families who want calm, experienced care by their side while they labor and birth in hospitals.

06/01/2025

Yesterday marked my third and final birth for the week, and I could honestly name several nurses and an OB between Cape Coral Hospital and NCH who showed real dedication and heart, but it was midwives Sarah Lee and Sandra Lewis, of Premier Women’s Care of Southwest Florida, who truly stood out. The care they offered wasn’t just compassionate—it was deeply patient-centered, skillful, and grounded in quiet confidence. You could feel their respect in every direction, every pause and every gentle decision.

These midwives showed up with professionalism, warmth, and unwavering presence. They were gentle without ever being passive, enthusiastic without ever rushing, and completely attuned to what this mom needed—moment by moment.

This is what respectful, evidence-based care looks like. I left that room deeply grateful and am writing to remind us all that when midwives are supported, and not restricted, to do what they do best, families feel it forever.

Thank you, Sarah and Sandra. You’re the kind of care providers we all hope for. 🤍

05/13/2025

Birth asks us to let go.
Not of our power, but of the illusion that we must control every moment.
In the unknown, something ancient awakens.
In the mystery, you remember who you are.

Surrender control and let mystery lead.
I’ll be right beside you.

05/02/2025

🤔“What?!..no one ever told me that!”
I hear this all the time when I explain how to take iron properly.

Here’s the truth:
Most of my clients are prescribed iron or told to increase their intake during pregnancy or postpartum—but they’re rarely told how to take it so their bodies can actually absorb it.

Iron and calcium compete for absorption.
That means if you’re taking your iron with milk, a calcium-rich prenatal, or dairy-heavy meals… your body likely isn’t getting much from it.

🍊 Vitamin C is iron’s best friend.
Taking iron with a source of vitamin C can significantly increase absorption, whether you’re grabbing supplements or eating whole-foods.

This isn’t random advice—this is basic nutritional science that should be shared alongside any recommendation to take iron.

So if you’ve ever wondered why your iron levels aren’t improving, or why you still feel exhausted even though you’re “doing everything right”…
You’re not alone, and it’s not your fault.

Tag a friend who needs to know this.
And if you have questions about how to support your body in pregnancy or postpartum, my DMs are open.

05/01/2025

Informed consent isn’t a courtesy—it’s your legal right. You have the power to ask questions, decline procedures, and make decisions about your body. Know your rights. Know your options. Make empowered choices.


You are not at the mercy of the system. You have legal rights as a patient.
(Ask for the Hospital’s Patient Bill of Rights.
Every hospital has one.).

Visit
They accredit hospitals and offer public resources:
jointcommission.org

Follow orgs
Groups like Birth Monopoly & National Patient Advocate Foundation break it all down.

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO:
    •    Ask questions
    •    Say no
    •    Get clear answers
    •    Make your own choices

🍊 begins with informed decisions, especially when you have to stand your ground.

03/30/2025

Or***ms aren’t just pleasure—they’re medicine. They regulate the nervous system, reduce stress hormones, and support postpartum recovery, making them essential for maternal health.
Or***ms during pregnancy improve blood flow to the uterus, release oxytocin, and can even help tone the uterine muscles in preparation for labor. They also promote better sleep, reduce pain, and boost overall well-being, making them a natural tool for a healthier pregnancy.

02/01/2025

The word liminal comes from the Latin limen, meaning “threshold,” and describes a transitional space between two states of being. In the journey to parenthood, this liminality is deeply felt—pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period are all thresholds between an old identity and a new one. Expectant parents exist in an in-between space, leaving behind who they once were while stepping into the unknown of parenthood. This period can feel both unsettling and transformative, filled with uncertainty, excitement, and profound personal growth. It’s a time when old structures dissolve, and new roles emerge, shaping not just a family but also a new version of the self.

For couples stepping into parenthood and feeling the transition as both exhilarating and disorienting, give each other grace as you navigate new roles, communicate openly about shifting expectations, and embrace the unknown together. Just as your baby is learning to exist in the world, you are learning to exist as parents. Honor the process, trust that growth happens in the in-between, and lean into each other as you redefine love, partnership, and family.

01/03/2025

The OM mantra, forest sounds, and specific frequencies like 33 Hz, 821 Hz, 12 kHz, and singing bowls can be used in perinatal care to promote relaxation, healing, and emotional balance. The OM mantra, considered a universal sound of creation, can help center the mind and connect women to their inner strength during pregnancy and childbirth. Forest sounds provide a grounding effect, reducing stress and fostering a sense of calm. Frequencies such as 33 Hz are believed to support grounding and stability, while 821 Hz may promote emotional release and resilience. High frequencies like 12 kHz can stimulate mental clarity, and the vibrations of singing bowls encourage deep relaxation and tension release. Together and separately, these auditory tools create a nurturing environment that supports physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being for women during this transformative time.

11/24/2024

Humans are wired for connection and community.

Scientific research supports the idea that new mothers benefit profoundly from the presence and support of other women. Studies show that social connection during the postpartum period reduces stress, prevents isolation, and lowers the risk of postpartum depression. In fact, oxytocin—a key hormone in bonding and stress reduction—is released not only through mother-infant contact but also during supportive interactions with other adults, especially women. Anthropological research highlights that historically, human mothers raised children with the help of a “village,” benefiting from the wisdom and care of other women in their community. This biological and cultural legacy shows that seeking and accepting help is both natural and essential for maternal well-being.

Hiring a doula is a return to this natural tradition of care. My role is to walk alongside you, offering physical, emotional, and practical support so you can focus on your unique journey. Supporting families is not just my career—it’s my passion and my calling.