https://www.morningstarmidwifery.org/

Morning Star Birth Center, 315 W 10th Street, Front Royal, VA (2025)

11/25/2025

Have you ever wondered what you’ll talk about during your hour-long prenatal appointment? Or arrived at your visit only to realize you forgot half the questions you wanted to ask?

Here’s a simple tip: write down your thoughts as soon as they come to you, then bring that list with you to your appointment.

Whether it’s on a scrap of paper or in a note on your phone, having a place to jot down questions throughout the day is incredibly helpful. That way, when you sit down with your midwife, nothing gets forgotten — and you make the most of your time together.

11/21/2025

Those first precious moments to yourself after giving birth… the first time you’re truly “alone” in nine months.

Suddenly, you realize how quietly empty you feel. Your belly is soft and stretched, your body swollen and bleeding. You’re exhausted, but a surge of adrenaline pulses through you. You smile, shaking your head in wonder, amazed at what your body has just done.

It’s given you the greatest gift.

You slip back into bed and pull your baby close to your chest — exactly where they belong. They’re no longer inside you, but somehow they’ve never felt nearer.

11/19/2025

Our Lady of La Leche, Pray for Us!

11/14/2025

When should one announce their pregnancy?

When it feels right for YOU!

There should be no pressure to wait to announce the presence of your new baby until you’re ready to!

Society has deemed it appropriate for everyone to wait until they’re in the second trimester - around twelve weeks of pregnancy or at the very least until they’re past eight weeks. But that isn’t a rule one is required to follow.

Every new life is to be celebrated and if you don’t want to wait to share your news you don’t have to!

On the other hand there is no pressure to announce a pregnancy at any point if you don’t feel the need to share beyond your inner circle. Social media announcements aren’t for everybody — sharing it doesn’t make you any more pregnant than you already are!

Sharing the news of your child is deeply personal, and no one—society or otherwise—should dictate when or how you share it. What matters most is remembering that life begins at conception, and every pregnancy is a precious gift worthy of recognition in the time and manner that feels right to you.

11/12/2025

When most people think of screening for gestational diabetes, they picture a syrupy orange drink. But what many may not realize is that this is not the only option—and in some cases, you might choose an entirely different method.

Instead of drinking a bottle of syrup filled with dyes (and possibly flame retardants—yes, really), you could opt for an alternative.

One option you can discuss with your Midwife is keeping a food log and testing your blood sugar at home: once upon waking (before eating anything), and then one hour after each meal. This approach can provide an insightful view of how your body reacts to your usual diet.

Another alternative to the glucola drink is the “Fresh Test”. Still 50g of sugar, but omits many of the additional additives. In essence, this replaces the standard glucose drink used in the one-hour gestational diabetes screening to see how your body handled the sugar spike.

Some moms may even opt to have an in-depth conversation with their midwife to determine if based on their individual health history and risk factors, diet/nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle, they may reasonably decline.

Whatever method you choose to screen or test for gestational diabetes, it’s important to review your options with your midwife and decide together what’s best for you and your baby!

11/10/2025

St. Olga an Orthodox Saint and Midwife

In a remote village in Alaska, a humble woman named Matushka Olga Michael (born 1916) served her people with unwavering love and kindness.

As a wife and mother of thirteen children, she also carried a sacred role: she was the only midwife in the region, accompanying countless women in childbirth in a place where medical help was far away.

Her hands brought new life into the world—but her heart tended to more than bodies. She quietly cared for women wounded by abuse or loss, by offering them a safe place, warm clothes, and a listening ear.

Though the winters were harsh and the tasks unending, she lived simply, sewing boots, mittens and garments for others, baking bread, and inviting hospitality into every act of service.

She trusted God’s promise that “beauty can come out of complete desolation.”

For mothers today: May the intercession of St. Olga of Kwethluk—who carried countless children into the world and held each mother’s pain in her own gentle heart—bring you courage in labour, strength in uncertainty, and comfort in every silent moment of motherhood. Through her prayers, may you know that in your giving of life and love you too participate in the unfolding of God’s promise

11/07/2025

Transition

This is the briefest — yet most intense — phase of labor. At this stage, your body is typically completing dilation of the final two-three centimeters in about 30 minutes to an hour. That rapid dilation is the reason this phase feels so intense. But you’ve come so far! Just a little while longer, and it will be time to push.

During the transition phase:
* Contraction surges occur about 1–2 minutes apart; one may end just as the next begins.
* Each surge may last longer than a minute.
* You may feel nauseous.
* You might feel pressure during contractions, but not yet the urge to push.

Many women reach a point at this stage where they feel they cannot go on. You might even say aloud that you can’t continue. This is precisely the moment when it helps to recognize that birth is about surrendering to your body’s design. Let go of control. Lean into God, and allow your care team to support and encourage you as you face each surge one at a time.

Before long, you’ll notice that the surges begin to space out. You might even rest briefly before your body becomes ready to push and deliver the baby.

This powerful stage is your body doing exactly what it was designed to do—bringing life into the world. Trust in that strength, stay present in each surge, and remember: you are not alone. Your support team, and your faith, are here with you every step of the way.

11/06/2025

Active labor can be divided into two phases: Early Active and Late Active.

Early Active Labor:
Surges grow longer and closer together—about every 4–5 minutes, each lasting around 60 seconds.
You’ll find it hard to ignore the surges, but you can typically still talk between them.
Movement during this phase may feel good and supportive.

Focus during this stage: rest and hydrate. If you have a doula, she may join you now depending on how intense the surges are. She can help you find suitable movements or positions that won’t overexert your energy. Whether you have a doula or not, this stage is a great time to establish a rhythm of deep breathing and full-body relaxation during surges. Keep your mind gently distracted, rather than checking timing, and rest or nap when you can.

Late Active Labor:
Surges arrive closer—about every 3 minutes.
You’ll likely turn inward and focus deeply—entering what some call “labor land.”
You may intuitively seek counter-pressure, hip squeezes, or massage during each surge.
Swaying or squatting during surges may begin to feel instinctive.
Low moans or groans can help release tension during surges.
You might notice some bloody discharge (often called “bloody show”).

If you’re planning a home-birth, this is when your midwife will likely arrive. If you’re going to a birth center, now is a good time to head there. Continue practicing slow deep breathing and fully relaxing your body—from head to toe—during each surge. Any tension can make surges feel more painful, so relaxation is key.

Take a moment to acknowledge how beautifully your body is working—with each surge you’re moving closer to meeting your baby. Keep trusting the rhythm, staying supported, and leaning into your breath and body’s wisdom. You’ve got this!

11/03/2025

A mother’s intuition is her most powerful tool in labor. Birth is instinctual, and the more we lean into our innate abilities and trust in our bodies, the more smoothly things tend to unfold.

We are often asked, “what position should I try?” The answer is always the same: “Whatever you would do if I wasn’t in the room”.

If squatting feels right — do it. If you’re drawn to walking, rocking, or swaying — follow that rhythm. If you find yourself moaning or making low sounds — let them come naturally.

When we respond to what we feel rather than what we think we should do, we stay present in the moment and more deeply connected to our babies.

Remember, you and your baby are doing this together; your body knows how to birth, and your instincts are part of God’s design.

10/31/2025

On the eve of All Saints’ Day, we pause in reverence to remember the great communion of saints — all who’ve gone before us in faith, and who remain connected to us in the body of Christ.  We ask for their loving intercession — for ourselves, for our little ones, and for all those in our care.

This is a beautiful moment to invite your unborn child into that fellowship: consider choosing a patron saint for them. A patron saint becomes a spiritual companion, an example of holiness, and a friend in prayer.
 As your child grows, their patron saint can inspire them, guide them, and remind them that they are never alone in their journey.

May we all draw closer to the saints who cheer us on from heaven, and may we live lives worthy of their witness. Let us raise our hearts, lives, and little ones to the Lord — with the saints above and those beside us in faith.

10/29/2025

If you begin to take notice of the surges or they’re getting harder to ignore you might be in early labor.

Here are some things to look out for that can help you determine if this is early labor:

•The surges last longer and grow stronger — typically around 30-60 seconds.
•A consistent pattern begins to form — for example, surges occurring every approx 8-10 minutes.
•The surges keep coming closer together over time.

Early labor can last awhile so this is a phase where it’s really important to rest. If labor starts in the middle of the night then do your best to go back to sleep. If it starts during the day go put your feet up and take it easy.

Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated. Try to eat a small meal or at least snack on something. Early labor is all about resting, hydrating and fueling your body for what’s ahead. It may feel like you aren’t doing much, but at this stage, that is the best thing you can do.

Your body is doing amazing work. Your baby is rotating and engaging in your pelvis, preparing to make their way through the birth canal. There’s so much ahead — this stage is just the beginning!

10/28/2025

Feeling some surges but not totally sure if it’s true labor or not? A good rule of thumb is if you have to question it…you’re probably experiencing prodromal labor. It isn’t true labor like the name implies and won’t bring baby here but it is hard work!

Prodromal labor can last for hours or days before true labor kicks in. You may experience:

•Short surges lasting 10–45 seconds
•Occurring every 5–30 minutes (often inconsistently)
•May begin with cramp-like sensations
•You will still be able to chat and move around normally

It’s easy to get excited when you feel these twinges and you may even find yourself mentally preparing for birth soon. But the best thing you can do at this stage is ignore it. If it’s true labor it will progress!

Focus on REST during this stage. Put your feet up, go to bed, take a bath and drink a lot of water. Many times prodromal labor can occur due to dehydration and simply drinking enough water will stop the surges.

While prodromal labor can be mentally taxing remember it’s your bodies way of gently preparing for birth - a warm up that reminds you your body is getting ready!

Morning Star Birth Center

11/25/2025

11/21/2025

11/19/2025

11/14/2025

11/12/2025

11/10/2025

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