Be Well Barn

08/01/2024

Some snaps from my July sketchbook 🌸

Painting with watercolor has become an important part of our daily life and I’m loving the way it’s nourishing our souls in this season. 🤍

07/16/2024

I’ve spent the past hour trying to figure out what variety of this zinnia is, but this early in the season and with only one flower from the plant so far I’m undecided between a few.

I (think) I know all the varieties I seeded but a few may have been tucked in without documentation and they certainly didn’t stay labeled during our move, either way this one took my breath away this morning… 🌸

07/15/2024

12/04/2023

Ever wondered why you get a dark vertical line around your belly button and your ni***es darken during pregnancy?

The hormone Melanin Stimulating Hormone (MSH) is responsible for that.

Newborns can’t see far and really only see in contrast (black and white). The darkening is beautifully designed to serve as a map for baby to aide in finding your face and ni**le for bonding and feeding after birth. 🖤🤱🏻

11/20/2023

The Wise One Holds the World 🌎🤰🏻

Possibly my most technical watercolor to date, and definitely my most soulful. 🙏

Inspired by the Tibetan practice of Yoga Poses of the Day and an image I came across during training with 🤍

11/02/2023

LH is the sister to FSH 👯‍♀️

Follicle Stimulating Hormone prepares your follicle for ovulation and then Luteinizing Hormone swoops in with the oomph to make ovulation happen.

Then if fertilization occurs 💞, LH sticks around to direct early pregnancy until your placenta is formed and ready to take over.

Have you heard of these hormones before?

10/31/2023

She’s busy every month preparing you an egg for ovulation 🤍

10/26/2023

Prolactin shares a rather inverse relationship with estrogen so it feels fitting to give it a shout out next.

Prolactin is the hormone of milk and mothering meaning it promotes milk production and enhances your emotional connection to your baby.

Prolactin levels increase significantly right after birth for lactation and bonding, and continue to stay high until demand for milk decreases, and estrogen squeezes her way back in.

Got lactation questions? Drop them below ⬇️

10/25/2023

Meet Estrogen, the hormone of fertility & growth. ✨

Hormones are messengers, telling your body what to do, and there’s many different ones that play a key role in reproduction.

For instance, did you know that you have estrogen to thank for your libido or that beautiful “pregnancy glow” and hair growth that occurs when you’re expecting?

Likewise, when baby arrives you have other hormones that take center stage to facilitate lactation and bonding, and that drop in estrogen often leads to a drop in libido & the dreaded postpartum hair loss.

10/25/2023

The 2 week wait between ovulation and the start (or not) of your period can take a bit of patience to navigate.

Here are 8️⃣ early signs of pregnancy, other than a missed period🩸, to help guide you and your intuition.

10/24/2023

Yes I’m still supporting pregnant mamas and families with chiropractic care out at the barn, although my availability is quite limited (and will most likely become even more so in the near future).

I’m also beyond excited to announce that in training with .avivaromm, I will begin offering women’s functional and integrative telehealth services shortly!

Additionally, it’s been on my heart for some time to create deeper at-home resources for growing families, and make the concepts, guidance, and movement I utilize everyday in my own life, and in practice, more accessible to everyone…my Aligned Birth Guide is SO close to its birth, I can feel it!

Sending you love & light 🤍✨

10/19/2023

As seasons change, and years pass, I find myself constantly shedding layers that no longer serve or nourish the most authentic version of myself, and the woman (or womban- as my birth cohort calls it), I’m ever evolving into.

25 years ago I was bit by the “bug of birth” and it’s lived deep within my soul ever since.

I’ve long known that a point in time would come when I could no longer ignore the call of midwifery.

At this past equinox, that time came, and I officially began my journey into midwifery.

Although much of life is ever changing and uncertain, I know deep down to the depths of my soul that this journey is for me.

With this will come many changes and although I’m a bit nervous, I’m also beyond excited to share more about those coming soon!

For now, though, here’s your reminder that it’s never too late and you’re never too old to step back, realign your path, and lean deeply into the most authentic and potent version of yourself! 🤍

09/07/2023

Are you a woman’s health & wellness or perinatal/birth practitioner who is looking for a beautiful, family-centered, holistic space to see clients or host events out of?

Be Well Barn is expanding to better serve and further support our community and we currently have space available for rent. If you or someone you know may be interested please don’t hesitate to reach out! 🤍🙏😍

09/01/2023

When should I come again?

This is a FAQ I receive and one in which my answer may surprise you.

I’ll provide you with my best recommendation and frequency of care given your specific health, goals and/or season of life…

But I also implore you to look inside yourself and begin to tap into your own intuition.

You hold within an innate intelligence and ability to heal. A spark of light marked the moment you were conceived, and the intelligence that allowed you to grow from just two cells, into a whole human, did not leave when you left your mama's womb.

You are constantly reminded of this intelligence when you cut your finger and it automatically heals, or your lungs breathe and heart beats without instruction.

Far too often we forget about our innate power when it comes to our health (or lack there-of).

Doctor means ‘to teach’.

I’m here to help support, release interference, and guide your journey, but the truth is you already hold inside the light and power you need.

If I recommend you come again in 2 weeks but for whatever reason you feel more resonant with 1 or 3 weeks, it’s ok to honor that (with the understanding that you may not get the same results).

This is your journey, and you live in your body all the time, I’m merely here to help guide you and to meet you where you are. 🤍

08/22/2023

It takes a village, Mama🤍

Join us Mondays from 10-11am next week through the end of September for our Mama + Me Tea: Breastfeeding Support Group!🤱🏻

Warm mothers milk tea, lactation cookies, love, and support will be served abundantly. ☕️🍪

Come as you are and/or bring a friend. All are welcome! RSVP via the link in our bio. 🤍

08/02/2023

“Everything we experience is processed through our nervous system.

If our nervous system is not functioning to its optimal level, our perception of the world is distorted and our ability to respond appropriately is compromised.

This not only affects our physical health, but also our emotional and psychological function as well.” 🤍

- Dr. Christopher Kent ()

07/18/2023

We have so many sweet babies coming earthside this week making my heart so full. 🤍🤱🏻🤍

Even the most natural, straightforward birth is tough work for mom and baby, and can result in trauma to baby’s neck and cranial areas that often goes undetected until it begins to impact baby’s growth, development and function down the road.

I firmly believe ALL newborns deserve to be checked for nervous system stress following birth, regardless of symptoms, but nursing difficulties, sleep disturbances and an inability to be soothed/settled are 3 potential signs of spinal and cranial nerve stress in infants.

When you receive care with me during pregnancy you gain access to a *newborn home visit and breastfeeding consult* within your first week of birth to ensure sweet baby’s nervous system is functioning optimally and/or address any concerns.

I try not to play favorites, but these visits may be my favorite! 🤍

07/15/2023

Holding space for you to grow into the most potent version of yourself ✨