Crimson Roots

01/12/2026

Understanding the process of dilation can help demystify labor and empower you as you prepare to meet your baby. Dilation is the process by which the cervix gradually opens to allow your baby to make its entrance into the world. Each centimeter of dilation marks an important milestone in the labor process, and while it may feel slow at times, it’s all part of the body’s natural rhythm.

The path to birth isn’t instantaneous—it’s gradual, requiring patience and trust in your body’s ability to bring new life into the world. Being informed about the stages of dilation can help you feel more in control, even as things become intense. You’ll know when each stage is reached, and that knowledge can bring a sense of calm as you move through the process.

Natural comfort measures such as deep breathing, using a birthing ball, and staying hydrated can ease the discomfort during this phase. Surround yourself with supportive people who understand what you need during this time. These small acts of self-care can help keep your mind and body in balance as you approach the final stages of labor.

The journey to birth is a series of gradual, natural steps, each one leading you closer to meeting your baby. Understanding the stages of dilation and staying grounded through each one will help you navigate the process with confidence and strength. 🌸👶

01/12/2026

✨ What is a VBAC?

VBAC = Vaginal Birth After Cesarean.

It means giving birth vaginally after having had a previous C-section.

And yes, for many families, it is a safe, evidence-based, reasonable option.

🤍 Why do people choose VBAC?

Many parents choose VBAC because they want:
✨A physiological birth experience
✨Faster physical recovery
✨Lower risk of infection and blood loss
✨Less impact on future pregnancies
✨More autonomy in labor
✨To avoid repeat major abdominal surgery

VBAC isn’t about “proving your body works.”

It’s about choice, safety, and informed consent.

🌿 Benefits of VBAC?
✔️ Shorter hospital stay
✔️ Lower risk of surgical complications
✔️ Less postpartum pain for many
✔️ Easier bonding and mobility after birth
✔️ Lower risk of placenta accreta in future pregnancies
✔️ Higher chance of spontaneous labor in future births

⚠️ Risks of VBAC (being honest matters)?

The main risk discussed is uterine rupture, which is:
📌Rare (about 0.5–1% depending on factors)
📌But serious when it occurs
📌Why informed monitoring and individualized planning matter

Other risks can include:
🔶Emergency C-section
🔶Labor not progressing
🔶Emotional stress if unsupported

VBAC is not risk-free but neither is repeat C-section.

There is no risk-free way to give birth.

There is only risk-aware, informed choice.

🧠 What increases VBAC success?
✅Prior vaginal birth
✅Spontaneous labor
✅Supportive provider/team
✅Upright movement in labor
✅Patience with labor length
✅Avoiding unnecessary induction when possible

VBAC success rates are often 60–80% when properly supported.

🔥 The real issue?

VBAC is often framed as “dangerous” while repeat surgery is framed as “safe.”

But both carry risks.

The difference is who gets to decide.

VBAC is not reckless.

VBAC is not selfish.

VBAC is not anti-medicine.

VBAC is informed autonomy.

You do not owe anyone a repeat surgery.

You do not owe anyone a vaginal birth.

You owe yourself truth, support, and real options.

Birth after cesarean deserves honesty and not fear tactics.

-Love
Flor Cruz
Badassmotherbirther

Photo: Little Sparrow Doula Care

12/04/2025

Get in the know with your child’s nervous system

VALUE $300, YOURS FOR $23.

11/21/2025

11/17/2025

Don’t just guess or react - come from understanding. It makes all the difference

VALUE $300, YOURS FOR $19.

10/30/2025

A rare true knot!

10/18/2025

Stop daily battles with your kids. This 30-day program turns defiance into cooperation without yelling, bribes or punishment.

09/25/2025

Wild how we can go ahead and rearrange our insides to accommodate another body 👼

✨👶🏽 Did you know that pregnancy doesn’t just grow a baby… it reshapes the entire inside of the body?! 🤯💡

Here’s how the organs shift as the uterus expands to full term:

🫁 Lungs & diaphragm → Pushed upward, making it harder to catch your breath 😮‍💨
🍔 Stomach → Moves higher and gets squeezed, which is why heartburn & nausea can happen 🤢🔥
🍪 Intestines → Shift up and around the baby, getting tucked away in every available space 🌀
🩸 Bladder → Flattened & compressed beneath the uterus, which explains the endless bathroom trips 🚽💦
🫀 Liver & pancreas → Nudged up toward the ribs, changing how digestion and blood flow feel 🩺
🍑 Re**um → Pressed back and down, adding to constipation struggles 🚫💩

All of this happens while the uterus grows from the size of a 🍊 orange to a 🏀 basketball (and beyond!).

💪🏽 The body is absolutely phenomenal in the way it adapts, shifts, and makes room for new life. 🌎💖

-Love,
Badassmotherbirther

07/15/2025

06/07/2025

"Custard for breakfast" was the response to our question, "how have you nourished your children of late?"

Our recipe: https://bit.ly/custardrecipelink

06/06/2025

♥️🩸♥️

Did you allow the placenta to remain connected to your baby for several minutes after birth?

Repost from the Weston A. Price Foundation's Spanish profile https://www.facebook.com/wapfenespanol:

When a baby is born, much of their blood is circulating through the placenta and umbilical cord. It’s not “cord blood,” as it’s often called, it’s baby blood. By keeping the umbilical cord intact, after birth, we allow it to continue beating and fulfill its transport function; in a matter of minutes, all the blood will have penetrated the cord until it reaches the baby's body to nourish and oxygenate it, among other functions.

Sadly, for many years, the umbilical cord has been clenched immediately, preventing the baby from recovering all the blood it belongs to and needs. Depriving a newborn of their blood is not only meaningless, but it can have negative effects in the short and long term. This blood is rich in nutrients and stem cells, and at the time of birth it makes up one third of the baby's total blood, so it is an important part of their health.

Although this practice is going to be banned, in most cases it still remains in force.

04/15/2025

Umbilical cord keepsake