Sisters in Birth LLC

01/23/2026

I love this! A beautiful friend and Sister In Birth is specializing in helping our childbearing families in Northeast Michigan. Thank you Jillian for supporting families in this way.

12/12/2025

Denmark is moving away from the “cry it out” sleep training method, largely due to pressure from over 700 psychologists who signed an open letter citing harm to infant emotional development, leading the Danish board to reconsider its guidance, emphasizing responsive care and secure attachment as healthier alternatives.

Studies find consistently ignoring a crying baby can negatively impact their brain development, increase stress hormones like cortisol and can even affect their future emotional health.

Babies communicate their needs by crying, and ignoring these cries can lead to prolonged periods of stress, causing a rise in cortisol levels. Elevated cortisol levels can negatively impact brain development, brain structure and a baby’s ability to regulate stress even later in life.

Consistent responsiveness to a baby’s cries helps them develop a sense of security and trust in their caregivers. This can lead to a more secure attachment, which is crucial for emotional well-being, healthy social relationships and brain development.

Babies are not trying to manipulate their parents when they cry, they are communicating their needs and attempting to establish a connection. Responding to these cries is critical for building a strong bond and promoting healthy development.

11/08/2025

In the New York Times
Thoughts 💭

Decades of research have shown that round-the-clock fetal monitoring does not reliably predict fetal distress, and experts say it leads to many unnecessary surgeries. But it’s still used in nearly every birth in the U.S. because of business and legal concerns, a New York Times investigation found. https://nyti.ms/3WF7yLx

10/20/2025

10/05/2025

If you think you need a pelvic floor therapist… Go see Wynne🤭☺️💗She’s in my favorite club!

09/18/2025

✨Exciting new services at Options! We would love each of you expecting mamas, partners as well, to join us for our FREE prenatal classes starting October 7th! Call us at 989-354-6089 to sign up today! ✨

06/19/2025

Trying for a vaginal birth after cesarean? Here are a few things you need to know. 🫶🏻

There’s a huge difference between a provider who is VBAC-tolerant and one who is VBAC-supportive. And the outcome of your birth can depend on which one is on your team.

👀 VBAC-tolerant providers might technically “allow” a trial of labor after cesarean, but they often carry unspoken conditions:
✖️ Strict timelines for dilation
✖️ Pressure to induce early or schedule a cesarean by a certain week
✖️ Negative language like “we’ll let you try” or “as long as baby cooperates”
✖️ Sudden shifts in tone as your due date nears

They may say yes, but their actions say not really.

💪 VBAC-supportive providers, on the other hand, actively support your decision. They:
✔️ Quote evidence-based stats
✔️ Respect your autonomy and preferences
✔️ Offer real options and informed consent
✔️ Don’t set you up for failure with rigid policies
✔️ Speak with encouragement and trust in your body

📊 According to ACOG, 60–80% of people who attempt a VBAC are successful. That’s a powerful number, but it doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Your provider matters.

Your provider’s approach, hospital policies, and the support around you all influence your birth story.

So how can you tell the difference? Ask questions like:
🔹 What is your VBAC success rate?
🔹 What’s your hospital’s VBAC policy?
🔹 How long will you allow labor to progress before recommending a cesarean?
🔹 Are you comfortable with spontaneous labor past 40 weeks?
🔹 How do you feel about birth plans?

🤰🏽 You deserve more than just permission to try.
You deserve support.
Real, respectful, informed care that centers you.

If you’re unsure where your provider stands, that might be your answer.

✨ Choosing the right team is the first step toward an empowered VBAC.

05/04/2025

CPR didn’t teach me this… A Midwife did.

🫀🫀🫀
When you are alone and have a heart attack. What are you gonna do then ?
A rarely good post that can't be shared often enough:
1. Take a 2 minute break and read this:
Let's say it's 5:25 pm and you're driving home after an unusually hard day's work.
2. You are really tired and frustrated.
All of a sudden your chest pains. They are starting to radiate in the arm and jaw. It feels like being stabbed in the chest and heart. You're only a few miles away from the nearest hospital or home.
3. Unfortunately you don't know if you can make it..
4. Maybe you've taken CPR training, but the person running the course hasn't told you how to help yourself.
5. How do you survive a heart attack when you're alone when it happens? A person who is feeling weak and whose heart is beating hard has only about 10 seconds before losing consciousness.
6. But you can help yourself by coughing repeatedly and very strongly! Deep breaths before every cough. Coughing should be repeated every second until you arrive at the hospital or until your heart starts to beat normally.
7. Deep breathing gives oxygen to your lungs and coughing movements boost the heart and blood circulation. Heart pressure also helps to restore a normal heartbeat. Here's how cardiac arrest victims can make it to the hospital for the right treatment
8. Cardiologists say if someone gets this message and passes it on to 10 people, we can expect to save at least one life.
9. FOR WOMEN: You should know that women have additional and different symptoms. Rarely have crushing chest pain or pain in the arms. Often have indigestion and tightness across the back at the bra line plus sudden fatigue.
Instead of posting jokes, you're helping save lives by spreading this message.

❤️ COPY (hold your finger, click on the text and select copy, go to your own page and where you normally want to write, select finger again and paste). Posting from a friend.

05/03/2025

On May 2nd, we will be launching a fundraiser🍿 to support the development of the TBLC playground!!

Class time and play time outside is so important, and with warmer weather approaching, we want to be ready!

If you’re local, you do not need to pay for shipping, we will bring it to you!!

Please share!! And have those kiddos call Nana and Papa!☺️

https://www.cosmiccornfundraising.com/collections/alpena-thunderbay-learning-center