Tri City Birth Collective

04/01/2026

I've seen this coercion first hand. We do not need to be penetrated to get our babies out. It does cause harm and slows labor progress!

🚨🚨🚨 In a landmark case, an Australian woman is awareded $275,000 in negligence case after she was coerced into an exam during labor.

The woman's birth plan stated she only consented to exams as medically necessary. However, when she arrived at triage in labor, she was refused admission, care, and any pain management unless she consented to an exam.

Many people experience medical coercion and it's an uncomfortable and often traumatic experience. However, when one is IN labor, navigating one of the most vulnerable experiences of their lives, the lack of autonomy and control makes forced exams potentially life altering.

The supreme court of Victoria, ruled the forced exam to be battery, assault, and medical negligence. By not providing care unless a one allows an exam is coercion by withholding care.

This landmark case has the potential to change maternity care, something many can't wait to see happen.

Everyone deserves informed CONSENT, autonomy, and rights - being in labor does not negate the right to consent and autonomy.

Do you think this case will impact maternity care in AUS? Does it have the potential to impact maternity care globally?

Consent always matters, labor or not.

03/21/2026

💚 3 babies in under a week! WHEW! - A new record for TCBC! Beautiful births, all of them. 🥹
Congrats families!

03/18/2026

🤰Doula care availability for April & May due-dates! Many health plans accepted. 💚 Contact form in the comments! Please share!

03/17/2026

🤰🫄2 babies
✨️ born within 26 hours ⏳️
Totaling 62 hours 🕘 of labor support - spanning 4 days. Well done dear families. 💚 🥹

02/23/2026

To all of my Mae Health clients! Here is a prenatal yoga class happening tomorrow! Please join us!

02/23/2026

Sure does!

Emotional and physical birth support doesn’t compete with medical care; it complements it.💪🏽

Medical providers are responsible for monitoring health, managing risk, and making clinical decisions. Doulas focus on continuous, non-medical support: offering comfort measures, emotional reassurance, physical positioning, breathing support, and help navigating decisions as labor unfolds.

Doulas don’t replace doctors, midwives, or nurses. They work alongside them, staying with families throughout labor while medical teams may rotate or move between patients. Together, this creates a more supported, informed, and grounded birth experience, and improves medical outcomes.

As part of our February series, ‘Birth Support, Explained’, we are going back to basics on the power of doula care.🙌🏽 Stay tuned for more!

02/19/2026

👇 This is why we Doula. Justice.

Friendly reminder that birth work is rooted in justice work.

Everyone deserves dignity and safety in birth AND life.

02/19/2026

💚 If you didn't already know...you should know!! 💡
In Michigan, Doula care is covered by Medicaid! 🤯
If you have one of the health plans listed below, 👇or even straight Medicaid you qualify for Doula care services! (Being pregnant is the catch 😉)
📋 That's 12 visits (any combo of prenatal and postpartum visits) PLUS the continuous labor & birth support of a perinatal professional that is equipped to advocate for you, and is skilled in physical and emotional techniques of care!
🤰 Here are a few of the many topics covered at prenatal visits with a Doula:

✔️ Childbirth education
✔️ Unpacking past birth experiences
✔️ Labor position practice with a partner

💚 If you would like to schedule a free, virtual meet 'n greet for Doula care, use the contact form 👇 in the comments to connect! You birth story deserves to be held along with you and your baby.

Warmly,

Krystal Barnhart, CD(DONA), LCCE
☎️(989)820-2817
🌐www.tricitybirthcollective.com
📧tricitybirth@outlook.com

02/18/2026

💚 Just wrapped up a Lamaze series with the cutest couple expecting their 1st baby! 🥰 Seeing their transition from doutful and a bit fearful, to full-on belly laughs and confident smiles from Mom & Partner...magnificent! 🤌
📢 Did you know you can Lamaze in your own living room!? YESSS!!
Offering in-person, private sessions in the home of client's is surely a gift for this educator. 🫂

02/17/2026

❗️📢 Attention (all + future) clients! 📢 ❗️
If you have a participating Michigan Medicaid health plan, this is an important aspect to your care! Sign up today!

A doula is a non-medical birth companion who offers physical, emotional, and educational support during your pregnancy, when you give birth, and after your baby arrives, when you’re postpartum.

🤰🏾 Your doula will help you maintain a healthy pregnancy through nutrition and movement education. Provide childbirth education, and teach you comfort measures as you prepare to give birth.

🏥 Your doula will provide continuous support when you are in active labor in the hospital and work to ensure you feel seen and your birth plan wishes are honored as much as possible.

🤱🏾 After your baby is born, your doula will provide postpartum support in the form of lactation guidance, newborn care, and support adjusting to life with your baby. She is there to provide emotional support while you recover.

Thinking a doula may be right for you? See if you're eligible for covered doula support through Mae!

Sign up for Mae💜 today at MeetMae.com/SignUp

02/17/2026

😍 There's still time to register!

02/17/2026

💚 I've been laying low for a few reasons my friends!
❓️Which secret do you think I've been keeping? Use the heart key below 👇 to vote in the comments!

💜 Tri City Birth Collective is expanding to a multi-doula agency.

🧡 Krystal Barnhart will soon be a nationally certified Child Passenger Safety tech which = more help for new parents.

💛 Our lead Doula is in the process of publishing a book.

💙 Accesible Doula care is expanding to include more Medicaid health plans here at the TCBCollective.

Stay tuned for answers dear friends and growing families!
🎉💖😊👍

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