Sacred Start Birthkeeping

08/08/2021

Group B Streptococcus, also known as GBS, is a common bacteria found in the digestive tract, urinary tract, and re**um of both sexes, as well as in the va**na for women. Just like most bacteria that make up your body, you likely never even know that you have it. Most men and women have zero symptoms and it causes zero issues. But, in a medicalized birth, it is a routine procedure (my conclusion is that it is unnecessary and inaccurate I'll share why below) that a provider will test you for. Their reasoning is because it can be *fatal* to a baby if they become infected when passing through the birth canal.

Around 37 weeks, you would be swabbed both va**nally and anally, then the swab would be sent off to a lab to see if you carry the bacteria. Studies show about 1 in 4 or 25% of pregnant women will test positive for it. If you are positive, the protocol is to hook you up to IV antibiotics for 2 hours while in labor.

Again this bacteria is generally not harmful, and is very common. I'll even add that 40% of both men and women are positive at any time in life when tested worldwide. There is nothing wrong with you if you carry GBS.

One main issue with this routine procedure is that the testing is inaccurate because the bacteria can come and go, aka be passed and repopulate, every 24 hours given it is in areas that bring in + filter out waste or have self cleaning mechanisms. So, testing for this at 37 weeks, means that the results do not give you any sort of indication on if you will be positive during labor. You may test positive, and be negative by the time of labor, or you may test negative, and be positive by the time of labor. The results truly mean nothing.

Another issue lies in the fact that antibiotics are not only damaging to mom's microbiome, but baby's too. A damaged microbiome leads to countless health issues. Medical journals tell us that it takes at least 2 years for the gut to heal, repopulate, and seal, after being exposed to antibiotics.

Probably the most important thing to note, is that studies show only around 1% of babies who's mothers do carry the bacteria will become infected. Which again, you wouldn't even know from the test because it can change daily, as well as carrying it is not the same as infection from it. So giving birth with GBS, even if you do happen to have it, does not mean your baby will be affected. That is a very very low chance of harm.

So my questions are: Why accept an invasive test that tells you nothing? Why accept harmful antibiotics for likely no reason?

If your baby is in the 1% that does become infected, they will need to be treated with antibiotics themselves. So why pump them full of antibiotics during labor and then after birth too? Especially when the antibiotics during labor do not have 100% efficacy. You could receive antibiotics and it not even change the outcome. Yes, it is sad that some babies do suffer from issues such as pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis due to GBS, but unfortunately, the test nor the antibiotics can protect them for sure.

Most other countries do not even offer this testing. They practice the watch and wait approach, this is what I also recommend. Which means that you do not test and do not get antibiotics, you simply watch baby after birth for symptoms and wait to treat if necessary.

What are the symptoms of GBS infection in baby?

Fever, extreme irritability, true lethargy, uninterested in feeding, blue toned skin, and difficulty breathing.

Now, of course you can always decline the testing or decline the antibiotics, but do be aware that in a hospital setting they will tell you that they have to keep you and baby for an extra 48 hours to observe them. With a home birth, obviously a midwife doesn't do that though, but many still unfortunately push for the testing, will offer antibiotics, or may give you the option of a Chlorhexadine va**nal wash which is pretty toxic as well.

As always, I know some people will ask if there are safe alternatives for treatment. Although I personally do not test for this myself, suggest it, or do any purposeful prevention, I will still give those.

So what can you do prior to testing if you so choose and/or until birth to keep the bacteria at bay?

Probiotics, vitamin c, echinacea, raw garlic (orally or va**nally), grapefruit seed extract, and apple cider vinegar (va**nal rinses or baths) have been shown to be effective for cleaning out the bacteria and keeping it at bay. Fun fact, birthing in water reduces your chances of spreading the bacteria to baby as well!

I'm sure someone will mention it, so I will specify that in this post I covered mainly early onset GBS, which is when mom passes it to baby during birth. But there is late onset, which is due to transmission from someone who may have it on their hands then comes in contact with baby - no surprise here but 45% of cases happen due to hospital workers touching baby. And then there is also prenatal onset which happens when mom is heavily colonized and it affects baby within the womb. Late onset and prenatal GBS have absolutely nothing to do with this testing or delivery protocol.

This post was a long one, but I hope it helps you start your research and come to an informed decision - thanks for reading!

07/23/2021

On Monday I attended a beautiful free birth.

Just the mama, dad, their toddler and me (well, plus my toddler too).

Around 36 weeks, mom was told her iron levels were too low to deliver at the birth center she had chosen. Her midwife said that she would have to recieve iron infusions in order to try and get her numbers up and hopefully be able to continue care there. This was not something that she wanted to do, but going to the hospital was also not for her, so she took the situation into her own hands and decided to plan to birth at home without a medical provider present.

Neither her, nor I, were worried about her "low" iron status as iron testing is usually inaccurate. Plus, it is not a for sure sign that you will hemorrhage anyways. So I fully supported her decision, but as always we did have herbs on hand in case of pph that I suggest for anyone birthing at home - thankfully that did not happen.

Baby boy was born perfect and healthy, with zero labor complications for him or mama, into a happy and undisturbed environment. Just the way it should be. We were both so over joyed that she ended up getting the birth that she had desired.

Remember that you always have a choice!

The raw strength and soul of a woman bringing a life into the world, truly never ceases to amaze me ❤️✨

06/06/2021

I would love to put together a resource to help women find a holistic birth worker in their area! Please comment below with your business name, contact info, and location if you are a home birth midwife who serves the mother not the system, a radical birthkeeper, or a naturally minded doula.

For those that don't know, I am located in WA - specifically snohomish county, but in some cases willing to travel further out, and also offer virtual services as well.

Feel free to share and tag friends, let's make this a large list in hopes of supporting as many who need to find the right assistance as possible!

06/04/2021

Listen, if you know someone doesn't have a clue about birth, especially natural/physiological birth, why in the heck do you care if they don't support your choice to birth at home?! That just doesn't make any sense.

I often see/hear conversations like:

"Help! I want to have a home birth, but, my Aunt Sally says it's dangerous and I shouldn't do it because my baby will die. How do I convince her?"

"Oh, it sounds like she didn't have a great birth experience, care to share?"

"She had a scheduled induction at 37 weeks because her OB said that her baby would be too big to let go to full term and wouldn't be able to fit through her pelvis. After a while of the pitocin and epidural her and baby showed signs of distress so they rushed her into a c section. He ended up being totally fine and normal sized, but she is so glad that the doctor was able to save both of their lives! So, she doesn't support home birth at all since you can't do any of that without being in a hospital."

🤦🏼‍♀️ Just no. And this isn't the only example I could give, there are countless, but I'll spare the rambling! This is 100% just projecting and has nothing to do with you. Plus, hello cascade of interventions, none of that would have happened had she been educated.

My point is, don't let someone criticize your choices, when you have the calling to birth at home and have done the research to know it's safe, especially from those who can't even give you advice because they are completely misinformed and see doctors as Gods. It's your body, and your baby, only you get to decide what you want!

Honestly you shouldn't let anyone deter you from your birth plans. But situations like this drive me nuts! Validation comes from within, give it to yourself sis.

05/24/2021

Tearing seems to be quite a concern for many women. But I'm here to help you feel better about it!

First off, tearing with a home birth is very unlikely. That's not to say it *never* happens, but when you allow physiological birth to unfold, the possibility goes way down. Plus even if you do tear, usually women say they did not feel it while it's happening and it's not until after birth that they are aware of it - so try not to worry yourself with it.

Keeping hydrated during pregnancy to increase skin elasticity, no cervical checks, not lying on your back during delivery, submerging in water, waiting for FER to kick in, and allowing baby to sit on the perineum while emerging which gently stretches the skin - can all help. Some women like to use a warm wash cloth for counter pressure which is totally fine too, but you do not need to manually stretch the tissue like some advise as baby is crowning! They can do that on their own.

A common misconception I see as well is the recommendation to do perineal massage/stretching in late pregnancy. This is actually not proven to be effective and can even increase the risk of tearing, due to over working the tissue creating tiny tears that rip further when baby comes out.

Our perineal tissue was designed to stretch!

As far as stitching goes, if there is a tear, I generally don't suggest it. Why? Our bodies have the innate ability to heal themselves. Stitching can actually hinder the healing process and causes extra inflammation due to putting foreign objects, the sutures, into the body. I personally suggest you spend at least 2 weeks lying in bed with your legs closed - seriously pay attention to your leg positioning + zip them shut, using Earth Mama perineal spray for soothing, taking herbal healing baths, applying manuka honey, and putting fresh sea w**d strips over the perineum.

If you are an assisted home birther who wants stitches though, your midwife can absolutely do that for you. If you are a freebirther and would like stitches, I advise against going to the hospital as the first choice and instead calling a local home birth midwife to see if you can pay her specifically just for the service of coming to you for suturing. But again, generally stitches aren't necessary. Especially not for 1st or 2nd degree tears!

And if you are birthing in a hospital, please for the love of God, do not allow your provider to do an episiotomy. It is a severely out dated practice! Not only is it unnecessary in almost all cases, but it's very painful, and it is actually worse for your body and your healing than allowing a natural tear to happen, if it even will. Plus it increases your risk of tearing along that same line for subsequent births. They also love to add in extra stitches to "tighten you back up" which is a disgusting sentiment and can cause a lot of pain down the road. Unfortunately many OB's will do both of these interventions without permission as well, so again, in a facility birth you have to be a strong advocate for your choices and have others there to defend you too.

If you had a home birth, did you tear? And if so, did you choose stitches or natural healing?

05/21/2021

I know it can be hard to accept, but it's the truth! We have to start taking responsibility for our choices.

Birthing in a hospital, is an open invitation to the cascade of interventions. You'll likely be met with unnecessary testing/checks, induction, meds, and ultimately - c section.

Even in birth centers, you still have an increased risk of unneeded involvement or transfer. Most are even under the ruling of hospitals and/or OB's!

My advice of course is to just stay home. If you want the best chance at a 100% natural, undisturbed, physiological, hands off, peaceful, and safe birth, then don't leave your space. And if you do choose home birth, make sure to hire the right provider (if you want one that is - I 100% support unassisted as well), because there are even some home birth Midwives out there who are still not the best option, if they follow all laws by the book.

This is not to shame anyone, tell you what to do, or say that *good* outcomes can't come out of facility births, but it is the tough love reminder you deserve in order to be aware that you will never be in full control when you step into the medical system.

Do your research and be your own advocate! It is your body and your baby, you have the right to decide and set yourself up for the experience that you desire 💚

05/20/2021

When I started this page just about 1 month ago I couldn't have imagined gaining over 500 supporters in that timeframe! I just wanted to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for following along. Your love and shares are greatly appreciated!

I also wanted to give a couple reminders:

Don't forget that I do offer my services virtually for birtheekping, lactation counseling, and birth trauma releasing sessions. Just message me for a free consult!

If you have an Instagram, and want to catch me over there too, just click the link below-

Instagram.com/sacredstartbirthkeeping

Again thank you so much for being here and receiving the info that I have to offer. I look forward to continuing growing this community and helping families gain knowledge surrounding pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and breastfeeding 💗

47 Followers, 24 Following, 20 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Sacred Start Birthkeeping ()

05/18/2021

What many refer to as the eye "goop" is actually called Erythromycin, and it is an antibiotic eye ointment. This is another standard newborn procedure that is given to all babies, routinely, in hospitals and birth centers, that is usually unnecessary and also harmful.

Per the manufacturers insert, it's only purpose is to prevent conjunctivitis (pink eye) in babies who's mothers had an active case of Gonorrhea and/or Chlamydia at the time of birth. That's it. Not any other STD/I, not a yeast infection, not GBS, not prolonged broken water, not prevention of pink eye in general, not even having either C or G in the past, ONLY an active break out during delivery. And guess what, you are screened for these infections prior to giving birth in those establishments.

So why the heck is it given to all babies? That is a great question. It shouldn't be! There is absolutely no reason for it to be a standard practice. Back in the 1800's they found that 10% of babies developed conjunctivitis from va**nal birth, and 3% of those babies developed blindness from the untreated eye infection. That is how it became routine and is still today. Crazy right?! A very small risk, with specific reasoning, and for something that can be screened and treated for those who actually have it... suddenly turned into "necessary" for every single baby, and was never reconsidered.

Now let's talk about the harms.

Not only can the ointment cause burning, itching, redness, and swelling, but it also actually blurs baby's vision to where they cannot see you very well which can hinder bonding and your breastfeeding relationship. Most babies who recieve it will even keep their eyes closed as well for a good period of time after receiving it due to those painful symptoms. Poor things!

But the greatest risk, is damage to the gut. As we know, antibiotics wreck your gut microbiome and lining, which leads to countless other health issues. Studies have shown it takes upwards of 2 years for the gut to repopulate and heal after antibiotics, and most of the time it still does not reseal on it's own so the health issues continue on past that mark. It takes a lot of work to undo gut issues.

Personally, I decline the antibiotic eye ointment for my babies. There is just no need to give medical treatment, without reason, that comes with risks. And if I did have Gonorrhea and/or Chlamydia, I would use colloidal silver and breastmilk in the eyes instead, as I do not use allopathic medicine for my family. This is not medical advice, just my personal choice. Again, some things for you to research for yourself. And if you wanted to give it due to having a break out, then that's ok, but why give it if you don't?

I hear a lot of women ask if they can just allow it to be administered and then wipe it off once the nurse walks away. Well no, it would already be absorbed into the babies system by that time and the affects would still occur. You have the right to decline this, and anything else. Stand up for yourself and your child. And as always, I recommend just birthing at home where you will not be challenged on your decisions. Yes some Midwives still offer it but it is absolutely not pushed.

Most moms do not even know it's being given to their babies and if they do, they have no idea what it is, why it's used, or what the harms are. Did you know all of this?

05/11/2021

Breech is a variation of normal! There isn't an issue with birthing a breech baby, the real issue with a breech baby is an incompetent provider. Hospital staff are not properly trained in this type of delivery and as a result will always slap a c section on you as your only option. This is not true!

Listen, if you prefer to deliver a head down baby, that's absolutely ok, you can try to turn your baby. But it should not be because of an ultimatum from your provider or out of fear. Sadly even many home birth Midwives aren't willing, so if you choose to go assisted, you'll need to find a provider that is (traditional Midwives are out there) and I always suggest asking this question at your initial consultation. Regardless of birthing route, educate yourself on the topic and the hands off approach.

Personally I recommend Spinning Babies exercises, a Webster certified Chiropractor, hot/cold therapy, acupuncture, and homeopathy, over an ECV medical procedure. Honestly, that comes with more risks than just leaving the baby be how they are most comfortable, being breech in this case, and allowing nature to take its course with delivery that way.

I also hear a lot of women trying to turn a breech baby early on. When the reality is, babies can flip even in labor. Yes, you heard that right, a breech baby can turn head down IN labor. Save your worrying mama, it's not going to benefit either of you!

But again, you don't have to do a thing, you can absolutely birth a breech baby.

Wondering how you would know if your baby is breech? Very easy to do belly mapping and feel for location of hiccups when they have them.

Breech births are beautiful and should not be the reason alone for changing your unhindered delivery plans!

05/06/2021

The third stage of labor is also known as the birth of the placenta. After baby is born, the placenta will release from the uterine wall, contractions will continue, and it will be expelled from your body just like your baby. The time can vary greatly for this, ranging anywhere from a few minutes, to many hours later! Sadly in a hospital setting they are not as generous with time and will start forcing intervention after 30-60 minutes.

One huge piece of information to note, is that no one should ever tug on the umbilical cord to get the placenta out faster. This can cause hemorrhaging, uterine inversion, prolapse, and retained placenta. If you are not having heavy bleeding, there is no rush to get the placenta out. If are having heavy bleeding, herbal tinctures like Angelica and Motherwort can help to release the placenta and slow the bleeding. Once the placenta is out, if excess bleeding is still occurring, then you can take a Shepherds Purse tincture (never before the placenta is out) and put a piece of placenta in the cheek to stop it. Also note that latching baby right away helps with all of the above as well!

If mom experiences concerning symptoms that do warrant extra help, she and ONLY she, can gently try to wiggle the cord to see if there is any resistance, if not, the placenta has already detached and she can move the cord in a diamond like motion to lead it out of the birth canal. If there is any resistance, she should not mess with the cord either.

Sadly in a hospital setting, pitocin is given routinely for the third stage of labor. It is unnecessary and harmful, given it's toxicity and increased risk of postpartum depression. Of course, unless natural remedies do not work to stop a true hemorrhage and you are transferred so it is between a blood transfusion or pitocin, then the benefits may outweigh the risk. But it is never necessary as a prophylaxis. And it's also important to know the amount of blood loss that constitutes a true hemorrhage as well as taking your symptoms into account, not just what a hospital or provider declares.

Birthing the placenta itself typically doesn't hurt. The contractions are still uncomfortable, but, with the soft jelly like structure of the placenta, it slides out easily and painless, sometimes with a little cough or push, but not always necessary. Working with gravity by being upright also aids in an easier delivery, just like for baby!

For many women, fundal massage is traumatic for them. After the birth of the placenta many providers will aggressively knead the abdomen. This is really not necessary. Mom can palpate her abdomen to her own level of comfortability to ensure that the uterus is contracting/hardening back up afterwards.

Please always check the placenta after it's birth, and baby receiving all of their blood from it. This helps to make sure that you do not have any retained placenta, as during examining it you would notice pieces missing or a torn sac!

How long did your placenta take to be birthed if you did not have a managed third stage?