Joyful Beginnings Birth Care

11/08/2025

10/18/2025

As a midwives, one of our favorite comfort tools during labor is water. Whether it’s a warm shower, deep bath, or a full birth pool — water can be incredibly supportive through every stage of labor. Here’s how it can help you:

✨ Early Labor: Setting the Tone
Feeling crampy, anxious, or just unsure if “this is it”? A warm bath or shower can calm your nervous system, ease tension, and even help you rest. For some, it may slow labor down to give you time to sleep or regroup. For others, it can kickstart things gently.

🌀 Active Labor: Your Natural Epidural
This is where water really shines. The buoyancy helps take the weight off, making movement easier. The warmth relaxes your muscles and increases oxytocin (that’s your labor hormone 💕). Some call it the “aquadural” — because for many, it brings big pain relief without medication.

🌊 Transition: The Storm Before the Calm
These are the most intense contractions. Getting into a birth pool at this stage can soften the edges of that intensity. People often feel safe, contained, and centered in the water — helping them ride the waves, literally and emotionally.

👶 Pushing & Birth: Gentle Entry
Many people choose to stay in the water for birth. Warm water softens the perineum, reducing the chance of tearing, and can make the pushing phase feel more intuitive. And babies born in water are greeted by warmth and calm — a gentle welcome earthside.

Did you use water during your labor? If so, tell us below when in your labor you found it most useful👇

09/14/2025

15 years ago a young 18 year old girl emailed and asked about becoming an apprentice. I was a fairly new midwife myself, but something about her story tugged at my heart. Her passion for mothers and babies reminded me of my younger self and after meeting with her, I decided to give it a try.

Very soon after that, on September 1, 2010 she attended her first home birth with me. It was apparent that she was a natural and I knew God was bringing her into my life for something more than midwifery. Ashley was a great student and had a very teachable spirit and we soon became a great team. As time went on, God began to show me more of His plan for our relationship and soon I was mentoring her in many other aspects of life.

Ashley, I’ve watched you grow into a remarkable woman. You have walked through many challenges and have persisted in your journey for healing. I am so proud of the woman you have become and so grateful for all that you bring to Joyful Beginnings. What started as a student/teacher relationship has blossomed into a beautiful friendship. You are like a daughter to me and I am so glad our paths crossed 15 years ago.

- Midwife Joani

09/11/2025

To the ones who lost their lives that day,
to the heroes with unfettered bravery,
to the survivors and the grieving families left behind,
to the country that wept for it's people...

We remember. 🇺🇸

09/03/2025

What to do with your placenta once it is born, you ask?! Let’s chat about it!

Your placenta did the incredible work of nourishing your baby throughout pregnancy — but did you know it can continue to support your healing journey after birth? 🌿

Here are some placenta options many families explore in the postpartum period:

🌸 Encapsulation – One of the most popular methods! The placenta is steamed (or left raw), dehydrated, ground, and placed into capsules. Some believe it may support energy levels, hormone balance, milk supply, and mood stabilization.

🥤 Placenta Smoothies – A small piece of raw placenta is blended into a smoothie shortly after birth. Many report feeling an immediate energy boost—this is typically done just once or twice, early on.

🍷 Tinctures – A small piece of placenta is steeped in high-proof alcohol for 6+ weeks to create a long-lasting remedy. Some use this for hormonal transitions, menstrual cycles, or even future menopause support.

🖼 Keepsakes & Art – Umbilical cord “dreamcatchers,” placenta prints (using natural or food-safe inks), and even jewelry can be made to commemorate this unique part of your birth story.

💉 Medical & Research Use – The amniotic sac (which surrounds your baby during pregnancy) is being used in modern medicine for wound healing — including burn care, diabetic ulcers, and pressure sores. It’s rich in stem cells and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a powerful tool in regenerative medicine. While this use typically happens in clinical settings, it’s a fascinating example of how much potential this organ holds.

Not every option is for everyone — and that’s okay. Tell us in the comments below what you did with your placenta 💛

09/02/2025

Welcome to the newest members of our crunchy family!

08/29/2025

✨There is something sacred about a baby’s first cry echoing through the walls of your own home.✨

Homebirth isn’t just a setting—it’s a rhythm, a trust, a return to instinct. It’s soft lamplight, whispered encouragement, and the quiet power of a birthing mother fully supported and fully seen.

Birth is not just clinical. It’s holy. 💛🏡🕊️

📸

08/28/2025

Did you know that getting enough protein during pregnancy helps support your baby’s growth, balances blood sugar, and keeps you feeling strong and energized? 💪🍳

Protein is essential for:
🌱 Building your baby’s tissues and organs
💧 Supporting healthy blood volume (which nearly doubles in pregnancy!)
⚖️ Helping stabilize energy and mood

Aim for 100g of protein a day, from a variety of sources—meat, eggs, dairy, beans, lentils, and nuts—to keep meals nourishing and satisfying.

08/06/2025

🌍🤱 Happy World Breastfeeding Week!
This week, we honour the beauty and power of breastfeeding — a journey that nurtures not only baby, but mother too. 💛

🤍 For baby:
• Strengthens immunity 🛡️
• Supports brain development 🧠
• Builds a lifelong bond with mama 🤱

🤍 For mom:
• Aids postpartum healing 💪
• Lowers risk of breast & ovarian cancers 🎗️
• Releases oxytocin — the love & bonding hormone 🧡

As midwives, we’re here to support you — whether your journey is breast, bottle, both, or somewhere in between. Every drop, every choice, every story matters.

08/05/2025

These July babies had their midwives racing all over town! So many birthday parties!

And to the 5 little ones who decided to all be born in the same 23 hours: that was a little ✨dramatic✨. 🤣

08/01/2025

Your Baby’s First 24 Hours 🕒

The first day after birth is a big adjustment—for both you and your baby.

Your newborn is learning to breathe, regulate their body temperature, and transition from life inside the womb to the outside world. It’s normal for babies to be alert for a short while after birth, then very sleepy for much of the next 24 hours.

📌 A few things to expect:

* Skin-to-skin helps stabilize baby’s temperature, breathing, and heart rate. Keep them close as much as possible.
* Feeding may be slow to start. Colostrum (your early milk) is enough, even in tiny amounts.
* Wet and dirty diapers will be few at first—usually just one or two of each in the first 24 hours.
* Baby’s hands and feet might look bluish or feel cool—that’s common in the early hours and usually resolves on its own.

This period is all about staying close, watching for feeding cues, and letting your baby recover from birth. No rush. No pressure.

You’re both learning, and you don’t have to do it alone.

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