Deep Roots Doulas

10/21/2025

10/16/2025

October 15th is a big day in the loss community. Its national pregnancy and infant loss awareness day which was designated by President Ronald Regan in 1988. This day is recognized by doing a wave of light at 7pm in each time zone where you light a candle for babies gone too soon. Many gather in groups, attend events locally or online and many do it from home. I encourage everyone to join in whether you lost a baby or and light a candle for all babies and those who live on without their babies.

Faiths Wings

10/15/2025

I’ve taken some time before putting these thoughts into words. As a birth doula, I know that each birth is its own story , unfolding and unpredictable, powerful, in deeply personal ways.But some stories stay with us longer. Some leave marks we didn’t expect. The birth I supported recently was one of those.
It was traumatic.
And while I want to be careful not to speak for the family. I do want to honor what we all went through together.
From the moment labor began, there were signs that things would not go as planned. Tension began to replace excitement. Each turn brought more uncertainty, and before long, plans shifted into what we weren’t expecting. I stayed by their side, as I always do grounded, calm, and present ,but inside, I was holding my breath with them once I received the phone call from her husband.
I witnessed raw courage that day. I saw a birthing person endure wave after wave of pain, not just physically but emotionally. I saw a partner try to stay strong while fear and empathy cracked a little through his voice.
As a doula, I know that I am not there to fix or control outcomes, but to offer presence, compassion and continuity. Together as birth workers we do that.
And yet, after the birth, I carried a quiet grief. For the birth they hoped for. For the fear in the room. For the silence that followed the baby’s arrival before the first cry came.
I’ve had to remind myself that holding space during trauma is sacred work, even when it hurts. Even when it lingers.
I’ve reached out to my support network of fellow birth workers. I’ve debriefed. I’ve journaled and I’ve prayed. And I’m still processing. Birth work isn’t just beautiful. It’s sometimes unpredictable and in rare cases devastating. And witnessing both realities doesn’t make me any less committed to this path, but it reminds me that we must tend to ourselves, too. And I know I’m speaking this to many birth workers from now or beyond.
For me my faith comes into play. It plays a huge pivotal role in my life, and in many other lives. I have to hold onto what is true. That we are ultimately never in control ,and never will be, but I know who is. Ive seen him work miracles time and time again. Even though we may not understand now or in the moment I’m hopeful in eternity we will find the answers we’re looking for. I’m holding on tightly to his promises.
To the mothers : You are powerful beyond measure.
Bringing life into this world whether through hours of labor, an unexpected emergency, or a quiet, planned delivery, is an act of courage and strength, and love. Birth is not just a physical experience. It’s emotional, spiritual, and transformative. It asks more of you than most ever will and somehow, you give it: fully, fiercely, and without holding back.
To the family I supported: I saw your strength. I saw your love. And I will carry your story with deep respect and care. Your birth was not what you hoped for, but it was still sacred. Still powerful. Still yours.

With tenderness
Jess
A Certified Birth Doula

10/12/2025

🤍🫶🏻🤍

10/12/2025

🚩 5 Provider Red Flags if You’re Planning a VBAC 🚩

Finding a provider who truly supports your VBAC journey is so important. Here are 5 warning signs that it might be time to look for someone new:

1️⃣ They dismiss your VBAC goals
If your provider constantly talks about repeat cesareans as the only “safe” option, or minimizes your desire for a vaginal birth, it’s a sign they may not honor your choices. Your birth goals deserve respect.

2️⃣ They use fear instead of facts
Comments like “your uterus will rupture” or “something terrible will happen” without context aren’t helpful. Evidence-based counseling is about sharing real risks and options, not scaring you into a decision.

3️⃣ They don’t offer informed consent and informed refusal
Supportive providers walk you through all your options and let you make the decision that’s right for you. Informed refusal is just as important — you should never feel pressured into interventions you don’t want.

4️⃣ They tell you to schedule a C-section “just in case”
Being told to plan a cesarean without discussing your actual VBAC potential may mean your provider doesn’t believe in or encourage vaginal birth after cesarean. That’s a red flag.

5️⃣ Your gut says something’s off
Intuition matters. If you feel dismissed, rushed, or unsafe in appointments, trust yourself. Feeling comfortable and respected by your provider is critical for a positive birth experience.

You deserve a provider who listens, informs, and partners with you — not one who raises red flags. And it's not too late to switch providers to someone more supportive!

If you’re looking for a provider who supports VBAC, check out our Supportive Provider List! You can find it at thevbaclink.com/supportive-provider-list

10/12/2025

🤍🫶🏻🤍 you’ve got this momma!!

Afraid of labor? You’re not alone, and you can do something about it. New research sheds light on what nurtures a sense of calm and confidence. A survey in late pregnancy found two factors: One was having a positive sense of mental wellbeing, as defined by “having a sense of purpose, emotional positivity, and meaningful social relationships.” The other was having a sense of self-efficacy, in particular, a belief in having coping strategies that will work when the time comes. The study’s authors contend that these can be fostered by childbirth preparation classes that focus on building mental wellbeing and self-efficacy, but few classes do. They call for classes that shift from a medical model to classes that:

“-- Foster confidence in the use of labor techniques such as breathing, visualization and relaxation
-- Enhance psychological well-being by supporting social connection, purpose and satisfaction
-- Embrace an approach that focuses on wellness rather than the risks”

So, now you know the “why” and the “what,” what about the “how”? Here are some characteristics of quality childbirth preparation classes:-

-- Taught by a certified educator. Note: Certification doesn’t guarantee excellence, but it ensures that the educator has achieved at least some level of knowledge and skill.
-- Uses a variety of teaching techniques, not just lecture/discussion, and includes opportunity to practice labor-coping techniques.
-- Prepares you to make informed choices.
-- Lengthy enough to allow for in-depth coverage of the knowledge and skills you and your partner need to cope with labor, breastfeeding, and new parenthood. Tip: One-shot or two-day classes aren’t.
-- Big enough to allow for rich discussions, small enough to allow for getting to know your classmates and getting individual attention from the teacher.

https://bit.ly/47k1cWT

10/12/2025

🤍🫶🏻🤍

We’re excited to share the findings of a new report published in the European Journal of Midwifery on the Spinning Babies® approach and its role in promoting fetal head rotation during labor.

Key Findings:
✅ Women whose babies began labor in occiput-posterior or occiput-transverse positions, 93.3% of those who used Spinning Babies® techniques experienced rotation to the anterior position by delivery.

💡In contrast, only 63.6% of women in the control group (who did not use Spinning Babies®) saw that rotation.

✅ Use of Spinning Babies® was associated with a 45% increased likelihood of achieving anterior positioning (RR = 1.45; 95% CI: 1.23–1.72), after adjustment for parity and analgesia.

What does this mean?
While the study is retrospective and further research is needed, these results suggest that Spinning Babies® techniques may help support more optimal fetal positioning during labor, potentially making the birthing process smoother for many women. 🫶

We’re thrilled to see clinicians and researchers beginning to examine what many of us in the birth-work community have long observed. ❤️

Read the full report at https://f.mtr.cool/txpuhaopbz

08/19/2025

...explains why they want to eat soooo often!

04/15/2025

🤍🤍🤍

AJOG Expert Review in Labor: Water birth: a systematic review and meta-analysis of maternal and neonatal outcomes https://ow.ly/nr7O50R9Nzi

12/17/2024

🫶🏼🤍🫶🏼

Walk into a room while I am supporting a birth and you might think that I am just sitting there doing nothing. I won’t be talking. I won’t be touching the client. I won’t be using anything in my bag.

So what am I doing exactly?

🪑 Watching mom’s breathing and sometimes breathing loudly alongside her to remind her to slow down her breath

🪑 Scanning mom’s body during the contraction to make sure that she isn’t holding any tension

🪑 Monitoring the temperature and lighting to create the peaceful environment that she desires

🪑 Calculating how long it has been since she emptied her bladder

🪑 Thinking about how long she has been in her current position and thinking about the next position that she might try

🪑 Timing contractions to see if they are longer, stronger and closer together

🪑 Thinking about when mom and her partner last had a snack

🪑 Reviewing her preferences to make sure that everything is going according to her plan

🪑 Giving the couple space to connect on an intimate level (allowing for oxytocin) and/or guiding the partner to be the lead support

🪑 Updating notes and capturing labor flow

Sometimes just being fully present is enough. Sometimes just knowing I am there in close proximity is all mom needs to be able to relax and focus on what she needs to do. Sometimes just holding space for them in an unbiased manner allows for a noticeable shift in the energy of the room.

And the list goes on….

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