Mountain Perinatal Education

01/28/2026

The evidence about maternity care says:
- Women experience best outcomes and highest satisfaction levels if they have continuity of care with a midwife
- the lowest levels of birth trauma are recorded for women who have midwifery care outside of a hospital
- Vaginal examinations do not improve outcomes for the mum or baby when done routinely
- There is only evidence of benefit for CTG monitoring for women having induction
- Women and babies at low risk of complications have best outcomes when they give birth at home compared to hospital
- Midwives are the ideal primary care providers and doctors and obstetricians should be available for consultation and referral in more complex circumstances

01/26/2026

Sometimes labor seems to accelerate quickly. Other times, it seems to slow down. That's normal!
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34989012/

01/24/2026

"The truth of the matter is that childbearing simply does not receive the level of care and attention it requires.... The evidence is clear: when mothers feel supported, connected, and cared for, their emotional and physical health outcomes improve."

The postpartum period doesn’t end at 6 weeks, and support shouldn’t either.

Our newest blog article by Alysha Hauck, RN, BSN explores why postpartum care norms need to change, including more frequent check-ins, stronger community support, and a more holistic approach to maternal mental health.

Too many parents are falling through the cracks, and it’s time we do better.

👉 Visit https://loom.ly/pVMG3Rg to read the full blog.

01/17/2026

Is continuous fetal monitoring necessary? Not often.
https://www.sltrib.com/news/nation-world/2025/11/28/fetal-monitoring-laboring-mothers/?fbclid=IwY2xjawPYsQNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFYa3hYT2ZCU21rME8wVnZHc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHl13TFKDvmJVG9UiNI7ZqJd5_gHa828cuSSbhR2qaFs4EAAhkifkWRXtf77u_aem_tGw0XiOaXSka7XietSJw2g

Round-the-clock fetal monitoring leads to unnecessary C-sections. But it’s used in nearly every birth because of business and legal concerns, The Times found.

01/09/2026

Are you getting enough DHA?
DHA is a long-chain omega-3 fatty acid that plays a powerful anti-inflammatory role in pregnancy. It’s been shown to help reduce the risk of insulin resistance, elevated triglycerides, and preeclampsia—all of which are more common in women with gestational diabetes.
It’s also essential for your baby’s brain and eye development, particularly in the third trimester when DHA needs are highest. Many women with GDM benefit from increasing DHA intake, especially if their diet is low in fatty fish/seafood.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1F1udMJUMC/

01/07/2026

Hormones shape who you are.

01/07/2026

Intermittent auscultation (as opposed to continuous monitoring on admission) is better practice.

High-quality systematic review finds no value to "admission strip" CTG.... "Routine admission CTG in low-risk term pregnancies demonstrated no improvement in maternal or neonatal outcomes... These findings support current recommendations favouring IA [Intermittent auscultation] over routine admission CTG in low-risk pregnancies..." Full text at https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1471-0528.70047 Or as Henci Goer says "Just say no to routine CTG"... https://hencigoer.com/just-say-no-to-routine-continuous-fetal-monitoring/

01/06/2026

See you there!

The 2026 ICEA Conference is coming to Salt Lake City, Utah, from October 16 to 18th, 2026.

We hope to see you there as we focus on elevating the standards of maternal care. Registration information to come soon - follow us to get the latest updates!

01/05/2026

Hold your babies.
It's good for their brain.
It's good for your heart. ❤️

When a baby is held during sleep, their brain is doing important work. Gentle touch and closeness send safety signals through the nervous system. These signals help the brain learn that the world is calm and predictable, especially during the early months when the brain is growing fastest.

Research in neuroscience shows that comforting sleep practices support stronger connections between the prefrontal cortex and the amygdala. The prefrontal area helps with calming, reasoning, and emotional control. The amygdala detects stress and fear. When these two areas communicate well, a child is better able to manage emotions later in life.

Holding a baby while they sleep helps regulate breathing, heart rate, and stress hormones. Over time, the brain learns how to settle itself more effectively. This does not create dependence. It builds a foundation of security that the brain uses to develop self regulation as the child grows.

You cannot spoil a baby by responding to their need for comfort. You are teaching their nervous system how safety feels. That early sense of safety supports emotional resilience, confidence, and calmer responses to stress in childhood and beyond. Comfort today supports mental health for years to come.

12/12/2025

There are some scary reels out there about refusing vitamin K. Here is some info that looks at both sides of the issue.

Articles and resources about vitamin K for newborn babies by Dr Sara Wickham, researcher and author who has written extensively on this.

12/10/2025

Looking forward to ICEA's 2026 conference

12/10/2025

People commonly believe that because the US is a wealthy nation that we have better healthcare. That is NOT the case when it comes to maternity care. Please explore your options. Ask lots of questions to ensure that you and your family get the best possible care. Not sure what to ask? Let's talk.

2025 March of Dimes Report Card reveals the US earns a D+ grade for the fourth consecutive year.