Spokane Midwives

01/02/2026

01/02/2026

01/02/2026

01/01/2026

01/01/2026

Midwife Prayer originally eloquently written by the esteemed Carol Gautschi for "secular year" 2026. I changed a few lines and added a small portion to make it more personal to the prayer of my heart. I pray this for all the "Spokane Midwives" called to serve in our area of Eastern WA and North ID.
Bless all of you!

⚘️
Abba, renew our strength. When the hours are long and the responsibility feels heavy, be our steadfast peace. Cover our minds with wisdom and anointing, our hands with skill and our hearts with Your love and compassion that never runs dry.

We ask for Your divine strength, endurance and protection over us and our families. Guard us in every birth space, every journey and every fruitful decision. Let Your presence be felt in every room we enter, bringing calm, safety and Your comfort.

May we continue to be vessels of Your love… vessels of mercy, speaking life, advocating with courage and honoring this sacred work You have placed into our hearts and hands. When challenges arise, remind us that we do not walk alone, for You go before us as the true primordial Midwife and that we are Your blessed handmaidens that You stand beside.

We that have been called according to Your purpose, ask you to grant us peace, protect us from those who wish to harm us, who would steal our time or lie about us. Close their mouths, thwart their plans, and minister to them so that you might be reconciled to them. We pray for our enemies and those who persecute us.

We pray for every unborn soul. May they all have an opportunity to live and serve You. Hold them in Your mighty hands from conception to old, old age.

Bless this new year with purpose, favor and joy. May we see the fruit of our labor and be refreshed by the knowledge that our work matters deeply to You.

We dedicate this secular calendar year to You, Father. and we thank You for this calling and the faithfulness of midwives everywhere.

In The Name of Yeshua, AMEIN ⚘️

11/13/2025

11/08/2025

It's a bit of a joke, we've been saying this for years. Not impressed.

11/05/2025

From one of the biggest homebirth studies done.

10/27/2025

Ok Dads: you're up next? What's the plan? 🤣

10/17/2025

Support a local Spokane Midwives Mama!

10/15/2025

10/01/2025

Nice numbers!

An incredible new study found that pregnant women who consume just 6 dates a day in the 4 weeks leading up to their due date were 74% more dilated upon their arrival to the hospital, had a 77% shorter first stage of labor and a 42% lower rate of caesarean sections.

Eating dates in the late stages of pregnancy lead to higher cervical dilation upon hospital admission because the fruit contains nutrients that influence oxytocin receptors, preparing the cervix and uterus for labor by increasing muscle response to oxytocin and other labor-supporting hormones. Dates are a rich source of energy from natural sugars and fats and also contain prostaglandins, which contribute to cervical ripening. Additionally, they provide serotonin, calcium, and tannins, which contribute to powerful uterine contractions.

Eating dates in the late stages of pregnancy shortens the first stage of labor due to their ability to stimulate the production of prostaglandins, which promote cervical ripening (softening and thinning of the cervix) and increase uterine contractions. Dates also contain tannins, which have a similar effect, and provide a natural sugar source for energy during labor. Some studies even suggest that dates can increase uterine sensitivity to oxytocin, leading to more effective contractions and a quicker and smoother labor process.

These actions are also the exact reason why women who eat dates in the late stages of pregnancy and far less likely to need a c-section!

The most common recommendation is for women to begin eating 6 dates a day starting in their 37th week of pregnancy.
PMID: 40322306, 21280989

SEE ALSO: https://www.pelvicphysio.co.nz/the-sweet-secret-to-a-smoother-labour-dates