Oak Moon Birth

03/09/2026

When your midwife's daughter raises show rabbits and there is a litter of adorable one month old babies, it is imperative they come do a visit at the office! The real question is, who enjoyed them more? The kids, or the student midwife? 🤣🤣🤣

03/04/2026

I had a wonderful opportunity to talk about my career as a midwife to some kids at Dekalb High School today. The kids had great questions. My favorite was "is it true some people eat their placenta?" 💜

02/02/2026

The amazing benefits of a vaginal birth

https://jennifermargulis.substack.com/p/the-valorous-vagina?fbclid=IwdGRjcAPthNZjbGNrA-2Dw2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHr_f152hJ8yJImdmh2BS0jLiQwJgMLXZRn7DSzUH2bqkHqar4uMxL5ipPOJo_aem_BSNPks0LanU1ltNC-Bp_Bw&triedRedirect=true

12/16/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/17vpQqRGPE/

What if we told women the truth about birth?

We’d have to tell them that contractions will probably be more than “surges” or “sensations.”

That they’ll probably rock your world and leave you begging for salvation as you clutch the edge of the tub or the hospital linens.

That your gentle breathing exercises and your Spotify soundtrack will be left in the dust as you sweat and pant and sway and swear your way through it

That you’ll trip harder than any mushroom you ever did in college and vomit with the same ferocity and travel to places deep within yourself that you didn’t know existed.

That you’ll float above your body and simultaneously be trapped in it with an intensity you’ve never tasted.

And in that intensity,
in the sweating and the swearing
and the swaying and the vomiting
and the endless hours of contractions crashing down upon you ...

You’ll find your strength.
You’ll find a resilience you’ve never known.
You’ll find the power you need for the journey of Motherhood ahead.

In the messy humanity of it all,
you’ll find that you are holy.
A portal to the divine.
Capable of indescribable miracles.
A vessel of sacred life.

What if we told women the truth about birth?
We’d have to tell them they are capable of anything.

Worthy of being treated like goddesses.
Made to walk through the flames,
surf the tidal waves,
dive into the underworld
And come out alive.

Not unscathed.
Not unchanged.
But whole
and healed
and ready to take on the world.

If we told women the truth about birth,
we’d have to admit that we’ve lied about everything else,
and that they are more powerful,
more fierce,
more capable,
more beautiful,
than we’ve ever let on.

If we told the truth about birth?
We’d shatter the world.

- Words and Art by Catie Atkinson

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12/14/2025

I don't even wait for potential clients to bring these topics up during a consultation. It was one of the main things I address because they are that important. Please make sure to ask the questions when interviewing midwives.

When interviewing your homebirth midwife, make sure she has these skills and that she talks in depth about them.

11/30/2025

Have you ever wondered why I named my practice Oak Moon Birth? It is based on December's full moon (which will shine on us this year on December 4th).

Oak Moon: This name is associated with Celtic tradition, symbolizing the oak tree's strength and endurance during the harsh winter.

This reminds me of the strength a birthing person needs to get through the trials of labor. Just like an Oak that has to shed it's leaves and withstand the storms of winter, a birthing person must let go of preconceived ideas and plans and withstand the storm. The only way out is through. And once the winter ends the tree celebrates by becoming full and beautiful again. It may look a little different. Perhaps it lost a few branches during an ice storm, or has marks on it's bark from deers scratching their heads on it to help remove their shedding antlers. But that doesn't make the tree any less beautiful.

While the big Oak is withstanding the storms of winter, deep under the snow are it's acorns. They need the deep cold or they will not sprout in the spring. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said "The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn." This is how I feel about homebirth. Every baby that is born in the warmth and safety of their home, in a loving and respectful manner starts life in a way that is hard to match (although I have seen the same experience in the hospital, while not the norm it is possible!). I truly believe peace on Earth begins with birth. So rest while you can tiny acorns, because the world is waiting for you to emerge and make it a better place 💜🪾

11/09/2025

This is AMAZING news for parents who suffer from HG! This is a debilitating condition that lands many mothers in the hospital throughout their pregnancy, and can even result in the loss of life for mother and baby. I really hope it passes the trials and can be used soon to get these poor people some relief!

https://www.livescience.com/health/fertility-pregnancy-birth/metformin-may-prevent-severe-morning-sickness?fbclid=IwdGRjcAN91kBjbGNrA33V_WV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHpUXmj9K7sniBJGcHbExtYsEV2OQj9sIPKNHzBNcCq8ncdV7pQkwGzWQuVKA_aem_Eno_DGP3XHb2MJMZDsP2Sw

Taking the diabetes drug metformin before pregnancy may reduce the risk of debilitating morning sickness by 70%, early data hint. But a clinical trial is still needed to confirm this finding.

08/07/2025

Know your rights!

August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month! Let's strengthen our breastfeeding knowledge!

For more information on breastfeeding laws:
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pump-at-work

For information on lactation support offered at OCHD: 815-562-6976 ext 2299

07/21/2025

A HUGE congratulations to Noël Dusing for passing her NARM today!!! Please help me celebrate Illinois's newest CPM!!! I have been so blessed to be trusted by Noël to be a part of her midwifery journey. She has made me a better midwife and better person and I am thankful for her.

06/12/2025

This is a great graphic! I highly recommend physical therapy for EVERYONE person that has given birth, even if that birth ended in a c-section. Protect your future health by taking care of your body now, I promise you won't regret it!

An awesome graphic here by showing the different kinds of prolapse; including bladder, bowel and uterine!

Imagining your pelvic floor muscles as a hammock that holds up these organs is super helpful.

You can start to imagine what happens to the muscles during pregnancy, childbirth and beyond.

June is Pelvic Organ Prolapse Awareness month.

A prolapse diagnosis can be incredibly confronting for some, but there is absolutely help available so book in to a women’s health physiotherapist if you feel any dragging/bulging/heaviness or just in general if you’d like to get some amazing education around how to strengthen your pelvic floor.

Your local Kangatrainer may be able to assist with a referral as well so get in touch. 🌺

Head to https://kangatraining.com.au to find your closest class.

06/02/2025

If you have have hired me for your birth in the last three years, you likely got to meet Noël! She is an amazing midwife and I am so excited for the compassionate care she will be offering home birth families in Illinois. Let's all wish Noël congratulations on her graduation!!

Congrats Noël Dusing on your graduation!

05/17/2025

Talebi et al. (2024), in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis examining the relationship between ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption and pregnancy outcomes.⁠
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They found a direct correlation between UPF intake and increased risks of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and preterm birth...and it was dose-responsive. Diets high in UPFs were linked to inflammation, increased nutritional deficiencies, and oxidative stress.⁠
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UPFs are formulated products that undergo multiple processing steps and contain ingredients not typically found in home kitchens. These ingredients include preservatives, artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, emulsifiers, and other additives that enhance taste, texture, or shelf life.⁠
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Most of us know these as cereals, sugary snacks, flavored chips, instant noodle soups, sodas and energy drinks, hot dogs and processed meats, and a number of other products. ⁠
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You may be surprised that some are considered/marketed as "healthy."⁠
🚫Protein Bars⁠
🚫Flavored Yogurts⁠
🚫 Plant-Based Meat Alternatives⁠
🚫Cereal⁠
🚫Granola⁠
🚫Plant-Based Milk⁠
🚫Whole Grain Bread⁠
🚫Premade marinades/sauces⁠
🚫Bottled Salad Dressings⁠
🚫Baby Snacks/Foods⁠
🚫Nut Butters⁠
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