Audrey Muto Women's Health and Wellness

03/21/2021

“They told you about the contractions, but did they tell you about the expansion? Did they tell you how your body would open to make way for the whole universe to pass through? Did they tell you how your heart would explode with a love bigger than anything you’ve ever known as you pulled your baby to your chest?

They told you about the ring of fire but did they tell you about the crown of stars?

Did they mention that there’s a moment when your baby enters the world and you leave your body and touch the heavens and become the light of a million galaxies? Did they tell you how the pain of stretching to receive your child would be more exquisite than any sensation you’ve felt?

They told you would scream but did they tell you about how you would roar? Did they tell you about the power that would rise up from your belly as you called your baby forth with your mighty voice? Did they tell you how you would embody the wild woman within you and breathe fire with your song?

They told you would bleed, but did they tell you how that sacred blood wouldn’t scare you? How you would feel grateful for that magical liquid of life as it trickled down your leg- how you would honor its flow and how it would help you heal a lifetime of hating your body’s bleeding cycles.
They told these stories and taught you to fear birth, to fear your power, to fear yourself. But you’re stronger and wiser than that mama. You know that birth is your divine dance, your soul’s song, your moment with God, and you walk fearlessly into her open arms”.

~ Catie Atkinson of Spirit Y Sol
www.spiritysol.com

Art by Amanda Greavette Fine Art
www.amandagreavette.com

03/20/2020

I’m deeply curious about this: On the one hand, I see this as an opportunity to de-medicalize birth and better integrate out-of-hospital providers into the healthcare system (including getting their services paid for with insurance!). On the other, as someone who recently had a homebirth, and who used to practice in a free standing birth center, I know the importance of knowing and trusting your OOH provider, and emotionally/physically/psychologically preparing to give birth outside the hospital with no medication. I am hopeful for the best possible outcomes 🤞🏼

As pregnant women across the country wrestle with anxieties about hospital deliveries during the pandemic, midwifery practices are reporting a significant uptick in requests for help with home births.

02/25/2020

All right, I’m intrigued. The gamer I live with is all in 😝

The technology eases the strain of labor, scientists say

07/06/2019

“Labor is basically a really long workout that you can’t quit in the middle of.”
-Expecting Better

06/11/2019

❤️ this image!

witness this moment play out in real life each day.

A moment that moves mountains and simultaneously calms seas.

A moment that words cannot do justice yet, somehow together, marks a completion and a beginning.

Every birth and every birthing person deserve to be heard and to receive the care and experience they desire.

A is ready to be there.

Photo by

04/17/2019

Such a beautiful quote from Joy Kusek. 😍

09/18/2018

It’s not just human mamas that struggle!

Being a future mom and feeling a new life growing inside you is such a special time. These mommies may look like they are not very impressed with their current shape, but they all look absolutely adorable. [[ad]] We at Smalljoys believe that all babies are beautiful, no matter if it’s a child, a p...

07/21/2018

One of the recommendations in here is to find a childbirth prep class that isn’t outcome focused. Of course I’d like to make a shoutout to my roots - Birthing From Within, but I also recently started facilitating CenteringPregnancy and am loving the way it exposes parents to lots of different experiences and ideas and stories.

How to pluck your self worth away from your body's functions. In birth and in life.

06/27/2018

Yes! Doulas work hard for their clients and offer a type of care that is unique and that no one else on your team can offer. Even if your partner/family/Midwife/Doctor/nurse are all amazing, they still have other jobs to do, other patients/clients to see/may rotate out at the end of their shifts, or are processing their own experiences. A doula is there just for you and your family and provides her perspective, support and continuity of care throughout your birthing process! Don’t skimp when it comes to a doula! Pay them what they’re worth!

How to afford a Doula

04/26/2018

“When a woman gives birth, she has to reach down inside herself and give more than she thought she had. The limits of her existence are stretched. There is a moment when every woman thinks, “I can‘t do this.” If she is lucky, she has a midwife, a doula or her mom to whisper in her ear, “You are doing it.” As she does it, she becomes someone new: a mother.” – Pam Udy

03/19/2018

I'm annoyed that we're still "proving" this:

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Ad lib oral intake during labor does not increase maternal or neonatal adverse outcomes compared with allowing women nothing by mouth during labor, according to a study published in the March issue of the American Journal of Nursing.

03/18/2018

Thank god: 104*F baths are okay...for about 20 min.

If you're pregnant and want to exercise in warm weather or take hot baths or short saunas, that's safe, according to new research.