Borealis Midwifery Services

03/10/2026

Life is such a miraculous thing 🥹❤️

11/11/2025

Have you ever been told that you can’t eat or drink in labor? 🤔

The midwifery model of care challenges this practice in mainstream obstetrics. Research has proven that the practice of withholding food or hydration from low risk laboring mothers has no real benefit. In fact, midwives encourage you to eat and drink during your labor to support the big work your body is doing. That work spends calories and we need to be putting gas into the tank if we are expecting your body to function effectively and safely.

Fasting for prolonged periods or during high energy activities (such as labor) leads to a condition called “ketosis”. Hello ketogenic diet! You are not for labor! During ketosis, your blood becomes more acidic in an effort to utilize fat stores for energy. If the energy does not come from food, it will come from your body tissue.

Ketosis can lead to symptoms such as: muscle cramps, dehydration, headache, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting.

The mainstream medical reasoning behind withholding food is to prevent inhaling of stomach contents if you were to be placed under general anesthesia during your labor. Although, most of us today understand that even in emergent cases, a cesarean is almost always carried out using spinal anesthesia removing this aspiration risk since the mother is awake for the procedure.

I always tell my clients that energy is our most important resource in labor. Anyone that has been attended by me during their labor knows I will stick a spoonful of applesauce or yogurt or a straw with your favorite drink in your mouth between contractions. This may seem like a basic and perhaps mundane part of labor, but preserving your energy is one of my larger priorities.

Just because it is mainstream and “normal” doesn’t mean it’s right. Below I have attached some of the benefits that have been found from research surrounding this very topic.

In a low risk client pursuing a home birth, withholding food doesn’t make sense.

11/06/2025

🤣 that’s one way to reposition them! Haha

11/06/2025

Amniotic fluid is pretty magical stuff! Did you know this?

Did you know?

11/02/2025

Now THAT’S body building 🤣❤️

The REAL bodybuilders! 😊

10/31/2025

They always gotta sleep when we’re busy 🤣 but in all seriousness, the house work can wait. Your most important work postpartum is healing and bonding with your baby.

10/31/2025

Now that’s pretty funny 🤣 Stay safe out there at your births tonight ladies! Hopefully no Gotham villains are on the loose! 🎃👻💀

In 2017, Dr. Paul Locus was attending a Halloween party dressed as the Joker when he was urgently called to deliver a baby. Despite his costume, he rushed straight to the hospital to perform the delivery.

Dr. Locus, an obstetrician from Tennessee, had been celebrating Halloween with friends when one of his patients went into labor earlier than expected. Without time to change out of his makeup and wig, he hurried to the hospital in full Joker attire, white face paint, smeared red lips, and green hair, to deliver a healthy baby girl. The moment was captured in a now-viral photo showing the doctor, still in character, holding the newborn in his arms.

The parents later recalled that the situation, while surreal, brought unexpected humor and warmth to an intense moment. Dr. Locus reportedly apologized to them for his appearance, but they insisted it made the experience unforgettable, even joking that their daughter had been delivered by Gotham’s most notorious villain.

The image quickly spread across social media, symbolizing the dedication and humanity of healthcare workers who drop everything for their patients, no matter the circumstances. It became a lighthearted story of professionalism meeting Halloween spirit, proving that compassion can shine through even behind face paint.

Added fact: The photo was shared thousands of times worldwide, and Dr. Locus later delivered the same family’s next child, this time in regular scrubs.

Historydictionary:

Obstetrician — A doctor specializing in pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care, responsible for ensuring the safety and health of both mother and baby during delivery.

10/27/2025

Fundal massage is a special kind of torture it seems! The injustice! 🤣😭

10/26/2025

The chances of a public water breaking event are slim… but never zero 🤣😜

10/22/2025

Alaska Friends:

Due to the recent government shutdown, more than 66,000 Alaskans are unlikely to receive their SNAP benefits this coming month citing lack of funding as the reason. Currently, 1 in 10 Alaskans receive some sort of SNAP benefits in many various amounts and for many reasons. Loss of this public service can have devastating impacts on food insecure families. Please note that if you are a food insecure individual, there is help available for you. Please do not go hungry yourself or allow your children or elderly family members to go hungry. Reach out to your local charities or contact me if you need resources and I can point you in the direction of assistance if you are impacted by this unfortunate circumstance. Midwives often keep a running list of ways to help local families with these types of very serious needs.

Pregnant and/or breastfeeding mothers and their children under five may qualify for the Alaska Women, Infants, Children program or Alaska WIC. As of now, WIC is open and serving the community. Local churches and synagogues have been collecting donations for the Food Bank of Alaska.

Food insecurity in pregnancy and early childhood is a very serious problem as it can have health and education impacts that last a lifetime. If it seems nobody cares about your situation today, please know that I care. Do not hesitate to reach out and ask for direction if you're in need of resources to feed your family. It doesn't matter if you're a past client, current client, or just a fellow community member. If you need resources, please ask me and I will keep tabs on what local organizations are there to help. People still care about those of us that have fallen on hard times during this government shutdown and we want to help.

I am attaching the website with information for the Alaska WIC program so you can see if your family qualifies. The food insecure, pregnant and nursing, elderly, disabled, and children of Alaska affected by the shutdown and recent storm Halong remain in my constant thoughts and prayers. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you need resources. I am happy to help connect you to them.

Program for nutrition, breastfeeding support, and essential services

10/20/2025

Be nice to yourself! It’s so much change so quickly!

10/20/2025

Ever had a tour of a placenta before? One of my lovely placenta mamas graciously allowed me to post her placenta tour! All the parts and how it works! Any questions?