Mind, Body, Babies

04/23/2026

Absolutely

Research confirms that adoption decisions are influenced by:

• Emotional vulnerability
• Timing
• Perceived expectations
• Available support

Now picture this:

A mother has just given birth.
She is holding her baby.
And the people waiting to adopt that baby are in the room.

That changes the emotional environment instantly.

Because now her decision is no longer private.
It is being witnessed.
Felt.
Carried by others’ hopes.

Even without a single word being said, the pressure is there.

Research calls this process emotionally complex and deeply tied to circumstance.

This is exactly the kind of circumstance that shapes outcomes.

A mother should not have to process her own attachment, recovery, and decision while also holding someone else’s expectations in the same space.

That is not ethical.
That is pressure.

Protecting mothers means protecting that space.



Sources:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324851233_The_Relationship_Between_Time_and_Birth_Mother_Satisfaction_With_Relinquishment

11/07/2025

This isn't new information to me, but I'm glad it's being studied

Decades of research have shown that round-the-clock fetal monitoring does not reliably predict fetal distress, and experts say it leads to many unnecessary surgeries. But it’s still used in nearly every birth in the U.S. because of business and legal concerns, a New York Times investigation found. https://nyti.ms/3WF7yLx

10/05/2025

This is amazing!

09/19/2025

Postpartum Support Group tomorrow in Waukee!

Tomorrow is New Moms Social Hour! If you see that our location, Waukee Wellness, is closed, don't worry! Moms group is still happening. The Chiropractic team is away at a conference but we are still having group feom 10am-11am.

08/06/2025

Happy World Breastfeeding Week!

07/29/2025

This is a great organization if you need any help with items during pregnancy or for your new baby!

📣 Exciting News — New Extended Hours!

Starting Monday, August 4th, we’re expanding our hours to better serve our clients and volunteers! 🎉

🕘 New Hours:
Monday: 9 AM - 6 PM!
Tuesday: 9 AM - 3 PM
Wednesday: 9 AM - 4 PM
Thursday: 9 AM - 3 PM
Friday: 9 AM - Noon
Sunday: Noon - 2 PM

We’re excited to offer more flexibility for families picking up items and for volunteers looking to serve. Whether you’re stopping by for support or lending a helping hand — we’re here for you!

Thank you for being part of the Mary’s Helping Hands community 💛

07/11/2025

Her work definitely influenced my parenting style and desire to do this work -- RIP 💔

Hello everyone. Matthew here (one of Dr. Bill and Martha’s sons). I am greatly saddened to share that our precious Mom has passed away. Martha had lived with a chronic lung disease for most of her life, and in recent years it had taken an increasingly harder toll on her health. On June 28th, Martha passed away peacefully in her sleep.

Her home has been filled to the brim with kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids this past week as we have been spending a beautiful time together celebrating her incredible life and legacy. We’ve been reflecting on all the lessons that she taught us kids through her example of what it means to be a parent, lessons which she also loved to share with so many others through her teaching and writing. She often referred to this as her ministry – a ministry that now lives on through each of us kids, as well as through each and every one of you who she impacted in so many ways.

Thank you all for the outpouring of love our family has already received. We have been so comforted by the beautiful and inspiring memories of Martha's impact on countless families around the world. To the world she was known as Nurse Martha, childbirth educator, lactation consultant, attachment parenting advocate, author, and soulmate to Dr. Bill for 60 years.

To us kids, she was simply Mom.

We love you, Mom. Thank you for everything.

06/19/2025

Great support group for postpartum moms right here in Waukee!

Join us tomorrow!

10am-11am New Moms Social Hour
Waukee Wellness & Chiropractic
No RSVP Necessary!

06/15/2025

Happy Father's Day!

06/08/2025

I was so excited to see fellow birth workers and medical providers that I get the privilage to work alongside at the Pride Parade today in Des Moines. I support ALL individuals/families and will not tolerate hatred -- love is love! ❤️🩷🧡💛💚💙🩵💜

05/27/2025

I'd love to help you build a village!

there used to be a village.
a neighbor to rock the baby.
a sister to drop off dinner.
a friend to fold the laundry while you cried.

now?
it’s just us.
alone with our babies,
with our thoughts,
with our lists that never end.

we weren’t meant to do it this way.
but we do.
every single day.

we carry the weight, the worry, the wonder.
we break down, and still show up.
we love so hard it hurts.

maybe the world changed.
but the need for community didn’t.
so if you’ve got even a little to give,
be someone’s village.
and if you need one,
don’t be afraid to say so.

we weren’t made to do this alone.
and we don’t have to keep pretending we’re okay when we’re not.

©Christina Stanley