Parenthood in Bloom

01/24/2026

01/18/2026

Tomorrow!

01/17/2026

01/16/2026

Crazy how time flies, even from my perspective! This little one is already almost 6 months 🥹

01/14/2026

The Ohio Commission on Minority Health, also referred to as the Commission, awarded the Mahoning County Health Department $440,000 in grant funding.

01/09/2026

In complete and utter honesty, this was the most anxiety-inducing delivery I have personally supported.

Watching a mother roar her baby into the next field of consciousness is indescribable, but there are plenty of births that shape us for other reasons. I’d wager that most doulas would agree that every birth story sticks with them; we carry parts of these labors and deliveries, whether phenomenal or devastating.

I love this work that I do, and the 3 AM wake-up calls send a rush of adrenaline that I’d attribute to excitement.

“Excitement” is not the word I would use this time, though.

Mom called me in the middle of the day after a regularly scheduled 36 week appointment. Immediately the distress in her voice let me know something was wrong. Baby scored a 2/8 on their biophysical profile, also known as a BPP, and the family was heading to L&D for an emergency cesarean.

What is a BPP? A biophysical profile measures the baby’s health during pregnancy by assessing five key areas: fetal breathing movements, gross body movements, muscle tone, amniotic fluid volume, and heart rate. These are more likely to be utilized in high risk patients as an added layer of surveillance.

Unfortunately, I was not able to make it to the hospital before the procedure began (swift surgery but also it was absolutely dumping buckets this day ⛈️). Instead, I wound up in the waiting room, which seemed like maybe where I was meant to be at that moment anyways, as I quickly found concerned grandparents praying for good news. People often think doulas are just for the birthing person, however that’s not totally true! We support the whole family – including your familial support!

Not the smoothest PACU recovery for mom or baby, but happy tears flew from all when we learned that mom and this long awaited baby were both okay.

Recent update says they just had a wonderful first holiday season as a newly expanded family 🤍

01/02/2026

What is vernix caseosa?

Vernix caseosa, also known simply as “vernix” or sometimes colloquially as “wow look at that cheesy baby,” is the waxy off-white substance found coating the skin of some newborn babies. Most babies have at least a small amount of vernix, but some come out heavily covered like this one!

What is the purpose of vernix?

Vernix is a protective coating on the skin that acts as a natural moisturizer, lubricant for birth, antimicrobial barrier, and temperature regulator. This helps the baby adapt from the womb to the outside world by protecting skin from amniotic fluid and supporting healthy skin development and immune function. 

Should you wipe the vernix off after delivery? No!

The World Health Organization (WHO) and others actually recommend allowing the vernix to absorb naturally, excluding certain circumstances like infection or excess meconium. Because of this recommendation, most facilities delay first bath for at least 6 hours after delivery, with many exceeding 24 hours. Some families even decline first bath all together and wait until they are home to bathe baby themselves.

One thing to note is that many healthcare providers manually stimulate babies with dry towels after birth, and this can look like they are deliberately wiping vernix off. Just be sure to speak up and keep reminding them that the vernix is to stay on baby. You can also opt to stimulate baby yourself circumstances permitting:

•Being skin-to-skin
•Rubbing back and chest with your hands
•Talking, singing, humming, laughing

12/31/2025

It has been a wildly busy year between my personal and professional lives, but a year of growth nonetheless! I think 2026 will look a little different for me, and I hope you’re all excited to see some of the changes coming from Parenthood in Bloom and the services we provide to the Mahoning Valley 🌿

12/28/2025

Cesareans can be such an emotionally charged tool in our bag for a variety of reasons, but one of those is because it can often feel disconnected. You’re physically separated from your child by a partition, and not uncommonly, haven’t been asked about any of your preferences. But did you know there are things you can request to help you feel better connected to the birth of your child?

If you’re seeking a more connected cesarean experience, you may consider these options:
• Partner and/or doula to be present at all times (including during prep, transfer, and PACU)
• Clear, lowered, or no drape
• ECG leads on back
• No restraints
• No excess sedation unless absolutely necessary
• Nausea management that doesn’t make you drowsy
• Mother-assisted delivery
• Immediate skin-to-skin*
• Music or other audio files
• Affirmations

*Hospitals are reluctant to put baby skin-to-skin with mom right away, but the reality is that in most circumstances baby is not required to be kept in a sterile zone and first checks including suction and masking can be completed on moms chest. There are few legitimate reasons preventing baby from going straight to mom instead of the warmer. Measurements can wait!!

Immediate skin-to-skin is incredibly important for multiple things, from breastfeeding success to reduced risk of hemorrhaging — it’s a no brainer that it should be high on the list of priorities!

Pictured we see a fantastic nurse that helped baby latch while mom was being stitched up. It’s something I wish we could see in every cesarean when breastfeeding is the goal.

Ask for and encourage your it — it can truly make a difference!

12/23/2025

Consent can sound like many things but consent is always:
🤗 Freely given
🔄 Reversible
💡 Informed
🎉 Enthusiastic
📍 Specific