The phone rang while I was getting dinner started. An expectant dad was calling to see if he could set up for a last minute placenta encapsulation for his wife who was currently in labor. Yes! We set the wheels in motion... but...

​One of my recent clients wanted to share her success story using Hypnobabies and One Strong Mama among other strategies for anyone looking for answers and wrestling with what to do after a previous fourth degree tear.

​My client's story:

4 years ago I had a 4th degree tear. Labor was not productive, no coaching or support from staff, I didn’t have doula, got an epidural, labored/pushed on my back, pushed for 2+ hours, received an episiotomy, and baby was 9 pounds, 13 ounces which all led to the 4th degree tear.

​by Anne Ferguson

Hypnobabies Moms: Use your Bubble of Peace if you choose to read this.

This morning I was driving home from visiting a client and I was listening to an excellent Evidence Based Birth® podcast episode called "The Wide-Reaching Effects of Birth Trauma." It got me thinking about my own experiences of birth trauma (that I've witnessed as a doula) and my goals for all the students and clients I work with. 

​In Hypnobabies we teach that your mind controls your body completely. What you focus on and spend time thinking about is typically what comes to pass. Of course with birth there are other factors and just positive thinking alone will not create a perfect, easier birth. It takes a lot of physical and mental preparation and a very supportive team to have an intervention-free birth. And for a variety of reasons out of our control, some people will need a more medicalized birth or even a surgical birth and it's wonderful we have those options in the cases where they are needed! 

But today I want to share two examples of the amazing power of the mind to create your birth experience! One story shows how we can use this to our benefit and one shows how our subconscious mind can hold us back when we don't feel safe and supported. 

In Hypnobabies we talk about creating a "birth preferences" document to share with your care provider. I think doing this is a great idea for a few reasons:
1) It gets the birthing person and their partner/support people on the same page.
2) It's a great tool to share with your hypno-doula so she can work to help make this birth YOUR dream birth. A good doula leaves her personal preferences at the door and works hard to help you achieve your goals. 
3) Despite some concerns to the contrary within the birth world, in my experience health care providers, especially nurses and midwives, DO read them and try to help their clients get as many of their preferences as they can. 

Check out this amazing birth plan one of my student recently created and scroll down to read why I think it's amazing!

Urban Nettle Post-Natal Products
by Katharine Ostrowski

Post-birth care is the most forgotten part of pregnancy. The entire time we are carrying babe we are focused on taking care of our bodies to grow our future little one. But when baby exits the womb self-care regimens go out the window as does caring for ourselves. We at Urban Nettle are here to help rejuvenate mom and send her on the road to recovery! Choose from personalized at-home care, DIY vaginal or c-section birth repair kits or individual products based on your post-natal body’s needs. From Nipple Butter to (Baby)ware baby bottom cream there’s an option for every moms' postnatal care needs!

To See Collection or Purchase: Go ONLINE @ https://urbannettle.com/shop/

Katharine is available for Herb Consults via ZOOM for people all over the country!

​Options Include:

• Vaginal Birth Package
• C-Section Birth Package
• Nipple Butter
• Postpartum Herbal Sitz and Peri-Wash
• Postpartum Herbal Teas  
• and much more!

Note on Ingredients: All our products are made by hand with products that are either organically grown, wild foraged or locally purveyed. All our salve bases use organic sunflower seed oil from Wisconsin and beeswax from local farms. 

It is with mixed emotions that I announce a change to our placenta encapsulation team here at Bywater Birth. Angela Callais is transitioning out of birth work having recently finished school to become a therapist. We will miss her but wish her SO well in the next phase of her journey! She is amazing and we will share information about her practice and website when it is available. 

Replacing Angela is Kelly Rae Garland. We are thrilled to add Kelly Rae to our team. With this change our clients can continue to expect the fast, safe and professional service Bywater Birth has been known for since 2011. Please enjoy getting to know Kelly Rae!

​Kelly Rae Garland began her journey into birth work after her own birth of her son, River Dakota. She trained with Debra Pascali-Bonaro through DONA in New York City. She quickly realized that she wanted to become a midwife but wasn’t sure exactly which path was right for her. She began nursing school and after a year realized that wasn’t her path. She found a holistic midwifery school that aligned with her ideals and model of care that she wanted to provide. Kelly has worked with a number of home birth midwives in the Twin Cities. She is also a CLEC, placenta specialist, an herbalist, aromatherapist and reiki master. She has also taken Spinning Babies workshops. Her goal is to empower, to protect, nurture and educate every birthing person she has the honor of working with.  She has a deep understanding of the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a laboring person and encourages them to take responsibility for their care.

By Anne Ferguson

I made this omelet just this morning for myself... it is a great way to start the day for anyone, not just during pregnancy!

Pregnant folks know the importance of getting the right nutrients during pregnancy to grow your baby and also keep your own body healthy. My Hypnobabies students learn about the importance of healthy fats, lots of protein, and enough vitamins and minerals through nutrition (and supplements as needed) to assist moms in staying healthy and low risk so they will have the most choices available to them during their birthing time.

Today I wanted to share my favorite way to get in a serving of veggies, protein (including eggs!) and healthy fat first thing every morning to start your day off right. I promise making omelets is much easier than you think! 

​Whether you are having your first baby or your fifth, many expectant parents worry about the early weeks and months after baby's arrival. And for good reason. Up to 80% of new parents experience the baby blues, which are defined as a normal adjustment period in the first 2-3 weeks after birth that resolve without treatment. But 15-20% of new parents will have more serious issues with Postpartum Mood Disorders (PPMDs), both depression and anxiety. 

First and foremost, if you or someone you love is dealing with potential postpartum anxiety or depression, make sure to reach out for help immediately. In the Twin Cities we have Pregnancy and Postpartum Support Minnesota which can connect folks with support including health care professionals when needed.

If you are currently pregnant and want to explore ways to prevent or minimize postpartum mood disorders, read on!