Sat, 01 Aug 2026 13:14:09 -0700WeeblySat, 01 Aug 2026 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.blessedeventbirth.com/evidencebasedcareinpregnancyandbirth/reasons-to-consider-water-birthIf you’ve spent any time exploring home birth, you’ve likely seen photos of serene laboring mothers submerged in birthing tubs, surrounded by soft lighting and calm water. Water birth is often thought of as “crunchy” —a nice-to-have luxury for people who want a gentle vibe. But as a home birth midwife, I can tell you that the birthing tub is so much more than a relaxing setup. It is a powerful, evidence-based tool that supports human physiology, enhances clinical safety, and provides comfort when labor reaches its peak intensity.

The Midwife’s Epidural
Warm water isn’t just comforting; it actively changes how your body processes labor. When you step into a birthing tub warmed to body temperature (around 98-100F), your nervous system undergoes an immediate shift:

• Adrenaline Drops, Oxytocin Soars: High stress or anxiety releases adrenaline, which can slow down contractions or make them feel more sharp. Warm water calms the sympathetic nervous system, allowing your body to produce steady, effective oxytocin—the hormone responsible for labor progress.
• The Gate Control Theory of Pain: Water temperature stimulates the thermal receptors in your skin. These thermal signals travel to your brain faster than pain signals from uterine contractions, effectively "blocking" or softening the intensity of the pain.
• Weightlessness and Mobility: Buoyancy reduces your body weight by up to 90%. This buoyancy takes immense pressure off your joints and pelvis, making it significantly easier to shift positions, squat, or kneel—allowing your pelvis to open optimally for baby's descent.

Protecting the Perineum
One of the greatest clinical advantages of water birth occurs during the pushing stage. Warm water increases blood circulation to the pelvic floor muscles and perineal tissues. This increased blood flow acts as a natural tissue softener, allowing the perineum to stretch more easily and gently as your baby’s head moves through the birth canal. Studies show that laboring and delivering in water is associated with a reduced rate of severe perineal tearing (third- and fourth-degree tears), providing a natural cushion of support without the need for routine interventions.

Gentle Transition for Baby
A common worry parents express is: "Won't my baby try to breathe under the water?" It is a completely logical question! Fortunately, healthy, unmedicated babies born in water have a series of remarkable built-in physiological protections:

1. The "Diving Reflex": Babies are surrounded by amniotic fluid for nine months. When they emerge into warm water, their lungs do not automatically trigger a breath because the temperature and fluid environment mimic the womb.
2. Placental Oxygen: Your baby continues to receive oxygen through the intact umbilical cord for several minutes after birth.
3. Temperature Trigger: A baby’s breathing reflex is triggered primarily by a change in temperature and contact with air.

The moment your baby is born underwater, they are safely and gently brought to the surface and placed directly onto your chest. That first breath happens in the warm air, right in your arms.

When Not to Use Water
True clinical competency means knowing when a tool is helpful—and when it’s time to change tactics. While water birth is wonderfully safe for low-risk, healthy pregnancies, there are moments where we might ask you to step out of the tub:

• Slowing Labor: Occasionally, entering the tub too early (before active labor is firmly established) can relax your body so deeply that contractions slow down. If this happens, we simply step out, move around, and let labor regain its momentum.
• Clinical Red Flags: If we detect signs of fetal distress, heavy bleeding, or a sudden spike in maternal blood pressure, we will calmly assist you out of the tub so we can monitor or manage the situation on a flat, firm surface.
• Water Temperature Concerns: If you begin to run a fever or if the tub water cannot stay at a safe, regulated temperature, stepping out is the safest choice for both you and baby.

Water birth isn't a requirement for a beautiful home birth. Some women love the idea of water and spend hours submerged; others get in for twenty minutes, decide they hate it, and get right back out! As your midwife, my role is to provide you with options and  to maintain a safe birth environment for you and baby. Whether you end up giving birth in a tub, on your bed, or standing up in your living room, the ultimate goal remains the same: a safe, and empowered journey for you and your baby.

Sources: 
www.google.com/search?q=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23218567/
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29768662/
www.google.com/search?q=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27008129/
]]>Wed, 15 Jul 2026 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.blessedeventbirth.com/evidencebasedcareinpregnancyandbirth/pregnancy-and-kansas-summerKansas weather in the summer has a few random settings: broil, bake, sauna, and roast. ☀️🥵
When you are growing a human, your baseline body temperature is already elevated, making it a little more work to keep your cool, but a few proactive, preventative measures can keep you and your baby comfortable and thriving.
Here are my top recommendations for navigating the Kansas summer heat safely.

Timing and Environment: 

• Own the Morning: Shift your outdoor activities, walks, or errands to the early morning hours before the sun hits its peak.
• Embrace the AC: Now is the time to enjoy all the air conditioning you can get. If you don't have central air, set up a high-powered fan in your main living spaces to keep the air moving.
• Seek the Shade: If you have to be outside, make the shade your best friend.
• Dress for Breathability: Swap tight or synthetic materials for loose, lightweight clothing made of natural fibers like cotton or linen that allow your skin to breathe.

Hydration & Creative Cooling:
Staying well-hydrated is a non-negotiable partnership between you and your body during pregnancy, as dehydration can trigger early contractions.

• Level Up Your Hydration: Keep a water bottle with you at all times, and consider freezing fruit or reaching for popsicles as a delicious way to keep your core temperature down.
• Get in Touch with Your Inner Child: If you are outdoors, don't be afraid to play! Walk through a sprinkler to cool off, sit in a wading pool, or at least stick your feet in one.
• Use a Cooling Towel: Keeping a damp, cold towel draped around your neck or wrists can instantly lower your perceived body temperature.

Clinical Safety:
Part of being safe means being knowledgeable about how your body handles extreme heat. Pregnant women are much more susceptible to heat exhaustion.

Be mindful of the early signs of heat-related illness. If you start having any of the following symptoms, get into the air conditioning immediately and drink cool water:

• Excessive Sweating: Sweating heavily or feeling clammy.
• Fatigue: Feeling unusually tired, weak, or completely drained.
• Dizziness: Feeling lightheaded or unsteady on your feet.
• Nausea: Experiencing a sudden upset stomach or waves of nausea.

Midwife Rule of Thumb: If you move into the AC, hydrate, and these symptoms do not improve within an hour—or if they progress to vomiting, a racing pulse, or confusion—Go to the ER immediately.

Pregnancy during the summer requires a little extra grace and a slower pace. By listening to your body, prioritizing rest, and using these simple tools, you can safely enjoy the summer months while protecting your and your baby’s wellness.


​]]>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMThttps://www.blessedeventbirth.com/evidencebasedcareinpregnancyandbirth/travel-during-pregnancy Many of my clients take trips during pregnancy, whether for  fun or out of necessity. Traveling while pregnant—especially in the third trimester—is completely doable, but it does require a bit of extra intention to keep you and your baby comfortable and safe.

If you're prepping to hit the road or take to the skies, here is a quick checklist to help you:
👉 If you’re flying: Check your airline’s specific policies. Some have firm gestational cut-offs or require an official travel letter from your midwife or provider. 
👉 If you’re driving: Plan your route with safety in mind. Keep a running list of the addresses of hospitals along your way that offer labor and delivery services. 
👉 Keep things moving: Whether on a plane or at a rest stop, make it a point to get up and walk around for 15–20 minutes every 90 minutes to two hours. This is a vital preventative measure for circulation! 
👉 Put your feet up: When you stop for a meal, find a spot to elevate your feet to help keep third-trimester swelling down. 
👉 Fuel & Hydrate: Pack nutritious snacks (think nuts, jerky, and fresh fruit) and bring electrolyte packs like LMNT to mix into your water. Staying well-hydrated is key to avoiding premature contractions and fatigue.
​
Having a solid plan and a few simple essentials on hand will make traveling easier on your body, letting you focus on the journey.



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​]]>Mon, 15 Jun 2026 08:00:00 GMThttps://www.blessedeventbirth.com/evidencebasedcareinpregnancyandbirth/colicColic is intense, inconsolable crying in an otherwise healthy infant for no apparent reason. It’s typically diagnosed using the "Rule of 3's": crying for more than three hours a day, at least three days a week, for three or more weeks. While exhausting for parents, it is harmless and usually resolves by 3 to 4 months of age.
Key Signs

• Predictable Timing: Episodes often occur in the late afternoon or evening.
  
• Intense Distress: The crying sounds like screaming or pain and is resistant to soothing.
  
• Physical Tension: Babies may clench their fists, arch their backs, pass gas, or pull their legs toward their bellies.
  

Potential CausesWhile the exact cause is unknown, factors may include an underdeveloped digestive system, food sensitivities (such as cow’s milk protein), or an immature nervous system. 
Effective Soothing Techniques

• Movement & Touch: Try rocking, swaying, skin-to-skin contact, or a car ride.
  
• Physical Relief: Gentle clockwise stomach massages, frequent burping, and holding the baby upright can ease gas discomfort.
  

Other things to try to help baby

• Gripe water
  
• Infant drops for gas such as Baby Mylicon
  
• Dietary changes if breastfeeding.  If the food causes gas in Mom, it may in baby as well.  Sometimes stopping dairy can help too. 
  
• Chiropractic care for baby
  

Sources: 
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10823-colic
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/colic/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20371081
https://americanpregnancy.org/postpartum/colic/

]]>Mon, 01 Jun 2026 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.blessedeventbirth.com/evidencebasedcareinpregnancyandbirth/midwifery-is6459510Midwifery is so much more than catching babies.

Midwifery is dashing out the door to attend a birth at a moment's notice.
Midwifery is gambling that there won't be a birth when you have a medical appointment for yourself scheduled.
Midwifery is constantly learning, whether it's to keep up with the very latest recommendations, or researching something a client is experiencing.
Midwifery is telling clients hard things, sharing findings that may be serious.
Midwifery is providing options and letting clients decide what option is best for them.
Midwifery is acknowledging the grief of a birth not going how it was initially planned.
Midwifery is holding space for clients to express fear, pain, frustration.
Midwifery is holding back your own emotions so clients can fully express their emotions.
​Midwifery is handing a client tissues as they cry.
Midwifery is crying with clients when things are hard.
Midwifery is answering questions.
Midwifery is educating clients about what is happening with their bodies.
Midwifery is time freezing as you look into baby's eyes in the first moments after birth.
Midwifery is celebrating the amazing joy that birth brings.
Midwifery is walking with parents through the hardest times imaginable.
Midwifery is more than a job, it’s a lifestyle.

Midwifery is both the most demanding job I’ve ever had and the most rewarding job I’ve ever had.

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