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    • Brooke Ray, Certified Nurse Midwife
    • Sunshine Chrispeels, Licensed Midwife
    • Joanna Bronkema, Certified Nurse Midwife
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San Diego Midwife – Mother to Mother Midwifery

San Diego Midwife – Mother to Mother midwifery is an experience home birth practice with CNMs and a Licensed Midwife.

Class – Riding the Postpartum Waves

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Office: 619.220.8189
On-Call: 619.297.BABY

These are by far the best care providers I've ever had in any field. The gift they gave me was excellent woman based health care and an education on healthy pregnancy and birth. All of this nurtured the woman I am and the mother I've become. Thank you more than words, Mother to Mother Midwives.

~ Catherine Jones,
mother of four

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mothertomothermidwifery

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Home birth midwives caring for families in San Diego, California.
Sunshine Chrispeels, LM
Brooke Ray, CNM
Joanna Brokema, CNM
619.220.8189

Mother To Mother Midwifery

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Feb 17

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There’s no place like home 💕 ⁣ ⁣ It’s hard to fully describe the difference between typical OB care and hospital birth and the care of an experienced and passionate midwifery team. ⁣ ⁣ We can tell you about our services; that in addition to the standard prenatal care and labs, we offer personalized, holistic care. We talk about nutrition, fetal positioning and body balancing. We talk about emotionally and spiritually preparing for your experience. We really get to know you so that we can honor your experience and preferences. ⁣ ⁣ What’s harder to describe is the pure beauty and bliss of feeling safe supported and empowered during your pregnancy and birth. What it means to birth from the comfort and safety of your home fully supported and cared for. The feeling of looking down and seeing your baby emerge and feeling how powerful and amazing you truly are.⁣ ⁣ That’s something you just have to experience for yourself... we hope we’re there to support and witness you in all your homebirth glory. ⁣ ⁣ #noplacelikehome #sandiegohomebirth #homebirthmidwife #mothertomothermidwifery⁣
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mothertomothermidwifery

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Jan 20

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Repost: @heartofgoldbirth • Who did it? Where was it? How many times, overt and subtle, over the course of your lifetime? The seed that was planted that birth was something to be feared. That your capacity to birth was questioned and doubted. The horror stories. Tales of intolerable pain. Sweeping stories of victims and heroes. You have been led astray. For whilst certainly all those things exist in birth, they are not the full story. The truth is much more compelling. The real story about birth is that the vast majority of the time: it works. Our bodies, our babies, are built for birth. It’s inherent in the design. This is as true for the elephants we watch and cheer on; and giraffes; and kittens (insert any other mammal)... And it is true. for. us. The primary difference is that we doubt our capacity, because, in part, we get into our heads, and we let others in as well. The truth is that we are wildly capable, and indescribably powerful. And that our self-limiting beliefs are learned, and we can therefor unpack, challenge, and unlearn them. Self-fulfilling prophesies work both ways, right?, so where will you focus your energy and attention? I keep thinking of some meme I saw which said something like: I’m much more interested in the stories where the women/folks realized they didn’t need saving, and just fucking got to work dismantling the patriarchal nonsense that kept them playing small. ⚡️✨ . . . Epic 📸 by @jandb_photos #birth #homebirth #midwife #trustbirth #trusttheprocess #birthworks #magic #labor #pregnancy #birthright #midwiferyforall #sandiegohomebirth
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mothertomothermidwifery

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Jan 16

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Did you know that the midwifery model of care is also for health and wellness needs?⁣ ⁣ We offer holistic, person centered, trauma informed care in a comfortable home-like environment. ⁣ ⁣ Come see us for:⁣ Pap Smear and HPV testing⁣ ⁣ STI testing, prescription, and partner treatment⁣ ⁣ Breast health: clinical breast exam, referral + interpretation of mammofram and ultrasound⁣ ⁣ Natural Family Planning⁣ ⁣ Birth Control: pill, patch, ring⁣ ⁣ Placement and removal of long acting contraceptives (IUD + implant)⁣ ⁣ Pregnancy confirmation⁣ ⁣ *Urgent Care *⁣ We also offer same day appointments for:⁣ ⁣ Urinary tract infection (UTI) and antibiotic prescription⁣ ⁣ Acute yeast or bacterial vaginal infections testing + prescriptions⁣ ⁣ Other urgent, non emergency concerns. #wellpersoncare #wellwomancare #papsmear #midwiferycare
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mothertomothermidwifery

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Dec 31

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Wishing you all a love and joy filled 2021💕 📷:@greenvillebirthphotographer
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mothertomothermidwifery

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Dec 28

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⁣ Our homebirth services include multiple postpartum care visits to ensure that mother and baby are doing well and thriving.⁣ ⁣ But...⁣ ⁣ Did you know that you can receive the same holistic postpartum care from us even if you gave birth in a hospital or birth center??⁣ ⁣ In home postpartum care includes skilled clinical assessments for mother and baby⁣ ⁣ Support your healing and rest by staying home and having us come to you.⁣ ⁣ We offer Newborn Screening and Congenital Heart Defect Screening⁣ ⁣ Includes prescriptions for common postpartum and new baby complaints (if needed)⁣ ⁣ Hour long visit that includes breastfeeding support and postpartum resources. #postpartum #postpartumcare #fourthtrimester #midwiferycareforall #breastfeeding
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Dec 14

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😍 @alexesmonique in full birthing goddess mode, venturing off into labor land. Sometimes our work involves a more hands on approach and sometimes it involves quietly waiting, holding space, and honoring the process. Such a privilege to support this family once again.
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mothertomothermidwifery

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Nov 29

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Placenta🐙✨ This incredible organ can be such a gift for healing and balance during the postpartum season. #placentaencapsulation #placentamedicine #fourthtrimester
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mothertomothermidwifery

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Nov 14

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What began as a relationship between mother and midwife blossomed into a beautiful friendship. Here are Sunshine and Sahar enjoying a sunset stroll together at the beach.
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mothertomothermidwifery

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Nov 10

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Body balancing for comfort in pregnancy and labor 👌🏼 #optimalfetalpositioning #bodybalancing #physiologicalbirth #birthingwithease #midwiferycare #naturalbirthing
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mothertomothermidwifery

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Oct 31

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Look at these two. Their parents met 2 years ago in birth classes and now these kiddos are best buds 💛 One of the truly magical elements of this home birth practice is the community. All of the connections and support and love that happen behind the scenes and long after the birth. This is what it’s all about. #birthmatters #homebirthmidwife #theresnoplacelikehome #midwiferyforall #oxytocinguardians #growingup #homebirthbaby #sandiegoparents
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mothertomothermidwifery

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Oct 28

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We are so excited about these classes! Allison has created such an amazing series to help families feel informed, prepared, and excited for their birthing experience. We will be sure to share upcoming series dates with you. Hosted by @natureswhisper #sandiegobirthclasses #balancedbirthpreparation #empoweredbirth #birthprep #homebirthing
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mothertomothermidwifery

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Oct 24

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There’s nothing quite like that moment that you return from labor land and realize that YOU DID IT! You feel your baby in your hands, you look down and see their little body there on your belly instead of inside of it. You fall in love instantly and completely. #birthisbeautiful #oxytocinguardians #sandiegohomebirth #midwiferycare #homebirth #birthbliss #sandiegohomebirth 📷:@joannepriscillafotografie
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mothertomothermidwifery

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Oct 10

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And what an honor it is to witness that miracle. In birth, a baby is born and a woman is reborn... leaving behind the previous version of herself and birthing a new one. Mother. #maidentomother
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mothertomothermidwifery

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Oct 3

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“Birth is not a cerebral event; it is a visceral-holistic process which requires all of your self – body, heart, emotion, mind, spirit.” – Baraka Bethany Elihu 📷: @aliferoahphotography #homebirth #theresnoplacelikehome #waterbirth #birthphotography #midwifery #sandiegomidwives #oxytocin #birthingcave
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mothertomothermidwifery

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Sep 16

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We are thrilled to offer our support group in person again! For now group will be held outdoors at Trolley Barn Park. Wednesday’s @ 10:30.
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mothertomothermidwifery

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Sep 7

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Happy Labor Day from all of the Mother to Mother Midwives 💕 📷: @maggieshackelford “No need to push a river, it already flows.”
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Aug 31

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Repost from @instinctualbirthing • How true this is. When I began to view birth differently, I began to view everything differently. ⠀ ⠀ I realized that all what I thought I had known about birth was wrong. I’m learning every day. I’m learning that statistics and scientific studies do not accurately reflect much. Not just with birth. They are often biased and heavily incentivized. Information used to manipulate thoughts and ideas. ⠀ ⠀ One of my favorite quotes from Birthing From Within:⠀ ⠀ “We have to prepare in our hearts so that birth can happen in our bodies. ⠀ I finally understood that women have to prepare for birth in their heart and soul not in their head. That giving birth is something a woman does in her body not in her head.” -Birthing From Within by Pam England and Rob Horowitz ⠀ ⠀ You already know how to birth. The key is unlearning and then relearning.
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Aug 25

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That expression... such focus... birth calls us inward... we surrender... we birth a new self right along with our babies. “Natural birth ... raw, intense & completely worth it. Proof that when you think you can’t... you can, you will, you have to.” 📷 + quote: the amazing @devinegrace_
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Aug 16

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Aug 10

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Repost: To all the women who need to hear this: You may be the first person in your family or amongst your friends to choose a different path. To take the blindfold off. To breastfeed. To not v@((inate. To home-birth, unassisted, unmedicated. To homeschool. To diligently learn physiology and nutrition. To care about your drinking water. To parent without corporal punishment. To choose a sovereign way of living. To not believe the narrative and question it all. It can be lonely to reject the standard and seek truth. It can be really isolating when you’re “different”. Especially if your family and friends are comprised of people who are insecure in their own decisions and lifestyle choices and they view anything different as a direct attack on themselves. When someone takes your choices for how you raise your family and choose to live your life as a deep convoluted message about their choices- it’s got nothing to do with you. Secure people don’t feel attacked or defensive in their own decisions. When you’re secure you don’t seek validation. So when your aunt, uncle, cousin, friend, mothers-friends-daughter, mother-in-law, or random person ect. says, “I did _______ with my kids and they all turned out fine” as a reason why you shouldn’t do something different, remember: If they were so sure their kids ‘turned out fine’ or they ‘did the right thing’ it would speak for itself. They wouldn’t need to justify it or explain it or try to get you to agree. I’m doing things my own way without much regard for what the peanut gallery has to say. I won’t be raising “average” kids to be “fine”. I hope I can inspire and empower you to trust your gut and follow your heart when you know what’s best for you and your family. It’s impossible to avoid rejection and criticism but what’s worse is living to regret not doing what you knew was best for you. Don’t let insecure onlookers, unable to handle that you want to raise your kids differently from how you grew up, keep you from pursuing the life you want. Thank you to all the women who support me🙏🏼💙#empoweredliving #birthrights #informedmama #holisticmama #naturalmama #38weekspregnant
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mothertomothermidwifery

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Jul 29

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In labor, we may intuitively crave solitude... finding time alone in the shower or sitting on the toilet or retreating to the bedroom.⁣ ⁣ Many times it is when we are alone with our magnificent bodies, connecting to our babies, doing the beautiful dance of labor that our power can really blossom. Surges get closer and longer and stronger- bringing our babies to us.⁣ ⁣ Sometimes, a little privacy is just what we need for our journey in labor land...⁣ ⁣ ⁣📸: @rebornfromwithin
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mothertomothermidwifery

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Jul 29

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💞oxytocin💞⁣ ⁣ The hormone of hugs, sex, orgasm, BIRTH, and breastfeeding.⁣ ⁣ Oxytocin promotes feelings of well being and calm, can relieve stress, and reduce discomfort. It’s main function in labor is to stimulate surges (or contractions) to keep labor moving along. Oxytocin also helps to stimulate the fetal ejection reflex and signals your uterus to contract after your baby is born to minimize blood loss.⁣ ⁣ Oxytocin is released during skin to skin and breastfeeding. The oxytocin released by both you and your baby promotes bonding and feelings of joy and satisfaction. ⁣ ⁣ How did you protect or promote oxytocin in labor??⁣ ⁣ #oxytocinguardians #undisturbedbirth #physiologicalbirth #hormonesofbirth #homebirth #theresnoplacelikehome #midwifery #midwifelife #birthisprimal #birthspace
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mothertomothermidwifery

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Jul 5

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Birth is innately hormonal and in labor it’s important not to disturb the environment or person. ⁣ ⁣ There are 5 elements that help to guard and protect both the process and the laboring person and as midwives we do our very best to honor these. ⁣ ⁣ Privacy: when you feel watched or observed it can hinder oxytocin production and slow or stop labor. ⁣ ⁣ Safety: when you feel comfortable and safe your body releases and regulates the hormones of birth more effectively. ⁣ ⁣ Silence: those in the birthing space need to be very conscious that their presence does not interfere: limit conversation and questions. In labor, you need the freedom to make noise and act intuitively. ⁣ ⁣ Darkness: keeping the space dark signals the parasympathetic nervous system to take over. The neocortex (thinking brain) is at rest and the intuitive and involuntary nature of birth takes over. ⁣ ⁣ Warmth: like darkness, warmth helps to avoid adrenaline production and boost oxytocin. ⁣ ⁣ Remember. We are mammals and our physiology craves these elements to birth.⁣ ⁣ 📷: @indiebirth #undisturbedbirth #birthlikeacat #physiologicbirth #oxytocinguardians #respectbirth
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mothertomothermidwifery

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Jun 19

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Research shows that whenever midwives are allowed to practice autonomously outcomes are significantly improved. CA is one of only four states that requires physician permission to practice. Let’s change that!!! Link in our bio for you to contact your senator. #cnma #sb1237 #midwiferyforall
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mothertomothermidwifery

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Jun 8

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We should have taken pause sooner.⁣ We should have listened more.⁣ We should have reflected on our own privilege.⁣ We should have acted against injustice and oppression.⁣ ⁣ We're here now, in solidarity. There is no more space or time for silence and ignorance. We are committed to learning, and doing our best, and taking action against injustice. This will become a part of how we work and how we live.
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mothertomothermidwifery

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Jun 3

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stop. listen. reflect. act. #midwivesforblacklives #blackouttuesday
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mothertomothermidwifery

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May 27

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You. Are. Strong. We will remind you if you forget, we will be there to honor your power during birth, to hold space for your fear, and to witness your transformation.⁣ ⁣ #midwiferymatters #birthistransformation #homebirth #birthinginpower
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mothertomothermidwifery

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May 19

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Birth is so big , It will crack you wide open, In birth you travel to places you cant imagine On this day one year ago I traveled to a place I was not sure I would come back from, there the Maiden within me died, and the mother was born . After 3 days of labor I birthed our son, At home , surrounded by love , and there we stayed in our bed , nurturing my self and honoring the 4th trimester . The most amazing gift ❤️ Happy birthday to my son the love of my life. 📷 + words by: @anyafreya #birthiswild
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May 8

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mothertomothermidwifery

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May 4

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@moderncrunchmom shared her birth story recently and we love the gritty and honest retelling. See comments for her beautiful birth story.
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mothertomothermidwifery

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May 1

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So... you've started to put two and two together and are realizing that this.. is.. IT! The moment you've been waiting for. But what NOW? Some things to do in early labour, in no particular order. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 👉Sleep/Rest (actually I WOULD prioritize this one) - If you can sleep, get it in. If you can't sleep, don't stress about how you can't sleep. Instead, just kick your feet up and let your body relax. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 👉Eat + Drink - this is your time to get your energy stores in because you probably won't feel like eating much once things kick up a notch. Staying hydrated is super important so make a point to drink, drink, drink. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 👉TENS - early labour is the perfect time for the TENS. A TENS machine is a small, portable device that sends small electrical pulses to your body. If you can, use a TENS specifically designed for birth. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 👉Bath/Shower* - if your water hasn't broken, a bath or shower is a great way to let your body relax. And a relaxed relax is the first step to progress. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 👉Walk x Birth Ball - if you've done the resting thing and are starting to feel ancy, get moving. Gravity is your new BFF. Stand up. Walk. Land heavily on your feet. Walk up + down your stairs. Sit on your birth ball and rotate between bouncing up + down and rolling your hips in circles and back and forth. I call this "being proactive" and every little bit helps! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 👉Deep Breathing - contractions in early labour are typically short and well spaced. It's a great way to give you a little taste of what's to come so that you can nail down your coping strategies ahead of time. Even if you don't need to concentrate on your breathing during these sensations, do it anyways to find your groove. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 👉Distraction - early labour is usually loooong so find something else to focus on to help pass the time. Netflix, pack your hospital bag, organize your photos, fold baby clothes - ANYTHING but sitting there waiting for the next sensation. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 👏Start cheering yourself on - this IS happening + you CAN do it! Repost @thebirthhive
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mothertomothermidwifery

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Apr 22

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Quarantine has been an interesting season so far... full of newness and unknown. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ It’s similar to the 4th trimester.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ We’ve all slowed down. We’re staying home. We’re discovering new things about ourselves and about being. Trusting that the hard parts won’t last forever and the challenges will bring growth and a new sense of confidence. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Nurturing ourselves a little more (whatever that means for each of us)⁣⁣ ⁣ Sometimes it’s in these slower, unknown times that transformation is taking place.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ We’re adjusting, practicing a little differently than we normally do. Seeing you all less in person but doing our best to be sincerely with you and to honor the sacredness of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum - even in an uncharted time.⁣ ⁣⁣ For now, we are cultivating gratitude and hope... and curiosity for what will bloom from the seeds that are being planted now. 📷:@littlewhale3
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mothertomothermidwifery

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Apr 22

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It’s been really lovely to see one another and connect. A quick reminder of the magic that happens when women come together to support one another. Hope you’ll join us if you are feeling the need for some breastfeeding support... or any kind of support 😊
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1816 Howard Ave.
San Diego, California 92103
(619) 220-8189
info@mothertomothermidwifery.com
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1816 Howard Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103 [map]

Office: (619) 220-8189 | On-call Line: (619) 297-BABY | info@mothertomothermidwifery.com 

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San Diego Midwife – Mother to Mother Midwifery
619.220.8189