Opposing Views on Waterbirth When the concept of waterbirth is posed, people tend to have polar opposite reactions. They may imagine it to be disgusting, swimming in a pool of body secretions or they believe it is relaxing like being in a spa. They may envision it to be completely natural (because of course, the… [Read More…]
Pregnancy & Birth
View All PostsCesarean SectionConceptionVBACWaterbirthBirth Stories
Largest Waterbirth Study Proves it’s Safe for Mom and Baby (Updated)
Largest Waterbirth Study Proves it is Safe In 2017, the Midwives of New Jersey hosted the New Jersey Symposium for Physiologic Birth: 2017 The Evidence for Choice. Jennifer Vanderlaan MSN, MPH, RN CNM FNP, presented the meta-analysis, (Neonatal outcomes with water birth: A systematic review and meta-analysis) she and her cohorts have compiled, showing evidence… [Read More…]
The Patient Factor: Helping Women Help Themselves – Part 1
This blog series might be hard to read. Those of us who care for people during pregnancy and birth like to believe that if WE do everything correctly, the problems we currently have with high rates of cesarean birth and maternal mortality and morbidity would improve to an acceptable and comparable (to all other 1st… [Read More…]
Breastfeeding
A Client’s Breastfeeding Journey
Is breastmilk the perfect food for a baby? Yes. Does breastfeeding provide benefits for both mom and baby? Absolutely. Is breastfeeding easy? Not one bit. I would know since I have three daughters. I failed miserably breastfeeding my older girls. As a new mom you deliver this perfect child and think that was the hardest… [Read More…]
A Different Kind of H.M.O. (Human Milk Oligosaccharides)
We have milk in our blood! That continues to fascinate me after many years of being a Midwife and Lactation consultant. Not only is it delicious for babies, it is the PERFECT food for babies’ lifelong health. The Amazing H.M.O. (Human Milk Oligosaccharides) There has been much research into the complexities of human milk but… [Read More…]
Breastfeeding Crucial to a Healthy Life
I attended a funeral today for a friend who died of metastatic colon cancer. She was only 50 years old. Her children are 22 and 18. This was a painful, scary journey for the past 4 years. When I first told a midwife friend of mine about this woman’s diagnosis, the midwife said “I wonder… [Read More…]
Mom & Babycare
WellnessCare Pediatrics
WellnessCare Pediatrics -Because Children are a Gift and a Reward Midwifery Care focuses on maintaining the health and well-being of women throughout their lifetime. We are excited to now offer the same Model of Care for children from birth to 21 years of age through our WellnessCare Pediatric program. We welcome Dr. Hennie to our… [Read More…]
Whooping Cough in Newborn Babies
Disclaimer: The purpose of this blog is to educate and inform pregnant women in New Jersey. It is not intended to create a vaccine debate and we will delete any comments that are anything but supportive to our client and her family. The time-honored rule of avoiding any potential toxic exposure that might interfere with… [Read More…]
10 Tips to Eating, Sleeping & Showering with a New Baby
Postpartum Planning, Life With a New Baby If you are about to add a new baby to your family whether it’s your first or subsequent baby, it is a really good idea to start planning your postpartum care now to ensure that the first weeks with your new baby are less stressful. Many moms who… [Read More…]
Women's Health
3 Ways We’ve Made Gynecologic Care More Holistic
At the Midwives of New Jersey, we strive to provide comprehensive, gynecologic care across a woman’s lifespan. This means an individualized plan is made for each client and is adapted as she moves through the different stages of her life. Here are 3 Ways Our Gynecological Care is Holistic: 1. We spend time with you…. [Read More…]
Natural Ways to Improve Your Thyroid Health
Thyroid Health The thyroid gland is a small gland located on your anterior neck, just below the “voicebox.” It is responsible for regulating your metabolism which affects nearly every other system in the body. The thyroid is largely responsible for your energy level and contributes to weight management and sex-hormone function. Many common health concerns… [Read More…]
10 Ways to Guard against Germs this Cold & Flu Season
We are in the thick of the cold and flu season and the germs this season have been awful. On Guard is a ‘must have’ therapeutic grade essential oil blend that can help you guard against germs in your home. The blend contains a mix of wild orange, rosemary, clove, cinnamon and eucalyptus essential oils…. [Read More…]
Your Birth, Your Choice
Join Us at March For Moms, May 14-15 Washington D.C.
Krystina Friedlander recently wrote a blog that clearly shows the direction in which ACOG is moving these days. The position statements and opinions of this influential organization are showing a greater understanding of the need to change the way we are caring for women during pregnancy, birth and early parenting. The ACOG Articles are Listed Below:… [Read More…]
Lisa Lederer’s Speech from the Improving Birth Rally, Madison NJ
If you were unable to attend the Improving Birth Rally on Labor Day, we are publishing Lisa Lederer’s speech. Lisa Lederer’s Speech at the Labor Day Improving Birth Rally, Madison NJ Hi everyone. Thank you so much for taking time at this busy time of year to attend this very important event. The Midwives of… [Read More…]
Want to Help Women & Babies Receive Better Maternity Care?
Did you know that 9 out of 10 women in the U.S. receive maternity care that increases, rather than decreases, risks of harm to themselves and their babies? Most people have no idea that U.S. maternity care practices are in crisis – decades behind what science says is best for moms and babies. Many women… [Read More…]
Events
Best Baby Shower Gift
Best Baby Shower Gift Baby showers are an important tradition intended to equip new parents with the essentials of parenting a little baby. These days, the mother chooses many of her gifts ahead of time but traditionally each person attending would bring a gift that they found helpful themselves as a new parent or something… [Read More…]
Solving the High C-Section Rate in NJ – for Hospital Administrators, OB’s, Midwives, Nurses & Birth Workers
New Jersey – 4th Highest Cesarean Rate in the Country If you are not aware, New Jersey’s rate of cesarean birth ranks 4th highest in the country. However, New Jersey IS improving because it used to hold the distinction of being the highest. Our Governor, Phil Murphy, just signed a law that will require every… [Read More…]
The NJ Symposium for Physiologic Birth: 2018 Avoiding Cesarean – Save the Date!
The Midwives of New Jersey are so excited to have Dr. Neel Shah speaking at the New Jersey Symposium for Physiologic Birth this year. Our topic is Avoiding Cesarean and Dr. Shah is an expert on that! The conference is presenting some unique approaches to reducing unnecessary surgical births. Dr. Shah was recently interviewed… [Read More…]
Videos
View videos from The Midwives Of NJ and our patients.
Childbirth Without Fear – the Midwifery Model of Care
Fear and the Human Body Fear has a huge impact on the normal (physiologic) processes of the human body; so it only makes sense that fear would have an impact on childbirth. Something that scares us activates our “fight or flight” system in our body. When you are afraid, it is hard to concentrate and… [Read More…]
Why Your First Birth Matters – Our Lives, Our Births
Why Your First Birth Matters If you are expecting your first birth and labor, you have a strong possibility of having a surgical delivery. More than 1 in 3 women in New Jersey can expect to deliver their babies in an operating room. There is nothing wrong with cesarean section in and of itself. Cesareans… [Read More…]
Breast Cancer Hits Home – Our Lives, Our Births
Episode 4 of Our lives, Our Births focuses on breast cancer. Specifically how breast cancer has impacted the lives of our clients and our own midwife Cindy Redmond. We are so happy to have celebrated Cindy’s 5 years cancer free this month, coincidentally Breast Cancer Awareness month. We are so grateful to our client Beth… [Read More…]