The Midwives Of New Jersey
Serving Women, Honoring Birth
What if I Go into Labor During a Snowstorm? Although it’s pretty uncommon, a pregnant woman’s greatest fears when due in winter may be: “What if I go into labor during a snowstorm?” Despite concerns about weather, it is generally not a big problem. Typically, women tend to go into labor before a snowstorm occurs, …
Midwives of New Jersey Restricted from Providing Homebirth Services! This past summer, our physician consultants were restricted from providing back-up for homebirth clients by their new practice management company. Their concern is the doctors’ liability for the Midwives who are assisting birth in such a “dangerous” setting. We were able to secure another physician for …
Private practice New Jersey Licensed Midwives (CNMs/CMs and CPMs) provide the option of homebirth services to many New Jersey families. People have many reasons for choosing to give birth at home. Whether you agree or disagree, you must acknowledge that they HAVE THAT CHOICE! The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists agree in their 2017 …
One of my most frequent rants and raves is the minimal standard for excellence among the Obstetrical community. They believe that as long as mom and baby make it through the birth ALIVE, the woman should be satisfied with her care and that if she were to anticipate anything more from her pregnancy and birth …
The Midwives of NJ created NJ Symposium for Physiologic birth as part of our commitment to educate on and elevate evidenced-based, physiologic birth practices. This year the Symposium is pleased to announce that we will be hosting a webinar series a Spotlight on Midwifery showcasing the practices and wisdom of Midwifery. The second webinar will …
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, Dr. Priscilla Hall, and Dr. Mary Jane Lewitt have …
The Definition of a Doula The word “doula” comes from the ancient Greek meaning “a woman who serves” and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during …
The Midwives of NJ created NJ Symposium for Physiologic birth as part of our commitment to educate on and elevate evidenced-based, physiologic birth practices. This year the Symposium is pleased to announce that we will be hosting a webinar series a Spotlight on Midwifery showcasing the practices and wisdom of Midwifery. The first webinar will …
February is Black History month. We, at the Midwives of New Jersey want to make space to recognize the importance of black history while also acknowledging that it merits celebrating every day, not just one month a year. Black history deserves immense respect and visibility as we move forward in working towards a brighter, more …
You are likely SUPER interested in having a perineum that stretches and springs back rather than one that does not stretch and then tears (or stretches so slowly that your provider is tempted to perform an episiotomy). Here are a few tips for a “springy” vagina! Protecting Your Perineum Before Labor Consume plenty of healthy …
Vitamin D is the Answer to the COVID-19 Crisis The results of a study published October 2020 in the Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology “Effect of calcifediol (Vitamin D) treatment and best available therapy versus best available therapy on intensive care unit admission and mortality among patients hospitalized for COVID-19: A pilot randomized …
The Virus Taking the World by Storm The new virus (SARS-CoV-2) which caused the disease Covid-19 (Coronavirus) is taking the whole world by storm. We are fighting over toilet paper, cancelling local activities, and taking baths in Purell. Of course, any virus that spreads as quickly as this one is very concerning. We should change …
Edema, swelling in extremities such as the ankles and feet, is a common occurrence in pregnancy especially in the heat of summer. Women report more swelling in pregnancy during the last trimester. Two Things That Cause Normal Swelling in Pregnancy Some women experience swelling in pregnancy that is unrelieved by rest and position change. Again, …
5 Last Minute Ways to Avoid a Cesarean Birth 1. Carb Load in Early Labor Labor is incredibly hard work and your body needs fuel. Think of your labor like running a marathon. As you start to feel contractions or when your water breaks, eat plenty of carbohydrate foods, you will store Glycogen in your …
Access to Midwives This study explains that more fully and more uniformly integrating Midwifery into America’s maternity care system will help decrease maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity. That is what we want. We want to be trusted to take care of the women within our scope of practice and be able collaborate with physicians …
This year, the New Jersey Symposium for Physiologic Birth focuses on how malpractice claims limit the accessibility of physiologic birth practices particularly in the hospital setting. Even though birth at its most normal results in the best birth outcomes (source), routine care of the laboring patient on labor and delivery is controlled, monitored intensely and …
Labor is uncomfortable. Women in general are very frightened of the pain associated with labor. This fear keeps many women from even considering natural childbirth. Women who often refrain from taking any medication at all their entire pregnancy will allow very strong medications injected into their epidural space for their delivery. Even when they know …
Pre-planning pregnancy is a good idea Many people just find themselves pregnant one day without any prior preparation. Even if they “planned” their pregnancy, that planning only involved an intentional non-use of birth control and appropriately timed intercourse. Two new studies (source 1; source 2) were published further confirming that entering pregnancy in optimal health …
