So… am I going to poop during labor?
Pooping during labor is normal, common, and not the disaster you think it is. Here’s what really happens—and why it means you’re doing it right.
Curated Video: What to Know About the Process of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) – By The Associated Press
Watch this clear and concise video from the Associated Press explaining how in vitro fertilization (IVF) works. Jaelin Stickels shares her thoughts on IVF’s medical power, emotional impact, and when couples should consider it.
Why I Practice Evidence-Based Midwifery (And Still Respect Your Right to Say No)
Discover why Dr. Jaelin Stickels, DNP, CNM, chooses evidence-based midwifery grounded in autonomy, consent, and respect. Birth should be informed, not coerced.
The Top 20 Baby Names of the Year (2024)—Plus a Peek at What Our Homebirth Families Picked
Wondering what the most popular baby names of 2024 are? See the top 20 girl and boy names—plus the heartfelt, meaningful choices from families I’ve helped welcome new life at Holistic Heritage Homebirth.
Letting Go of the Small Stuff: The Clarity of Grief
Grief changes us. Here’s what it taught me about love, clarity, and letting go of what doesn’t matter. A deeply personal story from Dr. Jaelin Stickels.
Birth Shouldn’t Feel Like a Hostage Situation: A Guide to Birth Trauma and Medical Coercion
Birth trauma and medical coercion are more common than most women realize. This article explores what they look like and how to take your power back. I can’t count how many times a client has sat across from me and said something like,“I just don’t trust...
When Fear and Anxiety Walk Into the Birth Room: What Happens Next
Fear and anxiety aren’t just background noise in birth—they shape outcomes. In this raw, research-backed piece, Dr. Jaelin Stickels, DNP, CNM, APRN, explores how fear affects mothers, partners, and birth workers—and what we can do to change it. A must-read for anyone who cares about birth.
Whispers That Wound: The Hidden Damage of Gossip
I wasn’t planning to write this article. Honestly, I’ve been doing my best just to keep going lately, doing the work, showing up for my clients, taking care of my family, and putting one foot in front of the other. However, as I’ve walked through a season of personal...
Why I Oppose Texas HB 4553 – And Why You Should Too
Texas House Bill 4553, sometimes called “Malik’s Law,” proposes new documentation requirements for Licensed Midwives and Certified Professional Midwives who attend out-of-hospital births. Specifically, it would require midwives to report additional data about every...
How to Choose a Midwife: Why Shared Values Matter More Than Shared Zip Codes
There’s no shortage of advice out there about choosing a midwife: ask about experience, training, licensure, and backup plans. And yes, those factors absolutely matter. But here’s the truth most people won’t tell you: none of that matters if you and your midwife don’t...
Colds & Flu in Pregnancy (Part 2): Herbs, Meds, and How to Avoid the Whole Thing Next Time
Welcome back, friend. If you read Part 1 of this article last week, you already know we covered the heavy hitters: congestion, coughing, sore throats, body aches, fever, fatigue, and how to treat those symptoms with holistic, non-pharmaceutical strategies that are...
Curated Article: 9 Lies We’ve Been Told About Alcohol – By Women’s Health Magazine
Overview This compelling article from Women’s Health Magazine examines the most persistent myths about alcohol, from the “health benefits” of red wine to the idea that moderation means the same thing for everyone. Backed by research and expert insight, the article...
SHEis Amazing Profile: Dorothea Dix – The Woman Who Fought for the Forgotten
Quick Facts Born: April 4, 1802 • Hampden, MaineDied: July 17, 1887 (aged 85) • Trenton, New JerseyKnown For:• Reforming treatment of the mentally ill in the U.S.• Advocating for and founding over 30 mental health institutions• Campaigning for humane, rehabilitative...
Colds & Flu in Pregnancy (Part 1): Real Relief, Minimal Risk
This is part 1 of a 2-part series on this subject (yes, I had that much to say on this...). If you’re pregnant and sniffling, sneezing, or cursing the day your toddler brought home daycare germs, you’re not alone. Cold and flu season has a way of sneaking up and...
SHEis Amazing Profile: Julia Lathrop – The Woman Who Put Children’s Health on the National Agenda
Quick Facts Born: June 29, 1858 • Rockford, IllinoisDied: April 15, 1932 (aged 73) • Rockford, IllinoisKnown For:• First woman to lead a U.S. federal agency• Founding Chief of the U.S. Children’s Bureau• Advocate for maternal and child health reform• Pioneer in...
Curated Article: The New Rules of Modern Friendship – By Aviva Romm
Overview This insightful piece by Aviva Romm examines the changing dynamics of friendship in today’s world. From digital overload to life transitions, she investigates how we form, maintain, and let go of evolving friendships and how we can navigate it all with more...
SHEis Amazing Profile: Ellen G. White – The Prophet Who Prescribed a Healthier World
Quick Facts Born: November 26, 1827 • Gorham, MaineDied: July 16, 1915 (aged 87) • Elmshaven, St. Helena, CaliforniaKnown For:• Co-founding the Seventh-day Adventist Church• Writing over 100,000 pages on religion, education, and health• Advocating for plant-based...
The Baby Bust: Why Fewer Americans Are Having Kids
If it feels like there are fewer baby showers and more gender reveal burnout than ever before, you’re not imagining it. The birth rate in the United States has steadily declined for the past two decades. And no, it’s not simply because people are “too busy” for kids...
Curated Article: Children’s ADHD Risk Linked to Mothers’ Use of Common OTC Pain Reliever – By Fox News
Overview A recent study highlighted by Fox News raises significant concerns about acetaminophen (Tylenol)—a widely used over-the-counter pain reliever during pregnancy. The study discovered that frequent or prolonged use of acetaminophen in pregnancy may be linked to...
SHEis Amazing Profile: Caroline Hampton Halsted – The Nurse Who Revolutionized Surgery With a Simple Glove
Quick Facts Born: November 10, 1861 • Columbia, South CarolinaDied: November 27, 1922 (aged 61) • Franklin County, North CarolinaKnown For:• Introducing rubber gloves into the surgical theater• Pioneering infection prevention in modern surgery• Serving as chief...
Alcohol During Pregnancy: Is It Ever Safe? Here’s the Truth
Let’s Have an Honest Conversation. If you’re pregnant or contemplating pregnancy, you’ve likely encountered a strict guideline: no alcohol, not even a sip. The message from doctors, midwives, and public health officials is unequivocal—drinking during pregnancy is...
Curated Article: Is the Age of Health Care TMI Actually Making Us Feel Like Crap? – By Allure
Overview In an era of wearables, at-home tests, and constant health tracking, a new article from Allure questions whether the overload of health data is doing more harm than good. With smartwatches tracking heart rates, apps analyzing sleep, and companies offering...
SHEis Amazing Profile: Justina Ford – The Doctor Who Never Let ‘No’ Stop Her
Quick Facts Born: January 22, 1871 • Knoxville, Illinois Died: October 14, 1952 (aged 81) • Denver, Colorado Known For: Colorado’s first licensed African American female physician Delivered over 7,000 babies throughout her career Served patients of all races,...
The Truth About the ‘Snap-Back’ Culture: Why Postpartum Bodies Deserve Better
Somewhere along the way, society decided that new moms should look like they never had a baby. That stretch marks, loose skin, wider hips, and softer bellies are temporary inconveniences rather than visible proof of something extraordinary. But why? Why is the female...
Curated Article: As Fertility Rates Fall, Some Scientists Say Everyday Chemicals Are a Factor – By The Wall Street Journal
Overview A new report from The Wall Street Journal investigates how synthetic chemicals in everyday products—from plastics and cosmetics to food packaging—might contribute to declining fertility rates. Scientists are increasingly concerned that endocrine-disrupting...
SHEis Amazing Profile: Agnodice of Athens – The Healer Who Took on Ancient Greece and Won
Quick Facts Born: 4th century BCE • Athens, Greece Known For: First recorded female midwife or physician in ancient Greece Supposedly, disguised herself as a man to study medicine in a time when women were banned from practicing Legend has it she defended herself in...
Is Breastfeeding Really Birth Control? The Truth About the Lactational Amenorrhea Method (The Nursing Method)
Breastfeeding is often praised as a natural and convenient form of birth control. You may have heard, “If you’re breastfeeding, you can’t get pregnant.” Well-meaning healthcare providers in the hospital even tell some women this after birth. It sounds almost too good...
Curated Article: AI Identifies Genetic Markers for Women’s Health Risks – By ScienceDaily
Overview A groundbreaking new study in ScienceDaily reveals how artificial intelligence (AI) is utilized to uncover genetic markers associated with women's health risks. Researchers have successfully harnessed AI to identify previously undetectable genetic patterns,...
SHEis Amazing Profile: Rebecca Lee Crumpler – Pioneering Black Female Doctor Who Defied Racism and Saved Lives
Quick Facts Born: February 8, 1831 • Delaware, USA Died: March 9, 1895 (aged 64) • Hyde Park, Massachusetts Known For: First African American woman to earn a medical degree in the U.S. Provided critical medical care to freed slaves after the Civil War Focused on...
Postpartum Sex: What They Don’t Tell You (But Should)
Let’s discuss postpartum sex—the awkward, sometimes painful, and often just plain weird reality that no one truly prepares you for. You spend months nurturing a tiny human, endure labor (or major surgery), and then when you think the hardest part is behind you,...
Curated Article: Privacy Concerns with Women’s Reproductive Health Apps – By arXiv
Overview In today’s digital age, period-tracking and fertility-monitoring apps have become essential tools for many women managing their reproductive health. However, a recent study published on arXiv raises serious concerns about the privacy and security risks...
SHEis Amazing Profile: Edna Adan Ismail – The Midwife Who Helped Rebuild a Nation
Quick Facts Born: September 8, 1937 • Hargeisa, British Somaliland (now Somaliland) Known For: Founder of the Edna Adan Maternity Hospital, a premier maternal and infant health center in East Africa Former First Lady of Somalia and Minister of Social...
The Libido Trap: How Birth Control Could Be Killing Your Sex Drive (and What to Do About It)
We all know the standard list of birth control side effects: nausea, weight gain, mood swings, and the occasional rogue spotting session. But what about your sex drive? That’s the side effect no one seems to talk about—at least not until you start experiencing...
Curated Article: Women’s Pain Often Dismissed in Healthcare Settings – By The Scottish Sun
Overview: This article from The Scottish Sun sheds light on a troubling reality: women’s pain is frequently dismissed or downplayed in medical settings. Studies show that women are more likely than men to have their pain ignored at nearly every stage of life, from...
SHEis Amazing Profile: Ann Preston – The Trailblazer Who Refused to Be Shut Out of Medicine
Quick Facts Born: December 1, 1813 • West Grove, Pennsylvania Died: April 18, 1872 (aged 58) • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Known For: First woman dean of a medical school in the U.S. Champion for women’s medical education Founder of the Woman’s Hospital of Philadelphia...
Bringing Home Baby: How to Keep the Peace with Your Pets
There's nothing quite like the love of a pet. Whether it's a loyal dog, a curious cat, or even a funny but stinky ferret (yes, we had two of them in the house at one point), animals bring something special into a home. They offer companionship, comfort, and, let's be...
Curated Article: Circadian Alignment—Why It’s Important & How to Improve It – By Wellness Mama
Overview: This insightful article from Wellness Mama explores the concept of circadian alignment—a strategy that optimizes daily activities like eating, sleeping, and light exposure to work in sync with the body's natural rhythms. Research suggests that aligning these...
SHEis Amazing Profile: Mabel Keaton Staupers – The Nurse Who Broke Barriers
Quick Facts Born: February 27, 1890 • Barbados, West Indies Died: November 29, 1989 (aged 99) • Washington, D.C. Known For: Pioneering advocate for racial equality in nursing Executive Secretary of the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses (NACGN) Led the...
Love at First Touch: Unlocking the Power of the Golden Hour
Imagine the world stopping for just one hour, a sacred pause where time seems to honor the birth of a new life. This pause is the "Golden Hour," a term that encapsulates the first sixty minutes(ish) post-birth, heralded not just by medical professionals but by the...
Curated Article: Why Wearing No Underwear at Night Is Better for Your Health By The New York Post
Overview: This article from The New York Post explores why ditching underwear at night may be a simple yet powerful change for improving vaginal health. Experts explain how tight or synthetic underwear can trap moisture, leading to irritation, infections, and...
SHEis Amazing Profile: Hildegard of Bingen – The Visionary Healer Who Defied Convention
Quick Facts Born: 1098 • Bermersheim, Holy Roman Empire Died: September 17, 1179 (aged 81) • Rupertsberg, Holy Roman Empire Known For: Medieval visionary, theologian, and natural healer One of the first recognized female composers in Western music history A pioneer in...
Mastering Mindfulness: Tips to Becoming a Mindful Mama
Motherhood is a whirlwind, a dance of emotions, responsibilities, and fleeting moments that slip through our fingers like sand. As a midwife with years of guiding mothers through birth, a mother who has raised her children, a grandmother watching the next generation...
Curated Article (Podcast): Top Ten Evidence-Based Strategies for Lowering the Risk of Cesarean by Evidence-Based Birth
Overview: This podcast episode from Evidence-Based Birth, hosted by Rebecca Decker, PhD, RN, and co-hosted by Morgan Richardson Kayama, explores ten strategies based on scientific evidence to help reduce the risk of cesarean delivery. It covers a range of topics, from...
SHEis Amazing Profile: Margaret Charles Smith – The Guardian of Rural Births
Quick Facts: Born: September 12, 1906 • Eutaw, Alabama, USA Died: November 12, 2004 (aged 98) • Eutaw, Alabama, USA Known For: Delivering over 3,500 babies with no maternal deaths Being one of the first official midwives in Greene County, Alabama Advocating for...
The Zen of Birth: Hypnobirthing’s Journey to Tranquility
As a certified hypnobirthing instructor with several years of experience, I've guided hundreds of expectant parents through a transformative process, turning the often daunting childbirth experience into a serene one. Welcome to "The Zen of Birth," where we explore...
Curated Article: Machine learning identifies women at risk of severe cognitive decline during menopause by News Medical
Overview: This groundbreaking article from News Medical discusses how artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are revolutionizing women's healthcare, particularly in identifying those at risk of severe cognitive decline during menopause. The study highlights...
SHEis Amazing Profile: Catharina Geertruida Schrader – The Frisian Midwife with a Meticulous Legacy
Quick Facts Born: September 1656 • Bentheim, Germany Died: October 30, 1746 (aged 90) • Dokkum, Friesland, Netherlands Known For: Detailed documentation of over 4000 deliveries in her memoirs. Pioneering midwifery practices in the 17th and 18th centuries. High...
The Magic of Waiting: Why Delayed Cord Clamping Should Be Your Go-To in Childbirth
Have you ever thought about the magic moment right after birth? It's when your baby takes their first breath, and life begins in the most literal sense. But what if I told you that there's a simple yet profound practice that could enhance this moment even further? It...
Curated Article: Are Oxalates A Problem or No Big Deal? by Wellness Mama
Overview: This thought-provoking piece from Wellness Mama revolves around oxalates, naturally occurring compounds in many plant foods that can have significant health implications. The article questions whether we should be concerned about oxalate intake, particularly...
SHEis Amazing Profile: Marie Charlotte Carmichael Stopes – Pioneering Women’s Sexual Health Amid Controversy
Quick Facts Born: October 15, 1880 • Edinburgh, Scotland Died: October 2, 1958 (aged 77) • Dorking, Surrey, England Known For: Co-founding the first birth control clinic in the United Kingdom. Writing influential books on sexuality like "Married Love" and "Wise...