Barefoot Birth

Groub B Strep, or GBS, is one of the many common types of bacteria that is found in the digestive tract and won’t normally cause a healthy adult any harm. GBS can be found in the intestine, re**um, and va**na in about 2 of every 10 women near the time of birth. This is tested with a va**nal and re**al swab around 36 weeks of pregnancy.
⠀
A few notes:
👉🏻 GBS is NOT a sexually transmitted disease, and it does not cause visible symptoms. At the time of birth, babies are exposed to this bacteria if it is present in the va**na.
👉🏻 Full term babies who are born to mothers who carry GBS in the va**na at the time of birth have a 1:200 (0.005%) chance of getting sick from GBS during the first few days after being born.
👉🏻 Although screening and treating all mothers who have GBS does reduce the number of newborn GBS infections, other more resistant bacteria are causing serious newborn infections in increasing numbers. E coli infections are an example. Due to the risks of GBS screening and treatment, many other countries such as Canada and the UK do not recommend screening or treating all women with GBS.
👉🏻 What happens if I test positive?
The vast majority of studies on GBS infection are conducted in hospitals, where interventions known to increase infection rates in general such as va**nal exams and internal fetal monitors are used with much more frequency than at home. The midwifery model of care does not support artificial rupture of membranes, frequent va**nal exams or the use of internal fetal monitors unless absolutely medically necessary for the wellbeing of the mom or baby. It is standard to monitor all moms and babies for signs of infections, regardless of their GBS status.
⠀
💡 For more information, please refer to:
https://www.sarawickham.com/tag/gbs/
https://evidencebasedbirth.com/groupbstrep/
https://avivaromm.com/group-b-strep-gbs-in-pregnancy-whats-a-mom-to-do/
•
•
•
•

The heart of midwifery truly is being “with woman.”
⠀
Holding mothers, both physically and emotionally. This work is a calling, and I am so grateful to be one of the called.
⠀
📸
•
•
•
•

✨ Meet the midwife! ✨

Hi! My name is Makayla Cole, and I am the certified professional midwife (CPM) and owner of Barefoot Birth. It’s been awhile since I introduced myself, and we have some new faces around here! I figured I’d share some fun facts about myself so we can all get to know each other better.

1. I am a homeschooling mom of 3 amazing kids. My kids are 9, 6, and 4, and our family is complete. I married my best friend Nate and am so blessed to be going through our crazy life with him.

2. I LOVE adventures. I’ve had a variety of crazy adventures including riding a bull, swimming with sharks uncaged, swimming in a cave in Mexico, petting sloths, zip lining, etc. I am always excited to sign up for the next adventure. My next adventure is a backpacking trip through Europe!

3. I am a teacher. In addition to schooling my own kids, I love teaching student midwives. Before midwifery, I was a cosmetology teacher.

4. I had my first baby at home unplanned, my second in the hospital and my third in the car. I’ve had interviews with Good Morning America, the Tampa Bay Times and an Australian mom blog about my crazy birth experiences.

5. I love to grow our own food, cook and bake almost everything from scratch, and make my own medicines. I am so grateful for the land God has given us and love to find ways to utilize it.

6. I am passionate about helping mothers, and I spend my free time volunteering at a pregnancy center and am a co-host of a community baby shower for those in need.

7. Coffee and plants are my love languages. I can never have enough of either.

8. I love to read. I typically have a couple books going at once, and my favorite genres are romance and physiological thrillers.

9. I form deep relationships with families I walk beside. They become family and I often get the nickname Auntie Makayla for babies I have witnessed become earth side.

10. I can do a perfect impersonation of a Guinea pig sound and I can do a lot of things with my feet.

If you made it this far, drop a fun fact about yourself in the comments! 🤪🩷

During active labor, we really want to focus on allowing baby to engage and move lower down into the pelvis. Your body will most likely tell you exactly what you need to do — so listen to it! If you feel an urge to squat, there’s a reason. If you feel like you need to walk up and down the stairs or do some lunges, your intuition is probably telling you to move a-laterally to open that mid-pelvis. Not sure about what to expect? Here are some positional ideas for active labor:
⠀
+ Standing and swaying
+ Hanging squat/sway with a partner
+ Squatting (also supported or seated squat)
+ Hands and knees on the floor or bed
+ Leaning over a birth ball
+ Leaning over the bed
+ Lying with a peanut ball (rotate sides)
+ Hip circles on the birth ball
+ Sitting on the toilet with one leg on a stool (rotate)
⠀
Remember to listen to your body and chance positions when needed!
⠀
What were your go-to positions in active labor?
•
•
•
•
•

Did you know that the third stage of labor (the time between the birth of your baby and the birth of your placenta) can be undisturbed and peaceful? 🌑✨
⠀
Barring any concerns for the wellbeing of mom and baby, this space can be completely honored and left alone, allowing time for mom and baby to bond and awaiting the spontaneous birth of the placenta. If left undisturbed during those early moments, we often see moms birth their placentas less than an hour after birth and without complication. Skin to skin, bonding and latching typically encourages this process to take place quickly and smoothly.
•
•
•
•
•
📸
⠀

Have you heard of the fetal ejection reflex? 👇🏻
⠀
The Ferguson reflex (aka, FER) is when the body “expels” a baby involuntarily — that is, without forced pushing on your part. It is a neuroendocrine reflex comprising the self-sustaining cycle of uterine contractions triggered by pressure at the cervix.
⠀
𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗶𝗰 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗽𝘂𝘀𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗮𝗯𝘆 𝗼𝘂𝘁 - 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘂𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀. That’s the reason we encourage mamas to learn how to relax their pelvic floors during pregnancy, not strengthen, and then put this relaxation skill into practice during labor.
⠀
Not everyone experiences this fetal ejection reflex, but it’s pretty amazing when it does happen! Did you experience FER in your labor(s)? Tell us how you felt!
•
•
•
•
•

One question we get asked often is “what happens if there is an emergency?”
⠀
Most complications can be identified early enough in pregnancy or labor to take proper measures and transfer care to a hospital setting. Though home birth is typically straightforward and uncomplicated for low risk women, sometimes situations arise that require extra skills to navigate.
⠀
One of those situations is neonatal resuscitation. Sometimes babies need a little help transitioning after birth and taking their first breath. Homebirth midwives are skilled in a variety of resuscitation protocols to ensure the safety and security of mom and baby, in the event extra breathing support is warranted.
⠀
At Barefoot Birth, we take special care to stay up-to-date on the latest NRP protocols and licensure. Here is a photo of Makayla during a routine NRP practice session!
•
•
•
•
•

Yoni Steaming (also referred to as womb or va**nal steaming) is a great practice to aid in healing during the postpartum time.
⠀
🌿 What is it?
A practice that involves sitting or squatting over a pot of hot water, usually steeped with medicinal herbs.
⠀
🌿 Why do we do it?
After birth, our body has 10 months worth of lining and residue get rid of, and steaming can be a powerful tool in aiding this cleanse. Steam has the ability to pe*****te through up through our cervix, into our uterus and essentially lubricate the walls, aiding in the release of the lining, old tissue (lochia), and old blood.
⠀
🍵 Benefits of womb steaming after birth:
+ Faster healing of the reproductive system after birth
+ Helps release lingering, stagnant blood
+ Boost the repair of tissues from any tearing
+ Significantly reduce the feeling of air bubbles and looseness
+ Assist with the healing of hemorrhoids
+ Aids recovery of pr*****ed organs
+ Amazing addition to your self care routine!
⠀
🌿 What herbs should I use?
This is different for everyone! Consult with your midwife or an experienced herbalist or peristeam specialist to determine which herbs are best for your body.
⠀
🌿 Do I have to be postpartum?
Absolutely not! Steaming is a wonderful tool for supporting fertility, aiding with cramps and regulating the menstrual cycle before or after pregnancy.
⠀
NOTE: It is important to never steam while you are pregnant or actively menstruating, since these are times when we don’t want to encourage more uterine activity.
⠀
👉🏻 Have you ever steamed? What did you think?
•
•
•
•
•
**nalsteaming

Nervous about introducing your toddler to a new baby?
⠀
Don’t be! It’s totally normal for toddlers to be surprised by, or even react negatively to, the arrival of a new baby. They have always been the baby and may have big feelings about your attention being split to care for a new baby.
⠀
You may notice your toddler having more tantrums, expressing frustration or displeasure towards their new sibling, regressing to “baby behavior” and more.
⠀
Here are a few tips for navigating this behavior shift and making sure your toddler feels loved and included:
✨One-on-one time: carve out 10 minutes to spend alone with your toddler each day, and have a “special date” each week or month.
✨ Involve them in activities alongside or to help care for the new baby, like bringing diapers for a change or a pacifier for bedtime.
✨ Let them be little. The pressure to be a “big sibling” can feel like a lot! Remember that they are still little, too, and allow them space to act like a toddler.
✨ Validate their feelings and offer comfort during frustrating times. Sometimes it’s hard to know what to do with all of those big feelings.
•
•
•
•
•
📸
⠀

You’ve probably heard of it.
⠀
And it sounds....scary, right? But it shouldn’t be! Let’s talk about this sensation and ease some fears👇🏻
⠀
The “ring of fire” occurs when the baby is crowning or emerging from the birth canal. As the tissues here stretch quickly, it can create a burning feeling. It usually only last for a moment and babies are usually born very soon afterwards. Some women vividly remember this moment from labor, and others say they didn’t experience it at all!
⠀
Here are a few ways to ease the burn:
✨ Exhale and relax while baby is crowning - no need to push hard here. You want to give your tissues time to stretch!
✨ If you feel a burning sensation, blow quick short breaths, like blowing out a tiny candle over and over, until the feeling subsides.
✨ You (or your midwife, support person, wtc) can apply pressure with your hand or a warm washcloth to your perineum to counteract the internal pressure from baby’s head. This may ease the discomfort and prevent tearing!
⠀
🔥 Did you experience the ring of fire? What was it like?
⠀
⠀
⠀

✨ Nourishment during labor ✨
⠀
Giving birth is HARD. WORK. Like a marathon, labor requires sustained energy to get through. We recommend starting off early labor with a hearty, nutrient dense meal complete with plenty of protein, carbs and healthy fats to fuel up for the journey ahead.
⠀
Once contractions pick up and labor feels more intense, eating a full meal may not be possible.
⠀
👇🏻 Here are a few ideas for sustainable energy + proper nourishment during active labor:
+ Bone broth
+ Electrolyte drinks
+ Applesauce pouches
+ Honey sticks
+ Fruit leathers
+ Energy gels
+ Watermelon cubes
+ Toast with butter
+ Charcuterie bites
⠀
What did you eat during labor? Drop your favorite labor snacks + drinks in the comments! ✨
•
•
•
•
•
📸
⠀

Freshly born, clinging to mom.. all she’s ever known.
⠀
You are familiar.
You are safe.
You are home.
•
•
•
•
•
📸
⠀

Ice pads can be so comforting on the perineum after birth! You can choose to purchase “break and shake” packs to keep in your bathroom, or make your own to keep in the freezer! See below for a healing DIY recipe 👇🏻
⠀
🌿 Herbal Padsicles
⠀
You will need...
+ Large maternity or overnight pads (preferably organic)
+ Witch hazel (alcohol free!)
+ Herbal sitz tea for postpartum healing*
+ Organic aloe vera
+ Small spray bottle
+ Freezer bags, for storage
⠀
To make the pads: Carefully remove pad from outer wrapper (but leave adhesive paper on and outer wrapper intact - you’ll need these for storage!) Spread ~1 tbsp of aloe along the body of the pad, but not the wings. Fill a small spray bottle with 1/2 witch hazel and 1/2 strongly brewed herbal sitz tea. Spray the pad with the mixture to your preference. Carefully fold the pad back to its original shape and place back inside of wrapper. Rinse and repeat. Store pads in freezer bag until ready to use! 🙌🏻
⠀
*Herbs you can steep for a postpartum sitz tea: red raspberry leaf tea, yarrow, uva ursi, calendula, comfrey, chamomile, plantain leaf, lavender, rose, etc.
⠀
👉🏻 Tag a pregnant mama or share this post with a friend! ❤️
•
•
•
•
•

✨The power of oxytocin✨
⠀
What gets baby in also gets baby out!
⠀
Think about it: was your baby conceived in a room full of people, bright lights and noise? Were you thinking through every single moment about the mechanics of conception?
⠀
I’m going to take a wild guess and say......probably not 😆 Most likely, you were alone, relaxed and comfortable. Maybe you felt deeply connected to your partner, at peace or just generally happy! The hormone responsible for that feeling of love is called oxytocin.
⠀
Well... guess what? Labor works the same way! Oxytocin is what helps labor progress, and that supply is cut off when a mom feels uneasy, unsafe or unhappy. So what do we do about that? Bring on the oxytocin inducing activities! Snuggle with your partner. Listen to meaningful music or watch a favorite movie. Laugh. Play with your other children, or think about what it will feel like to meet your new baby. Anything that makes you feel a sense of peace and love will likely help your labor progress naturally!
•
•
•
•
•
📸
⠀

Nervous about tearing during birth?
⠀
It’s probably not as likely as you think! If you are giving birth unmedicated, regardless of location, you are going to have a much better sense of what your body needs during labor, and that includes the pushing phase.
⠀
BONUS: If you are birthing at home with a team you trust, your body will likely feel much more relaxed and at ease, reducing the risk of tearing from mental or bodily tension.
⠀
𝐖𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 👇🏻
🌾 Choose an intuitive pushing position. Your body is smart, and it will know what position is best for pushing. If you feel an intuitive urge to get on your hands and knees, lean to one side or put a leg up, just do it! No one knows your body better than you do. You do not need permission to change positions. Listen to your instincts.
🌾 Relax your jaw. This helps to relax your pelvic floor, allowing for more space and movement and less tension in the tissues.
🌾 Wait for your body’s pushing cues. You’ll want to ease the head out when you feel an urge to push rather than pushing super hard or pushing between contractions.
🌾 When you feel the trademark “ring of fire” as the baby begins to crown, exhale through your mouth using quick, short breaths instead of bearing down. This gives your tissues a second to stretch!
•
•
•
•
•

✨ What to expect at a Barefoot Birth prenatal visit ✨
⠀
Throughout your pregnancy, you will attend several prenatal visits in the office. These visits are longer than a standard OB visit (lasting around an hour) and designed to foster a deep relationship between client and midwife so that you feel cared for and supported every step of the way.
⠀
𝐃𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
🌾 Candid conversation about recent life events, stressors, nutrition, habits, overall wellbeing, etc.
🌾 Thorough check in on baby, including determining fetal position (this also comes with a relaxing belly rub!) and listening to heart tones via fetoscope or doppler, dependent on mom’s preference
🌾 Informed consent regarding gestation-relevant testing options and/or performance of said tests
🌾 Opportunity to discuss any questions, concerns or fears that may arise during pregnancy
🌾 Clear directions on what to expect or implement before the next prenatal visit

By the time your birth takes place, we will be the best of friends! 🤎
•
•
•
•
•
📸
⠀

Replenishing your body after birth is vital to your healing, postpartum experience and overall wellbeing as a mother!
⠀
👉🏻 Here are a few tips for nourishing your body during those first few weeks:
⠀
✨Focus on warm, easy to digest foods. Your metabolism will slow down after birth to allow your body to focus on healing, which can sometimes leave digestion to the wayside.
⠀
✨Drink lots of warm, nourishing teas and broths to help replenish nutrient stores and keep the body in a warm state, speeding recovery. Bone broth, herbal teas, electrolytes, coconut water and room temperature filtered water are all excellent choices to stay hydrated during this time. Avoid iced drinks, if possible.
⠀
✨Don’t skimp on the calories! Your body needs a LOT of nourishment to heal, recover from birth and produce milk for baby. Under-eating can majorly impact these processes in a negative way. Make sure to eat enough food, and don’t skip meals — even if you dont feel hungry.
⠀
✨Prepare in advance so you always have nourishing food to eat. We recommend having a plan in place so that you never go without proper nourishment, and don’t have to leave the bed to get it, either! This can look like freezer meal prep, having a basket of snacks by the bed, asking someone to set up a meal train after birth, or having your spouse or a family member handle the cooking.
⠀
✨Prioritize food quality. It’s hard to eat a full meal with a newborn, so you may end up taking bites here and there — so make every bite count! Try to eat as many nutrient dense foods during this time as possible, rather than empty calories and packaged “quick foods.” This is where the planning and meal prep come in handy!
•
•
•
•
•

✨Erythromycin Eye Ointment✨
⠀
What is it?
👉🏻 Erythromycin eye ointment is an antibiotic gel placed over the newborns eyes after birth to prevent infection from gonnorhea and chlamydia.
⠀
Is it required?
👉🏻 Never. You have total medical freedom, always 😉 Many tests and interventions may be “required” by your state or provider, but you always have the right to sign a form declining a procedure or test. It is your constitutional right.
⠀
Who should do it?
👉🏻 You may choose to give your baby this eye ointment if you know or suspect that you or your partner have gonnorhea or chlamydia at the time of birth.
⠀
What are the risks?
👉🏻 The ointment makes clear vision nearly impossible for the newborn, which can affect breastfeeding and bonding in the immediate postpartum period. It can also cause burning and stinging of the eyes.
⠀
What are the benefits?
👉🏻 The eye ointment may prevent infection caused by the presence of maternal gonnorhea and chlamydia only; it does NOT protect from any other kind of infection.
•
•
•
•
•
📸
⠀

✨ Weighing the Baby ✨
⠀
One portion of the newborn exam involves weighing and measuring baby. To weigh the baby, we use a fabric sling (that has been warmed ahead of time for baby’s comfort) and a hanging scale. It’s quick, easy, and we often encourage dads to do it! It is such a sweet and memorable moment from the immediate postpartum time ❤️
•
•
•
•
•
📸
⠀

✨ The Newborn Exam ✨
⠀
A couple of hours after your baby is born, we will perform a gentle and non-invasive observational exam of your little one. The purpose of this task is to ensure baby is physically well and reflexes are functioning properly, as well as record height, weight and body measurements! The exam can be done at the foot of your bed, or even right on your lap.
•
•
•
•
•
📸
⠀

✨ Are cervical checks optional during labor? ✨
⠀
Yes. EVERYTHING is optional, mama!!!!
⠀
A couple of things you should know about us:
1) We don’t perform cervical checks prenatally, unless you ask. There truly is no need or benefit.
2) Labor is not linear — meaning that cervical checks are NOT an indicator of how quickly things will happen from this point on; they simply provide a picture of what is happening in the *current* moment.
3) Cervical checks during labor are always optional. In a labor that is progressing normally, they are usually not necessary. There are certain times, however, when a check may be suggested or warranted. Those times may include: prolonged labor or pushing, bleeding during pushing, maternal curiosity (mom just wants to know!) suspected swelling or cervical lip, etc. These scenarios would be clearly explained to mom and cervical checks would only be performed with clear consent.
•
•
•
•
•

✨Newborn Metabolic Screening✨
⠀
What is it?
👉🏻 The newborn metabolic screening (also referred to as the PKU test) is a lab test in which a heel stick is used to draw blood from baby’s foot. The blood is screened for rare genetic and metabolic conditions like phenylketonuria (PKU), hypothyroidism, galactosemia, sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, toxoplasmosis and others.
⠀
Is it required?
👉🏻 This is a reminder that you have total medical freedom, always 😉 Many tests and interventions may be “required” by your state or provider, but you always have the right to sign a form declining a procedure or test. It is your constitutional right.
⠀
Who should do it?
👉🏻 You may choose to perform this screening if you have a family history of genetic or metabolic conditions, or you’d simply just like to know. We encourage clients to make decisions based on their personal comfort level and with total informed consent.
⠀
What are the risks?
👉🏻 This procedure carries little risk; the most obvious being potential infection at the sight of the puncture wound. There is also a growing conversation regarding the effects of punctures/needle sticks in the newborn and their relation to trauma and attachment.
⠀
What are the benefits?
👉🏻 The test may confirm the presence of a rare genetic condition. For some parents, it also may also provide peace of mind that there is NO evidence of these conditions.
•
•
•
•
•
📸
⠀

This is the best part of home birth.
⠀
You just finished the hardest work of your entire life, and now less than an hour later, you’re tucked into bed together as a new family.
⠀
Seriously, it doesn’t get better than this ❤️
⠀
•
•
•
•
•
📸
⠀

POV: You just roared out your baby in the most epic and beautiful way right in your living room. Now you feel empowered, ecstatic, and absolutely exhausted. You’re soaking in this transition as your begin to comfort and nurture your new baby — so much so, you forget that now YOU need some nurturing yourself!

✨ Enter, your midwife and her healing herbal regimen ✨

As you snuggle in bed with your new family, I will quietly clean up, returning your space to normal, and check in on you and baby. Then, I will prepare a warm cup herbal tea to facilitate healing and comfort. I will also prepare a batch of herbal tea for your peri bottle, using a selection of healing herbs that I will bring with me to your birth and postpartum visits.

You deserve to be nurtured too, mama, and I want to help! ❤️
•
•
•
•
•
⠀