The Secret to Staying Sane When Juggling Remote Work and a Baby
The Secret to Staying Sane When Juggling Remote Work and a Baby Any working parent can tell you that finding a balance between work and
3 Risks Of Acetaminophen To Unborn Babies
There is substantial concern among scientists that taking acetaminophen during pregnancy causes 3 serious risks to unborn babies. NaturesReviewEndocrinology published a Consensus Statement in September
The Newborn Vitamin K Shot Ingredients
What is in the newborn Vitamin K shot There are so many decisions for new parents to make. One of the first is whether or
What’s New With The Three Balances
What’s New With The Three Balances I reviewed the Three Balances at a Spinning Babies workshop given June 10, 2022, taught by midwife Tema Mercado in San Diego. I
What is Paid Family Leave? American Families Wish They Had It
In spite of being among the wealthiest nations in the world, the United States doesn’t spend a red cent on family leave. There is NO
OB/GYN Physician Becomes Homebirth Midwife
Transitions: OB/GYN Physician Turned Homebirth Midwife Dr. Elizabeth Ross, Ob/Gyn, who had her second homebirth with Brooke Ray Midwife and later worked with them as
The Covid-19 Vaccine is a Personal Choice for Pregnant Women
The Covid-19 Vaccine is a Personal Choice for Pregnant Women 20,000 pregnant women have already been vaccinated against COVID-19 in spite of the lack of
Healthy Start: A Resource for Black Mothers in San Diego
If we are serious about ensuring that Black women thrive before, during, and after childbirth, we must do more to eliminate bias and discrimination in
Coronavirus: More Homebirths on the East Coast and More Publicity for Midwives
… by Sandy Starkey | June 6, 2020 How do we, as pregnant women, find our way to homebirth midwives? Each of us has her
Virtual Baby Sign Language Class Review
I recently bought this virtual Baby Sign Class for $30 for my baby grandson. It’s really good. The videos are all simple and practical for
Telemedicine and Virtual Prenatal Care for Homebirth
Telemedicine and Virtual Prenatal Care appointments are the way to stay and “shelter in place” nowadays. Check out this new option for our homebirth clients
Is Homebirth Safer than Hospital During Global Pandemic?
Homebirths are in the spotlight as the safe alternative to hospital birth during the global pandemic. Pregnant women who are due to give birth in
How To Baby Proof Your Home: 7 Steps And Parent-Recommended Baby Proofing Supplies
Poke into any parenting group, and you quickly learn that there are two main approaches to babyproofing your house: You can make yourself a little
Facing Single Motherhood Doesn’t Have to Be Stressful
As a mom-to-be, it’s important to not stress out over small things or hypothetical situations. And regardless of whether you planned on single motherhood, you’ll
Discussing 3 Myths You May Have Heard About Dental Care & Pregnancy
Becoming pregnant is a special time in a couple’s life, yet it can be overwhelming to be overloaded with information from friends and family members.
Emily’s Third Baby, Lauren, Born at Home
Lauren was born at just past 41 weeks. Labor was fast and furious – about 4.5 hours. It was exactly what the midwives had said
Pregnant and Penny Pinching: Tips for the Mom-to-be on a Budget
By Emily Graham of Mighty Moms Finding out that you’re pregnant can be a time of tumultuous emotions. While you may be ecstatic, there is
Emily’s Homebirths With Brooke Ray Midwife
Liam’s birth was my first. It started in the early morning and lasted 14 hours. At one point, when I thought I could go no
Anticipating Life With a Disability and a Baby
The gift of life is something that is precious to every parent. There’s magic that happens when the unexpected and the amazing intertwine in a
Ancient Birth Dances For Easier Birthing
Ancient birthing wisdom has been passed down to us in the form of fertility and birth dances from thousands of years ago. The moves that
Community Health Group Medi-Cal covers Homebirth
Community Health Group (CHG) covers Homebirth Homebirth is such an amazing option for low risk mothers and babies. There are so many benefits. One simple
Brooke Ray Midwife San Diego proudly offers Medi-Cal for Homebirth
We have worked very hard for the last couple of years at Brooke Rayto Midwifery to offer Medi-Cal for homebirth. We are very proud
The Politics of Homebirth
To understand why insurance companies don’t pay well for homebirth in America, one needs to appreciate the absolute power and control of the American Medical
Bringing Baby Home
It’s 3 a.m. You’re up for the fourth time since you fell into bed at 8pm last night. This beautiful, amazing creature is now nestled
Alternative Birth Options and Health Insurance Coverage
Although most women in the U.S. deliver babies in a hospital, that’s far from their only option these days. They don’t have to rely on
Birth story for Augusta
Name: Melanie Keeton (Founder of Returning to Birth) Baby Name: Augusta Nicole Weight: 7lb 6oz Length: 20 in Birthday: November 8, 2017 Gestation: 40 weeks
WHAT is Postpartum Rehab, and WHY should EVERY mother have it?
By Sheri DeSchaaf, PT, DPT http://www.shefitpt.com Most women are familiar with the common postnatal recommendation of “no exercise for 6 weeks,” or until she is
Riding the Postpartum Waves: Understand the wide range of feelings
By Rachel Rabinor, LCSW http://www.rachelrabinor.com Riding the Postpartum Waves: Understand the wide range of feelings that come with a new baby and how to let
Diastasis Healing with Dr. Stephanie Libs
We were so fortunate at MothertoMother Midwifery this weekend to welcome Dr. Stephanie Libs to our Fourth Trimester Talk in the Garden. Dr Libs is
Cord Blood Collection and Homebirth
Cord blood collection is possible at your home birth. Brooke RayMidwives will help interested families collect cord blood at their Homebirth. The stem cells in
Who Do We Invite to Our Homebirth?
This is a topic near and dear to the midwife heart! Midwives are very aware that who you invite to your birth ( and especially
ohhh the vernix-Birth Photos
“The International Association of Professional Birth Photographers has announced the winners of their 2017 contest, and the photos they chose show the struggles mothers go
Why a Doula? But we have a midwife…
One of the big questions that we get asked at Brooke Ray Midwife during our interview process is ” Do I need a doula at
Evidence Based Birth Practices
One of the goals of midwifery care is “Evidenced Based Birth Practices” which means that our care is guided by more than just our personal
NIPT: Early Genetic Testing
Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) Introduction NIPT analyzes cell-free fetal DNA circulating in maternal blood. It is obtained from a simple blood draw. It is a
Cesarean births affecting human evolution: The female pelvis is not to blame
Recently some British researchers came up with a dodgy, new spin on an old obstetric myth. They warn us that the high rate of cesarean
Birth in the Caul
It is rare and special for a baby to be born in the caul. It’s also known as ‘born in the veil’ because the membrane
A Strong Water Bag-How to Avoid Premature Rupture of Membranes
There are many benefits for a strong water bag. The risk of infection for mother and baby remains low, the amniotic fluid insulates the umbilical
Giving Thanks for an Intact Water Bag
We all know there are two membranes that surround the baby in the womb: the inner amniotic membrane and the outer chorionic membrane. These two
Are there really more births on the super moon?
The full moon will be closest today to planet earth than it has been since 1948. It won’t be this close again until 2034. Surely this
On Cutting the Cord and Newborn Anemia
Our practice is very protective of that cord after the baby is born. Midwives have always respected the natural process and it has been our
In honor of Midwifery Week
In honor of Midwifery Week, please join the San Diego Chapter of the American College of Nurse Midwives to enjoy this documentary. Held in UCSD’s
Homebirth…For Dads
Recently one of our favorite magazines on Wellness published a few articles on a much neglected perspective: The father’s Here is a quote from the
Birth as a Rite of Passage
Once in awhile we get an honorable mention in a published magazine. This birth story has to be included as it is so beautifully written.
Birth Dance with Brooke
Come prepare your “body/mind” for birth. One of Brooke’s strengths as a midwife is her dance background. Come learn about the “4 Ps of Birth”
Brooke Ray Midwife Featured in San Diego UpTown News
Local San Diego newspaper “San Diego UpTown News”, runs a feature about Brooke Ray Midwife in their May 11th – May 24th, 2012 publication, (Volume
