Little Wonders Photography

09/27/2021

Did your baby have head molding right after birth?

"The bones of a newborn baby's skull are soft and flexible, with gaps between the plates of bone.

The spaces between the bony plates of the skull are called cranial sutures. The front (anterior) and back (posterior) fontanelles are 2 gaps that are particularly large. These are the soft spots you can feel when you touch the top of your baby's head.

When a baby is born in a head-first position, pressure on the head in the birth canal may mold the head into an oblong shape. These spaces between the bones allow the baby's head to change shape. Depending on the amount and length of pressure, the skull bones may even overlap."

-Medlineplus.gov

09/02/2021

This was such a special moment to witness. This mom had been laboring HARD for a long time and was nearing transition. She decided she wanted to see what it felt like to get into the tub and was hoping she would find some relief.

08/12/2021

This 9 lb munchkin was born covered in vernix and knew exactly what she needed to do to keep her rolls looking good!

08/09/2021

"There is power that comes to women when they give birth. They don't ask for it, it simply invades them. Accumulates like clouds on the horizon and passes through, carrying the child with it."
- Sheryl Feldman

07/26/2021

Hi guys! It's been a while. Like, over a year.

I recently submitted this photo into the International Association of Professional Birth Photographers' Image Evaluation Event. It's titled Best Laid Plans.

2020 was about best laid plans for all of us. Whatever we thought our year was going to look like was likely rearranged, at best. We were scared, we were angry, we were exhausted, we were in pain. We were stretched in ways we didn't think it would be possible to survive. But hopefully, after all that we endured, we are able to look back and pick out the beautiful moments. The people who loved and supported us, the bonds that became stronger than ever, the love that grew, and the people who joined our tribes.

"A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions."
-Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.

11/21/2020

I know I’ve been MIA lately because #2020. But I wanted to share this with you.

California birthing families need your help.
Doulas have been recognized by many prestigious maternal health organizations as essential members of the birth team. By providing education, support, and advocacy, doulas help reduce disparities in maternal morbidity and mortality for families of color and reduce the rate of unnecessary cesarean births. Support from a doula is attributed to higher birth satisfaction and an increase in positive birth outcomes for families. Doulas provide accountability, advocacy, and education in a vulnerable space.
As a result of the pandemic, hospitals have put into place very strict limits on hospital visitors. However, many birth facilities are utilizing this visitor limit as an opportunity to block doulas from providing essential physical, mental, and emotional support to their clients.
DOULAS ARE NOT VISITORS IN THE BIRTH SPACE. Their presence is crucial in helping families get evidence based, respectful care.
Not having access to doula support is a health equity issue and a violation of human rights. The Doulas Are Essential California Coalition is working hard to have doulas recognized as essential care providers by Governor Newsom.
If you believe in autonomy in birth, in a family’s right to choose their care team, and in respectful maternity care, please sign this petition. Families everywhere need your support now more than ever.
Please visit www.doulasareessential.org to learn more about this cause and areas for engagement. Thank you!

https://www.change.org/p/gavin-newsom-doulas-are-essential-access-to-doula-support-is-a-health-equity-issue?utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=custom_url&recruited_by_id=c937a450-14c2-11eb-a12b-33e108f561ee&fbclid=IwAR1HgtJre4CHBC3yz0OLgJliiOK-idmll0fg2kx1nAvm_F3bVMIRspvEsJU

Doulas Are Essential- Access to doula support is a health equity issue.

04/10/2020

I’m mourning with you. 💔

😢

04/08/2020

Yes.

Mama, it’s OK to grieve the loss of a “normal” pregnancy, of hospital antenatal classes and catching up with your friends for coffee and walks.

It’s OK to feel sad that your baby shower has been cancelled – I know you were looking forward to it.

You’re allowed to be disappointed that your Babymoon – your last trip before welcoming your new addition - won’t happen now.

Mama, it’s OK to cry because your big boy or big girl won’t be able to meet their new baby sibling in the hospital.

It’s OK to be upset that your friends and family won’t be able to visit you after birth – or that it might be some time before they can hold your baby in their arms.

Mama, it’s OK to grieve your village, to feel down that mothers’ groups have been cancelled at a time when you need them most.

It’s OK to feel sad that so many of your plans for maternity leave have changed – and you’re learning how to be a mum in this strange new normal.

It’s OK to feel that the magic of this time has been stolen from you - while also being grateful for it, too.

It’s okay to grieve. Your feelings are valid and so are your tears.

You’re not alone ❤️

Art by Rita Navarro

https://www.cope.org.au

03/26/2020

https://www.kcra.com/article/having-a-baby-soon-here-are-the-delivery-room-changes-in-sacramento-area-hospitals/31934531?fbclid=IwAR3MU0oganJCRNN-c0TU4IlY8hc2WC1uYqyLUeiM8hwCJIYxQshnuAGMO6g #

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, hospitals across the country are updating protocols in labor and delivery units.

03/15/2020

I love what local doula Emily with Gold Country Doula had to say about this very recent development. Local pregnant persons due to give birth soon, please read.

4th update 3/15: more recent reports suggest ONE support person is being allowed. The restrictions seem to vary by location and staff enforcement. But that is the latest. Glad for that! 👏

Still uncertain how this is playing out at each individual facility. Be sure to connect with your hospital if you have concerns. See full unfolding story below:
*****
This was just released by San Francisco county- effectively barring ANY support for those in labor. No spouses or doulas.

This is a scary and specifically TRAUMATIC policy decision for many families. We encourage you to advocate hard at the hospital and county level to prevent this from happening in your community.

ETA- We have confirmation from birth doulas who are in the county that they and the dad are being sent from the room.

2ETA- Here is the whole document. Notice section 11 which gives hosp administrators the authority to make exceptions when deemed "necessary"
https://www.sfdph.org/dph/alerts/files/Order-C19-06-ExcludingVisitorstoHospitals-03132020.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2bfU8qfb-Vwsf708irGGKEurzVA3QlZuOG2RVgnxeDlO7qQ5MiHUrnTe8

3ETA- Recent article by San Francisco Chronicle “Despite what Sherin was told, Sutter Health, which operates California Pacific Medical Center, said on Saturday it is allowing a support person into the delivery suite with appropriate screening and precautions like handwashing - although they may have to leave after the birth. So is UCSF. SF General did not immediately respond to calls for comment."

4ETA: updates 3/15 suggest ONE support person is being allowed. The restrictions seem to vary by location and staff enforcement. But that is the latest. Glad for that! 👏

03/13/2020

Another local birth option if you are pregnant and feeling anxious about birthing in a hospital.

03/13/2020

A message from my friend and local midwife at Taproot Midwifery:

Hey lovely folks. I’m a local licensed midwife and I offer home birth exclusively. Today I got my first call from a pregnant person hoping to avoid the hospital for their birth in light of Covid-19. If you are also considering a home birth to avoid the hospital, here is where you can find a list of most of our local midwives providing community birth.

Home birth is a safe option for low-risk and healthy birthing folks. It keeps you and your new baby out of the hospital unless a true medical necessity arises. If you have been considering a home birth but haven’t made up your mind, now is a good time to meet with midwives and sort out whether it’s the right option for you and your family. I expect that demand for our services will continue to increase as this pandemic continues.

We all offer free consultations. Most, if not all, of us offer payment plans. We accept HSA/FSA payments. We have ways to bill your insurance plans so it’s not always all out of pocket costs for you and your family. My recommendation is to choose 2 or 3 practices that feel right and meet those midwives.

Find a Midwife in the Greater Sacramento Area Midwives are the experts in normal maternity care. Free consultations are always encouraged… call a midwife today! Visit each of the links below to meet the midwives whose independent practices make up the Midwives Collective of Sacramento. Birthstream...