Amethyst Community Health

DOULA TRAINING ANNOUNCEMNT Genesis Birth Services is happy to announce that applications for the Winter 2022 Perinatal Health Professional & Perinatal Health Ad...vocate training Opens on October 15, 2021. This training is open specifically to interested applicants in Pennsylvania. Registrants from Pittsburgh and surrounding areas are strongly encouraged to apply. Scholarship opportunities are available for qualified Black/ AA applicants. Start the application process at https://www.genesisbirth.org/training-mentorship. #doula #doulatraining #pittsburgh #alleghenyreproductivehealthcenter #genesisbirthservices #training #scholarship #blackdoulatrainer #perinatalhealth #maternalhealth #newcohort

"Gather people togetherin person or on Zoomand make space to talk about reproductive freedom, and/or about Judaism and abortion justice. We have a whole host of resources to help you to do just that. You can use our storytelling resources to talk about the impact of reproductive health access in people’s real lives, use our discussion guides to learn more about Judaism’s approach to abortion or to have a courageous conversation of your own, or a combination of things. Check... out our resources [at the link below] to get started!" https://www.73forward.org/reproshabbatresources #ReproductiveHealth #ReproductiveJustice #ReproductiveSovereignty #Abortion #AbortionRights #Judaism #ReproductionShabbat #ReproShabbat [Blue and green background. Challah bread to the left. "Repro Shabbat / Jan 28-29, 2022." to the right. Sponsored by "National Council of Jewish Women"]

Afro-Indigenous Placenta Traditions https://www.instagram.com/p/CYP4j46LWMC/ .

Baxtalo Nevo Berš - Happy New Year! Sastipe! Kushti Divvus, friends and new & old followers! It's time for another quarterly (re)introduction. . I'm Michele or Misha (they/them), a traditional community midwife, herbalist, secular chaplain, & independent sex education teacher providing inclusive care to financially-deprived & Q/T/BIPOC individuals & their families. .... I am a queer, genderqueer, transgender, disabled, autistic, Romani, & Mizrahi person. I am pro-choice, sex (kink & sexworker) positive, & fat/body-positive. . My homebirth practice is on an educational sabbatical while I am finishing my Social Work degree on my way to becoming a Full Spectrum Family Practice Physician. . I like to sew/quilt/mend, drink copious amounts of tea, walk barefoot, do maths, play Minecraft, break the binary, & work on writing my memoirs. I live on the Northside of Pittsburgh with my spouse of 20 years and our two kiddos. . Patreon: patreon.com/midwitchery All The Links: linktr.ee/midwitchery . #Merbutch #Selfie #MyFace #Genderqueer #Nonbinary #Transgender #TheyThem #Romani #Romany #eskáRomština # #Mizrahi # #SipsiCymreig #Queerdo #Midwife #Herbalist #SexEduTeacher #Autistic #SecularChaplain #Witch #GreyWitch #Midwitch #SelfieSaturday #ThisIsWhatTransLooksLike #ThisIsWhatNonbinaryLooksLike #ThisIsWhatQueerLooksLike . . [selfie of Michele. They are wearing a grey sweatshirt and their long dark hair is parted down the middle. White letters on the left side say, "my pronouns are: they, them, their/s, themself" & underneath is a Romani flag, Jewish nonbinary pride flag, rainbow flag, a nazar emoji & a trans sign.] See more

Keeping in mind that not everyone who fulfils these roles uses the term doula. Many use terms like birthworker, [birth/death/abortion/transition] companion, an indigenous, cultural, or spiritual title, and many other kinds of names. If you're unclear on what a person does/does not do, what their title means, or what kind of experience or training they've had, just ask them! #Birthwork #ReproductionWork #Doula #FullSpectrum

Hello Everyone! Sorry for the radio silence these last couple of months. I've been working hard behind the scenes and am proud to announce a collaboration with... The Breastfeeding Center for Greater Washington! LGBTQ+ Prenatal Group 2nd and 4th Thursdays 7-8:30PM Cost: FREE Meets Virtually Open to people everywhere, not just the DC, Maryland, or Virginia area! This Group is specifically designed for the LGBTQ+ community preparing to welcome a baby into their family. Our goal is to create a space that fosters a supportive community for soon-to-be parents. We welcome birthing, adoptive or gestational carrier LGBTQ+ families who are at any stage of pregnancy. You can attend this group as a pregnant person, partner, alone or together. You must reserve your spot by going to: https://breastfeedingcenter.janeapp.com/#/support-groups Scroll down to LGBTQ+ Prenatal Group Select the Date and time that works for you.

The Queer Doula Network is currently seeking proposals from LGBTQIA+ birth workers for one hour, virtual workshops related to LGBTQIA+-centered, full spectrum b...irth work! - One time payment of $150 per workshop - First-time facilitators welcome to apply - Application deadline: January 21, 2022 Application: https://forms.gle/NXp3xGE2N1ttzcDQ9 See more

We're so excited to share that Tejal Patel will be joining us for our 2022 Virtual Retreat, Reclaiming Our Bodies! Bear will be offering a movement session. Te...jal (she/her/hers) is a first-generation Indian American yoga teacher, social justice educator, podcaster, and community organizer. Tejal aims to educate and empower individuals and communities around the world by teaching yoga through a social justice lens. She founded Tejal Yoga, a revolutionary virtual yoga community and practice space that centers South Asian teachers offering diverse yoga and meditation practices. She is co-lead of the Yoga is Dead Team which offers a podcast questioning who and what killed yoga, workshops and training about cultural appropriation, and live events about the issues with modern yoga. She created the abcdyogi village, where South Asian teachers reclaim the yoga and mindfulness space. Follow her @TejalYoga. [ID: Against a yellow & orange ombre background, white text reads Tejal Patel above a circular, black and white image of Tejal. She is sitting on her legs with her arms relaxed on her lap, looking at the camera. Under the photo, white text reads, "Reclaiming Our Bodies," and burgundy text reads, "January 22nd and 23rd, 2022. The rectangular, white Birthing Advocacy logo is at the bottom. Slide 2: A yellow & orange background, with white text reading: "Reclaiming our Bodies. One day ticket Free, Two day ticket $40. Earlybird $27. January 22nd and 23rd." In the centre is a photo showing 4 people huddled together from an aerial view.] #BADT #ReclaimingOurBodies2022 #ReclaimingOurBodies #VirtualRetreat

23 years ago it was a cold night. Cammie was as beautiful as ever. She birthed her twins, one after the other, into my hands and my heart. You can read the story here: bit.ly/amethystorigin... #First #MidwifeLife #MyFirstClient #Homebirth #Twins #OnBeginning #OriginStories #HowItAllStarted [brown background with white text, "Tuesday, December 8th, 1998 Approximately 41 weeks gestation It was the first freeze of the Winter season and it came late. In fact, it was the latest first freeze of history for Oklahoma City. This was a good thing considering she still spent most of her pregnancy sleeping in the squat house..."]

"Centering Comprehensive Birth Work: creating a childbirth education class $500 A 8-week training on creating an inclusive and diverse childbirth class with guest 1-hour lecture by Dr. Stephanie Mitchell, DNP, CNM, CPM and founder of The Birth Sanctuary, Alabama's first free-standing birth center." https://thesouthernmidwife.podia.com/centering-comprehensiv Code "BIPOC" for BIPOC students to get 50% discount.

Refuse vs Decline I just saw a nice little video about this and it reminded me to elaborate on the difference between the two! In healthcare, the use of the ...word ‘refuse’ instead of ‘decline’ really boils my pi**. While the two have roughly the same broad meaning (saying no to an offer/invitation/even recommendation), the associations in our heads regarding the two words can be very different, and that hugely influences how we perceive the person who is refusing/declining something, with a potential impact how we think and feel about them, and how we may offer care to them and treat them in the future. Even if it’s not intentional, and more subconscious. Refuse has associations of unreasonableness, childishness, pigheadedness, being obstinate, and possibly rude. Decline is polite, formal, quite reasonable and has absolutely no undertones of rudeness or unreasonableness. Basically, ‘refuse’ in many peoples heads is similar to: Absolutely f***ing not, are you kidding? NO!!!’ maybe with a sullen expression, and potentially in a raised voice (btw, having to do this as a pregnant person is also absolutely fine....if we are not respecting autonomy and choice, we have to be prepared to be put in our place!). Whereas ‘decline’ is a simple and considered: ‘No, thank you.’ possible delivered with a smile. I know this is hyperbole , but really, the two are very different in a healthcare context. So it would be wonderful if we could consider this when documenting or talking to colleagues. While the ‘refuse’ terminology might not have hugely negative connotations for YOU, it does for many people, some of whom may be reading your documentation, or receive your handover. And a person who is considered rude, stubborn and unreasonable DOES receive different care and communication from a person considered to be polite and reasonable. (Wherever that may mean.). There is also the power imbalance that gets highlighted here. As already mentioned, refusing to do/accept something assumes that it really OUGHT to be accepted, which assumes a: the HCP is right, and b: they have the power to decide what should happen. The balance of power is tipped towards the HCP . Being able to decline puts the power firmly into the decliners hands. As it should be . So yeah, there IS a difference, even though the basic meaning is very similar. It’s worth remembering that (illustration my me )

**TERFS & "pro-life" crusaders will be blocked** . Quarterly Reminder: Do you need help obtaining emergency contraception or abortion & resources for the Pittsburgh area? Midwife Michele has you covered. #... midwitchery.net/fullspectrummidwifery # #Abortion #AbortionCompanion #EmergencyContraception #Midwifery #FullSpectrumMidwifery #AbortionIsHealthcare #SelfManagedAbortion #AbortionIsSelfCare #AbortionIsNotJustForWomen #ILoveAbortionProviders #AbortionIsOk #AbortionIsNormal #AbortionRights #ProAbortion #ProChoice #EndAbortionStigma #ShoutYourAbortion #ProAbo #StopAbortionBans #AbortionActivism ( by @abortion_embroidery you can support them by purchasing embroidery pieces at etsy.com/shop/AbortionEmbroidery ) . . [ID: grey piece of fabric with "thankful for abortions" embroidered on it using various colours of embroidery floss.] See more

Earth Economy: Shifting the Paradigm for Sustainable Practice with Monica Larrea, CPM Date: Sunday, December 12th Duration: 90 minutes Time Zones: 5:30 PT/ 6:3...0 MT/ 7:30 CT/ 8:30 ET LINK IN BIO or Register: https://www.powr.io/zoom-form/i/30636723#page All proceeds gathered from the talk go to the guest speaker. To all my relations, I am Monica Larrea de Arellano, the daughter of Josefina and Ruperto Larrea. I come from the Chihuahuan Desert borderlands of El Paso, Tx and Ciudad Juarez Mexico. Currently, I reside in the Tewa territory known as Espanola, NM. I am called to the recovery and reintegration of ancestral memory. This journey has led me to serve families through the birth altar as a licensed midwife and begin dismantling colonial models. I am a council member of the Meztli Ixchel Tonahualli fireplace and the founder of the Midwives for Black Lives scholarship fund. Talk Description: The colonial models that we live under are extractive and unsustainable and more people than ever are seeking to decolonize and dismantle these models. This is an exciting time and we can look to the tenants of Earth economy as a framework for building sustainable practices. Earth economy can be used to address the macro and microsystems of the world we live in. As care providers and birth workers, we can act on the micro-level by introducing these concepts into our practice to affect systemic change on the macro level. Join Monica Larrea de Arellano, LM, CPM for an open discussion on Earth Economy and shifting the paradigm for sustainable practice. Register at least an hour in advance for this meeting: https://www.powr.io/zoom-form/i/30636723#page PLEASE NOTE: If you register less than one hour before the call, there will be a recording available to you, but you will NOT be able to get on the live call. It will be recorded and sent out to registrants after the talk. Contact [email protected] with questions

Welcome to the first 2021 Monthly Mystery Box! For a donation of just $5 or more you will be entered to win the box with over ***$200**** worth of goodies inside! . www.go.rallyup.com/raffleboxfeb - Link in bio! Go get you some! .... February's Theme: Self-love is Safe Love. . This month we are focusing on self care and self love. This *adult-themed* box is filled with items that you can enjoy, whether solo or with company, and you'll receive it in time for Valentine's Day. Treat yourself with gifts to feed the mind, body, and soul! For a donation of just $5 or more you will be entered to win the box with over ***$200**** worth of goodies inside! . **The winner will be announced and contacted on Friday, February 12 afternoon! Get in on it!**** . Please note: This box may contain items not suitable for children. This box may contain edible and/or electronic items. The box may include items processed in facilities that have nuts, wheat, dairy, or eggs. . ______How it Works_____ . Each month we will select a theme and fill a box with indulgent treats and gifts for one lucky winner. Buy tickets to enter the raffle and win a box of awesome goodies! Boxes will vary in value, but always contain at least $100 in prizes and treats, and a chance to win it all for only 20 cents per ticket! Enter the raffle now to win! . All proceeds will support access to abortion care through Western Pennsylvania Fund for Choice , a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides patients who need it with financial support for their reproductive healthcare at Allegheny Reproductive Health Center in Pittsburgh, PA. . Please go to rallyup link in bio to learn more, read the FAQs, and buy tickets now! . #SelfLove #SelfCare #SexPositiveCulture #BodyPositivity #BodilyAutonomy #ReproductiveFreedom #ReproductiveRights #Fundraising #AbortionFunds #AbortionCareIsHealthcare #Valentines #Vday #ValentinesDay2021 #ShareTheLove See more

You do not have to attend the live session as it will be recorded for participants.

For Pittsburgh providers & others (parents, street medics, etc.)

PLEASURE CAN BE COMPLICATED & YOU ARE NOT ALONE *To minimize the risk of IG hiding this post, *** were used PLEASURE & PREGNANCY with @FeministSexEd... Saturday, February 6th | 11am-1pm PST/ 2pm-4pm EST 2 HR ONLINE WORKSHOP *This workshop centers queer & trans folks and is open to all identities. DESCRIPTION: Trying to conceive, pregnancy, and the postpartum period can be times of moments of incredible growth and bodily connection, but sometimes, we lose touch with our sexual pleasure in the process. In this s*x education workshop, we'll talk about sexual pleasure during and around pregnancy. This workshop is open to folks of all identities and centers the queer & trans experience. We will explore: Why desire changes around pregnancy What sexual safety and pleasure look like around pregnancy How to care for your body and mind during moments of disconnect ABOUT THE FACILITATOR: Cassandra Corrado is a queer s*x educator who works with adults to unlearn shame and heal their relationships with s*x. She trained at The Center for Sexual Pleasure & Health and has experience as a hospital response team victim advocate. She's also the host of You Deserve Good S*x, a YouTube series from Rewire News Group. She believes that it's possible to create more pleasurable lives, no matter our age. You can connect with her on her website, in her shop, and on social media @FeministSexEd. Limited scholarships available for BIPOC. Visit www.BirthBruja.com to learn more

Stephanie Tillman, CNM is currently a Clinical Medical Ethics Fellow at the University of Chicago's MacLean Center, where she is focusing on consent in intimate exams, and blogs under the name Feminist Midwife . Stephanie's presentation titled Trauma-Informed Pelvic Care in the Time of COVID-19, will review the framework of trauma-informed care, detail best practices for pelvic care, discuss the impact of COVID-19 on intimate examinations, and challenge providers to modify ...current practices in order to create safe environments for empowering healthcare experiences. This free presentation offers the unique opportunity to learn how the shared trauma between clients and providers is created by COVID-19, and a new possibility to integrate trauma-informed care into practice. You can look forward to learning more about trauma-informed care in the context of: - The historical foundations of obstetrics and gynecology - The impact on marginalized groups including queer, BIPOC individuals, un- and under-insured communities, refugee and immigrant people, and incarcerated patients - Current context of assaults on patients in the name of healthcare - The history and current applications - The application despite social distancing attempts by healthcare institutions - How to integrate midwifery and trauma-informed care frameworks - Examples of application to common clinical experiences, like speculum exams, bimanual exams, and cervical exams in labor https://www.goldmidwifery.com//keynote-presentations-speak #FeministMidwife #TraumaInformedCare #InformedConsent #FreePresentation

"Someone quick to meet you in person, or who is cavalier or dismissive about precautions you want is waving a bright, red flag in your general direction. Chances are they themselves are a big risk, especially if they have been seeing others in close contact. . .(which they probably have if given the opportunity, since it’s an opportunity they want)."

Plasticenta: First evidence of microplastics in human placenta Abstract Microplastics are particles smaller than five millimeters deriving from the degradation of plastic objects present in the environment. Microplastics can move from the environment to living organisms, including mammals. In this study, six human placentas, collected from consenting women with physiological pregnancies, were analyzed by Raman Microspectroscopy to evaluate the presence of microplastics. In to...tal, 12 microplastic fragments (ranging from 5 to 10 m in size), with spheric or irregular shape were found in 4 placentas (5 in the fetal side, 4 in the maternal side and 3 in the chorioamniotic membranes); all microplastics particles were characterized in terms of morphology and chemical composition. All of them were pigmented; three were identified as stained polypropylene a thermoplastic polymer, while for the other nine it was possible to identify only the pigments, which were all used for man-made coatings, paints, adhesives, plasters, finger paints, polymers and cosmetics and personal care products. Analysis of microplastics by Raman Microspectroscopy Results: From each placenta, three portions with a mean weight of 23.3 5.7 g were collected from the maternal side, the foetal side and the chorioamniotic membranes. All portions were opportunely processed for the subsequent analysis by Raman Microspectroscopy. In total, 12 MP fragments (named #1#12) were detected in the placentas of four women; more in detail, 5 MPs were found in the foetal side portions, 4 in the maternal side portions, and 3 in the chorioamniotic membranes. Microplastics #1#4, #6, #7, and #9#12, were ~10 m in size, while #5 and #8 ones were smaller (~5 m). All the analyzed MPs were pigmented. The report includes a description of each MP In conclusion, this study sheds new light on the level of human exposure to MPs and microparticles in general. Due to the crucial role of placenta in supporting the foetus development and in acting as an interface between the latter and the external environment, the presence of exogenous and potentially harmful (plastic) particles is a matter of great concern. Possible consequences on pregnancy outcomes and foetus are the transgenerational effects of plasticizer on metabolism and reproduction (Lee, 2018). Further studies need to be performed to assess if the presence of MPs in human placenta may trigger immune responses or may lead to the release of toxic contaminants, resulting harmful for pregnancy.

Quickie Quiz Question. How long does it take for a healthy, normal newborn to achieve an oxygen saturation of 90%? . . . .... Answer. 10 minutes! Can you believe, it might take up to 10 minutes for a newborn's system to achieve an oxygen saturation greater than 90%? (NRP 7th Ed p. 54). In utero, humans have an oxygen saturation of about 60% during gestation. Babies are designed to handle these lower 02 saturations. That number can drop to 10% while the baby is passing through the bones of the birth canal, during the squeeze of a contraction. After the contractions, the 02 saturation goes back up. This is normal. . When a baby is born, as they transition to being an air-breather, and start oxygenating through their lungs and not through the placenta, it takes a little time (~10 mins) for the 02 saturation to increase to about 85-95%. . "A healthy newborn breathing room air may take more than 10 minutes to achieve oxygen saturation greater than 90%." NRP Textbook Pg 54 See more

Did you know that trans and non-binary people are more likely to select non-hospital or community-based options when giving birth? They are also more likely to ...request a caesarean birth, and are less likely to chestfeed. But today, we want to focus on the tendency for trans and non-binary folks to opt for community-based birthing practices. There are many reasons for this decision uninformed and biased providers in traditional spaces that are ill-equipped to administer care properly, past trauma that render hospitals outside of one's safe space, and the inability to escape sexist and/or transphobic violence. Preparing for pregnancy as a non-binary person involves extra steps to make sure your mental and physical health are top priority and supported throughout the entire pregnancy and birthing process. Research shows that it's helpful to have an affirmation of identity, affirmation of pregnancy, and a feeling of physical and mental safety. Most often, trans and non-binary people find this within their community, and pregnancy experts outside of the hospital world. If you're experiencing a #transgenderpregnancy or #nonbinarypregnancy, we encourage you to find and lean into your pregnancy community. Explore doulas, midwives, or the like that are trained in trans and non-binary care practices. Whether you choose to give birth in a hospital or not, having this community surrounding you throughout your pregnancy can help immensely. If you're a friend or family of a trans or non-binary person that's pregnant, we have plenty of resources at transfertility.co/resources that can teach you how to best provide support for your loved one. See more

Happy 22nd Birthday to Twin A & Twin B and Happy Birthing Day to Cammie! midwitchery.net/post/my-first-client #MyFirstClient #HappyBirthday #HappyAnniversary #Twins #Memoirs

""Once a Cesarean, Always a Cesarean" How many of you have heard this saying before? In this workshop we will debunk this myth with evidence-based information regarding safe Trial Of Labour (TOLAC) and Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC).... This is for people who have experienced a cesarean, doulas, health workers, and anyone else interested in the subject. There will be a short presentation and then Q&A at the end." Inclusive presentation given by a transgender midwife. #VBAC #Cesarean

Baby steps! Pennsylvania Department of Health has released their updated "gender neutral crib card." They use "parent" up top, but "mother's" down below (I've edited this image to have it state "Birth Parent's") and it includes "chest" for chestfeeding parents! Once the DOH understands that not all parents are "mothers/fathers," maybe we can get better forms across the board from fertility & family planning to perinatal care to early postpartum care and finally to interaction...s with pediatrics until our kids age out. Myself and other providers of all kinds that I know will keep pushing and challenging our government and health systems to change their language, forms, and care to align with cultural competencies and affirming language. But it's patients, parents, and caregivers who have to speak up, to anyone who will listen, at every opportunity possible for these changes to be made a priority in our government and health systems. [ID: screenshot of a crib card that does not include a space for gender/sex of baby, includes chestfeeding as an infant feeding option, uses "parent" in one place, but "mother" in another. There are spaces for recording baby's measurements at birth and which newborn screenings they've had. End]

DON'T PANIC: learn Autonomous Pelvic Care! Winter 2020 classes now available. Gain skills needed to care for your body in the comfort and privacy of your home,a...nd save your energy for the revolution! https://jotform.com/autonomouspelviccare/winter2020 [The graphic shows four feminine people wearing orange and purple clothing against a light purple background. The text reads "Winter 2020 Courses" in orange; "Pelvic pH, Herbal Contraceptives, Self-Managed Abortion; Live (Online) or Self-Paced; Sliding Scale/Trans/Queer/BIPOC-Centered" in purple; and "jotform.com/autonoumouspelviccare/winter2020" in white. The last line features the logos for Instagram and Facebook with the handle @autonomouspelviccare.]

We have another educational video! This one has a twist--the baby was an undiagnosed complete breech, and the midwife only realized this right when the legs po...pped out! This was the midwife's first breech birth. She told us that she was freaking out internally, but you'd never guess it from watching the video. This baby also did something a bit different: after the legs were born, the baby stayed sacrum transverse and even started rotating slightly towards sacrum posterior (SP) with the second contraction. At this point, the midwife gently swept down both arms, which helped the baby rotate back to SA. The head came immediately after. We include some discussion at the end of the video whether sweeping the arms was indicated or not. Even with a team of breech experts, they did not all agree. What I love about this video: it can help us reflect on how we might respond in a similar situation--under pressure, with no advanced warning.

So you want to talk about trans fertility let's start from the beginning. We're Trans Fertility Co., a project of Collaborate Consulting, LLC founded by trans ...dad and educator Trystan Reese. We're here to provide free, evidence-based, practical resources for the trans community on all things trans fertility, family building, and trans pregnancy from a video library of first-person experiences to educational articles and beyond! Trans Fertility Co. also aims to be an essential resource for providers and allies who want to stand with and support trans folks on their fertility journeys. From trainings to academic research, We are just getting started, so give us a follow, send us suggestions and requests for content, and head to our website transfertility.co for more resources! We hope you come back to us time and again as you build out your understanding of trans fertility and, just maybe, build your own family! #transfertility #transgender #transparenting #lgbtqfamilies #nonbinaryparenting

"Care for Every Body: Integrating Gender Inclusive Practices for the Benefit of All Clients" featuring Ray Rachlin of Refuge Midwifery #InclusiveCare #BirthForEveryBody