Steel City Midwives

May all the blessings and joys of Kwanzaa be yours! Umoja! (unity) Kujichagulia! (self-determination) Ujima! (collective work and responsibility) Ujamaa! (cooperative economics) ... Nia! (purpose) Kuumba! (creativity) Imani! (faith) See more

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love. -- Hamilton Wright Mabi

Beloved Community! Get Ready for the 2021 National Black Maternal Health Week and Virtual Conference, coming April 11th - 17th, 2020! Stay Tuned! #BMHW21 #BMHC21 #BlackMamasMatter #BlackMaternalHealth

Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home. - Edith Sitwell

Did you know that Midwife Delmar is fluent in ASL? American Sign Language is a real and complete language, with vocabulary and grammar and syntax. And when you teach your little one "baby sign," you are teaching them ASL vocabulary. ASL is the most developmentally appropriate language for a baby who can't speak yet, enabling them to communicate before they can talk. Just like it's the most developmentally appropriate language for a baby who can't hear, enabling them to express themselves and to understand those around them. Teaching your little one ASL vocabulary increases their connection with caregivers and their communication skills, while reducing frustration-based tantrums.

NAIDOC week. Always Was Always Will Be. With the deepest respect and love and with the family’s blessings, we share these images of Teisha and her family,... Birthing on Country....Yuin Country. Words can’t describe the profound honour it was for Midwife Jo and Jerusha Sutton Doula Photographer to attend as midwife and photographer/videographer, along with beautiful second midwife Louise David Private Midwife & Homebirth Services. As so eloquently written in the joint Birthing on Country position statement - Respecting individual choice is central to the BoC model. The identification of ‘risk factors’ is viewed through a cultural lens inclusive of the individual woman’s needs and cultural birthing practices, which enriches and informs their choices, assessment and planned care. YOU DID IT TEISHA, may this just be the beginning. Teisha’s words.... Birthing on Country and what a glorious day it was. BoC is the way our woman have always given birth to her child, on the lands of ancestors, ensuring a spiritual connection to the land for her baby. Yesterday we birthed our baby son Nullah Rungatahi Mulligamiriyara Toi out on country where my songlines sing many songs of the past, present and future, where the fresh water meets the salt water and the mountains meet the ocean. HAPPY NAIDOC WEEK MY PEOPLE MY PEOPLE . In our family we celebrate who we are and where we came from every single second of every day. Thank you to our private midwives who were also part of this amazing experience. #birthingoncountry #yuincountry #yuinbaby #wiradjuribaby #itstime #birthtime

We can’t forget about #CardiganDay tomorrow! Remember to #ShopLocal from your community #neighbors for all of your Mr. Rodgers’ and Holiday needs!

MACY’S IS STILL ON! Due to COVID-19 social distancing restrictions, this year's turkey day gathering is going to look a little different from in previous years. For one thing, it's broadcast only so don't plan to come and cheer the floats on the avenues!

Q: What is pandemic fatigue and what can I do about it? A: Pandemic fatigue can be defined as being in a fight or flight state for an extended period of time. T...his can cause a stress like reaction, which eventually leads to behavioral fatigue. In other words, initially many of us were fearful of the new virus and abided by restrictions such as limiting gatherings, avoiding going out, and wearing masks. Over time we have grown accustomed to the restrictions in place, so the virus appears to be less of a threat (our body reinterprets the threat), even in the face of evidence to the contrary. We have also become weary of missing out on our pre-pandemic lives, which included family and friends and normal activities without restrictions. Abiding by COVID-19 prevention strategies has become more and more difficult. And yet we know that cases of COVID-19 are rising across the United States and globally (https://bit.ly/3lmSMoc). At the same time, pandemic fatigue makes it harder for us to follow current restrictions. And so many of us are experiencing this feeling. The good news? There are several steps we can take to combat it. 1. Remember that this will not last forever. The pandemic might not be on our timeline, but it is important to focus on the next day or even week to make changes. 2. Focus on the things that you can change (your diet, exercise, sleep, routines) (https://bit.ly/3knBOVx). 3. Create connections with others (distanced). But, avoid small social gatherings! 4. Amplify the positive: focus on gratitude, savoring, and future planning. Here are some simple strategies for doing this: https://bit.ly/2UkrgMk 5. Mark the days with new routines (cooking night, craft night, or movie nights), for example. 6. Limit your news intake (seems contradictory) but try to limit to an hour a day for updates. 7. Use your crisis fatigue strategies: pick your battles, seek joy, and pull in your people (https://bit.ly/2UgDpSv). And we must add, please continue to physically distance, wear a mask, ensure good ventilation or meet outside, limit the number of people you come into contact with at any gathering (including small), and limit the amount of time you spend with people (our SMART guidelines). And of course, wash your hands. Stay safe. Stay sane. Don’t give upand fight that pandemic fatigue! #COVID19 #mentalhealth #coronavirus #infectionandspread With love, The Nerdy Girls