It's true and it works. I've had some form of garden my entire life, but after all of the work and sweat, the weeds would overtake my masterpiece and I would cry. Now I garden the easy way and I LOVE IT!! The Spring season to plant is after the last frost (April 15) so start thinking about how you can incorporate fruit and veggies into your yard. Seriously, don't make this a big chore. Instead, make plans to enjoy your time and your garden. I have land and a tractor so I can still till a plot of soil and I even plan to grow some corn for the goats this year, but that's not my real garden. M ..read more

BORN FREE Did you know that Birth Certificates (BC) and social security cards are a voluntary enrollment? The choice to get a Birth Certificate for your baby is complicated and requires extensive self-education. South Carolina Licensed Midwife regulations say, “The midwife shall assure that the registration of the baby’s birth with the County Health Department is made within five days of birth. “ So, yes a midwife must register that a baby has been born, but what you decide to provide or allow is a personal decision. Did you know that you can also choose to register your baby for a birth certi ..read more

FETAL DNA Beginning around just 5 weeks gestation, tiny fragments of DNA from a developing embryo travel through the placenta and into the mother’s bloodstream. If the embryo will be baby boy, this DNA will carry a Y chromosome. If the embryo will be a baby girl, the DNA will not have a Y chromosome. Our scientists carefully analyze the mother’s blood sample with the most advanced quantitative PCR technology to look for this Y chromosome. The technology used is so sensitive, it’s able to determine if the baby is a boy or a girl as early as 6 weeks into pregnancy. ​ Frequently Asked Questions ..read more

I consistently get questions about essential oils during pregnancy, but there is no easy answer. I am sharing some information that I found helpful produced from Hopewell Essential Oils ( hopewelloils.com ). I hope you find is useful. Essential Oil Guidelines for Pregnancy & Childbirth If new to essential oils, please familiarize yourself with their usage on the Oil Usage page. I found it very difficult to put a list together of oils to avoid during pregnancy. As I searched various sources, I found that each author held his own opinion, and depending on his frame of reference, the list ch ..read more

DO I QUALIFY TO USE CWB? CWB accepts healthy moms with healthy pregnancies who are willing to eat healthy, take a food-based prenatal vitamin, exercise and drink lots of water. Most women will qualify if they come to care early and are diligent with their personal care. ARE THERE SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR FIRST-TIME MOMS? Yes, first babies are difficult so we are extra diligent with our requirements and our screening process for these families. You are required to attend our childbirth series and you must begin care by 20 weeks (unless you are moving to our area and have midwife charts avail ..read more

21 Reasons to Have Your Baby at a Birth Center: http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/ When I first found out I was pregnant with my first child, there was no question that I would give birth at the hospital. In all honesty, the thought of having my child outside a hospital environment never crossed my mind or was it even discussed with my husband. Being from a medical family with two MDs and a nurse in the immediate family sealed the deal. After informally polling a dozen or so women about their recent birth experience to determine which hospital was “best”, however I inadvertently discover ..read more

A women in labor is both strong and vulnerable. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMR3Vmwo7qc ..read more

Recognizing Exceptional State Leaders Sandy Glenn Sandy Glenn, LM, CPM is an extremely dedicated and driven leader in South Carolina. South Carolina wouldn't have been the first state with a chapter without her tireless dedication to CPMs and the families that we serve. She has been a voice for families and midwives for many years in that state and is always willing to step up to the plate regarding regulations for licensed midwives and birth centers. NACPM Chapters: Grow With Us! NACPM is energized by our ever­growing network of State Chapters, and we would love to have you join us. We curr ..read more

Here at Carolina Waterbirth we have seen firsthand how laboring and birthing in warm water truly brings comfort to both the mother and baby, but what’s the science behind that? Why exactly is “the Midwife’s epidural” the choice so many women are making these days? We all know how a hot bath at the end of a long day provides relief for your aching muscles and sets your mind at ease, but birthing in a tub of water seems like a totally different thing altogether! Believe it or not, more and more birthing facilities are offering water birth as an option, which is great. Around here we consider our ..read more

We have all heard about those "quarantine" due dates. Babies who were conceived during the Covid shutdowns began making their way into the world in late February 2021 and are continuing into May and June. Google reports a 300% increase in searches for the word "midwife," but why is the demand higher even after the original rush has almost ended? HOSPITAL RESTRICTIONS Many hospitals have placed restrictions on women in labor. Some hospitals did not allow any support persons to accompany the mom, including the father of the baby, and most required mask in labor and restricted the mother to her ..read more