Introduction In the intricate tapestry of conception journeys, individuals and couples seeking to expand their families often find themselves at a crossroads, wondering which path to take. For those with healthy fertility, particularly queer and single individuals, the choice of a midwife-assisted home intrauterine insemination (IUI) is perhaps the most supportive option (and usually the most affordable, too!). In this article, we explore the unique benefits of choosing a midwife for your conception journey, shedding light on the personalized care and inclusive support we offer. Many queer fa ..read more

We all know that birth is unpredictable, that every birth is different, and that nothing is guaranteed. Yet, when you’ve done all the work of preparing for a home birth for months, have configured your ideal team, organized all of your birth supplies and readied the home, and fantasized about how the day might unfold; it’s hard to accept that something different might be in the cards. Home birth is a wonderful option for low-risk pregnancies, but sometimes complications arise that make hospital birth a safer option.   First, let’s talk about the stats: most midwives in the Bay Area home b ..read more

I wanted to write a blog that discusses the main differences between working with a community midwife for home IUI vs. getting fertility care in the clinic setting. Home IUI can be the optimal choice for individuals or couples with healthy fertility but who lack sperm as part of the equation (usually, either because you are single or in queer same-sex relationship). We’ll also go over the circumstances in which working with or consulting a physician would be the best route. Understanding IUI First, let's briefly discuss what IUI is. Intrauterine Insemination is a fertility treatment that invol ..read more

I knew since I was a teenager that I was going to be a midwife. I’m not sure where the idea emerged from, as I had never met a midwife or seen a birth. But once the idea had emerged, I knew with certainty that this was my path in life. Many midwives describe their role as “a calling;” it’s more than a job or a career, it’s an identity, a way of moving through the world.   At its core, being a midwife is about holding space, being a keeper of sacred stories, being a guide through birth and death and meeting people at the edges of portals. It’s about creating a safe container where the cli ..read more

Embarking on your conception journey is both full of excitement and emotionally challenging. If you are pursing IUI, there has likely been a lot of planning and decisions before even beginning the insemination process. And, once you’ve finally completed your first IUI (or, maybe you’ve been at this for a while already) you are entering into that dreaded two-week wait after an insemination. The anticipation and uncertainty during this time can take a toll on your mental and emotional well-being. However, with some practical tips and a supportive mindset, you can navigate this period with grace ..read more

Timing is everything when it comes to conceiving with intrauterine insemination (IUI). There are a few factors at play: first, once an egg is released (ovulation), that egg is available to be fertilized for up to 24 hours. After 12-24 hours, if not fertilized, the egg will degenerate in the uterus. Second, sperm used in IUI are only viable for 12-24 hours. This will very somewhat depending on whether you attempting to conceive with fresh or frozen sperm (fresh are able to survive a bit longer than frozen). You may have heard that sperm can live for 3-7 days in the female genital tract prior to ..read more

what’s in my home birth bag In a prior blog post, I wrote about how to set up the home for a planned home birth, and the items to gather and purchase. The other important part of a safe home birth setup is the midwifery tools I bring in my birth bags. Here is a photo of the main bag I bring to every birth:   And here’s a picture of most of the contents of this bag:  Organization is a Top Priority For Home Births A lot of thought has gone into how to organize my midwifery gear, such that it is easy to access should a labor be progressing quickly, and so that it’s easy to direct some ..read more

I have always said: the biggest reason to hire a home birth midwife is for the postpartum care. While there are indeed many reasons to hire a midwife for your pregnancy and birth, the difference between midwifery-led postpartum care and mainstream hospital-based postpartum care is night and day.  I’ll be blunt: the US healthcare system has full on neglected postpartum people, and the health consequences can be dire. But beyond the critical health assessments provided in those early days and weeks of your child’s life, the postpartum is a time of massive transition and vulnerability, and h ..read more

I’m here to demystify the process of intrauterine insemination (IUI). Midwifery care is all about placing you at the center of your own healthcare experience, and this holds true when you are seeking care to become pregnant. IUI is a safe and simple procedure, and having a midwife come to your home to perform the IUI makes all the sense in the world: you are more relaxed and comfortable in your own space, the environment is less clinical, your partner (if applicable) can be involved in the process, and your physical and emotional comfort is prioritized. OK, but how does it all work?   Lon ..read more