Placenta – Birth Takes a Village

The placenta is one of the most amazing organs of the human body. Whenever we can, we try to show our doula students a real placenta in doula training.

Check out this video tour of the anatomy of the placenta, amniotic sac and umbilical cord!

If you are interested in our Wise Woman Way of Birth doula training program, visit our course page!

Many people wonder how and when the baby should be separated from the placenta, especially those in the “free birth” community who may be birthing without professional attendants. Here are some things to consider about the baby’s umbilical cord: When to cut the cord: My opinion is that the best thing to do is to wait to cut the cord until… Read more →

There is something so gentle about leaving the umbilical cord intake until the baby is born. It not only ensures that babies get absolutely all the blood benefits from delayed cord clamping, but also allows for a symbolically slow transition to the outside world.  I always tell my doula students and clients that the birth isn’t over until the placenta is… Read more →

There is a lot of information out there on what your options are during childbirth. If you are out there getting yourself informed, you likely will have armed yourself with information on the common interventions and procedures that are standard practice during birth: fetal heart rate monitoring, cervical exams, induction, pain medication, etc. But do you know about the common… Read more →