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Caring for the Caregiver—Why Your Needs Still Matter
You gave birth—but you didn’t stop being a whole person After birth, everything changes. And for many new parents, the instinct to care for their baby overshadows their care for themselves. But you still matter. Your needs don’t disappear just because someone else’s seem more urgent. Midwifery care doesn’t forget you. In our postpartum visits, I ask about: Your mood, energy, and emotions Sleep , nourishment, and basic needs Your identity shift , relationship changes, and inn
Mary Harris
30 minutes ago3 min read


What Real Support Looks Like After Baby Arrives
More than a meal train, more than a 6-week check There’s a lot of talk about “postpartum support.” But when families ask for it—or realize they need it—they’re often left wondering what that actually means. Postpartum support is frequently reduced to logistics: meals dropped at the door, a freezer stocked, a quick text asking how things are going. Those gestures can be helpful, and they come from good intentions. But they are not the same as care. Real support goes deeper. An
Mary Harris
45 minutes ago3 min read


How to Choose the Right Midwife for You
Because birth is personal—and your care should be, too Choosing a midwife is about more than credentials. It’s about trust, communication, and alignment. You’re inviting someone into one of the most sacred and vulnerable experiences of your life. You deserve to feel seen, supported, and safe. Here are a few things to consider when choosing the right midwife for you : 1. Ask about their philosophy of care. Are they focused on informed choice? Do they honor your voice and value
Mary Harris
2 days ago3 min read


What to Expect at Your Prenatal Midwifery Visits
Visits built on relationship, education, and informed choice When you're planning a home birth or seeking care with a licensed midwife, your prenatal visits look a little different from the average 10-minute OB appointment. At each visit, we’re not just checking your vitals—we’re building a relationship, answering your questions, and making sure your body, mind, and spirit are supported through every phase of pregnancy. Here’s what you can expect when you walk through the doo
Mary Harris
2 days ago3 min read


Choosing Love and Limits: Why Boundaries Matter in Birth Work
Care that is generous and sustainable Boundaries are not about keeping people out.They are about staying present with integrity. For a long time, I misunderstood this. Like many people drawn to birth work, I entered this profession with an open heart, deep commitment, and a willingness to give—often at my own expense. I believed that being a “good” midwife meant always being available, always saying yes, always stretching just a little further for the sake of care. Over time
Mary Harris
6 days ago2 min read


You Deserve More Than One Postpartum Checkup
Your healing deserves time, space, and care The 6-week checkup isn’t enough. Your body, your hormones, your emotions, your life—it all changes so rapidly in the weeks after birth. One visit just doesn’t cut it. That’s why midwifery care includes multiple postpartum visits, spread out to support the full arc of your healing. Here’s how my care works: Day 1–2: I check on you at home within the first few days, often within 24 hours. Week 1: A deeper check on feeding, healing,
Mary Harris
Feb 62 min read


What Happens at a Midwife’s Postpartum Visit?
You’re not just healing—you’re still being cared for After the intensity of labor and birth, many new parents are surprised to hear that midwives keep showing up—even after the baby is here. At your postpartum visit, I come to you. Here’s what we check in on: Your physical healing: I’ll monitor your bleeding, uterus, any tears or sutures, and general recovery. Your emotional well being: How are you feeling? Are you sleeping? Eating? What support do you need? Feeding and bab
Mary Harris
Feb 63 min read


Postpartum Isn’t Just a Phase—It’s a Transformation
Why the weeks after birth deserve real care and attention The moment your baby arrives, something else is born too: you as a new parent. But unlike birth, postpartum doesn’t have a clear finish line. It’s not over in six weeks. It’s not something you can “bounce back” from. And it’s certainly not something you should go through alone. Postpartum is a transformation—physical, emotional, spiritual.You may feel exhausted, raw, in love, disconnected, empowered, or all of the ab
Mary Harris
Feb 52 min read


Supporting Families Through Loss (Yes, Midwives Do That Too)
Care that holds space when outcomes change Not every pregnancy ends with a baby in arms. As a midwife, I support all outcomes—not just the joyful ones. That means being there through miscarriage, stillbirth, and all kinds of loss. It means: Holding space for grief, not rushing to "fix" it Supporting you with practical care—monitoring vitals, managing physical recovery Offering referrals for therapy, community, or spiritual support Writing letters for time off or accommodation
Mary Harris
Feb 52 min read


The Power of Informed Decision Making in Birth
Because choice matters when it’s truly informed Informed decision making isn’t just paperwork. It’s a process. A relationship. A right. As a midwife, I believe you should understand every option available to you—along with the risks, benefits, and alternatives—so you can choose what feels best for your body and your baby. Here’s what informed decision making looks like in practice: You get full information—not filtered, rushed, or sugar-coated. We’ll talk through each option
Mary Harris
Feb 52 min read


This Balance of Tradition and Transformation
Honoring where we come from while shaping what comes next Midwifery walks a beautiful line between tradition and change. On one hand, it’s rooted in the ancient: the slow, powerful, embodied practice of supporting birth in its natural rhythms. Midwives have existed in every culture, every generation. We carry the stories and practices of those who came before. On the other hand, midwifery evolves. It adapts to new research, responds to systemic challenges, and embraces tools
Mary Harris
Feb 52 min read


How I Became a Midwife (And What It Means to Me)
I didn’t always know I would become a midwife. But the seeds were planted early—when I watched the people around me care for one another, when I learned to listen more than I spoke, and when I first saw how powerful birth could be when it was supported with dignity. Becoming a midwife wasn’t just a career choice—it was a calling. It meant training not only in clinical skills but in trust, intuition, and respect. It meant learning to witness transformation, not control it. And
Mary Harris
Feb 52 min read


Why Postpartum Support Is Essential (and What It Includes)
We spend so much time preparing for labor—but what about the days and weeks after ? Postpartum is a sacred and sensitive window. It’s when your body heals, your identity shifts, and your family begins to form new rhythms. And it’s a time that’s often overlooked or undersupported. Here’s what postpartum midwifery care can offer: 1. Home Visits You don’t have to go anywhere. I come to you in the weeks postpartum to check on healing, feeding, bleeding, and emotional well-being.
Mary Harris
Feb 52 min read


Your Birth, Your Way: Midwifery Support in the Moment
Care rooted in trust, presence, and experience Birth doesn’t follow a script—and that’s part of its power. Midwifery care is rooted in the belief that birth is not only a physiological process but a personal and powerful rite of passage. So what does it look like when labor starts? Here's how I support you during the most important hours of your journey: 1. You Set the Pace From early labor check-ins to the decision of when to come to your home, everything is tailored to your
Mary Harris
Feb 53 min read


“What to Expect from Midwifery Care”: A Real-World Guide to Prenatal, Birth, and Postpartum Support
What midwifery care actually looks like, from start to finish If you’ve never worked with a midwife before, you might not know what to expect—and that’s completely normal. The truth is, midwifery care is different. Not just in how it’s delivered, but in what it centers . Your voice. Your intuition. Your values. As a licensed midwife with over 20 years of experience serving families in Miami-Dadeand Broward County, I offer care that is personal, holistic, and rooted in equity
Mary Harris
Feb 54 min read


“Preparing Your Home for a Birth”: A Checklist for Calm, Confident Birth at Home
Helping you feel ready, grounded, and supported when birth begins Planning a home birth doesn’t mean you have to turn your house into a hospital. It means preparing your space to feel supportive, safe, and peaceful—for you, your baby, and your birth team. As a midwife, I’ve supported home births in small apartments, family homes, and even backyards. What makes the difference isn’t the square footage—it’s the intention behind how the space is prepared. Here’s what I recommend
Mary Harris
Feb 53 min read


“Is Home Birth Right for Me?” A Self-Reflection Guide
An invitation to slow down, reflect, and listen to your instincts Choosing how and where to give birth is deeply personal. It’s not about following a trend or checking a box—it’s about deciding what feels safe, supportive, and aligned with who you are and what you value. As a licensed midwife serving families throughout Miami and Broward County, I support birthing people who are exploring home birth for many different reasons. Some want more autonomy. Others want to avoid un
Mary Harris
Feb 53 min read


Home Birth Myths: Separating Fear From Facts
A look at common concerns and what the evidence actually shows Home birth is often surrounded by strong opinions, powerful emotions, and persistent misconceptions. For many families, simply mentioning home birth brings forward concerns shaped by media portrayals, outdated information, or cultural assumptions about safety and risk. At A Loving Start, my goal is not to convince anyone that home birth is the right choice for them. My role is to provide honest, evidence-based inf
Mary Harris
Feb 44 min read


Informed Choice in Birth: The Foundation of Respectful Care
Why information, time, and respect matter in birth care Pregnancy and birth are filled with decisions. Some are simple. Others carry deep emotional, physical, and personal meaning. In the midwifery model of care, these decisions are guided by one core principle: informed choice . Informed choice is more than signing consent forms or receiving instructions. It is a collaborative process built on trust, education, and respect. It centers the belief that families deserve to unde
Mary Harris
Feb 43 min read


Postpartum Care and Support: The Sacred Work After Birth
Honoring recovery, connection, and the quiet work of healing The moment a baby is born, the world often shifts its attention entirely to the newborn. And while new life deserves celebration, there is another profound transformation happening at the same time — the birth of a parent. Postpartum is not simply recovery. It is a physical, emotional, and identity-shaping transition that deserves care, patience, education, and support. At A Loving Start, postpartum care is not an a
Mary Harris
Feb 43 min read
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