Attuned Midwifery Services

After 10 years, I’m beginning the transition of closing Attuned Midwifery Services as I step into a new role with Vida Midwifery in Las Cruces.

I’ll continue caring for current clients through 2026, but won’t be accepting new clients due July 2026 or later.

So much gratitude for this community—more to come soon, including a celebration 💛

🍑 Tuesday Tip #6: Perineal Massage Prep

Worried about tearing during birth? Starting perineal massage around 34–36 weeks can help improve skin elasticity and reduce trauma during pushing.

✨ How-To Basics:
• Use clean hands and a natural oil (like vitamin E, coconut, or olive oil)
• Insert thumbs about 1 inch into the va**na and gently stretch downward and to the sides
• Breathe deeply and stop if it becomes painful

Midwives teach this as a way to connect with your body — not just physically, but mentally and emotionally, too.

Attuned Midwifery Services - www.attunedmidwifery.com

🤱 Postpartum Care Matters—Because Birth Is Just the Beginning 💛

Too often, postpartum is treated like an afterthought. But at Attuned Midwifery Services, we know that how you're supported after birth can be just as important as your birth experience itself.

✨ The postpartum time—often called the "fourth trimester"—is a sacred window of healing, bonding, learning, and transformation.

It’s a time when:
🌀 Your body is recovering
🌀 Your hormones are shifting
🌀 You’re feeding and nurturing a newborn
🌀 You’re becoming someone new

You deserve care that sees you, not just your baby. 💛

With Attuned Midwifery Services, our care doesn’t stop when the cord is cut. We continue walking with you through:
✔️ In-home postpartum visits
✔️ Breastfeeding and newborn support
✔️ Emotional check-ins
✔️ Space to reflect, process, and be heard

Because you matter. Your healing matters. Your story matters.

Let’s make postpartum care a priority, not a luxury.

🌀 Tuesday Tip #5: Know the Stages of Labor
Knowledge is calming. Understanding how labor typically unfolds helps reduce anxiety and unnecessary interventions.

🌼 Early Labor: Contractions may be irregular and mild. You might feel crampy or emotional.
🛏️ Midwife Tip: Eat, rest, hydrate, and distract yourself! Early labor is not the time to rush to action — your body needs energy for the journey ahead.

🔥 Active Labor & Beyond: Once contractions become regular, strong, and closer together, it's time to call your birth team and settle into your birth space.

Your midwife will help guide you through each stage with confidence and calm.

Attuned Midwifery Services - www.attunedmidwifery.com

🧘 Tuesday Tip #4: Body Balancing in Pregnancy
As your baby grows, your body is constantly adapting. Gentle chiropractic care, especially with a provider trained in the Webster Technique, can support pelvic alignment and baby’s position — especially in the third trimester.

✨ Midwife Tip:
We also recommend prenatal yoga, Spinning Babies techniques, and daily pelvic tilts to keep you flexible and supported.

Pairing traditional bodywork with movement-based therapies is a beautiful balance of science and intuition — the heart of midwifery care.

Attuned Midwifery Services - www.attunedmidwifery.com

🌿 What Supplies Do You Need for a Home Birth?

One of the beautiful things about home birth is the comfort and familiarity of laboring and birthing in your own space. But what about the supplies? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! There are a few things your midwife will bring, and some items you’ll want to have ready at home for a smooth, stress-free experience.

Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:

💛 What the Midwife Brings:
Monitoring Equipment
Birth Kit
Oxygen & Resuscitation Equipment
Medications
Emergency Birth Supplies

💛 What You’ll Need to Have Ready:
Birth Pool (if planning a water birth)
Comfort Items
Clean Towels & Washcloths
Clothing
Water & Snacks
Changing Sheets/Protective Covers

***zCPM

🍵 Tuesday Tip #3: Red Raspberry Leaf Tea — Uterine Tonic with a Tradition

Red Raspberry Leaf Tea has been a trusted friend in midwifery care for generations. It’s known as a uterine tonic, believed to help tone and strengthen the uterine muscle — preparing your body for labor and reducing postpartum bleeding.

✨ Midwife Tip:
• Start with 1 cup/day in the 2nd trimester
• Increase to 2–3 cups/day in 3rd trimester
• Steep strong: 15–30 minutes for maximum effect

📌 Always check with your midwife before starting herbal remedies — they aren’t one-size-fits-all!

Attuned Midwifery Services - www.attunedmidwifery.com

🌿 Why Midwives Are the Experts in Normal Birth
with Annie K***z, CPM | Attuned Midwifery Services

Pregnancy and birth are natural processes—and in many cases, they don’t need to be managed by doctors unless complications arise. This is where midwives come in as experts in normal birth. So, why exactly is this the case?

💛 Midwives Are Trained to Support Low-Risk, Physiological Birth
Midwives are trained experts in supporting normal, low-risk pregnancies and physiological births. Our care focuses on helping families navigate a healthy pregnancy, providing continuous support throughout labor, and facilitating a smooth, natural birth experience. We are skilled in recognizing and respecting the body’s innate ability to birth, without unnecessary intervention.

💛 The Doctor’s Role in High-Risk Births
Doctors are often called in when complications arise or when a pregnancy is deemed high-risk. Their expertise lies in managing medical complications, using advanced interventions, and providing care in hospital settings for situations that require surgical or emergency care. Obstetricians have the knowledge and tools to handle conditions like gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, multiple pregnancies, or other medical conditions that require intervention to protect the health of the mother or baby.

💛 The Difference in Approach
While midwives focus on promoting and supporting the normal, natural process of birth, doctors typically focus on intervention—whether that’s through medications, interventions, or surgeries when complications arise. In many cases, midwives and doctors work as part of a team, with midwives taking the lead in low-risk scenarios, and doctors stepping in for high-risk situations.

✨ At Attuned Midwifery Services, we specialize in low-risk pregnancies, creating a safe, nurturing, and empowering environment for every family. Whether you’re planning a home birth, water birth, or want to explore your options, we’re here to help you have the birth experience you desire—naturally and with care.

***zCPM

I’m excited to share more about what’s next ✨

I’ll be joining Vida Midwifery, a group homebirth practice in Southern New Mexico that will be opening a birth center in July 2026.

I’ve known and respected these midwives for years, and I truly believe in the group practice model—it allows for more sustainable care for midwives and stronger support for families.

I’m especially excited about the beautiful birth center they are creating and the opportunity to continue serving families in this new way.

🥚 Tuesday Tip #2: Protein Power in Pregnancy

Did you know that your growing placenta and baby need a lot of protein?

We recommend aiming for 80–100g of protein daily to support healthy fetal development, strong muscles, and stable blood sugar.

✨ Midwife Tip:
Add simple, balanced proteins to every meal:
• Boiled eggs + avocado toast
• Greek yogurt + h**p hearts
• Lentils + rice with ghee
• Nut butter + apples

This isn’t about perfection — just gentle, nourishing steps that help you feel stronger and more energized.

Attuned Midwifery Services - www.attunedmidwiferyservices.com