Resources
I’m here to help
I want to help people be educated, informed, and connected with as many resources as possible. Knowledge is power!
Also check out my page on Facebook for all things pregnancy, birth, and baby.
Whether the help you desire most is informational as you prepare to welcome a new baby or physical and emotional during the birth itself, I’ll be in your corner to help every step of the way.
Local Resources
Genesee County Breastfeeding Coalition
The Genesee County Breastfeeding Coalition works to increase awareness of the benefits of and support for breastfeeding in the lives of mothers, children and families in Genesee County. They partner with other organizations to create a community that values the support and promotion of breastfeeding as the standard for optimal maternal and child health and development.
Genesee County WIC Department
Women, Infants, and Children is a federally-funded program offering monthly nutritious food, breastfeeding support, and education.
With their income limits higher than you might think, I would not overlook the possibility of qualifying and getting healthy food from pregnancy through the child’s 5th birthday.
Nurse-Family Partnership
This free program matches you with a registered nurse for advice, guidance, support and a good laugh when you need it most.
The program goes on until your baby reaches the age of 2 and is available to first-time moms who register before 29 weeks gestation, whose income level falls within requirements and who reside in an eligible service area. See if your family qualifies by checking out their page!
Evolve Wellness
Not just any ordinary chiropractor - one that has a passion for women’s health and wellness.
Navpreet is conveniently located in Fenton Michigan, is certified in the Webster technique, and stays in touch with local birth professionals to provide the utmost care to her patients!
YOLO Breastfeeding Moms Group on Facebook
Brought to you by the same person featured in this site’s Lactation Support page (Shonte’ Terhune-Smith of YOLO Breastfeeding), this facebook group is a safe space where you can discuss parenthood and breastfeeding and get help and support and “you’re doing great” messages from the comfort of your own home. Click the link above and join the conversation
A New Life Chiropractic
Chiropractic care during pregnancy is extremely beneficial and can help women feel better, be in better overall health, and get baby into a great position for birth.
Dr. Clift truly understands the importance of prenatal and newborn wellness. Located near the Genesee Valley Mall, he does adjustments for men, women, and children
Lamaze Childbirth Education
I met Gretchen at a home birth a few years ago and could instantly tell that she has a passion for taking care of families during birth. This passion has extended into a career including services such as Lamaze childbirth ed classes and birth doula services in and around the Lapeer area. Contact her if you’d like to feel more prepared for your upcoming labor experience!
Mobile IV Services
RevIVe and Restore is a mobile IV service available in-home or in pop-up locations around mid-Michigan.
Whether it’s part of your regular wellness plan or if you need a pick-me-up after an illness or intense event, you can count on the team at RevIVe and Restore to listen to you, address your needs, and customize an injection or infusion to help you feel your best.
Massage and Holistic Wellness
Bridgette and Nicole are fellow birth workers who also work magic with their hands.
They have an office in Waterford and are opening another soon, and offer not only massage but also energy work, hypnosis, and auriculotherapy. Massage techniques include prenatal massage, hot stone, Swedish massage, and cupping.
Preferred Medical Providers
McLaren Midwives
A small collection of Certified Nurse Midwives that offer amazing care and a few locations for prenatal visits. Births with these women are at McLaren Hospital in Flint.
Hurley Midwives
An incredible group of Certified Nurse Midwives with a variety of locations to suit your needs and attending births at Hurley Medical Center in Flint.
U of M Ann Arbor Midwives
The only local place where you can choose in-hospital water birth and nitrous oxide for pain relief, you’ll find great care with these Certified Nurse Midwives.
Amy Lechtenburg (CPM) Homebirth Midwifery Services
I’ve loved working alongside her. You’re in great hands! Amy attends home births in the mid-Michigan area with her amazing expertise and nurturing spirit.
Heather Lemanski (CPM) - Blue Water Midwife
She’s skilled and caring and provides services in St. Clair, Oakland, Macomb, St. Clair, Genesee, Sanilac, Lapeer counties and beyond.
Alex Lichtenfelt (CPM) - Sol Midwifery
Steeped in birth work with a passion for families, Alex provides well-woman care and homebirth midwifery services for those who live in and around Lapeer, Michigan.
Let’s keep the conversation going!
Do you have a favorite resource that’s not listed here? If so, don’t hesitate to contact me! My vision is to provide families with tools to be successful.
Online Resources
Pregnancy
My favorite childbirth education: Hypnobabies!
Good exercises: MommaStrong!
Choosing a care provider: Family doctor, midwife, or OB/GYN?
Choosing a birth location
Essential oils for nausea, indigestion, muscle aches, stretch marks, etc.
Birth
How to involve the Birth Partner and the Doula
Positioning for early labor, active labor, and pushing
Interventions, medications, and what you want to accept or decline, etc.
TENS unit use for pregnancy and labor
Spinning Babies
Postpartum, Babies, & Parenting
Placenta Encapsulation – helps restore balance in the postpartum body both physically and emotionally
Bengkung Belly Binding
Good exercises: MommaStrong!
The Gottman Institute - an incredible resource for relationships and parenting
ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network)- find a chapter near you to discuss your c-section, to heal emotionally, and to learn choices you have for future births.
Cloth diapers– from prefolds, pockets, to all-in-ones, I can help you learn the pros and cons to cloth diapering to see if it’s a good fit for your family.
Babywearing- there are many varieties of carriers including mei tais, wraps, ring slings, and soft structured buckle-on carriers, so you can bond and have your hands free.
When to introduce solids
Baby-led Weaning
Extended rear-facing in the car seat
Attachment Parenting
Wonder Weeks and growth spurts
Birth & Postpartum Education and
Anti-Racism Resources
Watch a Great Lakes Breastfeeding Webinar, which is a series of free 1-hour webinars available on-demand and tackling such topics as: “Lactation After Loss”, “Ethics, Online Messaging, and Pressure to Breastfeed”, “Indigenous Breastfeeding: Trauma and Resilience”, “More than Apart: The Impact of Separation on the Breastfeeding Relationship”, “Breastfeeding in the Child Care Setting”, “Language Access: A Breastfeeding Equity Issue” “Transforming the System: Lactation Support through Collaborative Power”, “Breastfeeding and Racial Equity”, “Breastfeeding and the Fourth Trimester”, “Engaging Fathers in Breastfeeding Support”, “Black Breastfeeding: Trauma and Resilience”, “Breastfeeding and Safe Sleep”, “Pushing Through: Community Breastfeeding Support in a Pandemic”, “Supporting Survivors of Sexual Violence through Postpartum Care”, and “Motivating and Equipping Fathers with Tools for Success”.
Learn from a variety of Michigan Breastfeeding Network learning resources to educate yourself on anti-racism and build equity-based support for BIPOC. Also feel free to click here to donate to their education, advocacy, and coalition-building efforts.
Follow Milk Like Mine to hear about their monthly coalition meetings and Sistah to Sistah Breastfeeding Club, where they discuss ways to improve breastfeeding in the Battle Creek area for pregnant and breastfeeding women of color. WOC can also give them a call or text for virtual lactation support. Website here too.
Check out Southeast Michigan IBCLCs of Color for more breastfeeding support for WOC. In Detroit, racial inequities lead to breastfeeding rates of about 30 percent for Black families with infant mortality more than twice the national average. See how these powerful people are changing lives. Website here too.
Find traditional indigenous postpartum recipes and online classes from Postpartum Healing Lodge with Raeanne Madison, a Crane Clan citizen of the Ojibwe nation with Mexika and Dutch ancestry and a loving postpartum doula in Northern Michigan.
More resources to be added soon! Have a suggestion? Send it my way! There’s always work to be done!