It’s that time of year again, when we take a look back on the events of the previous year. When we reflect on where we were a year ago, we could never have imagined the world we now inhabit. Many of us started the year with anticipation that 2020 would be a year of clear vision. By the Spring, most of us felt like we were driving with mud spattered windshields, searching for clarity, our own personal and professional North Star, and sometimes just a seatbelt as the road took unexpected rough turns.

Hopefully, as we continue to heal from the challenges and adapt to the changes, 2020 will ultimately become a year that offered fresh perspectives and opportunities for resilience in the face of the unprecedented. Regardless of turmoil in the world, babies were still being born, bringing joy and delight to each of their families.

During all of the changes, we reminded ourselves and the families we serve that babies are born in all circumstances throughout time and history…war, famine, occupation, enslavement, natural disasters and pandemics. If we are here it is because our ancestors were survivors and many were “thrivers”. We carry their strength and resilience within our spirits and the very cells of our bodies. These powerful connections to our ancestors provide us with what we need to bring these babies into the world and let us see the hope for a bright future in their eyes.

With full hearts we take a look back on 2020…

This year we have more fun info-graphics to give a snapshot of 2020 for Birthstream families! Remember, there are so many beautiful and triumphant moments that cannot ever be captured by words and numbers. We treasure those sweet moments and the little people that were created and birthed with love.

“NEVER TOO MANY BABY FEET!”

There were 59 Birthstream Babies born in 2020: 29 Girls, 30 Boys

Although it is the most common to have a 2nd baby with Birthstream, we are grateful to serve families of all sizes!

“GUESS WHO Planned A HOME BIRTH?”

With the changes in hospital COVID policies and desire to avoid hospitals, more families turned to midwifery care in 2020. We saw an increase in the number of families who signed on for our care who had never had home births before! We are grateful to have been able to introduce midwifery care to these families and hopefully serve more in the future!

“LIKE MOTHER, LIKE CHILD”

Second generation Home Birthers: There were 8 families whose mothers birthed at home…Tosi was the midwife for 5 of their mothers! One of these families was actually a THIRD generation Birthstream family…grandma AND great-grandma birthed with Tosi, too!

We also have a very special shout out to another family who birthed with Birthstream this year whose Aunt birthed her 7th baby with us years ago. Auntie is no longer with us on Earth, but this family feels she might have helped her niece find her way to us.

“GOOD THINGS COME IN SMALL (AND LARGE) PACKAGES”

Birthstream babies come in all sizes! The smallest baby was 4 lbs 14 oz (born a bit early in the hospital) and the biggest baby was 11 lbs 4 oz (born easily at home)!

Birthstream midwives know that babies of ALL sizes can be born at home! In fact 20 % of all babies in 2020 were 4000 grams (8 lbs 14 oz) or greater !

Be sure to check our Instagram Feed and Facebook stories for more statistics and fun facts throughout the year!

“Comings and Goings”

As many of you know, Lesley Nelson went on medical leave in July 2020. We were all concerned and uncertain of what the future would look like. We are grateful to say she returned to us January 2021, ready to serve families and greet new babies with us!

While Lesley was out, we were fortunate to have Cindy Jewett join us September - December 2020. We only expected her to be a part of Birthstream while Lesley was out, but we enjoyed working with her for these past few months and will miss her dearly! Cindy joined us when we needed help most and blended into the Birthstream team like she had been here forever! Cindy went to Wisconsin to team up with a midwife friend to handle the increased interest in home births. We wish her well on her future adventures!

We also had Raashnay Hundley join us as a midwifery assistant for the Fall of 2020. Raashnay needed to attend three births to complete her certification and we are grateful to the families who welcomed her into their homes for their births. Raashnay had her third baby at home with Birthstream, so it was familiar for all of us. We may have her at more births in the future…or maybe she will start midwifery school in 2021 instead! Read her full bio here

THANK YOU ALL FOR SHARING YOUR YEAR WITH US!

We are grateful to be part of those moments as you welcomed new little people into your home. We look forward to a New Year with Joy and Gratitude...and more babies!

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