i <3 placentas

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Really. I love placentas. I think they are one of the coolest things women’s bodies make (other than another human).

An entire organ created for the soul purpose of sustaining a life.

Each placenta I get to examine and play with is so unique and individualized.

The color. The thickness. The limbs. The bumps. The shape. The weight. The smell. The amnion. The chorion. The edges. The holes. The calcifications. The infarctions. The arteries. The vein. The Wharton’s Jelly. The length of the cord. The cotyledons. The blood vessels that create the tree of life.

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To spread my love of placentas I offer each of the families I work with a tour of the placenta after birth. I love the ooooooos and the ahhhhhs as I explain this amazing organ. I have siblings put on gloves and feel the different textures. I have had grandmothers who have birthed a dozen babies say “I never knew…”

Because of my fascination and love affair with placentas I started to offer a smoothy directly after birth and encapsulation, tincturing, chocolates, prints, and photos in the days that follow.

I know there is conflicting evidence in the efficacy of consuming your placenta in the days that follow birth. But in my small sample size I have only seen positive results.

If you are interested in all the magnificent things your placenta can do read more on my website…

Placenta-pills

Placentas

So much gratitude!

 

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This year I have SO much to be grateful for!

LOVE is number one. I have so much love in my life I can hardly believe my luck. Family, Friends, Mamas, Papas, Babies, Midwives and the list grows… Especially with all the events of the last year, the outpouring of LOVE was mind-blowing!

May love surround you and hold you and sustain you!

Health. The older I get the more grateful I am for the body I was given. I am exceedingly grateful for the healers surrounding me. Each one has effected my life is huge ways. I desire to be a whole person – body, heart and spirit.

May your health grow stronger everyday!

Midwifery. My passion. My profession. I love what I do everyday for every family. It is a joy and a privilege to bear witness of each life crossing the veil. It is a privilege to witness women and men transformed to mothers and fathers. It is a privilege to be let in to the intimate spaces of so many lives.

May you find your passion and privilege!

Challenges. I am eternally grateful for the challenges in my life because that is when growth will occur. AzDHS, my biggest challenge, I am grateful for you.

May you see your challenges as your biggest blessing!

Possibilities. The future is so bright. I sit and wonder everyday what is next? what is possible? Life is full and rich and exciting!

May all your possibilities be at the forefront of your mind, exciting your very being!

Happy Thanksgiving to ALL!!

Winter Solstice – Remember the Light. Remember the Dark.

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Winter Solstice ~ Dec 22

The changing of the seasons. The recognition of death and life. Light and dark. New and old.

For me, the solstice starts starts my time of reflection in ending of a year, a completion of seasons. What has happened over the past year and laying it to rest, preparing myself for the coming of the new year.

There are so many traditions and celebrations you and your family could enjoy through the Solstice. I have created a short list here along with some great websites to spring board your new traditions…

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  1. Share a meal with friends – Solstice recipes
  2. Be outside – make a wreath with evergreens collected by loved ones on a walk through the woods. Evergreens, it’s said, symbolize the continuity of life, protection, and prosperity.
  3. Light candles – build a circle of candlelight, one for each participant, and then blow them out and sit together in the darkness for a few moments offering gratitude before lighting one central, larger candle to symbolize your unity over the coming year.
  4. Watch the sunrise and sunset – ring a collection of bells at sunrise and sunset
  5. Throw “the longest night of the year party” – how to planfoodmore food, more ideas

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Join us at the FATS office for Winter solstice celebrations!

Tuesday December 1, 12-2pm @ the Gilbert location 323 S Gilbert Rd #209 Gilbert AZ

Friday December4, 10-12pm @ the Phoenix location 115 W McDowell #4B Phoenix AZ

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Mama Circle Flyer 2

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And the AzDHS beat goes on…

The out pouring of love and support over the last week has been humbling to say the least! Thank you to all who called, texted, face booked, drew pictures, wrote poems. I felt protected and loved. I never once felt alone.

The update you all have been waiting for…OAH

The case is not closed, so I can not say much. Sorry for the disappointment. I wish I could tell you every beautiful, amazing, difficult, painful, victorious moment but we had to continue for another day due to the length of the witness list and the testimonies given.

What I will say is my lawyer is F*cking awesome!!! Julie is a true barer of justice and fairness. She is eloquent and wise. She is posed and polished. I can not sing her praises enough. She has given and given and given to our cause. Not just to me and other midwives individually but to our very movement. COUNTLESS HOURS! Any other lawyer would have charged us literally $10’s of thousands of dollars. Julie discounts and pro-bonos whenever and however she can. But she still needs paid. There are still court costs. There are still filing fees and transcriptions and court reporters and and and…. It is unbelievable how much it cost to fight for justice. The Dept of Health is using your tax dollars to pay for their lawyers to fight against your midwives. It churns my stomach to think about it. And your midwives, who make pennies have to start campaigns and beg for pro bono work to have defense. THE INJUSTICE!!!

I say all this because going to another day means more money. I am asking for your help now. We have 2 fundraisers going on that you can give through or you can give directly to me or my lawyer. Here are the two online ways…        Gofundme   Crowdrise

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My promise to you is to keep you posted.  I promise to let you know when the continuing trial is set for.

Thank you again for all the love! ~ Wendi