April lands us right in the middle of World Doula Week and International Doula Month. So what better time to share how grateful I am for the doulas in my life? I'm feeling especially grateful for how doula support has impacted my own journey, and especially honored to be part of a team of incredible women here at Sprout & Blossom who care so deeply for the birth community. I just want to take a moment to gush over them and share the love with anyone who reads (including those of you considering adding doula support to your own team…I highly recommend).

A Stunning Surprise: a Footling Breech Birth Story in images

This labor was progressing beautifully when the mother announced she could suddenly feel something between her legs. Surprise! It was baby’s sweet little feet! No one was expecting baby to be born breech — but footling breech birth is indeed a variation of normal and can often be managed vaginally when given the opportunity. Here, the birthing person’s team supports her through this variation of normal with calm confidence. With shared wisdom from the midwife and internal wisdom from mama and baby, all unfolded beautifully. Enjoy this beautiful birth story in images!

Financial Planning for the Growing Family: A guide for decisions beyond the baby registry

When financially planning for the growing family, there’s so much to consider beyond the baby registry. Four years into parenthood, I’m creating the guide I wish my spouse and I had been given during those early stages of financial planning. While this guide is not entirely comprehensive, it is a great launching point for some big considerations.

Baby's First Bath

There are so many sweet firsts to savor when baby arrives! Among my favorites? Baby's first bath. With my firstborn, I had envisioned placing her into our cute little whale tub we had — the baby bath with a mesh sling — for a gentle little sponge bath. But I quickly discovered a much cozier alternative, for both baby and me: bathing together! Read on to learn why and how I shared baby’s first bath — and watch a sweet little video clip, too!

PostpartumShay GabrielDecember 17, 2023newborn, postpartum, motherhood, bath, first bath, baby, baby prep, maternity, birth, fourth trimesterComment

A Labor Support Quick-Guide | A Fridge Sheet for My Partner

As we talked through our experiences with our first birth and our anticipations for our second, one thing became clear: having a quick-guide on the fridge to reference these reminders would be very helpful for us! It would help me:

reflect more comprehensively on my labor wishes (writing things out is a great way to prepare!),
trust that my partner will recollect what I’ve asked for (because he can take a quick look at the sheet on the fridge anytime!),
and give me permission to drift off to labor land when the time comes (peace out, mental load! Time to turn off my thinking brain!).

How The Uterus Muscles Its Way Through Labor

Did you know that the uterus is arguably the STRONGEST muscle in the human body!? Not to mention the fact that it’s an organ that grows an organ (the placenta) that sustains the life of a whole new human…NBD, right? Actually, we think it’s friggin awesome, and we’re here to fan-girl over it. The uterus fulfills so much incredible work in order to grow and give birth to a baby. Let’s take a closer look at how the uterus muscles its way through labor…

We're Throwing a Party! You're Invited to our New Product & Birth Equity Fund Launch Event

We are celebrating the launch of our new and improved Sprout & Blossom Botanicals products and our Birth Equity Fund!

Join us Saturday, December 10 from 4-6pm at The Arts Marketplace (at Studio Park, downtown Grand Rapids)

The Importance of Knowing Your Birth Rights

It’s so important to understand and exercise your rights in birth! Let this list linger in your mind as you consider where and with whom to give birth; that most beautiful, transformational experience of a lifetime! And, rest assured, quality doula care will only enhance your experience, including informational, physical, and emotional support.

Using your “BRAIN” to inform decisions in Labor // Cesarean, Thrice Denied

I have been talked through transferring to the OR for cesarean. I have uttered those familiar words, "Whatever it takes to get my baby here safely" and meant them with every fiber of my being. I had a very long labor at home during what was a planned homebirth. After a few days of laboring with a stuck baby (her chin wouldn't tuck, and I was lingering at about 8/9cm dilated), I opted for an epidural at the hospital in order to get some rest. I knew that an epidural would likely mean Pitocin, and that I was risking a cascade of interventions. But I felt confident in my decision to transfer to the hospital and medically intervene. Little did I know, I would be talked through cesarean 3 times in the next 9 hours.

5 Benefits of Meditation in Pregnancy

Meditation connects us with our bodies and our minds in such a way that improves our abilities to quell the power of fear, reduce tension, and brave onward with enhanced wellbeing, outcomes, and experiences in pregnancy, birth, and beyond.

Furthermore, many of the fears that pop up around pregnancy and birth tend to be rooted in misinformation, misunderstanding, or misguidance and can be relieved through education, exposure, or experience. This is one of the many reasons why birth doula support is invaluable; birth doulas offer informational support in addition to physical and emotional support for birthing persons and their partners. The reality is that there is a lot of information to sift through when it comes to a truly informed birth — and a quality birth doula will help provide you with unbiased, evidence-based information and support your right to informed choice.

Our 3 Favorite Apps for Meditation in Pregnancy & Labor

Are you familiar with the many benefits of meditation in pregnancy, for both pregnant person and baby? If not, check out our blog post on the benefits of meditation here! If you’re ready to practice pregnancy meditation and you’re wondering where to begin, look no further! We give you: our 3 favorite apps for meditation in pregnancy & labor (simply ranked in alphabetical order).

Love Letters for Labor

The following 9 love letters for labor are inspired by 9 main personality types as expressed through the Enneagram. Whether you know your Enneagram type or not, you are likely to resonate with one of the love letters below. With each love letter, we’ve included an affirmation and practical steps you can take to overcome any internal barriers that might be holding you back from embracing birth as the beautiful, natural process that it is.

Black History Month 2022: Featured Black Birth Workers/Businesses

Representation matters, especially in birth. Black maternal and fetal health matters, especially because the American healthcare system is rooted in white supremacy. Empowered birth and the option to birth at home matters, especially for women of color. In honor of BHM 2022, we’re featuring Black birth workers & businesses who are dedicated to providing equitable care & inspiring necessary change in the birth work field.

The Almighty Cervix: Cervix 101

The almighty cervix. Where even is it? What does it actually do? ⁠ Here's a brief cervix 101:⁠ ⁠ The cervix sits between the uterus and vagina and produces mucus that protects both from bacteria. The cervix plays an important role in menstruation, fertility, pregnancy, and birth. You can take care of your health with regular cervical screenings.

Ditch the Hospital Gown: Why birthing in your own clothes matters.

If you are giving birth in the hospital, wearing your own clothes the whole time you are there sends a strong and important message. It says: I am not sick. I am not a patient. I am a person first and foremost and I am here to give birth. And trust me when I say, nurses and providers get the message. It’s a simple, and beautiful thing!

Hello, Labor Hormones! How Can I Help You?

Did you know that you have the power to influence your hormones and to help them better serve you and baby in childbirth? Yes, we can impact the flow of hormones throughout labor, and in such a way that helps us labor more gently and with manageable pain. So let’s talk about which hormones we want to boost, which we want to minimize, and how!

The Benefits of Writing Your Birth Story + 5 Ways to Get Started

The thought of writing your birth story can be daunting. So I'm here to offer some strategies for getting started! Because truly, the benefits of writing your birth story make the dedicated time and energy entirely worthwhile.

Birth Doula 101: What Do Birth Doulas Do(ula)?

Doulas offer physical, emotional, and informational support to birthing persons and their partners. This invaluable doula support makes a difference, no doubt. Read along with us as we offer insight into what birth doulas do and why it matters!

Our Holiday Gift-Giving Guide

It’s that beloved (but also….sort of dreaded?) time of year — holiday shopping season! Let’s breathe in relaxation…breathe out holiday stress…and open the Sprout and Blossom Holiday Gift-Giving Guide! A one-stop shop to improve your own wellbeing and that of your lucky gift recipients. *Cue happy Santa dance.*

Brianna's Birth Story: The Birth of a Mother and Doula

To say that I felt empowered from Harmony’s birth is an understatement. I was able to trust my body to do something that it had never done before. It was beautiful to see that my body already knew what my mind did not. It was my journey, and the journeys of so many others, that made me want to become a doula. To help give families an incredible story of how their family grew.

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