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!).

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)

Sprout & Blossom accepts TRICARE Military Insurance | Grand Rapids Birth Doula

Annica Quakenbush, birth doula at Sprout & Blossom, is certified by and in-network with TRICARE Military Insurance. This means that those who have TRICARE Military Insurance can submit their receipt and receive reimbursement for our doula support services. Please contact us if you have any questions!

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.

Happy World Doula Week 2022!

This World Doula Week, we have a lot to celebrate at Sprout and Blossom! 1. Brianna Trammell’s one year doula-versary; 2. Our growing support team now includes lactation counselor, Sarah Hill!; 3. Our evolving brand (& new logo!); 4. 5 years serving the birthing community; 5. An ever-increasing list of empowered birthing persons!

Meadow’s Birth Story | Grand Rapids Birth Photographer and Doula

My husband and I take a natural approach to most things in our life so before we became pregnant with Meadow, I started researching home birth. I watched videos and read books from women who did it and enjoyed it! I was determined to have a more empowered, autonomous birth and I knew this was more likely to be achieved in the home setting. My husband was hesitant at first only because it was something foreign to him, like it is to the majority of people. After meeting with the midwives and having all of his questions answered and praying on it, we both decided this was the best decision for our family.

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.

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!

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!

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.

Doulas Make A Difference: Real Labor Scenarios | Grand Rapids Doula

Here are some labor scenarios based on actual experiences, alongside insight into how doula support makes a difference. May these stories from Annica's experience encourage you to trust in the process and empower you to embrace the wild and spontaneous nature of birth!

Midwife or Birth Doula?

While there is some overlap among their goals in serving the birthing person, midwives and doulas each have their own set of qualifications and duties to fulfill. We clear up some of the differences here, in the form of a fun quiz!

Birth is Love: A Heartful Conversation

Shay's Empowered Birth Story

It wasn’t until the afternoon of Monday, February 17 — 9 days after my “guess date” — that the strong, persistent contractions stuck around. It was the real deal this time! (My midwives knew what they were talking about when they revealed that most first-time birthers don’t go into labor naturally until closer to 10 days after their “due date.”)

Emily's Homebirth Story

“It was so calming to be in my own home, and be surrounded by people with positive birth energy who believed in my ability to birth my baby myself.” - Emily

Postpartum Doula Recommendations | Grand Rapids Birth

Postpartum, Preparing for BirthAnnica QuakenbushJanuary 13, 2021Sprout and Blossom, LLCDONA, doula, doula care, doula support, postpartum, supportComment

Your Postpartum Visit with Sprout and Blossom | Grand Rapids Doula

An Outdoor VBAC Waterbirth at Home | The Birth Story of Scout Jolie | Grand Rapids Birth Photography

Annica jokingly suggested that Hayley have her baby in the backyard when she arrived on a beautiful day for their homebirth. Hayley said, “sure” and the rest is history. Hayley tells the story of her second baby’s birth - a VBAC, at home, in water, en caul.

The Value of Birth Photography | Grand Rapids Birth Photographer + Doula

I’m coming up on 3 years since photographing a birth for the first time and have been reflecting recently about the value of birth photography. It has been such a privilege to offer such a unique and important service to women in the Grand Rapids area, and I wanted to share a few reasons why I think birth photography is so valuable.

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