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.
Read MoreAs 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!).
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…
Read MoreWe 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)
Read MoreAnnica 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!
Read MoreParents-to-be and veteran parents alike are bombarded with all kinds of ads for baby. I found myself overwhelmed by choice overload with Baby #1. What would I actually need? When it came down to it, much of what was on our registry for Baby #1 we rarely (or never…) even used at all. So with that, I give you: What I gathered in anticipation of my firstborn, what we actually used, what we added to our collection, and what we never used at all — and how our previous experience is impacting our preparation for Baby #2.
Read MoreIn this blog post, I’m sharing context from our journey through pregnancies, why we had chosen *not* to do a genetic screening earlier in this pregnancy, and why we had chosen to have an anatomy scan last week, when I was 22 weeks pregnant.
Read MoreIt’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.
Read MoreWhenever we talk about cesarean birth, you'll find a common theme in our language: Cesarean birth is birth. We believe this value is important to acknowledge in order to promote and protect the dignity and respect of each and every person who experiences a cesarean birth, whether elective, emergency, or anything otherwise. We envision a world where birth institutions honor informed choice, birth values, and promoting gentle, family-centered cesarean births. Read along with us as we delve deeper into cesarean awareness & share beautiful images of belly births!
Read MoreOur journey through pregnancy, loss, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, & now pregnancy again — it's taught me (still teaching me) SO MUCH. One takeaway? It's true what they say — no two pregnancies are alike! And I am not the same woman.
Read MoreI 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.
Read MoreThis 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!
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.
Read MoreAre 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).
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreRepresentation 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.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreWe've had a fun opportunity to partner with Redfin on a collaborative article called, "How to Design Your Home Based on Your Enneagram." Our Content Director, Shay, is also an interior designer, and she was invited to give brief advice on using the Enneagram to plan an intentional space — including the ideal labor space! Check out Shay’s advice and read the full Redfin article here.
Read MoreIf 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!
Read MoreWe are thrilled to announce that we are leveling up our lactation support! Welcome to the team Sarah! Sarah’s inclusive and compassionate lactation support is the perfect addition to our one-stop birth collective.
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