BiG News…

Shay is pregnant!

Shay is anticipating the arrival of baby #2 in November. She and her family (husband Matt, daughter Evelyn, and pup Islay) are so excited to grow their family by one more little!

13 weeks pregnant // The Downtown Market

a note from Shay:

Our 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.

so much gratitude

I'm so grateful to be where we are today, & so honored to share the anticipation of new life with my Matt and my Evie.

I couldn't be more thankful that our incredible chosen birth team is by our side throughout it all this time around! Shout-out to my friend & doula/birth photographer, Sprout and Blossom's very own Annica Quakenbush; to the whole team (family!) at Sprout & Blossom (doula-tog Bri Trammell & lactation counselor Sarah Hill); & to the best of the best midwives, Jen Holshoe of West Michigan Midwifery. I love you all!

So Much Growth

Throughout my pregnancy with Evie, & my preceding blighted ovum miscarriage, I learned a lot about my rights as a pregnant person (the hard way) & began to truly lean into informed choice for the first time — rather than, as I used to say, "put all my trust in the hands of my OB." I came to understand the physiology of birth & evolved from a place of fear to a place of empowerment. I jumped ship from my OB & hired a homebirth midwife at 34 weeks pregnant (& finally felt heard, seen, & understood!). I became passionate about changing the negative narratives so often surrounding birth in modern society. And I shared on my personal Instagram throughout it all, in what I called "pregnancy diaries."

This pregnancy, I'd like to share again, and with all of you. You are welcome to follow along (and engage! ask questions! share your own experiences!) as I continue to reflect, learn, & grow throughout the journey. You can follow us on Instagram @sproutandblossombirth and on our Facebook page.

Shay’s favorite pregnancy resources

blogs, apps, podcasts, & products i’ve loved

Birthful

Gentle Birth

The Positive Birth Co

Evidence Based Birth

Sprout and Blossom Botanicals

Birth Becomes You

read more about Shay’s journey

Featured

pregnancy, pregnant, expecting, second trimester, pregnancy app, birth team, empowered birth, motherhood, pregnancy announcement, baby bump, maternity photography, grand rapids birth doula, grand rapids birth, Grand Rapids Birth Photographer, birth story, pregnancy story, pregnancy diaries, Shay

Shay's Got News...

pregnancy, pregnant, expecting, second trimester, pregnancy app, birth team, empowered birth, motherhood, pregnancy announcement, baby bump, maternity photography, grand rapids birth doula, grand rapids birth, Grand Rapids Birth Photographer, birth story, pregnancy story, pregnancy diaries, Shay

Our 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.

pregnancy, pregnant, expecting, second trimester, pregnancy app, birth team, empowered birth, motherhood, pregnancy announcement, baby bump, maternity photography, grand rapids birth doula, grand rapids birth, Grand Rapids Birth Photographer, birth story, pregnancy story, pregnancy diaries, Shay

cesarean birth, informed choice, informed consent, childbirth, birth story, birth, Birth Photography, birth prep, gentle birth, empowered birth, birth team, doula support, birth doula, grand rapids birth, grand rapids birth doula, grand rapids doula, grand rapids birth photography, BRAIN, Shay

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

cesarean birth, informed choice, informed consent, childbirth, birth story, birth, Birth Photography, birth prep, gentle birth, empowered birth, birth team, doula support, birth doula, grand rapids birth, grand rapids birth doula, grand rapids doula, grand rapids birth photography, BRAIN, Shay

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.

cesarean birth, informed choice, informed consent, childbirth, birth story, birth, Birth Photography, birth prep, gentle birth, empowered birth, birth team, doula support, birth doula, grand rapids birth, grand rapids birth doula, grand rapids doula, grand rapids birth photography, BRAIN, Shay

pregnancy loss, pregnancy loss resources, miscarriage support, miscarriage, miscarriage resources, Shay

Mighty Oaks from Little Acorns: A Story of Pregnancy Loss & Recovery

pregnancy loss, pregnancy loss resources, miscarriage support, miscarriage, miscarriage resources, Shay

The following blog post shares my personal experience with early pregnancy loss. Please consult with a professional and consider doula support before making your own informed decisions throughout trying to conceive, pregnancy, loss, or birth. Remember, you have the right to informed consent and refusal. And you deserve a supportive team of professionals who takes you seriously and treats you with comfortable care and respect. If you have any questions about doula care or what to expect throughout pregnancy and beyond, connect with us here. We’re here to journey alongside you!

pregnancy loss, pregnancy loss resources, miscarriage support, miscarriage, miscarriage resources, Shay