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).

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

New Year Introductions | Sprout and Blossom Birth

Annica QuakenbushJanuary 1, 2021Sprout and Blossomsprout and blossom, birth, doula, birth doula, birth photographer, grand rapids, grand rapids doula, grand rapids birth photographerComment

The Journey through the Impossible | A Story of Infertility, Miracles, and a Perfect Homebirth | Grand Rapids Birth Videographer

This week is National Infertility Awareness Week, and today, I am absolutely thrilled to share this incredible story with you. If you are experiencing infertility, may this story give you faith in miracles, and hope in the impossible.

I have had the honor of walking alongside Ashley and her husband Dave as they welcomed not one, but TWO miracle babies into their lives after years of infertility and loss. Ashley wrote out their story, and you don’t want to miss it. She also gave me joyous permission to share the birth film I made for her of their recent homebirth. Make sure you grab tissues first!

Your Birth Team Matters | Grand Rapids Doula + Birth Photographer

Don’t get me wrong, I do think that the process of making a birth plan is valuable. But your birth team matters more.

Find a doula who you trust…and then trust her knowledge of local providers.

With a doula and a clinical provider that you are really confident will support you, you will be set up the best you can be for the unknowns of your individual birth experience. Your birth team matters more than your birth plan.

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