It’s that time of year! You know, the time when you pull up that list on your phone and wonder whaaaat the heeccck to gift your friends & family for the holidays. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with classy, consciously-crafted goodies your loved ones (and you!) will appreciate this Christmas and beyond.
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 MoreI had a client ask today about belly support - she is approaching her third trimester and starting to feel the heaviness and soreness that often comes with a growing baby and growing uterus. Here is some information about the products I recommended to her!
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 MoreLast month, May 2022, marked 3 consecutive years of being pregnant with or nursing my precious firstborn! A major accomplishment I hold dearly. There are times when I have felt my best when nursing my child. And there are times when I have felt my worst. It's a journey full of beautiful highs and challenging lows.
Read MoreOnce in a while, I (Annica) like to share some of my favorite Amazon finds that make my life feel a little simpler and let’s be real, more aesthetically pleasing. So, here is my list of essentials for a simple sunny summer with tiny humans.
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 MoreTo celebrate this Earth Day, we're sharing some simple earth-friendly (& person-friendly!) lifestyle switcheroos we've made and love — and, spoiler alert, they're money-saving, too! Check out our list, complete with links to some of our favorite products we've discovered while taking steps to better care for ourselves and the earth.
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 MoreMy 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.
Read MoreThe 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!
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.
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