
ON THE BLOG
Everything You Need To Know About Hiring A Doula For Your Birth
Curious about how a doula can make your birth journey smoother? We’ve got you covered! Learn all about what doulas do from pregnancy prep to postpartum support. We’ll walk you through the benefits, costs, and how to find your perfect match. Our goal is to help you avoid unnecessary interventions in labor and help you create a positive birth experience.
How to Avoid Unnecessary Interventions in Birth
Here at Anointed Births, we have worked effortlessly in learning about all the ways to increase every woman’s chance of having her best and ideal birth so she can experience an empowered birth and enter her motherhood feeling empowered and confident to mother her baby/babies. However, as experienced doulas, we constantly see and hear of unnecessary interventions occurring in the birth setting and these interventions are often leaving women feel like their birth was traumatizing rather than empowering. So let’s chat about this -
Understanding Pre-eclampsia: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment
Pre-eclampsia has been a big topic of conversation lately, especially as I’ve noticed more moms in our local birth community receiving this diagnosis. Whether it's an actual rise or just coincidence, I felt it was important to take a deeper dive into understanding pre-eclampsia—what it is, how to prevent it, and how to manage it if you're diagnosed. I want to reassure you: the goal here isn’t to scare you but to empower you with information so that you feel more confident and prepared. If, at any point, reading this makes you feel anxious or overwhelmed, please pause, take a deep breath, and say a prayer over you and your baby. You are never alone in this journey, and together, with God's guidance and the right resources, we will strive to help you have the best birthing experience possible.
Nutrition in Pregnancy & Postpartum: A Holistic Approach to Nourishing Your Body and Baby
Each trimester in pregnancy presents unique nutritional needs as your baby develops and your body adapts. From folate and iron in the early stages to essential fats and proteins for brain development in the later months, eating whole, nutrient-dense foods ensures that both you and your baby are supported every step of the way. And the journey doesn’t end with birth—during the "fourth trimester," or postpartum, replenishing your body with nourishing foods is vital for healing and breastfeeding. In this blog, we’ll explore the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that matter most in each trimester, with a holistic focus on real, whole foods and mindful supplementation when needed.
The Power of Birthing Hormones: How to Utilize them for a Better Birth Experience
Birth is an intricate dance between body, mind, and spirit, and central to this beautiful process are the hormones that guide and support labor. These hormones are designed to work in harmony with your body to bring your baby into the world. Understanding how these hormones work and learning how to harness their power can be a game changer for a positive, unmedicated birth experience.
What’s Truly Normal in Labor and Postpartum
At Anointed Births, we believe in embracing the natural, sometimes uncomfortable aspects of labor and postpartum life. From tearing during labor to postpartum bleeding, noisy contractions to breastfeeding challenges, these experiences are normal parts of birth. Our culture often encourages avoiding discomfort, but we’re here to help you surrender to these innate processes, supporting you through the emotional and physical highs and lows. With the right support, you can confidently navigate the messy, beautiful reality of bringing your baby into the world. Ready to embrace the journey? We’re here to walk with you every step of the way.
The Importance of Protein Intake During Pregnancy for a Low-Risk Pregnancy
Ensuring adequate protein intake during pregnancy is vital for promoting a healthy and low-risk pregnancy. Protein plays a crucial role in supporting baby's growth, maternal tissue development, and hormone production. Pregnant women should aim to consume a variety of high-quality protein sources such as meats, fish, eggs, dairy products, legumes, nuts, and whole grains to meet the increased demands of pregnancy. Proper nutrition, especially protein, reduces the risk of complications such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and preeclampsia. Learn more about why protein is essential during pregnancy and how to meet your protein needs through a balanced diet.
Why You Should Create a Birth Plan & How to Get Started
We’re happy that you are here, preparing for your best birth with us! In this blog, we’ll be diving into creating your blueprint for birth: Why you should create a birth plan and how to get started.
I love creating birth plans with the expecting parents because we get to envision the birth and talk about all the details and preferences for labor, birth, and immediate postpartum. Knowing the birth preferences and desires helps us doulas know how to help expecting parents prepare with education, tools, techniques, and special prayer requests that support their needs. Let’s explore why creating a birth plan is essential and how to get started.
Building a Strong Mental Fortitude for a Positive Birth Experience
Birth is an incredibly beautiful and transformational experience; birth is also probably the hardest thing you will ever experience. It can be the most empowering experience of your life followed by joy and euphoria OR the most disempowering and traumatic experience followed by depression. Learn how to build a strong mental fortitude for a positive birth experience!
The Birth Story of Andersen James
A positive birth story of an unmedicated hospital birth experience, the birth of Andersen James.
Unveiling Postpartum Depression: Understanding its Prevalence and Causes
Postpartum depression is a form of clinical depression that occurs after giving birth, characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities.
Hormonal Shifts in Postpartum: Navigating the Impact of Medicated and Traumatic Labor
The postpartum period is marked by intricate hormonal shifts as a woman's body recovers from the profound experience of childbirth. These hormonal changes can be influenced by various factors, including the use of medication during labor and the emotional toll of a traumatic birth experience. Understanding the nuances of hormonal fluctuations in these scenarios is crucial for new mothers and those supporting them.