Fruitful Vine Birth Services

I knew this birth would be special since I had the opportunity to work with a repeat client and longtime friend, but witnessing a baby being born en caul truly was unbelievable. What an absolute gift and joy to be invited into the birth space. ❤️

“The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of God is the heart of a mother.” – St. Therese of Lisieux

Happy mother’s day to all of you wonderful mothers!

I had the most wonderful maternity leave soaking up our youngest baby but I am so excited to be back!

Caleb Joseph arrived on 11/4! He was 9lbs 4oz and 21in! We are soaking up all of these sweet newborn moments 💙

"We have a choice to make as women approaching our births. We can enter into it as something to get through, knuckles clenched and eyes squeezed shut, wanting it to be over as quickly as possible, seeing it as a flawed and dreadful design for meeting our babies. Or we can enter into it with hearts a bit more open, viewing it as the incredibly intelligent design of God himself, the way that he, our loving Father, mindfully and intentionally chose to build a family and transform his daughters into mothers."
-Mary Haseltine, Made For This
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I am prepping during these final weeks of pregnancy by rereading Made For This by Mary Haseltine. This book is such a wonderful reminder of God's beautiful design for birth and my favorite way to prepare my mind and soul for labor.

Lean into the saints during pregnancy and labor! This prayer from Saint Francis de Sales is full of power and promise!
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Be At Peace
Do not look forward in fear to the changes in life; rather, look to them with full hope that as they arise, God, whose very own you are, will lead you safely through all things; and when you cannot stand it, God will carry you in His arms.

Do not fear what may happen tomorrow; the same understanding Father who cares for you today will take care of you then and every day.

He will either shield you from suffering or will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.


Saint Francis de Sales

Our schedules finally aligned and I got to see my best friend while heading into a birth! ❤️

I can't wait to add another sweet baby boy to our family! Baby Button #4 is due in November! 💙

The golden hour is the uninterrupted hour immediately after birth when the baby is skin-to-skin with their mother. As long as there are no emergencies, all procedures should be delayed for at least an hour to allow for uninterrupted time between mother and baby!

The golden hour helps with -
•bonding and attachment
•reducing stress levels in both baby and mother
•regulating baby’s body temperature and breathing
•increasing oxytocin
•stabilizing heart rate for baby and mother
•breastfeeding
•reducing the risk for hypoglycemia
•supporting optimal cord clamping
•decreasing risk of infection for baby

Witnessing these moments after birth and watching mom, dad, and baby all meet takes my breath away every single time.

Happy Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary!

In today's Gospel (Lk 1:39-56), we hear that Mary visited Elizabeth while she was pregnant and remained with her 3 months before returning home. Although scripture does not say if Mary was with Elizabeth for her birth, it is assumed she did. I love thinking of Mary as Elizabeth’s doula. I can imagine her tenderly taking care of Elizabeth through her pregnancy, birth and postpartum time.

I look to Mary as the patron of my doula work. I pray I can give the families I work with the same love and compassion Mary had. What a beautiful example I have to admire.

“O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”

Bathroom tip for labor!

Add some battery operated candles to the bathroom to create a calm, quiet environment! The small space and privacy can help you relax during labor!

When you are in labor, do not think about what is to come or how much longer it could last. Stay in the moment and take labor one contraction at a time.

Labor and birth are so beautifully intimate. I love watching a couple bond as they go through it together.

When you have a doula present, you can focus on each other completely while everything else is taken care of!

“I think early labor has begun. What should I do?”

REST!

Resting is the best thing you can do when you believe labor has begun. Labor can last anywhere from hours to days and you want to conserve energy until you really need it.

If labor begins at night, try to go back to sleep. If you can’t sleep, at least lay quietly in bed with your eyes closed.

If your labor begins during the day, rest and sleep as often as you can while you go about your day as normal!

“When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world.”
John 16:21


Did you forget all about labor as soon as your baby was born?

I can’t believe it has already been 3.5 months since this baby girl was born! Her birth was as beautiful and peaceful as she is! I love watching her grow 💗

I love when I get to debrief birth with clients and they had exactly the birth they wanted!

Client feedback -
"I greatly appreciated the extra support throughout the birthing process. My nurse seemed very nervous and Anna did a wonderful job buffering that, so the nurses energy didn’t project onto me. This allowed me to concentrate on myself and my baby so my birth could be everything I wanted it to be. I loved the mental support and the reminders of what my body was capable of. This helped to keep me in the right headspace to have my natural delivery that I wanted."

The beautiful thing about contractions is that each one brings you closer to meeting your baby! Don't lose sight of that in the midst of labor!

A very common question is “will a doula replace my husband?”

The answer is no! A doula will not replace your husband!

A doula works with your husband to give you the most comprehensive support. Your husband knows you and your doula knows birth so together they make a great support team.

Here are a few examples of how a doula and husband can work together during labor.

➨ A doula can suggest position changes while your husband gives praise and reassurance.

➨ A doula can create a calm environment and make sure you are staying hydrated while your husband provides a massage.

➨ A doula can provide counter pressure while your husband takes a short break.

➨ A doula can provide both you and your husband with evidence based information so you can make decisions about your healthcare.

➨ A doula can order or help prepare a meal while you and husband bond with your baby after birth.

Doula support enhances the experience for both you and your husband and allows you to be focused on each other and the birth!

This sausage, kale, and chickpea soup is delicious and makes an excellent postpartum meal! It is hearty without being too heavy and loaded with vegetables. You can double the recipe and freeze the extra for a make-ahead freezer meal too!

Spicy Sausage and Chickpea Soup with Garlic Oil

INGREDIENTS

¼ cup olive oil

6 garlic cloves, sliced

1 pound spicy Italian pork sausage, casings removed

1 cup chopped yellow onion (about 1 onion)

½ cup chopped celery (about 2 stalks)

½ cup chopped carrots (about 2 large carrots)

4 cups chicken broth

1 (15-oz.) can crushed tomatoes

1 (15-oz.) can chickpeas (garbanzos), drained

½ teaspoon black pepper

4 cups chopped Lacinato kale (about 3 1/2 oz.)


INSTRUCTIONS

Cook oil and garlic in a large saucepan over medium until garlic begins to brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove and discard garlic; reserve 3 tablespoons of the garlic oil.

Increase heat to medium-high. Add sausage to pan; cook, stirring often, until browned and crumbled, about 6 minutes. Remove sausage from pan; drain on paper towels.

Add onion, celery, and carrots to pan; cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly tender, about 4 minutes.

Stir in broth, tomatoes, chickpeas, and pepper; stir in sausage.

Bring to a simmer; reduce heat to medium-low, and cook 20 minutes.

Stir in kale; cook until wilted, about 5 minutes.

Drizzle each serving with 1/2 tablespoon reserved garlic oil.

https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/spicy-sausage-and-chickpea-soup-garlic-oil

The B.R.A.I.N acronym is used to make informed decisions about your healthcare during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

The B.R.A.I.N acronym stands for benefits, risks, alternatives, intuition, and nothing.

• Benefits - What are the benefits of making this decision?
• Risks - What are the risks associated with this decision?
• Alternatives - What are the alternatives?
• Intuition - What is my gut telling me?
• Nothing - What if we do nothing or wait it out?

When faced with a decision about your healthcare, you should -

1) Have an open discussion with your healthcare provider asking the B.R.A.I.N questions.
2) Ask for time to make a decision (as long as it is not an emergency situation).
3) Make an informed decision or informed refusal based on evidence-based information.

By using B.R.A.I.N you will be able to weigh your options and be in control of your choices and decisions!

Message me for a PDF of the B.R.A.I.N acronym! You can save it on your phone or print it out!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas day! I was able to spend the past few days soaking up family time and enjoying Christmas with my kids! ❤️

This year flew by and I can't believe we are almost to the new year. I am so excited about all of the families I will have the opportunity to walk beside in 2022!

MYTH - “I don't need a doula because I'm planning to get an epidural.”

REALITY -
➡ A doula can help with position changes and make sure you stay hydrated and comfortable while you are confined to a bed.

➡ There is much more to birth than the physical feeling of contractions. You are also on an emotional journey and a doula can support that through their continuous presence, words of encouragement, and walking with you through fears.

➡ Your partner can rest, take a short break, or go eat while a doula is present so you are never left alone to labor.

➡ A doula can help you advocate for the birth you want and assist with creating space and time to make decisions during labor.

➡ Epidurals are not always immediately available as soon as you want them. Comfort measures can be used prior to an epidural so you can feel calm and remain in a good rhythm as you await the hospital staff and anesthesiologist.

➡ Epidurals do not always work (such as this one I recently attended). You can be left with some or no relief after an epidural and a doula can assist with comfort measures to get you through labor.

Client feedback! I love supporting both the pregnant woman and her husband on their journey! The full review is below -

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"Anna was absolutely amazing. She was at my second birth and I planned on having an epidural. I didn’t really even think that I needed a birthing coach for an epidural but ladies let me tell you, you do! Anna was there to help me transition until I received my epidural but unfortunately, my epidural didn’t even work. I felt everything. Anna taught me how to breathe properly with each contraction, she would squeeze and massage my hips because that eased my pain. She also made my husband do this as well. She was constantly getting me water, massage my back. She never made it seem like it was me and her during the delivery she made sure it was most importantly me and Stephen and she was just there to support us. After birth she was there to help me get my daughter to latch to my breast, she taught me how to correctly hold my baby while breastfeeding. She made sure I was to eat and drink and even forced my hubby to get food in the cafeteria for himself. I couldn’t ask for a more perfect doula. Anna is so knowledgeable about the birthing process and knowing what you need as a mother. She was there to support my husband as well. I didn’t have a doula at my first birth because I had no idea what a doula was or my obgyn never mentioned it to me, but she made my 2nd birth 110% better just being there and supporting us. This is definitely Anna’s calling in life and she will make a difference in your birthing experience.
Thank you so much Anna!!"

❤️

My youngest has always loved being worn in a carrier! She spent hours snuggled up and strapped to my chest as an infant while I took care of our other children. As a toddler she spends time on my back while we explore the outdoors. I love that she still falls asleep when she gets cozy.

You have trusted your body to carry and grow your child, trust that your body knows when and how to birth!

November was a busy month! It was full of baby girls that all wanted to come fast! I LOVE being a doula and I am so thankful to all of the families that have allowed me to walk beside them on their journey. ❤️

My calendar is filling up for next year so reach out soon to see if we are a good fit and to book doula support!

A successful VBAC! 🙌

Welcome to the world, little one! Your mom is so strong!

The full moon brought allllll the babies last night! Was your baby born during a full moon?

Client Feedback!❤️