Birthing Empowered

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Birthing Empowered

Hi! I'm Emily Griffin and I am a birth doula and birth photographer in Utah!

04/10/2025

There is something about a bloody birth photo that I absolutely love. In most other instances, blood is scary and a sign of something bad, but in the context of birth it is so beautiful to me. It is a physical representation of everything the mom just went through. Birth is hard! It’s hard emotionally. It’s hard physically. Your body is put through things it will never otherwise go through. Birth is beautiful, but it’s also incredibly challenging. The blood shows how strong you are.

That is why I think the blood is beautiful and why I love capturing the bloody details when I photograph a birth.

03/24/2025

Ask ChatGPT to describe what you do like it’s your drunk best friend.

02/14/2025

Happy Valentine’s Day!

I look forward to celebrating the fruit of your Valentine’s labor with you later this year 💕

11/14/2024

With the holiday season upon us, you might hear your provider suggesting induction.

Are they saying something like this?
- Your baby is too big.
- You are overdue.
- I will be taking time off for the holiday and won’t be here if you go into labor during these days.

These are not valid reasons for an induction.

So what is a valid reason?
- Preeclampsia
- High Blood Pressure
- Placental Abruption
- Uterine Infection
- Other similar medical conditions

What should I do?
- Ask why they are suggesting it and if it is medically necessary
- Do your research on inductions so you can make an educated decision

If an induction is not medically necessary, don’t let them pressure you into getting one because it will be more convenient for your provider. If after asking the questions and doing your research you want to say yes, go for it! Just make it your decision, not your providers.

09/25/2024

When people ask why I became a doula I say that I’ve always been a baby person. I loved babysitting as a teenager, at family functions I’m always the one holding a baby, and I want to be a mom to my own babies so badly.

I’m pretty sure that love comes from the family I grew up in. I have a massive family, there’s 53 first cousins on my mom’s side, and now from those cousins there’s 60 great grandkids so far. So when I say there are always babies at family functions, I’m not exaggerating. There’s usually multiple. I just gravitate towards them.

My family is where this stems from, my passion, my business.

I bring all of this with me to every birth I attend and every single one has a spot in my heart.

I hope I can bring this love and passion to many, many more.

09/07/2024

In Spain, it's a cultural tradition to pierce the ears of baby girls as a visual identifier of their gender, adding a unique touch to the community's announcement of the arrival of a newborn girl.

08/29/2024

In Jamaica, the arrival of a new life is celebrated with a unique and symbolic ritual involving the placenta and umbilical cord. Instead of being discarded, these elements are carefully buried in a special location, marking a connection between the child and the earth.

Friends contribute by bringing a tree to plant at the burial site. The tree becomes a living symbol, representing the growth and journey of the newborn. As the child grows, they are given the responsibility of caring for the tree, fostering its well-being over time.

This practice carries important lessons about responsibility and interconnectedness. By tending to the tree, the child learns about the cyclical nature of life, their connection to the environment, and the importance of nurturing living things.

08/24/2024

Historically, the Comanche women would use hot stones during labor. This ritual held the belief that squatting over hot stones not only provided relief from the intensity of labor pains but also assisted in the natural stretching of the perineum.

The act of squatting over hot stones during childbirth showcases the cultural understanding and resourcefulness of the Comanche community. The application of heat was likely perceived as a soothing and therapeutic method, offering a form of pain relief in the challenging moments of labor. Additionally, the practice reflects the community's acknowledgment of the importance of aiding the natural processes of childbirth. Nowadays, we use similar practices such as warm perineal compresses and yoni steaming.

08/18/2024

So many women say their goal is a healthy baby. But why are we stopping at that?

It's becoming more common for people to believe that to be a good mom, you must take care of yourself first, physically and emotionally. That pertains to birth as well.

We must strive to make birth emotionally satisfying for the mother as well as making sure she is physically okay.

Physically, everything can go right, but if a woman has negative feelings surrounding her birth, that will follow her in everything she does.

08/16/2024

In Pakistan, the Aqiqah ceremony holds a special place as a significant baby naming ritual, typically observed on the 7th, 14th, or 21st day of the infant's life.

A poignant moment during the Aqiqah ceremony is the gentle shaving of the baby's head. This act is symbolic, representing purity, renewal, and the beginning of the child's journey within the community. Simultaneously, a sacrificial offering, usually an animal, is made on behalf of the infant.

The sacrifice carries deep cultural and religious significance, reflecting the community's desire to share blessings and celebrate the new life. It is a gesture of gratitude, symbolizing hope for the child's well-being, prosperity, and protection.

08/10/2024

Is your due date getting close, stressing you out with not feeling ready?

I had a mom hire me last week for a birth that happened 5 days later!

If you’re having some last minute anxiety and wanting some extra guidance for your birth, let’s talk! It’s not too late to hire a doula!

08/02/2024

Nigerian postpartum care hosts the tradition of "Omugwo", a cherished practice where grandmothers play a vital role in aiding new mothers on their journey back to pre-pregnancy shape. One of the key rituals involves a belly-flattening massage, a nurturing method to support the mother's physical recovery.

Grandmothers employ a towel dipped in hot water for this special massage. The warmth of the water, combined with gentle kneading, is believed to promote blood circulation and encourage the tightening of abdominal muscles, assisting the new mom in regaining her prepregnancy form.

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American Fork, UT

Website

http://www.birthingempowered.com/

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