By Design Birth Doula Services

01/24/2025

If you're like me, sometimes you may forget that we are created to rely on God for literally all things.
Yep - even birth.

We aren't expected to know everything and be able to muster up the strength it takes to help a whole human out of our bodies. (thank goodness!)

But I've subscribed to that idea... Have you?

Let's be honest - the thought of having to make all the decisions & be strong on our own certainly induces anxiety & fear. Not to mention all of the pressure in pregnancy to do "all the right things". That mindset puts us in a place of lack - because we are literally made to depend on God for perfect plans, provision, & protection.

This morning I was thinking about the word "fear" as it relates to childbirth - how the presence of fear can impede labor & even make it more painful. I came across Deuteronomy 31:6, Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 73:26, 1 Timothy 1:7, & Psalm 34:4, and see these truths surrounding fear & how we're made:

God
🤍never leaves our side.
🤍strengthens & helps me; it's not all up to me.
🤍still upholds me in my weak moments.
🤍gives me a Spirit of power, love, & a sound mind.
🤍delivers me from all my fears.

The One who has already gone ahead of your birth story (Psalm 139:5), who is in total control of every moment, opens His arms for you to find true peace & soul satisfaction.
So as you wait, be encouraged that not being in control is actually a blessed place to be.
Because it's here we learn to rely on the One who is.

Which verse is your favorite?
✨️SAVE these as a reminder in fearful moments & SHARE your favorite to your story to encourage other moms. And don't forget to follow me here for encouragement & tips on all things motherhood. I'm so glad you're here! -Jeanna

11/01/2024

Do you ever awake in the night and feel frustrated? Weary? Worried about how to operate with a tired body & mushy brain (we all know that pregnancy brain just turns into mom brain, right)? From pregnancy restlessness, to newborn feeds, to waking postpartum because WHO KNOWS WHY...

I do, too.

Lately I've been waking between 2-4am regularly and many times I've felt just outright angry; I really like a solid sleep. But something that recently came to mind one of those early mornings is that while it's an uncomfortable inconvenience - it's also a Holy invitation.✨️

With no one else awake, it's quiet, dark, & distractions are minimal...
I can better listen for God's voice & meditate on his Word. It's a divine appointment for connection with my Creator; a space for surrender.

My tiredness is a reminder that He longs to be my strength & guide - I only have to ask.

God
🤍always sees me (Psalm 139).
🤍invites me to simply come to Him for rest (Matthew 11:28).
🤍comforts me in every trouble (2 Corinthians 1:4).
🤍shoulders my anxieties so I don't have to (1 Peter 5:7).
🤍helps me know what to do (Psalm 25).
🤍provides for every need (2 Corinthians 9:8).

He strengthens me to take another step, to make it another day - when I can't fathom being able to do so.

So in the long nights, the moments of weariness and weakness, be encouraged that it is actually a blessed place to be.
It's a place where our only option is to rely on the One who never sleeps either (Psalm 121). And there, you WILL find everything you need - including authentic joy, peace, and soul satisfaction.
✨️SAVE these verses for those long nights & SHARE your favorite to your story to encourage other moms. And don't forget to follow me here for faith-filled encouragement and tips on all things motherhood. I'm so glad you're here! -Jeanna

09/20/2024

1am feedings.
Changing 2,000 diapers.
Holding your baby 80% of the day.
Staying home with them when they're sick.
Middle of the night wake ups from bad dreams.
Potty training.
Tantrums.

You are a mother.
It's both part of who you are AND what you do.

A lot of mothering is monotonous.
Exhausting.
Frustrating.
Seemingly unappreciated.

One mom told me once, "I know this is crazy, but I wish my baby could just say 'THANK YOU!'"

Have you ever felt that way?

I know I have (and still do). But if I can encourage you in whatever parenting season you are currently in, each of my children told me something this week that made me realize that ALL of those seemingly moments of "nothing" we do - might actually be the most important "somethings" after all.

My daughter shared that a friend at school missed a soccer goal at recess and was so distraught about it. "And you know what I told him? I said, 'That's not on you; we're a team. Let's go! We've got this!'"

Yesterday I couldn't find my hammock after looking what felt like literally everywhere & my son said, "You should pray to God and ask for help." Just guess what happened next.

In those moments, I felt so proud of the humans they are becoming. And today I feel the Holy Spirit encouraging me that those character traits have been developing in them through mothering moments since they were babies...moments when I felt:

•Totally depleted & still chose connection.
•Frustrated & still chose grace.
•Unseen and forgotten & still chose sacrifice.

And it's all true for you, too. You are doing it, too!

So when you're feeling some kind of way when you're awake in the middle of the night, your kid is screaming in the backseat, or you're home with the third sickness of the month, say to yourself:

"Every moment I sacrifice matters. I am the best mother for my child. I can do this."

✨️SAVE this as a reminder & SHARE to your story to encourage other moms!

Happy Friday!
🤍Jeanna

09/04/2024

In pregnancy, during labor, just as a parent - do you ever wish you could just know what to expect next? That maybe if you just had a little more knowledge, you could have more peace, more satisfaction?

I do, too.
Eve did, too.

Just like in Eden, we have two "trees" to choose from:
🌳Life
🌴Knowledge

If you're like me, sometimes I forget that I was literally created to rely on my God. As a person, and certainly as a parent. And that tree of knowledge can be SUPER appealing.

I am often tempted to make my own plans, work to provide what I think is good/necessary, and be the one to protect those things. And then maybe invite the Lord in.
But it's exhausting, and ultimately leaves me without the sense of satisfaction and security I thought it would bring. Can you relate?

This morning I was thinking about the word "delivery" as it relates to childbirth, and then thought, "How does this word apply to motherhood?" I came across Psalm 34:4, Psalm 34:17, Psalm 18:2, Psalm 116:8-9, & Philippians 1:19, and see these truths in the theme of delivery...

God
🤍hears me when I call to Him.
🤍delivers me from my fears & burdens.
🤍is my place of safety & protection.
🤍guides me through the hard moments into true life.
🤍is at work right now for my good.

So in pregnancy, during birth, and throughout motherhood ( ), we can be encouraged that "not knowing" is actually a blessed place to be.
It's where we have to rely on the One who does.
And where we'll have authentic joy, peace, and soul satisfaction.
✨️SAVE these verses as a reminder & SHARE your favorite to your story to encourage other moms. And don't forget to follow me here for faith-fulled encouragement and tips on all things motherhood. I'm so glad you're here! -Jeanna

08/09/2024

In this week's newsletter, I'm sharing with you:

•smoothie recipe for picky eaters
•home cleaning tip & free printable
•trick to reducing anxiety quickly
•pregnancy & postpartum sales
•prayer for back to school

pregnancy + labor + postpartum + mom life

07/13/2024

5 Things Friday:

-One of the easiest dinners for pregnancy/postpartum (we use weekly!)

-Why the phrase often heard in labor: "push like you're having a bowel movement" drives me crazy

-Phrases to use to establish healthy personal boundaries in pregnancy, during labor, in postpartum/parenthood

-Weekly affirmation

-Relaxation activity for reducing swelling, improving digestion, reducing stress, & improving sleep quality

Happy Friday! ❤️

Five Things Friday

07/06/2024

Surrender: to cease resistance, yield, let go; necessary for birth.

What do you notice about the first 4 photos?

Joining Morgan at her home around 4:30am, I noticed that she was having fairly frequent contractions, about 4-5 min. apart. We visited a bit & laughed together, she read her little girl a book between ctx. Just before noon I could tell she seemed a bit frustrated, so we went for a walk around her neighborhood. Her ctx picked up to 2-3 min. for the duration of the walk, but spaced back out a bit upon returning home. But they never quit.

We went upstairs alone and went through a series of specific stretches/activities I call the fetal engagement protocol. I reassured her that labor takes time & what she was experiencing was normal.

She ate lunch, visited with her family, snuggled her girl, & made jokes about a video her husband shared with us that I hope I never forget. Around 3pm I had a gut instinct to suggest she go take a nap alone. Now, Morgan is one of my favorite people, but I was a bit hesitant to tell her that my great idea was to go lay down. But we got her settled for a "30 minute rest", which turned into a 1.5 hour siesta. Every now and then I'd go stand on the stairs to check on her, & the last time, I could hear that her breathing was different.

I went to get her husband and for the next hour, labor picked up & never slowed again. Without much prompting, she frequently changed positions. She used her breath. She opened her hands. She rested in between. Every time the intensity increased, her ability to cope matched it. We watched her surrender over and over again.

The time stamp from the first photo & the fifth is less than 2 hours. From ctx 4.5 min. apart to baby in arms.
In her home.
Surrounded by her people.
Nourished. Rested.
In low lights.
Minimal sound.
Trusted.
Honored.

And I can't help but feel that those things made the surrender - the act necessary for birth - possible.

I am forever in awe of you.

⭐️FOLLOW for more birth stories & tips for your best pregnancy, birth, & postpartum recovery ❤️

Midwife:

07/05/2024

Five Things Friday - content that would have been on IG, but is now in one place so you (and I) don't have to spend so much time scrolling. 💜 Happy Friday!

Five Things Friday

06/19/2024

I had the blessing of being present for 2 friends welcoming their baby boys in the last week 🩵

But that's not exactly why I've been a bit quieter in this space. Truthfully, chapters are seemingly coming to a close for new ones to be written. I feel that's it's time to pour out in new ways, first into myself (which still feels so unnatural to me, but I'm learning), and into my family & community.

There are so many things I've loved about this little IG community; I've made friends with so many of you, been connected with clients to serve virtually all over the world, and even got to chat with one of my favorite celebrities in the DMs once (yes, I almost fainted).

But it's just requires a lot, too, at least for me. I so deeply want to share as much quality information about pregnancy, birth, and postpartum with as many mothers as possible, but spending so much time on my phone just isn't where I'm at anymore.

SO, I want to do that for you, for FREE, without all the scrolling. Read the pinned comment below for details.
I can't wait to serve you there ❤️ Jeanna

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A few summer habits that may just stick around:

🌈Spending more time outside & pointing out things to be grateful for

🙏🏼Starting each morning in the Bible & keeping worship music on at home & in the car (noticeably, everyone's mood has been so much more decent)

🛁Doing something just for myself, every day (day baths while reading & watching my neighbors like a creep have been a favorite)

🔵Passing on knowledge & skills to new doulas (and being open to the transformations happening in my own service role)

🌳Embracing slower paces & practicing pause (I noticed this little placenta-looking imprint in another mama's driveway)

🍫Saying "yes" a little more (Fun Fridays!)

👩🏽‍🤝‍👨🏼Being intentional with sharing time with each child individually (lots of walks, board games, flower collecting, puzzles, crafting, & swimming)

📚More books, less TV (saving SO much money visiting thr library every week)

🥰Being intentional about sharing words of affirmation as a family (and my husband deserves all the thanks for his patience and support)

06/07/2024

Unpopular opinion (?) :
Birth is a family event. 

During my second labor, my little girl (2) was present through the onset of active labor. On all 4s next to me, she would give me little hugs every now and again between eating her breakfast. Those are moments I treasure & am so glad I got to experience.🤍Once things intensified, I felt like it would be best for her to be cared for in a separate space. 

Now 8, she is very interested in birth. One day it clicked for me that in talking with her about my work as a doula & sharing what I deem as age-appropriate information with her over the years, she has better information about birth now than I probably did in my 20s. And WAY less fear. And THAT is what we need to help shift birth culture back to confidence in our bodies & ability to birth and away from fear 👉🏼 normalizing physiological birth at an early age.

💫Birth is not just something to be endured or a circumstance to be controlled; it's a miraculous and natural event to be experienced. And we'll be the ones to help shape our children's experiences💫

Birth can be intense. AND it can be enjoyable. It might be painful. AND it can be empowering. And it's important, not only for us to know it, but to share it with the next generation.

👉🏼Were your children present in any way during your birth?

⭐️SAVE this & FOLLOW me for tips on all things motherhood from pregnancy to birth & postpartum!

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05/23/2024

✨️Labor of Love✨️

Have you seen this position for labor before?

This is a modification of using the "dilation station" - aka the toilet - and can be used during labor & birth at home, in the hospital, & with or without an epidural to support labor progress.

Because we naturally release tension in our pelvic floor on the toilet, sitting on birth stool (like this, a CUB, or a Kaya) and even a "throne" position in a hospital bed can trigger your body's natural release + the use of gravity = making room for your baby to move down to meet you!

BONUS: having your partner sitting behind you:
❤️gives you extra support to really rest in between contractions
❤️supports your natural oxytocin, which can reduce the need for artificial augmentation like pitocin
❤️allows your partner to actively participate in labor/birth

Did you labor in a position like this? I'd love to know if it worked for you!

⭐️SAVE this for labor + SHARE with your birth team! And don't forget to ❤️ to see more content on all things pregnancy, birth, & postpartum.

📸 - give her a follow for more beautiful birth imagery.

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05/21/2024

How can dads support moms immediately after birth?

Here are a few ideas:

🩵Skin to skin with dad can help:
•regulate baby's body temp
•regulate baby's heart rate
•enhance baby's immune system
•promote bonding
•soothe baby's cries
•baby sleep better
•accelerate brain development
•mom get a break to rest/care for herself

🩵Help mom in & out of the bed.
With the blood/fluid loss, exhaustion, & redistribution of balance, helping her get to the restroom, to the shower, etc. can provide additional stability.

🩵Keep a check that she has food & water. Especially if breastfeeding, moms need to be eating regularly & staying ultra hydrated. Amd yeah - sometimes we can't keep up with it. You can help make sure she's nourished & hydrated, which supports not only breastfeeding, but overall recovery & mood.

What would you add? Share in the comments!👇🏼

⭐️SAVE this + SHARE with your dad-to-be, and FOLLOW me here for daily tips on all things motherhood from pregnancy & birth to postpartum ❤️

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