Western KY Birth Services

01/19/2026

When we think of our skeletal system, we often conjure up pictures that we've seen in text books, online or even models displayed in medical offices world wide. Stiff, immovable. Static.

While that may be true to a point there's so much more to it.
The skeletal system is made up of bones, cartilage and connective tissues that gives our body its shape and protects our organs. Its true. And these are connected to muscles which also contribute to our shape and ability to function throughout our day.

The pelvis is part of our skeletal system, and its job, put simply, is to connect the lower body to the upper, and protect our reproductive organs, bladder, and re**um. The pelvic floor is housed in the pelvis but that's another post.

Even though the pelvis is often depicted as rigid in anatomical models, it's anything but. It is not a fixed structure. The pelvis isn't static. It is meant to move, respond, and adapt. When we choose certain positions habitually, it can affect the shape (and therefore size ) of the pelvis. (Think prolonged sitting, or standing with weight on one leg habitually( this can cause an inbalance that can not shift and may interupt baby's journey during labor and childbirth.

The good news is that we can use the time of pregnancy to identify those habits that may block baby's smooth descent and make a plan to change them. Often the same tools used to regain flexibility are the ones used during labor and delivery! Body Ready Method acknowledges that each body is unique and needs its own plan of action.

Have you ever been told that your hips are just too narrow? Or that your baby will be too big for a physiological birth? Or maybe you've gone down the road of hard labor only to find out that baby is stuck, so a surgical birth became necessary.
Body Ready Method uses the time of pregnancy to identify and unwind movement patterns that may limit your ability to have the birth that you desire. As a Licensed Massage Therapist I can use my experience, knowledge of the muscles, ligaments, and tendons to soften and give length to those that are not behaving well. Think rib cage, low back, round ligament, psoas.... before, during and after birth.

I could go on and on. But I won't. If you'd like more info- please comment CREATE SPACE or just call me or Emma Hagan Grant. We'd love to tell you more.

01/19/2026

We’re excited to share a new approach to our childbirth education classes!
Instead of a weekend intensive or a 6-week series, we’re moving to a monthly, drop-in style class that cycles through our full curriculum. This means you can attend one session or every session—whatever best fits your season of life.
Each class stands on its own, making it easy to:
* Join when your schedule allows
* Come back for refreshers
* Arrange childcare more easily
* Build in accountability and check-ins for those who want ongoing support
We encourage you to bring your partner, and even invite a friend, parent, or grandparent to learn alongside you. Our goal is to empower parents, build confidence, and help you learn more about yourself in the process—physically, emotionally, and intuitively.
Cost: $50 per couple, per class�
Invite a friend and you’ll both receive $10 off your class!

📧 Email us at westernkybirthservices@gmail.com to sign up or learn more.
There will be "Events" each month that you can RSVP for so you can invite a friend and get reminders.
We’re hopeful this new model creates more accessibility, deeper connection, and continued support throughout pregnancy and beyond.

01/18/2026

We are going to start highlighting herbs that are beneficial especially throughout pregnancy and postpartum-called the Sunday Steep!

Herb of the Week: Nettle
Nettle is one of those herbs that quietly does a lot of heavy lifting.

Supports: mineral nourishment, iron levels, energy, tissue health

Use it: long-steeped tea (this is key — think nourishment, not a quick sip)
�Especially supportive for: pregnancy, postpartum, and seasons of depletion
�⚠️ Gentle reminder: Herbs are supportive tools and not a replacement for individualized care.
Nettle reminds us that deep nourishment often comes from consistency, not urgency.

01/17/2026

Getting ready for our child birth class in the morning 🤰

01/10/2026

Every minute, about 57 cesarean deliveries take place around the world, totaling nearly 29 million each year, and this number continues to rise. It is now the most common major operation performed globally.

AJOG announces the Cesarean Delivery Supplement: Cesarean delivery has evolved from an operation of last resort to the most frequently performed major surgical procedure worldwide, with nearly 29 million births each year. Advances in anesthesia, surgical technique, and perioperative care have greatly improved safety, yet the expansion of cesarean delivery raises complex clinical, psychological, and societal questions. This article introduces the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AJOG) supplement “Cesarean Delivery”, which assembles expert reviews, clinical opinions, original research, clinical trials, and perspectives addressing key aspects of this transformation. Topics include preoperative ultrasound to guide incision planning, evolving methods of uterine closure, Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) guidelines, management of complex cases such as placenta accreta, and the prevention of infection, hemorrhage, and thromboembolism. This issue introduces a new quality index that evaluates outcomes for the maternal–newborn dyad, integrating cesarean rate with both maternal and neonatal outcomes to provide a more meaningful measure of obstetric performance. Psychological sequelae such as post-traumatic stress disorder and postpartum depression, and neonatal consequences of elective and preterm cesarean deliveries are also discussed. Collectively, these contributions redefine cesarean delivery as part of an integrated continuum of care—one that values surgical technique, maternal and infant outcomes, and the ethical balance between safety and autonomy. www.ajog.org

01/10/2026

Pregnancy can make even a simple seasonal cold or flu feel extra uncomfortable—especially when your immune system, digestion, and emotions are already working overtime.

Homeopathy can be a gentle, supportive option many pregnant women turn to during this season. Rather than suppressing symptoms, it works with the body’s own healing response and can be safely used alongside other supportive care *when guided appropriately, and one remedy at a time is given.

Common ways homeopathy may support pregnant women:

Seasonal colds & flu
Different symptoms often point to different support, for example:
• Sudden onset illness with chills, body aches, and restlessness
• Runny nose and sneezing with burning or watery discharge
• Deep fatigue with heaviness, body soreness, and a desire to be left alone
• Congestion that worsens at night or in warm rooms
• Sore throat that feels raw, scratchy, or better from warm drinks

Digestive discomfort
• Heartburn or reflux, especially later in pregnancy
• Constipation, bloating, or sluggish digestion

Emotional shifts
• Irritability, overstimulation, or “mom rage”
• Anxiety, overwhelm, or feeling easily teary
• Emotional sensitivity that worsens when sick or overtired

Sleep challenges
• Restlessness or difficulty settling at night
• Waking frequently due to discomfort or racing thoughts

In homeopathy, the details matter. Two pregnant women may both have a “cold,” but their symptoms, triggers, and emotional state guide completely different support. This individualized approach is what makes homeopathy unique—and often so helpful during pregnancy.

Gentle reminders:
✔️ Pregnancy-safe doesn’t mean one-size-fits-all
✔️ Less is often more
✔️ Works best alongside rest, hydration, nourishment, and nervous system support

If you’re pregnant and feeling run down, uncomfortable, or emotionally stretched thin this season, you don’t have to just push through it. Gentle support options exist.

Here is a list of remedies I like to have available for my pregnant mommas!

12/26/2025

This post is long overdue and a long read but to truly understand the quality of the services I offer it is necessary.

So—hi. I’m Anne, and I’m a doula with Western Kentucky Birth Services. But that title only tells a small part of my story.

I’m a mother to six children and a proud Granny to thirteen grandchildren. I’m also a retired teacher with 16 years in the classroom. Teaching has always been part of who I am, even when life led me in new directions.

At 40, I became a licensed massage therapist, starting my career with Owensboro Health at the HealthPark, where my focus was rehabilitative and orthopedic massage. For five years, I worked closely alongside physical therapists, personal trainers, nurses, fellow massage therapists, and doctors. That environment—combined with my natural love of learning and teaching—gave me countless opportunities to grow, ask questions, and learn from some truly amazing professionals. It was a gift.

As life shifted, I needed to be closer to home and on a more flexible schedule. Over the next decade, my father taught me invaluable lessons while I worked closely with neurological conditions, particularly Parkinson’s disease—learning not only the physical challenges, but the emotional and mental ones as well. My studies eventually took me all over- NY, Chicago, Ohio, Florida, Lexington...- deepening my understanding of the body and strengthening my ability to “think outside the box” when problem-solving.

Along the way, nutrition, cleaner living, and homeopathy became more than interests—they became necessities. I realized that to truly support others, I needed to take better care of myself, too.

Then life happened again—my daughters began having babies.

I entered the birth world first as a mom and LMT, which quickly led me to doula certification through DONA. I was blessed with generous mentors who encouraged me to blend my unique skill set into the work I do today as a childbirth educator (Lamaze & Spinning Babies–trained), birth doula, and provider of prenatal and postpartum massage.

As a lifelong learner (or professional student, at this point 😉), my curiosity led me to the Body Ready Method, a rigorous college-level program. This course has stretched me in every way—physically, mentally, and yes… technologically. Weekly two-hour live Zoom classes have pushed me far outside my comfort zone. If you know me, you know technology has never been my strong suit—but here I am, halfway through the program and can say I'm finally successfully navigating Zoom, Google Meets, and telehealth appt.

Through this training, I’ve refined my understanding of how the body works as a whole—how posture, restrictions, and movement patterns can affect a baby’s position and ability to descend during birth. While I’m not a physical therapist or exercise physiologist, I can assess where restrictions may exist and help guide corrections that often lead to fewer interventions and a more relaxed birth experience.

I also know my boundaries and am grateful to have trusted referral relationships with chiropractors, pelvic floor specialists, and physical therapists.

Even as I continue working toward my Body Ready Method Pro certification, I am confident in my ability to support you—wherever your birth journey leads, whether planned or unexpected.

If you’re new here, welcome.
If you’ve been here a while, thank you for growing with me.
I'm honored to do this work and to walk alongside families during such powerful seasons of life.

12/24/2025

’Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, Not a creature was stirring… except this pregnant spouse. The birth ball sat ready, the bags by the door, And contractions? Maybe Braxton… or something much more.

The stockings were hung with a mix of hope and dread, While visions of water births danced in her head. Ice chips and dates on the nightstand nearby, And a well-meaning partner who’s not sure just why.

Her belly stretched tight, a globe full of grace, While round ligament twinges struck with impeccable pace. She shifted and sighed, finding no comfy position, Pregnancy teaching the art of repetition.

And just when she settled, convinced she could sleep, The baby reminded her—practice makes deep. A kick, then a roll, then a hiccup or two, As if saying, “Hey mama, I’m ready when you’re ready too.”

So here’s to the waiting, the birthing, the rest, To bodies that know and hearts doing their best. Whether labor starts tonight or weeks yet remain— This Christmas, she’s powerful, even in the strain.

And I heard her whisper, as she shifted just right: “Trust the body. Breathe deep. I’ve got this. Good night.”

12/15/2025

If you’re in your first trimester and wondering why you’re so exhausted… this is your reminder 💛

In early pregnancy, your body is doing invisible, intense work:
Building a placenta
Increasing blood volume
Rapid hormone shifts (hello, progesterone!)
Growing a brand-new human from scratch

Just to name a few! This isn’t the season to “push through.”
This is the season to slow down.

Rest supports:
• Hormone balance
• Lower stress levels
• Healthy placental development
• Reduced nausea & burnout

Productivity can wait.
Your body knows exactly what it’s doing.
Rest *is* productive in pregnancy.

If you’re tired—listen.
You’re not lazy. You’re pregnant.

12/07/2025

“Your baby isn’t ‘too big’—and your body isn’t ‘too small.’”

One of the most common (and harmful) myths surrounding birth is the idea that pelvis size or baby size automatically determines whether a woman can give birth vaginally.

What the evidence actually says:

• ACOG confirms that the pelvis is not a rigid structure—it is dynamic. Hormones in pregnancy soften ligaments, and pelvic dimensions change significantly with movement and positioning during labor.

• ACOG & WHO note that routine estimates of fetal weight (ultrasound or clinical exam) are often inaccurate, especially in late pregnancy, and should not alone determine mode of delivery.

• CDC & WHO data show that many women successfully birth babies considered “large for gestational age” without complications—especially when physiologic labor is supported.

Birth is not a hip-to-head math equation.
Labor involves fetal rotation, molding of the baby’s skull, pelvic expansion, and maternal movement—all of which cannot be measured on an ultrasound or predicted by shoe size or body shape.

The belief that “baby is too big” or “mom’s hips are too small” has contributed to:
• Unnecessary fear
• Loss of confidence in the birthing body
• Higher rates of non-medically indicated inductions and cesareans

What matters more than size:
• Labor support
• Freedom of movement and positioning
• Patience with normal labor patterns
• Trust in the physiologic process when mother and baby are healthy

💛 Your body was designed for birth—and most babies fit the bodies that grow them.

This is not a dismissal of true medical indications. It is an invitation to replace fear-based narratives with evidence, informed consent, and trust.

Sources:
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
World Health Organization (WHO)

10/27/2025

•Out of Office for Midwifery Training•

Hey everyone! I’ll be out of the office this week attending midwifery training to continue growing and learning how to better serve our families. 💕

If you need anything while I’m away, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Anne (270) 993-2745. I’ll respond to messages as soon as I can once I return.

Thank you all for your patience and support while I take this time for continued education — I’m excited to bring back fresh knowledge and skills to our community!

10/15/2025

Now Offering Birth Pool Rentals!

We are so excited to share that we are now offering **professional birth pool rentals** as part of our services.

You may have seen people recommend using an inexpensive kiddie pool for home birth, but here are a few reasons why a professional-grade birth pool makes a big difference.

Birth Pool In A Box (BPIAB):

Safety & Comfort– Birth pools are made with materials that are **phthalate-free and designed for prolonged skin contact**, unlike kiddie pools.

Depth & Space– They’re **deeper, sturdier, and roomier**, giving you buoyancy and freedom to move into positions that support labor progress.

Built-in Comfort Features- BPIAB pools have **cushioned walls, handles for grip, and an inflatable floor**, making them supportive for both you and your partner.

Clean & Hygienic– Each rental includes **disposable liners**, ensuring everything is fresh and sanitary for your birth. And in addition to the liners, the pool will be sanitized between uses.

Designed for Birth, Not Play – Kiddie pools weren’t designed to support hours of labor, heat retention, or the weight of adults moving around. A birth pool keeps the water warm longer and stays comfortable throughout.

Whether you’re planning a water birth or simply want the soothing benefits of laboring in water, renting a professional pool is a beautiful way to enhance your birth experience. 💙