About Sumreen Wasiq

Sumreen is a student midwife and a lover of everything books and herbs and female reproductive health. Being a mother, she finds joy in mothering (and unschooling) her brood, as well as staying current with research in women's health sciences. If you want to talk vaginas and ovaries, be her guest! Shoot an email to sumreen@amanibirth.com and she will be happy to lend you her ear and advice.

The Quiet Power of Your Words in Labor

Written By: Zeinab Uddin In labor, things just come out. “I can't do this.” “This is too much.” “I'm not strong enough.” And in that moment… it really does feel true. You're not sitting there thinking about what to say, it just slips out, because it's intense, unfamiliar, and overwhelming. But something we don't always realize is that these words don't just describe what we're feeling… they can actually shape it. They affect our thoughts, our emotions, even how our body responds to each contraction. The more panic-filled the words are, the more the body starts to tense. Breathing changes. [...]

Birth by Design: Understanding the Physiology of Natural Labor

Written By: Dr Umm Maryam In today's maternity care landscape, childbirth is often viewed through a medical lens. While modern medicine plays a vital role when complications arise, it is important to remember that birth is not an illness, it is a natural physiological process that the female body is designed to accomplish. Natural labor is guided by a remarkable interplay of hormones, instincts, and physical adaptations that work together to support both mother and baby. When labor begins spontaneously and progresses without unnecessary intervention, the body activates a finely tuned biological system that has evolved over generations. One of [...]

حمل سے پہلے حمل کی تیاری؟

Written By: Syeda Fakiha Zaidi ٹین ایجر لڑکیوں کو دیکھتی ہوں تو حلق سے جنک فوڈز کے علاوہ کچھ اترتا ہی نہیں ہے۔ پڑھائی اور پھر جاب کی ٹینشن میں ڈھنگ سے تین وقت کا کھانا کھانا تو خواب و خیال ہوا۔ ہاتھ بڑھا کر چپس کا پیکٹ کھول لیا اور کام کرتے کرتے وہی چگ لیا اور پیٹ بھر گیا۔ اسی اثناء میں شادی کے شادیانے بجے تو اب شاپنگ اور لیپاپوتی سے کہاں فرصت ہے کہ کچھ پیٹ میں ڈالا جائے؟ اگر کچھ فکر ہو ہی گئی تو مقصد ڈائٹنگ اور گلوئنگ سکن کے علاوہ شاید ہی کچھ [...]

Endorphins: The Body’s Natural Pain Killers

Written By: Noor Rahim Did you know that every mother’s body releases “natural pain killers” prior, during and even after labor? Allah created the woman’s body to be able to naturally handle the pains of labor but many times, women are told that the pain is “unbearable” and they go as far as ridiculing women who opt for the “natural route”! Rather, mothers should be advised on how to work with their body’s natural mechanisms and be informed of the great multilayer benefits these mechanisms provide. What Are Endorphins? Endorphins are neurotransmitters/hormones produced within the brain and nervous system in [...]

Why Maternal Health Is An Economic Issue

Written By: Ayisha Chandni Maternal health is often viewed through a clinical or emotional lens—but for birth workers and doulas, it’s equally important to understand it as an economic issue. This perspective not only strengthens advocacy but also elevates the value of the care we provide. Every pregnancy outcome has a financial ripple effect. When a mother experiences complications—such as preterm birth, emergency interventions, or postpartum depression—the costs extend far beyond hospital bills. Families may face loss of income, increased caregiving demands, and long-term healthcare expenses. On a larger scale, countries lose billions in productivity due to maternal morbidity and [...]

Allah is in Control of All Things

Written by: Liyana Helmy I want to share about one of the principles that forms the foundation to AMANI Birth: Allah is in control of all things. I believe that once this principle truly settles in your heart, in sha Allah, your whole pregnancy and birth journey becomes so much calmer. What does "Allah is in control of all things" mean? Simply put, every heartbeat of your baby, every contraction that comes, every movement your baby makes in the womb, all of it happens with Allah's permission. It's not coincidence, not random, and not just because "our bodies are clever." [...]

Pricing Your Passion: How to Handle Your Client Negotiation with Confidence

Written By: Lalithambigai Sekar In the field of birth work, negotiation is about clarity, trust and alignment, not about persuasion or pressure. A skilled doula does not convince her client to choose her service/package; she helps the mothers to recognize the value of the support they need. Understanding the Client First The first step for an effective doula to begin is by listening before discussing packages or pricing. Every expectant mother comes with unique concerns such as fear of labor, lack of family support, uncertainty about medical system or a desire for certain birth experience. Instead of highlighting on sales [...]

Rooted in Justice, Carried in Faith: A Call to Protect Black Mothers

Written By: Amina Muse and Zakirah Idrissu As Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Of all forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and inhumane.” In the United States, April 11th–17th is recognized as Black Maternal Health Week. This observance brings national attention to the persistently high maternal mortality rates, particularly among Black women and women of African descent. Each year, a theme is chosen to guide reflection and action. In 2026, the theme is Rooted in Justice and Joy, a call to address inequities in care while also centering the lived experiences, dignity, and well-being of [...]

The Last Days of Pregnancy: Slowing Down & Trusting the Timing

Written By: Zeinab Uddin Those last days of pregnancy can feel really long. You're tired, you're heavy, you're ready, and at the same time, nothing is really happening yet. Every little feeling makes you pause and wonder, "Is this it?" And then the messages start… "Any signs?" "Baby here yet?" With all the questions coming your way, you start to feel that quiet anxiety. "What if labor doesn't start on its own?" It is such a restless space to be in. You've prepared, you've learned, you feel ready for labor, and now you're just waiting. And honestly, the waiting can [...]

The Trauma We Carry as Doulas — And the Healing We Often Neglect

Written By: Ayisha Chandni Doulas are trained to hold space for others. To stay calm in intensity. To support through uncertainty. To regulate the room when emotions rise. To witness birth in all its beauty and unpredictability. But what we rarely talk about is this: Who holds space for the doulas? Behind many compassionate birth workers are experiences that quietly stay with them long after the birth is over. The mother who felt unheard. The traumatic emergency. The loss we witnessed. The birth that did not unfold the way anyone hoped. The moments we had to remain composed, while emotions [...]

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