Pregnancy Archives - AMANI Birth

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 [...]

Sumreen Wasiq2026-09-09T14:40:38+00:00Tags: Autonomous Birth, Childbirth Education, Informed Pregnancy|0 Comments

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 [...]

Sumreen Wasiq2026-09-09T13:49:29+00:00Tags: Maternal Health Care System, Mothers&Babies|2 Comments

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." [...]

Sumreen Wasiq2026-06-20T09:15:28+00:00Tags: AllahTheCreator, Islamic Childbirth|23 Comments

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 [...]

Sumreen Wasiq2026-06-02T14:55:59+00:00Tags: AMANI Birth Doula, Maternal Health Care System|16 Comments

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 [...]

Sumreen Wasiq2026-06-02T14:23:25+00:00Tags: Healthy Mother Healthy Baby, Human Rights During Childbirth|20 Comments

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 [...]

Sumreen Wasiq2026-06-02T09:53:10+00:00Tags: Informed Decisions, Respect Physiology, WomenBodiesAreAmazing|16 Comments

بریسٹ فیڈنگ، آرام اور ماں بچے کا تعلق: پہلے تین ماہ

Written By: Syeda Fakiha Zaidi نئی نویلی ماوں کے میسیجز آتے ہیں یا مختلف گروپس میں پوسٹنگ ہوتی ہے کہ بریسٹ فیڈنگ کے ساتھ گھریلو کام کاج کیسے کریں؟ بچہ چپکا رہتا ہے۔ فیڈ ہی کرتا رہتا ہے۔ کیا کروں؟ بات کریں تو پتا چلتا ہے کہ بچے کی عمر دس دن سے لیکر تین ماہ کے درمیان ہے۔ مجھے ماوؤں پر بہت پیار آتا ہے۔ انہیں ٹائم مینیجمنٹ کی ترکیبیں اور دو منٹ میں کام ختم کرنے کے ٹوٹکوں سے زیادہ سننے اور سمجھنے کا احساس چاہیے۔ پھر ان کی بجائے ان کے اردگرد موجود افراد سے بات کرنے [...]

Sumreen Wasiq2026-05-12T06:26:21+00:00Tags: Breastfeeding, Mothers&Babies|9 Comments

The Difference Between Sciatica & SI joint Dysfunction

Written By: Noor Rahim One may hear about sciatica so often that they’re tempted to label any “shooting pain” from the back as sciatica. However, there are varied sources of pain that stem from the back and due to their different origins, the diagnosis and treatment may vary. As doulas, and more specifically support persons, for our to-be mothers, it is important we encourage clients that have recurring painful bodily pain to follow with a physical therapist who will accurately diagnose and create a suitable treatment plan. Sciatica refers to pain that travels through the sciatica nerve from one’s lower [...]

Sumreen Wasiq2026-05-12T05:58:39+00:00Tags: Childbirth Education, Doulas, Nutrition & Physical Activity|17 Comments

Why Journaling Is Emotional First Aid During Pregnancy and Postpartum

Written By: Ayisha Chandni Pregnancy and postpartum are not just physical transitions. They are neurological and emotional recalibration. Hormones shift rapidly. Sleep is disrupted. Identity evolves. And in the middle of all this, a woman is expected to “adjust” often without structured emotional support. This is where something as simple as journaling becomes powerful. Not as a routine. But as emotional first aid. Research in expressive writing (notably by psychologist James W. Pennebaker) shows that writing about thoughts and emotions can reduce stress, improve mood, and support cognitive processing. It helps the brain organize overwhelming experiences into coherent narratives which [...]

Sumreen Wasiq2026-04-17T12:51:14+00:00Tags: Happy Mothers Happy Babies, Mothers&Babies|15 Comments

Dates and Labor: Finding Strength in Simple Nourishment

Written By: Zeinab Uddin There's something deeply comforting about the idea that in one of the most intense moments a woman can experience, she is guided towards something simple and nourishing. In the story of Maryam (peace be upon her), as she goes through the pain and vulnerability of childbirth, Allah says: {وَهُزِّي إِلَيْكِ بِجِذْعِ النَّخْلَةِ تُسَاقِطْ عَلَيْكِ رُطَبًا جَنِيًّا} "And shake towards you the trunk of the palm tree; it will drop upon you fresh, ripe dates." (19:25) SubhanAllah! in that moment, she is not given something complicated or out of reach. She is guided towards nourishment. Something natural, [...]

Sumreen Wasiq2026-04-17T12:06:07+00:0017 Comments

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