Brittany Cali Doula Services

02/07/2026

My first baby was 10.5lbs, and I don’t think that’s healthy.

Hot take: even though big babies born vaginally are celebrated in the holistic space, IMO babies over 10lbs aren’t necessarily “normal.”

My first baby was 10.5lbs, and I passed my gestational diabetes test at 28 weeks, so I assumed everything was fine. What I didn’t realize back then was that the gestational diabetes test is merely a single data point that is missing a LOT of context.

With my second pregnancy, I was seeing a homebirth midwife and she immediately raised concerns over the size of my firstborn, and how my blood sugar levels had almost certainly impacted that. That was news to me!

High blood sugar in mama = glucose crossing the placenta = baby’s pancreas releases extra insulin to handle the
glucose = insulin signals baby’s body to grow and store fat.

So, in the second pregnancy, I meticulously tracked my blood sugar levels with a glucometer (finger prick) and was aiming for the following numbers:

1. 100 fasting, 40+ point swing after breakfast, and often an even higher number an hour later.

So, what did I do? The following things helped me to get my blood sugar numbers into the optimal range, and my second baby ended up being 9lbs, not 10.5!! And I’m hoping for maybe an even smaller baby this time - we’ll see!! Here’s what I did:

- Avoiding literally all processed sugar. Yep, even during the holidays. Worth it.

- Never eating carbs by themself but always pairing with protein and fat, and ideally a fiber source too

- Eating a big protein-heavy snack right before bed around 9pm

- Hitting 120g of protein intake daily

- Walking after meals

- Avoiding screens before bed, or at least wearing blue light blocking glasses

If you want to read more about my experience with blood sugar and having big babies, see my “blood sugar” highlight on Instagram, and follow for more tips on holistically-minded pregnancy and birth!

02/01/2026

❤️

The first shower after birth isn’t about getting clean.

It’s about coming back to yourself.
The door finally closes.
The noise fades.

And for the first time since everything changed,
it’s just you… and the water.

It runs over a body that has been stretched, shaken, and transformed.

Washing away what the world doesn’t see—
the fear you swallowed,
the strength you borrowed,
the moments you almost broke but didn’t.

You look down and realize this body is unfamiliar now.
Not weaker.

Different.
Capable of things you never knew it could do.
In that quiet space, there’s no one asking anything of you.

No cries.
No instructions.
No expectations.
Just water falling gently,
as if to say, you survived something sacred.

That shower doesn’t restore the old you.
It welcomes the new one—
soft, exhausted, emotional, powerful.

A woman who crossed a threshold
and came back changed forever.

And that moment…
deserves reverence. 🤍

✍️Sarfaraz johan

01/27/2026

FACTS

01/26/2026

I am feeling so blessed reading these amazing Google reviews! Thank you so much for your kind words and support! 💖

If you’d like to share your experience and haven’t had a chance yet, here’s the link:

https://g.page/r/CYaScuAB4bFAEAE/review

I truly appreciate each and every one of you!

🌼 Brittany

Post a review to our profile on Google

01/21/2026

Hey lovely past clients & families! 💕
I finally got my Google Business page set up (better late than never😂), and reviews there really help other families find doula support when they need it.

If you loved working together and have a quick minute, I'd be so thankful if you'd drop a review over there to help me build up my Google page— or even just copy-paste the one you've already left on Facebook 🥰

Here's the direct link:
https://g.page/r/CYaScuAB4bFAEAE/review

No worries at all if you're too busy with baby snuggles or toddler chaos — I totally get it. Your support already means everything to me!

Warmly,
Brittany 🦋

Post a review to our profile on Google

10/27/2025

Neonatal male circumcision in the U.S. has fallen over the past decade and now sits below 50%, a cross-sectional study indicated.

"These findings align with prior trends and reflect sociodemographic changes and evolving cultural, clinical, and policy landscapes," researchers wrote.

Read more: https://www.medpagetoday.com/pediatrics/generalpediatrics/117464

08/16/2025

What if we told women the truth about birth?

We’d have to tell them that contractions will probably be more than “surges” or “sensations.”

That they’ll probably rock your world and leave you begging for salvation as you clutch the edge of the tub or the hospital linens.

That your gentle breathing exercises and your Spotify soundtrack will be left in the dust as you sweat and pant and sway and swear your way through it

That you’ll trip harder than any mushroom you ever did in college and vomit with the same ferocity and travel to places deep within yourself that you didn’t know existed.

That you’ll float above your body and simultaneously be trapped in it with an intensity you’ve never tasted.

And in that intensity,
in the sweating and the swearing
and the swaying and the vomiting
and the endless hours of contractions crashing down upon you ...

You’ll find your strength.
You’ll find a resilience you’ve never known.
You’ll find the power you need for the journey of Motherhood ahead.

In the messy humanity of it all,
you’ll find that you are holy.
A portal to the divine.
Capable of indescribable miracles.
A vessel of sacred life.

What if we told women the truth about birth?
We’d have to tell them they are capable of anything.

Worthy of being treated like goddesses.
Made to walk through the flames,
surf the tidal waves,
dive into the underworld
And come out alive.

Not unscathed.
Not unchanged.
But whole
and healed
and ready to take on the world.

If we told women the truth about birth,
we’d have to admit that we’ve lied about everything else,
and that they are more powerful,
more fierce,
more capable,
more beautiful,
than we’ve ever let on.

If we told the truth about birth?
We’d shatter the world.

Words and Art: Catie Atkinson

06/27/2025

The power of breath work is incredible—simple, effective, and accessible. Practicing just 2 minutes a day during pregnancy can help you feel more calm, focused, and connected to your body. It’s a gentle tool you can use anytime, anywhere, to support your physical and emotional well-being as you prepare for birth. Breathe in confidence, breathe out stress. You've got this! 🌿🤍

06/26/2025

Add a couple of your favorite songs to your birth playlist today! I recommend having an upbeat playlist to energize and motivate you when needed, and a calming playlist to help you feel grounded and centered. Music can be a powerful tool to support your experience—choose what makes you feel good and let it guide you through this beautiful journey. 🎶✨

06/25/2025

Visualization is a powerful tool in pregnancy and birth. Imagining a calm, positive, and empowering experience can help you feel more confident and ready for the journey ahead. Your mind is incredibly strong—use it to picture the birth you want, and trust in your body’s natural abilities. Believe in the beauty of your birth story. ✨🤰

06/24/2025

Practicing gratitude during pregnancy can be truly transformative. Taking a moment each day to appreciate your body, your baby, and this special journey helps shift your mindset to one of positivity and empowerment. Embrace gratitude—you’re doing an amazing thing, and there’s so much to be thankful for. ✨🤰💛

06/21/2025

YES, it’s really that easy—just a few minutes of deep breathing before bed. What matters most is consistency. Doing one simple thing each day to prepare your mind and body can make a big difference. You've got this! 🌙✨