Bridging Parenthood

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United States
Scottsdale, AZ
Bridging Parenthood

Equipping Arizona families with the tools and care that bring confidence and mindfulness into their www.expectingablessing.com

Delivering education, encouragement, and support to expecting families in Arizona.

03/30/2025

✨10 Years✨

A decade ago, I set out on a path I thought I knew. I was on my way to becoming a Certified Nurse Midwife, believing that was how I could best support expecting families. But life had other plans.

In a hospital room on a beautiful spring day in 2016, everything changed. I realized that the families I served needed something beyond clinical care—they needed someone who could educate, advocate, and truly stand beside them through the unexpected twists of pregnancy, birth and postpartum. That moment led me here.

Over the last 10 years, my work has transformed in ways I never imagined. There have been incredible highs and challenging lows. My business looks nothing like I thought it would—but in the best way possible. What has never changed is my passion for:
🩵 bridging the gap of advocacy between what parents value and the reality they face in their birth and postpartum experiences
🩵 bridging the informational gaps between birthing strategies and baby care techniques
🩵 bridging the emotions support gap between who you are and who parenting will require you to become

Today, Bridging Parenthood is more than just birth support. I educate families about their options during complex and challenging pregnancies, births, and postpartum experiences. I advocate in the healthcare space to ensure families feel heard, supported, and empowered. Whether it’s navigating unexpected medical interventions, preparing for postpartum realities, or making informed choices about care, I stand beside families every step of the way.

Bridging Parenthood was born out of a need—a need I saw in my community, a need I felt in my heart. And today, it stands as a testament to the power of adapting, learning, and showing up for families in the way they need most.

To every family I’ve worked with, every birth I’ve witnessed, every parent who has trusted me to walk this journey with them—thank you. Your stories, strength, and love inspire me every single day.

Here’s to 10 years of bridging the gap. And here’s to whatever the next 10 years may bring.

02/18/2023

Pssst… I’ve got a sneak peek to share with you. I’ll give you a hint: my lovely pelvis prop will be coming with me. Any guesses on our new class location? Drop 'em in the comments below!

10/31/2022

I couldn’t resist jumping on this Halloween meme trend 😜

Join us for our next one day childbirth class on November 12 to gain your own tool kit to navigate your birth!

Schedule and registration links in my bio.

10/12/2022

Imagine what your future would be like if you were unapologetic about what you wanted for your upcoming birth.

Big or small, what you want matters!

Consider this the sign you need to add a guide to your team... because you don’t have to walk this birth story alone!

I will walk alongside you and your partner to bridge the gap between the unpredictability of birth and the options you value for your experience and equip you to create memories you will cherish for a lifetime.

Raise your 🙋🏼‍♀️ if you’ll be taking a step towards a better hospital birth experience today!

09/26/2022

Essential oils can be a super helpful tool to utilize during labor.

Sweet Orange can help give an extra boost of energy or keep the mind refreshed.

Lavender can be relaxing and help you settle into a labor groove.

TIP: If you plan to use essential oils during your labor, I recommend putting a
few drops on a washcloth rather than in a diffuser or applying them on your skin. This way it's easy to get the scent out of the room if the smell starts to bother you.

Learn more about this and many other tools in our 'Comfort in Labor class.

Join us for our next class on October 11th via the link in my bio!

09/25/2022

Your heart grows to embrace a new human.

It’s not just a figure of speech - your heart truly does grow when you have a baby!

During pregnancy, your blood volume increases by about 50%
(twice that for twins!). To keep up, the walls of your heart get thicker and stronger, making it bigger than it was pre-pregnancy.

Our bodies are pretty incredible! Not only changing emotionally in preparation for a new baby, but also physically!

08/05/2022

Summer adventures have me reflecting… What has your career path looked like?

My pathway to becoming a childbirth coach and educator started 7 years ago.

It’s something that I naturally fell into after watching many families transition through pregnancy, birth, and then welcoming a new little one into their home. I saw the joy and the struggles and I witnessed from an outsider's perspective the kind of education and care that made a difference in their experience.

I 'officially' began my journey in March 2015 when I took a doula training course. I quickly found that educating families was just as-if not more-important than physically supporting them and ran to become and childbirth education instructor the same year.

It was equal parts terrifying and exhilarating.

I had many doubting thoughts cross my mind.

Who was I to help guide families through this exciting, yet overwhelming time in their lives?

I am so glad I didn't let those thoughts stop me!

This job is even better than I could have dreamed thanks to such an incredible community and even more amazing clients whom I get to serve on the daily.

So tell me… What got you started on your path?

08/02/2022

Many new mothers experience painful sore ni***es in the early weeks of breastfeeding. This is commonly caused by a less-than-perfect latch.

If you’re starting to get sore, cracked, or bleeding ni***es, it’s essential to see a lactation professional (IBCLC) who can help you with latch and positioning.

To aid the healing process, try the following:

-Avoid tight bras or synthetic fabrics. Loose clothing promotes air flow to your sore ni***es so they can heal properly.
-After a feeding, rub a little breast milk into your ni***es. After they dry, apply a soothing ni**le balm or lanolin.
-Nurse on the side that is less sore first. In extreme cases, you may be advised to pump on the sore side until the skin begins to heal and your baby’s latch has improved.
-Vary your nursing positions. This switches up the areas where your baby’s mouth is putting pressure.
-If you’re engorged, hand express to soften your breasts to help your baby latch on more deeply.
-Try soothing gel pads after feedings.

If you need a referral to a trusted IBCLC for your challenges, DM me. Happy to point you in the right direction.

07/29/2022

If you've heard it once, you've heard it a million times.

Preparing your body NOW for labor can make a huge difference.

If you've attended any of my classes you know I begin to sound like a broken record when referring to preparing your body for birth.

One of my favorite recommendations for preparing now is utilizing the 'Three Balances' from Spinning Babies.

#1 - It's free. Simply wander over to your VIParent resource page (link in your post-class email) and pull up the PDF.

#2 - It takes as little as 10 minutes a day.

#3 - Find relief from even your pregnancy discomforts.

Yep, you heard me right, by doing just three exercises you can feel relief during pregnancy and begin to prepare your body for labor.

Have no idea what I am referring to? Register for our next one-day childbirth class and start filling your (metaphorical) tool belt with pregnancy and birth tools.

07/26/2022

👏BIRTH IS BETTER WITH SUPPORT👏
..and a hip squeeze is just one of so many supporting tasks that your birth partner can do to help you feel more comfortable during labor.

As your body changes to allow a baby to be born, it can be an incredible relief to have some counter pressure.

Ready for your birth partner to know how to support you like this? DM me and we can chat about how I can help your partner feel more confident in supporting you during labor.

Address

Scottsdale, AZ

Website

http://www.bridgingparenthood.com/

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Hi! I’m Leanna…

CERTIFIED BIRTH DOULA & CHILDBIRTH EDUCATOR

I have truly enjoyed turning my natural gift of support and warmth into a career where I am able to coach and encourage mothers and their partners as they navigate their chosen birth plans.

I understand the excitement, uncertainty and even fear that comes as you enter into your parenting journey.

Whether this is your first time or your fifth, I am here to help you unlock your innate parenting ability, provide you with meaningful support at every turn, and equip you with the necessary tools to navigate this unique experience, all while creating memories that your family will treasure forever.