Best Beginnings Birth Services

Best Beginnings Birth Services Hi, I'm Karen, a certified birth doula who is passionate about supporting families through their journey of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

I love to provide personalized care, education, and encouragement, ensuring you feel confident and empowered. https://doulamatch.net/profile/27104/karen-wenger

What a privilege and joy to serve 40 families last year. This year started out welcoming 4 babies in the first 4 days!  ...
01/06/2026

What a privilege and joy to serve 40 families last year. This year started out welcoming 4 babies in the first 4 days!

A birthing ball offers many benefits throughout pregnancy and labor. Sitting or gently moving on a birthing ball helps i...
11/18/2025

A birthing ball offers many benefits throughout pregnancy and labor. Sitting or gently moving on a birthing ball helps improve posture and balance while strengthening your core and back muscles, which can ease the extra strain pregnancy puts on your spine. The gentle rocking or circular movements encourage your baby to move into an optimal position for birth, which can make labor progress more smoothly. During pregnancy, using a birthing ball can also help relieve lower back and pelvic pain by reducing pressure on those areas and promoting better alignment. When used during labor, the ball supports natural birthing positions that help open the pelvis and enhance mobility, making contractions more manageable and potentially shortening labor time. Overall, it’s a simple, versatile tool that supports both comfort and body readiness for birth.

Women often experience back pain during pregnancy because their body is changing to support the growing baby. As the bel...
11/15/2025

Women often experience back pain during pregnancy because their body is changing to support the growing baby. As the belly expands, posture shifts and the lower back carries more weight. Hormones also loosen joints and ligaments to prepare for birth, which can strain the back. Additionally, weak core muscles, stress, and long periods of standing or sitting can make the pain worse.

11/13/2025

By the time a woman reaches her third trimester, it’s completely understandable that she might not feel like going out much anymore. Her body has been working hard for months, and by this stage, simple things like walking, sitting for long periods, or even finding something comfortable to wear can feel like a challenge. Swollen feet, back pain, and constant bathroom trips can make staying home sound much more appealing than social plans. On top of that, many moms-to-be start feeling the natural “nesting” instinct — wanting to stay close to home, rest, and prepare their space (and heart) for their baby’s arrival. Emotionally, there’s also a quiet shift that happens — a need for peace, comfort, and slowing down before stepping into the next big chapter of motherhood. It’s not that they don’t want to go out; it’s that their body and heart are asking them to pause and prepare — and that’s perfectly okay.

Your baby’s position inside your womb actually tells a story about how your body and your baby are preparing for birth. ...
11/11/2025

Your baby’s position inside your womb actually tells a story about how your body and your baby are preparing for birth. Each position affects your comfort, the shape of your belly, and even how labor might begin and progress.

Here’s what it means:

Early in pregnancy: Babies move around freely because there’s plenty of space.

As your belly grows: They start finding a more stable spot, often head-down, to get ready for birth.

Near the end: The ideal position is head-down, facing your back (anterior position) — this helps your baby move smoothly through the birth canal.

Other positions, like breech (bottom down) or posterior (head down but facing your belly), can sometimes make labor longer or more uncomfortable — but your body and your baby often work together to find the best way.

So yes — your baby’s position isn’t random. It’s part of your birth roadmap, showing how both of you are getting ready for that special day.

During pregnancy, your body works extra hard to grow and protect your baby. Some foods, activities, or habits can affect...
11/08/2025

During pregnancy, your body works extra hard to grow and protect your baby. Some foods, activities, or habits can affect your baby’s health or your own comfort and safety.

Avoiding certain things — like raw foods, alcohol, harsh chemicals, or overexertion — helps lower the risk of infections, complications, or early labor.

Think of it as creating the safest, healthiest environment for your baby to grow.

Small choices every day make a big difference!

11/06/2025

The first trimester can be especially tough for many women because their bodies are adjusting to huge hormonal changes in a short amount of time. Hormones like hCG and progesterone surge to support the growing baby, but they can also cause nausea, fatigue, breast tenderness, and mood swings. Many women feel constantly tired — like they could nap all day — because their body is literally building the foundation for a new life.

Morning sickness (which often lasts all day) can make eating difficult, and even certain smells or foods can trigger nausea. On top of that, emotions can feel all over the place — excitement mixed with anxiety, especially since the pregnancy is still new and sometimes not yet shared with others.

It’s a time of major adjustment, both physically and emotionally. The first trimester asks a lot from a woman’s body, often before she’s even showing. So if a mom-to-be seems quiet, tired, or a little withdrawn during this stage, she’s not being distant — she’s just navigating one of the most intense parts of early pregnancy while her body works overtime behind the scenes.

When you’re stressed or upset, your body releases stress hormones like cortisol. During pregnancy, these hormones can cr...
11/04/2025

When you’re stressed or upset, your body releases stress hormones like cortisol. During pregnancy, these hormones can cross the placenta — meaning your baby can also feel some of that stress.

Frequent fighting or emotional tension doesn’t just affect your mood — it can also influence your baby’s development, sleep patterns, and even how calm they are after birth.

That’s why it’s important to find ways to manage stress and communicate gently. Taking deep breaths, talking things through calmly, or taking a short break when emotions are high can make a big difference for both you and your baby.

Why You Should Drink More Water During Pregnancy1. It helps keep your body cool.Your body works harder during pregnancy,...
11/01/2025

Why You Should Drink More Water During Pregnancy

1. It helps keep your body cool.
Your body works harder during pregnancy, and drinking water helps control your temperature so you don’t overheat.

2. It lowers your risk of UTIs.
Water helps flush bacteria out of your system, reducing the chance of urinary tract infections, which are more common during pregnancy.

3. It carries nutrients to your baby.
Water helps move nutrients from your food into your bloodstream and delivers them to your growing baby.

4. It helps with constipation.
Pregnancy hormones can slow digestion. Drinking plenty of water softens stool and makes it easier to go.

5. It can ease nausea.
Small sips of water throughout the day can calm your stomach and prevent dehydration from morning sickness.

🚫 Dehydration can trigger contractions.
When your body doesn’t have enough fluids, it can cause your uterus to tighten — which is why staying hydrated is so important, especially later in pregnancy.

10/30/2025

When your baby is about to come out…

This is the moment your body shows just how strong and wise it truly is. As your cervix fully opens and your baby begins to move down, every contraction is helping to guide them closer to your arms. You might feel an incredible pressure — that natural urge to push — as your baby makes their way through the birth canal.

Then comes that unforgettable moment when your baby’s head crowns — a brief, powerful stretch often called the “ring of fire.” It’s intense, yes, but it’s also the final step before meeting your little one.

Your body, your breath, and your baby are all working together in perfect harmony. You’ve come so far — and soon, you’ll be holding the beautiful reason for every ounce of strength you’ve found along the way.

You’ve probably heard the saying, “You’re eating for two!” — but here’s the truth: while your nutritional needs do incre...
10/28/2025

You’ve probably heard the saying, “You’re eating for two!” — but here’s the truth: while your nutritional needs do increase during pregnancy, it doesn’t mean doubling your portions.

Your baby is tiny and doesn’t need that much food. What really matters is the quality of what you eat, not the quantity.

✅ Focus on:

Nutrient-rich meals full of fruits, veggies, whole grains, and protein.

Staying hydrated.

Listening to your body’s hunger cues.

In most cases, you only need a few hundred extra calories a day in the second and third trimesters — think of it as a healthy snack, not an extra meal.

So instead of “eating for two,” think of it as “nourishing for two.”

Good posture during pregnancy isn’t just about standing tall—it’s about keeping you and your baby comfortable while redu...
10/25/2025

Good posture during pregnancy isn’t just about standing tall—it’s about keeping you and your baby comfortable while reducing strain on your back, hips, and joints.

✅ Do’s

Stand tall and balanced.
Keep your shoulders relaxed, chest lifted, and weight evenly distributed on both feet.

Sit with support.
Use a small pillow or rolled towel behind your lower back to support your spine when sitting.

Bend your knees when lifting.
Always squat down using your legs—not your back—when picking things up.

Sleep on your side (preferably the left).
Place a pillow between your knees and under your belly for extra comfort.

Wear supportive shoes.
Go for low-heeled shoes with good arch support to reduce pressure on your lower back.

🚫 Don’ts

Don’t lock your knees.
This can strain your lower back and reduce circulation.

Don’t slouch or hunch forward.
It adds unnecessary pressure on your spine and can worsen back pain.

Don’t cross your legs when sitting.
This can restrict blood flow and cause swelling or varicose veins.

Don’t lift heavy objects.
Your joints and ligaments are more flexible during pregnancy—making you more prone to injury.

Don’t stand or sit for too long.
Alternate between sitting, standing, and gentle movement to keep your circulation flowing.

Remember: Pregnancy changes your center of gravity, so moving mindfully and maintaining good posture can make a big difference in how you feel day to day.

Address

Wasilla, AK
99629, 99654, 99687

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Best Beginnings Birth Services posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Best Beginnings Birth Services:

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram