Podcasts about prodoula

In this special episode, Kristin, host of Ask the Doulas podcast and founder of Gold Coast Doulas,  gives tips on building your supportive birth team. Krisin and Meagan talk specifics on HOW to switch providers if you're feeling the push to do so.Once we have our dream team, we're good and don't have to do any more work, right? Nope! We keep educating and preparing ourselves. That's the way to truly get the most out of that dream team. Kristin's book ‘Supported: Your Guide to Birth and Baby' is a one-stop shop where you can get all of the education you need for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Her advice is so valuable for VBAC moms and birth workers, too!Supported: Your Guide to Birth and BabyAsk the Doulas PodcastNeeded WebsiteHow to VBAC: The Ultimate Prep Course for ParentsFull Transcript under Episode Details Meagan: Hello. Hello. We have a special episode for you today. We have my friend, Kristin, who is actually the owner of Ask the Doulas Podcast on with us today. She is going to be talking about establishing our birth team and the importance of it. We're going to talk a little bit more about what to expect when we might not find a provider that's supportive and how to navigate it. She's going to talk more about her book and so many things. You guys, I'm really excited. Kristin is a woman who has always had a passion for supporting other women both personally and professionally. In college, Kristin served on the executive committee of her sorority and organized events on campus related to breast cancer and other women's issues. After the birth of her daughter in 2011, a new passion awoke within her. Kristin began reading and studying birth from all perspectives, philosophies, and medical approaches. She joined organizations like The Healthy Kent Breastfeeding Collation and used her event coordinating skills to build and promote the organization and create community awareness. You guys, she has done so many incredible things. Kristin's research has led her to learn more about doulas, and in 2012, she hired doulas herself for the support of her second birth. The level of compassionate care and comfort that she received from her doulas ignited a spark within her and led her down the path of becoming a doula herself. And man, can I connect to this because this is exactly what happened to me. When you guys have a doula who inspires you and touches you and motivates you the way it sounds like Kristin did and I did, even though my doula wasn't a hired doula, she was just a nurse that was a doula for the time being, it does something to you. She earned the certification and became teaching sacred pregnancy classes in 2013. But as you'll see, Kristin is a firm believer in achieving the highest level of education available when providing a service. Shortly after, she earned the following credentials-- you guys, are you ready for this? She's amazing. Oh my gosh. Certified Sacred Doula in 2014. She is a Certified Elite Labor through ProDoula. She is the Elite Postpartum and Infant Care Doula through ProDoula. She's trained in Spinning Babies, Newborn Specialist, Mother Ship, Certified Health Service Provider, certified in VBAC. She is certified in transformational birth and a birth coach for the Birth Coach Method. She is a certified pregnancy and infant loss advocate and certified gift registry expert through Be Her Village, who we will talk about. We both love them so much.She is also an author of a book which we will be sharing more about. It's called Supported: Your Guide to Birth and Baby. So without further ado, we are actually going to be skipping a review today and an educational topic because this is such a great episode to be educated and learn more about what Kristin is offering in her community. Okay, my love. Hello. Kristin: Hello.Meagan: We're officially getting going talking about this amazing topic. Tell me what you think about this. I think sometimes people want to assemble this dream team, but they let finances or even partners or other opinions get in the way.Kristin: Yes. Partner comfort level, especially with VBACs is key, or with clients of mine who want their dream is to have a home birth and their partner isn't supportive, so then they say, "Oh, it'll be with the next baby if everything goes well in the hospital." But then if they're a complication, they might risk out of the option of home. I think as consumers, we don't fully appreciate the ability to choose all of our birth and baby team. We can change providers. I switched providers with my first pregnancy early on because I didn't feel like that particular OB was on board with my plans to have an unmedicated hospital birth. I ended up switching to Certified Nurse Midwives and completely changed practices, completely changed hospitals in fact. It's a lot. Meagan: Yeah.Kristin: But it was worth it. And I had the time where it was easier to switch, but I've had clients switch very late in pregnancy. It was harder to find the right office to accept them, but with VBACs, it is crucial to have not just a VBAC-tolerant provider, but someone who is fully on board with your unique desires because we are all individuals.Meagan: Yes. I love that you said your unique desires. Everybody is different. I think it's really important to tell these providers what your desires are. We have a list of questions that we give people in our course and, of course, on the podcast. You can go down that list and check and be like, "Okay, this provider seems pretty supportive," but you guys have to tailor your questions and your provider. You have to tailor it to what your individual unique circumstances and desires are because everyone's is different. I would love to know. You said, I was realizing that this wasn't the right place. What kind of things were you hearing or being told or feeling when you were realizing that maybe your first provider wasn't going to be as supportive and in line with your unique decisions?Kristin: Just when I was talking about my wishes, I could tell that that particular provider liked structure and patience to get that epidural, and so once I started talking about movement, delivering in different positions and some of the things I had researched-- I hadn't yet taken a childbirth class because it was early in pregnancy, but I had done a fair bit of research before knowing what a doula was. I didn't hire doulas until my second. But I could just tell in that gut feeling which I rely on. Again, we're all unique. And yes, I do research, but I make decisions on am I comfortable spending my entire pregnancy with someone who can tolerate me and will say, "Okay"? But I could tell it didn't light her up. So once I found a practice where my nurse-midwife spent time with me, I had longer appointments, I could ask questions, and she was 100% on board with me, and then I was able to meet the other midwives and the OBs who oversaw them throughout the remainder of my pregnancy. I felt very cared for. And again, we are consumers. Whether your insurance pays for everything or you're paying for part of it, you don't get a do-over of your birth, and so it is so important, especially with that first birth to get the care team that aligns with you. That could be everything from a Webster-certified chiropractor, a physical therapist, a mental health therapist to deal with any anxieties that may come up with having a VBAC and getting a lot of fear-filled advice from friends and family members. I find that again, my clients are all unique individuals, and my students in Becoming a Mother Course, and now the readers in my book, have different goals, so I want them to choose the best plan for them. I love that you have worksheets and templates, but knowing that every situation is different whether it's a home birth, a trial of labor, or a hospital birth, that setting is different and the type of provider whether it's a nurse-midwife or an OB practice, how likely is the OB that is very VBAC-supportive going to be attending your birth? Are there 12 providers or are there only 4? And so there's just so many things to factor in when deciding what is important to you.Meagan: Yeah. That point that you just brought up, are there 12 providers? Are there only 4? Does your provider guarantee that they'll be there? These are things that I think a lot of people may not be aware of that because they found their provider. They're feeling good about their provider. They're jiving. They're having the feels, but then they may not be the ones to be there, so there are 11 other options. It feels overwhelming to be like, "Wait, wait. Do I interview all 11?" Yeah, guys. Yeah. You set up visits. It's okay. Go and see if you can meet with those. Make sure that that full team is aligned. It is a lot. That's a lot to take on, but it's okay to rotate and say, "Hey, I saw Dr. Jack last time. I'd like to see Dr. Joe this time," or whatever it may be. Really, really dive in, find out more about your provider's team if they have a team, and make sure that they align with your unique decisions and desires.Kristin: Absolutely. And that goes for doulas as well.Meagan: Oh, yeah.Kristin: So for VBAC clients, I, over the last couple of years, I do all of the matchmaking, I like to call it, between client and the birth doulas and postpartum doulas on my team, in fact. I like to find out what they're looking for. If they are attempting a VBAC, then many times, they're telling me they want a VBAC-certified doula. I have doulas that have gone through your program and are certified through you and other different VBAC trainings. They're not just wanting VBAC experience like in my early days of having Gold Coast Doulas. Now, they're wanting that certification because they know that information is being updated as things change. And there's more evidence for VBACs. They also want more than just, "Oh, I've attended four VBACs." They want the education behind it. So I think that is crucial. I'm not going to match, unless there's no one else available on my team, a client with someone who is not certified as a VBAC doula.Meagan: Yeah, I do the same thing with my group here where they're like, "This is really important to me. I want this specific type of doula." Some of my doulas have taken The VBAC Link course. And so I'm like, "Yep, this would be who I would suggest." But I also want to point out that even if you assemble your dream team doula, and they've got all the education and information on VBAC, and they're up to date, I want to just point out that it doesn't mean that you shouldn't inform yourself that you shouldn't get the information because sometimes I feel like it's easy to want to just hire your provider or your doula or your person and let them who know VBAC kind of help and guide you. But it is really important. You're doing yourself a disservice if you personally do not learn more about VBAC and your options as well and rely only on your provider or your doula.Kristin: 100%. The doula, I mean, unless you're paying her for it, will not be attending every one of your prenatal visits during pregnancy. The education that you have to make informed questions and decisions surrounding your birth plan or birth preference sheet, so those conversations are critical. The more information you have as a patient, the better. And as we all know, unless you're having a home birth, your visits are short even with a nurse-midwife. And so it's important to have those questions and to have time to really express concerns. Or if you're finding that that practice or that provider is not in line with your plans, then you can look at other options. And the hospital-- are VBACs even allowed at the hospital that you plan to deliver at? Are they going to induce? What are the Cesarean rates? And looking at all of the different options, and if you need to consider NICUs, that's always a factor in hospital selection as well.Meagan: Yeah, I'm going to kind of go back to where we were in the beginning where you realized based after your feelings and other things that this provider was not the right provider for you, you then changed to CNMs and had a much better experience. Can you discuss your process of that change? How did you change? Did you find the CNMs, have them request your information from the OB? Did you do a formal breakup with your OB? What suggestions would you give to someone who is wanting to do that? I know that sometimes, you were talking about it, in the end, it's a little harder to find, so that's why we stress so importantly to find your provider from the beginning. But we know that sometimes things change. So can you kind of talk about that process in then assembling that dream and getting the steps to get to that dream team?Kristin: Yes. So for me, I had asked friends about which providers they had worked with. So the original OB, a friend of mine, it was her doctor, and she had a great experience. I just wasn't feeling it. She had a student. We have teaching hospitals in my area, so there was a student in the room. I wasn't feeling like she was 100% on board. I could tell that she was very medically driven. I wanted essentially a home birth in a hospital. So I talked to more friends and did research online, and a friend of mine had used this particular practice. I ended up going with the midwife that delivered her three children, and it worked out beautifully because it was early in pregnancy. That practice had openings. It took me a while because I was changing hospitals and practices completely. My insurance, luckily, covered all of the options. But that's another thing to look into. Does your insurance cover the hospital where the provider you want to switch to delivers that if it is a hospital birth? Of course, you can VBAC at home in certain states. So just looking at all of the factors that would come into play. So for me, it was dealing with the paperwork of switching out of that practice, getting admitted, and going to that initial get-to-know-you visit with a nurse and doing my labs before I got to meet with the midwife that I had wanted to work with. And so it took a bit. I mean, no one likes to deal with the paperwork and the phone calls it takes, but your health is so important and especially again, for VBACs.Meagan: Yeah. So you essentially did all the paperwork and the transfer yourself.Kristin: Yes.Meagan: Okay.Kristin: I made all the phone calls, dealt with insurance and made sure that the initial visit was paid for along with the nurse visit, and then that insurance was comfortable with me.Meagan: Yeah. Awesome. Yeah, I did, when I switched, because I switched it 24 weeks, my midwife just faxed a request to my OB office. It took them a while to send it. We had to ask five times which I think probably would have been faster if I, like you, made the phone calls and did all the things, but I was like in this weird, vulnerable spot of like, I don't want to go back there.Kristin: Right. You don't want to deal with it.Meagan: Yeah, I don't want to deal with it.Kristin: Even just talking to the front desk.Meagan: Yeah, yeah. So we waited for it and they eventually got it. But I think that that's important to note. You guys can make the calls too. You can call and say, "Hey, I'd like to request my records to be printed out or to be sent to this place." Kristin: Yes, and that's what I did. Because otherwise it's six weeks oftentimes or you have to keep calling. They get lost. so I just handled it. But it can be challenging. And as doulas and certainly VBAC doulas, we know the providers who would be not only tolerant but supportive of VBAC. So we get those questions frequently from potential clients and clients of, am I at the right place? And of course, we support whoever our clients choose to have care from. But there's also, if asked, I will tell them about the practice and my own experience as a doula or the agency's experience. And again, in those large practices, there might be four who are so VBAC-supportive. They love it, but then there might be some physicians who are not as comfortable. They feel that a surgical birth might be the better route to go, ad so there's that. So what I like to do as a VBAC doula is to have my clients talk to their provider. Again, go over a birth plan or birth preference sheet and have them sign off on it. That way, if they don't attend the birth, then the other physicians know that this was approved. It's not just a birth plan that is thrown out there, but it has been discussed. It doesn't work all the time, but it has been helpful for my clients no matter if they're a VBAC client or this is their first baby, and again, they have certain goals that they want to achieve like potentially avoiding an induction unless medically necessary.Meagan: Oh my gosh. So I'm just going to re-touch on that, you guys, because that was really, really, really good advice and something I've actually never done or even thought about or suggested to my own doula practice clients. Get your birth preference sheet or birth plans everyone calls a difference. I call it a birth preference sheet, which is a list of all your preferences that you desire. Go over that with your provider, and have them physically sign it. Physically sign it and date it showing that your provider went over it. And like she said, every provider may not be willing to do that, but I will say, if a provider is willing to do that, that says something to me.Kristin: It does. Yes.Meagan: Yeah. Super powerful. Oh, my gosh. Okay, nugget. Grab it, put it in your pocket, everybody. Sign your birth preference sheet so you can have it and keep that in your bag, so if you do have that random on-call doctor who may not even know you or not be so supportive, be like, "This has already been discussed. We were aware of this. My doctor has signed off." Also, you could maybe ask if your provider could make a copy of that and put it in your chart.Kristin: Right. Because yes, it's not just the one that they have on file, but it's also for the ones that you have, that copy that you're bringing and showing the nurse so the nurse and everyone is on the same page. Meagan: Love that. Kristin: And again, with teaching hospitals, you might have residents in and out. There can be some difficult conversations with VBAC and residents who have never seen a VBAC. We're not fully trained yet to support VBAC, and so they might be making suggestions while the provider is not in that check-in. So every state, again, every area is different. I just happen to be in an area with multiple teaching hospitals.Meagan: Same here. We have seen it where I think, I don't want to say this badly. The VBAC world is a world that can have a lot of negativities in it, negative things and big words like uterine rupture. We've got residents who may be coming in and may be training under a provider who has seen a uterine rupture or has maybe molded an opinion on VBAC and is projecting their opinion to that student. Whether or not they're consciously doing it or not, they're saying their opinion, and those opinions might morph that resident's opinion into negative for VBAC. You never know. And so they might be doing things or be more hesitant in areas that they don't need to be, but they are.Kristin: Yeah, it's such a good point. And as you mentioned, I mean, we don't know the traumas that our nurses and medical team, even home birth midwives, have experienced, and they carry that with them. And how can they not? Even as doulas, we witness, but we don't have the liability and the medical training to make it, but we are witnesses of trauma and have our own healing to do to be able to better move on and support the next client. So certainly keeping that in mind that they may have seen something that alters the way they practice.Meagan: Yeah.Kristin: It's not just fear of lawsuits.Meagan: It's really not. It's not. There's a provider here in Utah who is literally so scared of vaginal birth herself. She scheduled all of her Cesareans, even the very first one from the get. She never had trial of labor or TOL. She just doesn't. So can you imagine what her Cesarean rate may be? And she kind of reminds me of the provider you're talking about. She really likes it just so controlled. Come in, start Pitocin, and get the epidural. She likes those things, which we know can sometimes lead to those Cesareans. And so really also discussing with your provider, how do you feel about birth? Have you had babies? And then we have another OB who's like, "I work in the hospital, and I love the hospital, and I trust the hospital system, but I actually gave birth at home with all three of my babies," and so really getting to know your provider, I think, is so good. Okay, let's keep going on this topic of assembling your dream team of experts when planning for birth and baby. What other things would you suggest to our Women of Strength?Kristin: Yes. So as we know, birth is as physical as it is mental, and just the opposite, as mental as it is physical. So preparing with a childbirth class, a comprehensive class, even if you took one before, use the lens of your goal of attempting a VBAC, a trial of labor. And so for us, we happen to teach HypnoBirth at Gold Coast Doulas and that mind/body connection that HypnoBirthing or a gentle birth offers where it's more of using the visualization the way an athlete would in preparing for a marathon or a triathlon, you are using things to reduce fear. You're understanding all of your options. It's very partner involved. I think taking a comprehensive childbirth class, whichever meets your individual goals, is great. That childbirth instructor is a great person to add to your birth and baby team. And then moving your body. So taking a fitness class that is appropriate for pregnancy. So prenatal yoga, there are Barre classes for pregnancy. There are prenatal belly dancing classes, whatever it is. Meagan: Aqua aerobics.Kristin: Yeah, water aerobics are amazing. And so thinking about baby's position and helping labor to go on its own or be quicker. There's acupuncture, acupressure, the Webster-certified chiro for positioning or body balancing experts, so many different options. But I am a big fan of educating yourself and preparing because as you mentioned earlier, Meagan, a doula is not your end all, be all. Just because we have the information and the training, we can't think for you. We don't want to think for you. The more informed you are, the more likely you're going to feel like birth didn't happen to you this time around and you were a direct participant, even if you end up having a surgical birth again.Meagan: Yeah, yeah. Yes. Oh my gosh. So talking about courses, you guys, we have our VBAC course. This VBAC course goes into VBAC, the stats about VBAC, the history of VBAC, the history of Cesarean, the stats of Cesarean, the questions, finding the provider, a little bit more of the mental prep, and physical prep. But when it comes to a childirth education course like with the course that she has, they're on different levels. I actually suggest them both.Kristin: Yes, me too. Absolutely.Meagan: But it's so important to know the information that is in your course. I know you go even past preparing for birth and then birth and then postpartum. You go into all of it. We're going to talk more about it. But you guys, we as doulas, love getting information and we love sharing information. But like she said, we don't want to be the only one that knows the information in a team. When our clients come in, at least here in my group, when our clients come in and they are fully educated and we're like, yes. And then we can come in with our education and our experience and knowledge, you guys, it is a powerhouse team. It is a powerhouse team. We have clients who, when they take child birth education classes like yours, they are able to advocate more for themselves. They feel stronger to stand up and say, "Hey, thank you so much, but no thanks" or "Maybe later," when our clients who haven't had that childbirth education or just any information other than maybe what we're providing, which is great, but not enough in the full length of pregnancy, it's a little harder. We have to try to encourage those clients a little bit more because it's harder for them because they don't know everything. We're there to help guide them and help advocate for them and educate them, but it is very different.Kristin: It is. It's so different. And I feel like, again, partners, especially male partners, want to fix things. They don't want their love to feel any pain, and so they may have the fear of a VBAC. So taking a VBAC class course, having a VBAC doula, giving information is just as helpful, if not more for the partner and their comfort level and to have them fully get on board because they may be resisting and just going along for the ride, but if you can get them to be an active participant in education, then they're going to be able to help you. And sometimes in labor, we get to a point in transition where we can't fully speak for ourselves. But if our partner understands, is educated and on board, and if there's time to talk through the risks and benefits and alternatives with your doula, then yes. But sometimes decisions have to be made quickly, and so for that partner to be informed and educated is crucial.Meagan: So crucial. It's so powerful. My husband-- he was not so on board. He was like, "Whatever. I don't care. You can go to the courses. You can do these things."Kristin: And that's very typical.Meagan: It's very typical. And I did. I did do those things. When I said, "Hey, I'm going to birth out-of-hospital," and he was like, "No," I was like, "Well, sorry. I've done the education. I know this is really where my heart is pulling." We touched on this in the beginning how partners really can influence decision making. And in no way, shape or form am I trying to say partners are terrible or don't listen to your partner or anything like that. That's not the goal of what we're saying is have an educated partner. Know that you can assemble a birth team, like a provider, a chiropractor, a massage therapist, a doula, a PT, or whatever it may be, but don't forget about your partner. Your partner is a huge part of your team, and if they're not educated and they're not able to help guide you through, or if they're not being supportive, find ways to help them be supportive by taking a course with them and helping them realize, oh, VBAC actually isn't that scary. Oh, that chance isn't really 50+%. Oh, okay. Hospital birth, out-of-hospital birth. Yeah. They're both reasonable, and really understanding that.Kristin: Absolutely. And sometimes I find that my students and clients may have not had success with breastfeeding the first time and potentially didn't take a class. So if their goal is to breastfeed or pump exclusively, then taking a breastfeeding class and having that IBCLC as a resource for their dream team in case it's needed because many times, you have the lactation consultant who's teaching the class, at least in my practice, and then they're also available for say, a home visit or a hospital visit, depending on where the class is taking place. And so I think that that's something. Even if it isn't your first baby and maybe you breastfed for a little bit or had supply issues or challenges after a surgical birth, that it is important to consider any education during pregnancy because it's much harder to get that education after you have your baby.Meagan: It really is. I love that you're touching on that, really getting into all the things and having your partner go with you. I remember I was like, I had a C-section, and I was swollen and tired, and I couldn't move very well. I was sore and all the things that sometimes come with C-sections. I'm trying to nurse, and I'm engorged.  I don't feel my letdown, and I'm just so engorged. I don't know. All I know is I have really big, swollen boobs. It's all I could tell. I couldn't latch. My husband was like, "That's it. We're going to the store. We're getting formula." Formula is fine. Not anything against formula.Kristin: He's trying to fix the problem and make you feel better.Meagan: Yep, yep, yep. Trying to fix that problem. But I was like, "No, I really want to breastfeed." At that point, I wasn't able to communicate. Like, I didn't get the birth I wanted. I already felt like a failure because I was actually told that your body failed. That's what I was told. So I was already dealing with this mindset that I failed. I had a C-section. I didn't want a C-section. And now the only thing I could try to do because I couldn't take that C-section back is breastfeed my baby. I wanted to breastfeed my baby. And again, we didn't take those childbirth education classes. He for sure didn't download any apps. I at least had an app trying to help me at that point, but he didn't understand. He didn't understand.And I'm like, no.I'm crying, and I'm like, "Please, just help me. I don't know what I need to help me." And he's like, "No, we're going to the store. Our baby's mad. You're crying." He was trying to fix that problem. But if we had already done that information education before and found that IBCLC before and him understanding how important that was to me, he could have been like, "I'm going to call her IBCLC. I'll get her over here right away."Kristin: Exactly. The last thing you want to do is go into the hospital to see a lactation consultant there if you can even get in.Meagan: Exactly. Yeah. So it just could have been so much smoother. Sometimes I feel like we were against each other at that point because he didn't have any education. With our first, I really didn't have much education. But with our third, it was like he really didn't have a lot of education. and I was over-the-top educated, so I was saying these things, and he was thinking I was demeaning him or saying he was stupid because it was just this weird thing. So if we can just come together with our partners and get all the education and get it all before really, find out a postpartum plan. Find out a breastfeeding plan. Right? Find out what you want. You guys, it just makes the pregnancy journey and the postpartum journey, so much better. It truly makes you feel like you're on that team because you are.Kristin: Yes. Absolutely. And certainly, I mean, you mentioned apps. Not everyone has the means or even lives in an area where they can take a comprehensive five, six, ten-week childbirth class. There are, obviously, online classes. There are some Zoom virtual ones where students are all over the place. But there are watching birth videos and YouTube and in my book, Supported: Your Guide to Birth and Baby, we talk about apps, so count the kicks. Especially for VBACs, doing the self-monitoring if there's fear of fetal movement and any sort of distress during the end of the pregnancy, then really understanding your own body and doing monitoring. It's not just when you're in your provider's office being monitored. You can make a difference yourself. So having some different apps and some education on your own, listening to podcasts like yours to get this information and reading books. So there's more than if you can't afford a childbirth class like HypnoBirthing, there are still ways that you can get educated and your partner can get educated. So yeah, take a look at all of your options and your budget.Meagan: Yeah, and we talk about this all the time because I love them, but Be Her Village is a really great resource where you can go fill out a registry and, hopefully, get some help for these things. Childbirth education classes, doulas, IBCLCS. But I want to dive a little bit more into your book, actually, while we're talking about different resources. We talked about the childbirth education, but can we talk about more about Supported: Your Guide to Birth and Baby and how this came into fruition and what all is included in this amazing book.Kristin: Okay, Meagan. So essentially the book came out of our online course. Becoming a Mother launched in the early pandemic when everything was shut down and our classes all had to go virtual. I was fortunate to be in a state where doulas who were certified were able to work thanks to our governor. So we were working, but there was still a lot of isolation even with our clients' prenatal visits. They wanted a connection, so we launched this course. We had talked about and did three live launches, got VBAC from our students, pulled people in from all the moms' groups before creating the first draft of the course. And then the course just led to the book. So the content in Becoming a Mother is what is in the book in a different format. So in Becoming a Mother, we have expert videos, so VBAC specialists and Webster-certified chiropractors talking about what that is. Pelvic floor physical therapists, car seat safety technicians, cord blood banking donation centers.Meagan: Awesome.Kristin: We have the experts speaking for themselves-- a pediatrician. And so in the book, anything that is medical and out of the scope of a doula, we had expert contributors, so I have a pediatrician friend of mine who contributed a newborn procedure section of the chapter and a prenatal yoga studio instructor, she's also a certified body balancer. She contributed to some of the fitness options in the book, and a mental health therapist who is PMA focused and certified contributed to the mental health chapter. We have an IBCLC that contributed to the feeding chapter, and so a lot of involvement, and then sharing client stories throughout the book and then our own wisdom. We have doula tips and wisdom at the end of every chapter. Meagan: Wow.Kristin: And so as clients were asking me for books over the years, I couldn't find anything that was positive. I felt like there were a lot of, this is your cry-it-out method for sleep because we have a whole chapter on sleep and it's very attachment-focused. It's like, one way for feeding, and we wanted our clients, with their unique choices for themselves, to have a book that supports people who want to plan surgical birth like that OB and that's their comfort level and a book for the same person who wants a home birth. You don't have to buy five different books. It's not always Ina May which is a great book but not for everyone. All of her different-- she's got Spiritual Midwifery and so many different books. It is great for grandparents to read and partners but is targeted to the mother or the mother-to-be and is great in preconception in that early planning. But also, we wanted to make it similar to the course and just as valuable for seasoned bombs as it is for new moms. And again, it's affirming. We tried not to have any fear-filled information in a simple, easy-to-read guide that you can pull out for reference and a lot of different, again, apps and podcasts and books to read and resources and evidence-based information about Black maternal health and where we're at in the country now and how the pandemic impacted birth especially, but also that postpartum time.Meagan: Wow. That book sounds amazing. So amazing. And you guys, you can get it in every form, even Audible. I'm a big listener. I like to listen to books. Kristin and Alyssa actually recorded it. She was telling me they had 10+-hour days recording this this book. You can get it, and we will make sure to have the links for that in the show notes. I found it at goldcoastdoulas.com/supportedyourguidetobirthandbaby.Kristin: It's there. You can find it off that website or it has its own page. It's supportedbook.com. Meagan: Supportedbook.com, okay. We'll make sure that's all in the show notes, so you guys can grab that. Okay, so you know a lot. Obviously, you wrote a whole book and a whole course and all this stuff. Is there anything else that you would like to share in regards to just our final assembling of that powerhouse birth team?Kristin: So don't forget, I know we're talking a lot about pregnancy and birth prep, but don't forget your recovery phase. And you had talked about your own personal struggles with breastfeeding engorgement, recovery after a surgical birth. If you have, well, you do have other children at home with VBACs, and so looking at childcare, postpartum doula support, or what kind of family support you're going to have after, it's more than just meal plans and prepping the nursery. We strongly believe that as part of your dream team, the postnatal team is crucial as well. So whether it's a lactation consultant, a pelvic floor physical therapist, if you want to get back to running marathons again or are leaking. I mean, we can all use pelvic floor physical therapy. It's not just the athletes who they support. Some people, again, with building a home or other life occurrences like a wedding or preparing for college, you look at your budget. You look at your main goals. For a wedding, it might be food. For postpartum, it might be sleep. So hiring a sleep consultant when baby's old enough or an overnight postpartum doula or a newborn care specialist. What are your priorities? And take the budget. What might be paid for by insurance or, a health savings flex spending plan that you need to run down? What might be gifted? Like you mentioned, Be Her Village. There are different ways you can budget. And in the book, we talk about all of that and looking at employer plans, how to navigate that, what questions to ask your HR department about other members, like a chiropractor, could that be covered? A therapist? Oftentimes, we don't know our own benefits and certainly, I don't know my husband's benefits fully, so to be able to investigate that early in pregnancy and figure out what might be fully or partially paid for.Meagan: Wow. That is incredible itself. I feel like that's a whole other conversation of, how to navigate how to do that. So definitely go get the book, you guys, because it sounds like there are just so many things in there that are honestly crucial to know. really, really important things to know. You are incredible. Kristin: So are you.Meagan: I just enjoy chatting with you so much. Anything else? Yeah, anything else you'd like to add?Kristin: And obviously, take taking trainings and courses. If I know you have doulas who listen. It's not just parents.Meagan: Yes.Kristin: As doulas go through The VBAC Link. Get certified as a VBAC doula. Keep up with information that is ever-changing. We all want to be the best doula for each of our clients, but I am a firm believer in continuing our own education and that more and more of our clients are choosing to attempt VBACs, and so the more information you can get as a professional, the better you're able to support. It's just not the number of VBACs you've attended anymore. It's clients wanting that knowledge so you can be busier and also a more effective doula by getting that training and then going through the certification process that you offer.Meagan: Yeah, have a directory actually with birth doulas where people can go and find it because when Julie and I created this company way back in the day, we knew that we were just two people here in Utah. We couldn't change the VBAC world. We could give as much information as we could. We could share the podcast. We could do those types of things. But when it comes to birth workers, we wanted to reach birth workers everywhere. It's so great that we have and we're still having more people come on because they're helping people so much. I mean, we know you have doulas that do it all the time. These doulas do help and there are actual stats on doulas that do it. But I agree. If you're a birth worker, stay up to date. Be in the know. Know what's going on because you will likely need to help guide your client through it. Kristin: Then you can charge more. So take that investment in a training like The VBAC Link, and then you're able to charge more because you're more experienced. You have more certifications. So don't look at like, oh, I don't have any money for continuing education. Look at how that's going to change your career.Meagan: Yeah, and I think sometimes too you can charge a little bit more, take less clients, and be more personal with those clients and dive into it. Especially because we do know that VBAC does take some extra stuff that goes on with VBAC. There's some extra work to be worked through. There are some extra things and so yeah, I love that.Kristin: Well, thank you so much for having me on Meagan, I loved our chat.Meagan: Thank you. You as well. As always, I loved our other chat as well. We have to keep going. I think I'm going to order your book today and get going on that. Even though I'm not a mom preparing, I think this would be such a great book to suggest to all of my clients. So thank you for sharing. Thank you.Kristin: Yeah. My secondary audience is certainly anyone who works with families in the birth and baby space, but it is targeted again, just similar to my podcast. It's like I have the listener of the pregnant individual and family, but also birth workers. The book is similar. Thank you for ordering.I appreciate it. Meagan: Yes. And can you also tell everybody where to find you not just in your book, but Instagram, podcast, and all of the social medias?Kristin: So my podcast is Ask the Doulas. You can find us on all the podcast players and you were a guest recently, so very fun. And certainly, we're at Gold Coast Doulas on everything from Pinterest to YouTube to Facebook to Instagram. I don't have separate social sites for my book because I honestly don't have time for that.Meagan: That's okay. Yeah, it's a package. It comes with everything, so you don't need to have another book page. Well, awesome. Well, thank you again so much.Kristin: Thank you. Have a great day.Meagan: You too.ClosingWould you like to be a guest on the podcast? Tell us about your experience at thevbaclink.com/share. For more information on all things VBAC including online and in-person VBAC classes, The VBAC Link blog, and Meagan's bio, head over to thevbaclink.com. Congratulations on starting your journey of learning and discovery with The VBAC Link.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vbac-link/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

In this episode of the Healthy, Wealthy, and Smart Podcast, host Dr. Stephanie Weyrauch welcomes Kristin Revere, founder and CEO of Gold Coast Doulas. Kristin shares her journey in starting Gold Coast Doulas in 2015, initially as a solo birth doula and expanding to a team of 27 contractors, including lactation consultants, sleep consultants, and newborn care specialists. The discussion highlights the role of doulas as non-medical support persons, emphasizing their importance in providing comprehensive care for families during the birthing process and beyond. Kristin also co-authored the book "Supported: Your Guide to Birth and Baby," which explores the various types of doulas and their significance in an interdisciplinary team. This episode is a valuable resource for expecting parents and those interested in understanding the multifaceted support doulas offer. Time Stamps:  [00:02:03] The role of doulas explained. [00:06:48] The evolving role of doulas. [00:10:17] Support during unpredictable birth. [00:18:08] Doula support for partners. [00:20:33] Importance of doulas in healthcare. [00:25:07] Importance of hydration postpartum. [00:30:08] Emotional support during postpartum. [00:31:40] Postpartum emotional support challenges. [00:36:18] Starting a doula service. [00:44:13] Collaboration in business mindset. [00:45:46] Connecting with Gold Coast Doulas. More About Kristin Revere: Kristin Revere is a woman who has always had a passion for supporting other women, both personally and professionally. In college, Kristin served on the Executive Committee of her sorority and organized events on campus related to breast cancer and other women's issues. She later facilitated nonpartisan political trainings for female candidates and volunteered for many nonprofits focused on women's issues. Kristin firmly believes in the power that lies within a woman and has spent her life drawing it out of the women she surrounds herself with. After the birth of her daughter in 2011, a new passion awoke within her. Kristin began reading and studying birth from all perspectives, philosophies, and medical approaches. She joined organizations like the Healthy Kent Breastfeeding Coalition and used her event coordinating skills to build and promote the organization and create community awareness. Kristin's research led her to learn about doulas, and in 2012 she hired doulas herself for the support of her second birth. The level of compassionate care and comfort that she received from her doulas ignited a spark within Kristin that led her to the path of becoming a doula herself. She earned her certification and began teaching Sacred Pregnancy classes in 2013, but as you'll see Kristin is a firm believer in achieving the highest level of education available when providing a service. Shortly after, she earned the following credentials. Certified Sacred Doula in 2014 Certified Elite Labor Doula through ProDoula in 2015 Certified Elite Postpartum and Infant Care Doula through ProDoula in 2016 Trained in Spinning Babies in 2020 Newborn Care Specialist through Newborn Care Solutions Mothership Certified Health Service Provider Certified VBAC Academy Pro Certified Transformational Birth Coach through Birth Coach Method Certified Pregnancy and Infant Loss Advocate (PAIL) 2022 Certified Gift Registry Expert through Be Her Village 2023 Kristin's main passion as a birth and postpartum doula is to offer women and families resources, unbiased support, and understanding. Kristin is a listener, a friend, a confidant, an expert, and women intuitively feel stronger in her presence. She has a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Central Michigan University and a Master of Management in Marketing from Aquinas College. Kristin is the host of Ask the Doulas Podcast. Her writing has been featured in Rapid Growth Media and First Time Parent Magazine. Kristin was selected as one of the 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan by the Grand Rapids Business Journal in 2016 and in 2022. Kristin and the rest of the Revere Clan, which includes her husband, her step-daughter, and her two children, live in Grand Rapids and can be found taking in the sights at local art galleries, parks, music concerts, and community events. Resources from this Episode: Gold Coast Doulas Website Gold Coast Doulas on Instagram Gold Coast Doulas on YouTube Kristin on LinkedIn Ask The Doulas Podcast Supported: Your Guide to Birth and Baby Jane Sponsorship Information: Book a one-on-one demo here Mention the code LITZY1MO for a free month Follow Dr. Karen Litzy on Social Media: Karen's Twitter Karen's Instagram Karen's LinkedIn Subscribe to Healthy, Wealthy & Smart: YouTube Website Apple Podcast Spotify SoundCloud Stitcher iHeart Radio

Tune in for the latest episode of the FemCIty Podcast with COO, Lynn Pelzer, and FemCity Founder's Circle Member Nicole Woodcox Bolden. They dive into self-worth, the stories we tell ourselves, and how we assume what others think. Join us as Lynn and Nicole unravel self-perception and its impact on our personal and professional lives. They shed light on how our self-worth shapes our decisions, relationships, and aspirations. Together, they explore the power of rewriting the narratives we create about ourselves, and the transformative effect it can have on our journey towards success and fulfillment. Listen now.  About Nicole Woodcox Bolden // Nicole has supported mothers, particularly young mothers, in a variety of capacities since 2006. She has been trained in Postpartum doula work through ProDoula since March of 2014, for Birth doula work through DONA since December of 2014 and trained as a Childbirth educator through Lamaze since March 2018. From her own experience, Nicole understands how to support women who are considered high risk, plus size, and who have birthed via c-section. Nicole has her Masters of Social Work and has worked in nonprofit, hospital, and school settings. She is also a transformation life coach and licensed clinical Social Worker trained in perinatal mental health.   Nicole is passionate about empowering families through birth work. She is constantly researching best practices in doula work to ensure she is delivering the best services to the families that have invited her into their lives.  Learn more here: https://www.thrivingwithbaby.com/ Connect with Nicole here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-woodcox-bolden-msw-lcsw-11623023/ About FemCity //  FemCity offers a Free 30-Day Trial Membership and Memberships start at only $15.99. You can also learn more about launching a FemCity Chapter in your community. FemCity has been seen in Gilt, Vogue, AP News, Entrepreneur, Forbes, and MarieClaire. Learn why FemCity is more than just a women's networking group at www.femcity.com and on all social platforms @FemCity. About Violette de Ayala // Violette is a Cuban-American serial and social Entrepreneur, Founder of FemCity®, and virtual mentor to over 20,000 women. Violette has been quoted in Success, Entrepreneur, CNBC, Yahoo Small Business, Business Insider News as a small business expert. You can connect with Violette on IG, FB, LinkedIn at Violette de Ayala. About Lynn Pelzer // Lynn is the COO of FemCity and has held a chair position on boards, currently part of a DEI board with FemCity, she has been awarded the Rising Star Award and Crystal Executive Award in her previous company. She has been a contributor on podcasts as well as blogs, and has been a speaker in women's groups on the topics of business. You can connect with Lynn on Facebook or Linkedin @lynnpelzer. 

Few birth workers enter the profession thinking that they are starting a business. However, many soon realize that understanding business means finding business resources tailored specifically to our unique work. A wise person once said, "Do not take advice from someone who isn't where you want to be in your business." That person is our good friend and business mentor, Randy Patterson. Randy is the founder and CEO of ProDoula, a successful doula agency owner and business mentor to countless doulas and doula agencies. In this episode, we take a deep dive into the resources available to doulas and other birth workers to help guide them on their path to success. As agency owners, these are tools that we have invested in and utilize regularly. Join us as we discuss the resources that we have found to be immensely helpful to doulas and birth workers.

Today's conversation includes: - How much to charge as a doula and as a new doula? - How to get clientele ? - Imposter syndrome and doing births for free - Advice from experienced doulas In this episode Olivyah chats with Samantha, the creator of DC Metro Maternity a boutique parenting support agency. She is a certified birth and postpartum doula and childbirth educator. Her training for birth work includes: * Mary's Center Maternal Mental Health Champion, 2018 * ProDoula, Certified Labor Doula, Certified Postpartum and Infant Care Doula, Certified Childbirth Educator, 2017 * ProDoula, Trained Labor Doula, Trained Postpartum Doula, Trained Postpartum Placenta Specialist, 2016 * Mamatoto Birthworker Training, 2014 Find Samantha and her organization here: http://www.dcmetromaternity.com You can get FREE access to the mini-course here: https://olivyh.podia.com/how-to-grow-your-doula-business-without-burnout MASTERCLASS: Birth-Work in Alignment https://olivyh.podia.com/birth-work-in-alignment HIRE OLIVYAH AS YOUR DOULA: connect@herholisticpath.com Natural Birth Guide: https://www.herholisticpath.com/work-with-me

Lacey Morgan is the passionate and empowered owner of King of Prussia Doulas. With a desire to improve and enhance birth and early parenting for families, Lacey became a doula in 2015.She founded King of Prussia Doulas in 2017 as a vehicle to recreate the supportive community often lacking in our culture. Lacey is trained by both ProDoula and Birth Arts International and continues her education at every opportunity, as the ever-changing needs of families is her top priority. As the mother of 3, Lacey knows exactly how the judgment of others can cause one to second guess themselves. She also knows that the affirmation of a trusted professional can reinforce ideas and build confidence. This is what leads to empowerment and Lacey and her team of doulas are motivated to do exactly that! King of Prussia Doulas' clients have the support of a team of experts all championing their beliefs, philosophies, and successes as they journey through the major life transitions known as birth and early parenting!  For more information, please visit www.kingofprussiadoulas.com.

Kimi Wilson has always had a passion for caring for families, and relocating to Fort Hood was no different! Being a military spouse, she has volunteered over 450+ hours of her time assisting Soldiers and their families with the challenges of military life.   She is also a huge advocate in the special needs community and assists families with navigating their child's diagnosis.She began her professional career by caring for the elderly as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).  However, after having three complicated pregnancies, she decided to embark on a career to empowering families along their journey to parenthood.   Kimberly is a Certified Doula- Labor, Postpartum & Infant Care ( CD- L, PIC) and has received professional training from Prodoula.  Kimberly still holds an active CNA license and Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. In addition, she certified with StillBirthday, which specializes in birth and bereavement. Along with this, she has created and carefully curated a self-care pamper box during the pandemic that features women of color owned businesses.  Kimi is a step closer to her dream of leaving a substantial impact on as many women as possible while sharing her own journey in hopes of elevating them to understand their potential, remarkable power and strength to lead a life filled with purpose.Connect with Kimi:@kimiwilsoncohttps://loveyourjourneydoulaservices.com

Kelly Rutan is a certified Postpartum & Infant Care Doula with over six years of experience supporting families as they transition into parenthood. In this episode,  Kelly  covers:What a postpartum doula doesHow this role adds value to new and growing familiesHow to find a qualified individualRelated EpisodesBreastfeeding: Optimizing your Success and Minimizing ShameRestoring your Core due to Abdominal SeparationIf you liked this episode and you're feeling generous, please leave a review on iTunes!And be sure to:Sign up for the Fempower Health Monthly NewsletterFollow  on Instagram for updates and tips.Shop the Fempower Health store for products discussed on the podcast.Sponsors:ReceptivaDx the sponsor of all of Season 2.  Provide code FEMPOWER-HEALTH for $75 off.More About Kelly RutanPrior to her career as a doula, Kelly spent years as a workaholic litigation attorney, trying (and often failing) to balance the demands of a busy career with a fulfilling family life. After surviving her own anxious and lonely postpartum experiences, Kelly was convinced that new mothers deserved more. Through her work as a postpartum doula, she provides hands-on help and education, as well as uplifting, emotional support to new parents as they navigate one of the most exhausting and overwhelming times of their lives. Today, Kelly lives in Cary, North Carolina and is the co-owner of a busy doula agency, Doulas of Raleigh. She is also a trainer for the training and certifying organization, ProDoula, and has trained hundreds of new Postpartum & Infant Care Doulas. She is passionate about providing nonjudgmental support to new families and spreading the word far and wide about what postpartum doulas really do.**The information shared by Fempower Health is not medical advice but for information purposes to enable you to have more effective conversations with your doctor.  Always talk to your doctor before making health-related decisions. Contains affiliate links.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/fempowerhealth)

Join us this week as Carey sits down with Kayla from The Kohl Chronicles to discuss infertility, loss, parenting, and everything in between. Kayla lives and works in Omaha, Nebraska with her husband, two cats, and dog. She is passionate about supporting others with their fertility journey and breaking the stigma around infertility and loss. She graduated with a B.S. in Elementary Education, and a Deaf studies minor. She is a certified Postpartum and Infant Care Doula through ProDoula. She is also a certified Reproductive Health Doula with the Child Birth Institute, and is working on her Fertility Support Specialist certification with Bebo Mia. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ourmessycollective/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ourmessycollective/support

To all you moms and moms to be, this is a must listen. I get to speak with Doula, Rebecca Coluntino about birthing with a doula, birthing during Covid and all about your rights during your birth experience. Join us for a chat about what to expect when expecting...the undold version. Why a doula is a game changer and things to watch for postpartum. __ Rebecca Coluntino https://capstonedoulaservices.com CapstoneDoulaServices@gmail.com Master’s degree in OT with minor in psychology from UNE in 2009. Comprehensive Trainings & Memberships with: -DONA international & ProDoula. Extra doula courses taken: -Mental health crisis -Bereavement and pregnancy loss. Other Memberships: -Evidence Based Birth. -VBAC Facts for Professionals. ___ For more binge worthy growth & Grit sessions visit www.youbossexperience.com to get access to ALL THREE 2020 Virtual Summits with 45 Amazing speakers. Learn even more inside HONOR YOUR BODY. If you are serious about improving your health and wellness, always feel welcome to set up a call with me to explore some options of working together or for me to point you in the right direction whether it's with me or one of the amazing professionals I have met along this gritty journey. You can do that at www.christinedesouza.com. Where you can find more information about the programs I personally used before and after pregnancy to get to my best health.

In This Talk I discussed what a Doula is, how to find one, and what services do they provide. Mentioned in This Talk was ProDoula and International Doula. Free consult by calling me at 530.433.4240 or by emailing me at thishealth.me@gmail.com and follow me on Instagram @thistalkpodcast --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thistalkpodcast/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thistalkpodcast/support

What is a matriarch? You can tell she's in charge the second she walks into a room. She's bold, she's fierce, and she's got her own unique style. A matriarch does not second-guess, but moves herself and those she loves boldly into the future. The matriarch knows exactly what she wants the end game to be. And she has the power to make it happen. So can you be a matriarch in your business? To help us answer that question, Richard “Capt’n” Henderson and Sherilyn Colleen interview Randy Patterson, life-long entrepreneur, author of The Matriarch Rules, and CEO of ProDoula (www.RandyPattersonOnline.com). Subjects discussed in Podcast include: Randy Patterson and her company ProDoula Family and business roles can be similar - How is “the Matriarch” the CEO? How does a Matriarch own her decisions? How does a Matriarch charge for her worth? How does a Matriarch carefully craft her business? “ How does a Matriarch leave a great legacy? Tips to avoid loneliness when working from home Subscribe to Home Business TV YouTube Channel (Click)  Visit the Podcast Website Episode Sponsor: Site Swan * SiteSwan.com Interview Guest:  

What is a matriarch? You can tell she's in charge the second she walks into a room. She's bold, she's fierce, and she's got her own unique style. A matriarch does not second-guess, but moves herself and those she loves boldly into the future. The matriarch knows exactly what she wants the end game to be. And she has the power to make it happen. So can you be a matriarch in your business? To help us answer that question, Richard “Capt’n” Henderson and Sherilyn Colleen interview Randy Patterson, life-long entrepreneur, author of The Matriarch Rules, and CEO of ProDoula (www.RandyPattersonOnline.com). Subjects discussed in Podcast include: Randy Patterson and her company ProDoula Family and business roles can be similar - How is “the Matriarch” the CEO? How does a Matriarch own her decisions? How does a Matriarch charge for her worth? How does a Matriarch carefully craft her business? “ How does a Matriarch leave a great legacy? Tips to avoid loneliness when working from home Subscribe to Home Business TV YouTube Channel (Click)  Visit the Podcast Website Episode Sponsor: Site Swan * SiteSwan.com Interview Guest:  

So many women wonder if they need a doula attending their birth, well Dr. Steph and Anna Rodney discuss in detail the benefits! To ask Dr. Steph a question, call 708.808.6250 and you will hear your answer on one of our episodes. To make an appointment, call  773.528.8485 or go to CommunityChiropractic.net 1442 W. Belmont Ave., 1E Chicago, IL 60657 To learn more about Dr. Maj, go to drmaj.com/bundle to receive the digital copy of her book & speaker’s books and resources will be delivered right to your inbox. Anna Rodney's Bio: Anna is the owner of Chicago Family Doulas. She is a labor and postpartum doula trainer through CAPPA. Anna has supported families as a doula since 2009 and is committed to providing families with professional, compassionate and personal support.  Anna has had the reputation of being a kind, calm, and loving person for as long as she can remember.  She has always cared deeply for people and strives to support and care for all around her.  She has worked with children and families since she was a teen. She supported families in the role of a nanny, preschool teacher, Americorps worker, respite worker and special education teacher, and finally as a birth and postpartum Doula. Anna was a special educator for ten years prior to becoming a doula. Anna is truly a life-long learner. She earned her Masters degree in Education and has earned multiple degrees in Special Education. Once interested in birth she read every book she could get her hands on, became certified through DONA, Certified as a postpartum doula through ProDoula, certified to teach Hypnobirthing, and is a certified Happiest Baby on the Block instructor. She loves to learn and is committed to sharing her vast knowledge with the families she works with.   Anna Rodney, Owner of Chicago Family Doulas(707)616-9137http://www.chicagofamilydoulas.com/

So many women wonder if they need a doula attending their birth, well Dr. Steph and Anna Rodney discuss in detail the benefits! To ask Dr. Steph a question, call 708.808.6250 and you will hear your answer on one of our episodes. To make an appointment, call  773.528.8485 or go to CommunityChiropractic.net 1442 W. Belmont Ave., 1E Chicago, IL 60657 To learn more about Dr. Maj, go to drmaj.com/bundle to receive the digital copy of her book & speaker’s books and resources will be delivered right to your inbox. Anna Rodney's Bio: Anna is the owner of Chicago Family Doulas. She is a labor and postpartum doula trainer through CAPPA. Anna has supported families as a doula since 2009 and is committed to providing families with professional, compassionate and personal support.  Anna has had the reputation of being a kind, calm, and loving person for as long as she can remember.  She has always cared deeply for people and strives to support and care for all around her.  She has worked with children and families since she was a teen. She supported families in the role of a nanny, preschool teacher, Americorps worker, respite worker and special education teacher, and finally as a birth and postpartum Doula. Anna was a special educator for ten years prior to becoming a doula. Anna is truly a life-long learner. She earned her Masters degree in Education and has earned multiple degrees in Special Education. Once interested in birth she read every book she could get her hands on, became certified through DONA, Certified as a postpartum doula through ProDoula, certified to teach Hypnobirthing, and is a certified Happiest Baby on the Block instructor. She loves to learn and is committed to sharing her vast knowledge with the families she works with.   Anna Rodney, Owner of Chicago Family Doulas (707)616-9137 http://www.chicagofamilydoulas.com/

Today we’re here to welcome our guest Tara Withey! She is a certified doula and childbirth educator who has been serving Western New York since 2010. She’s trained with Cascade Christian Childbirth Associates, Madriella, Stillbirthday, Childbirth International, and Prodoula. She’s the founder and owner of Birthing By Design and Co-Founder of the Western New York Doulas with the Better Birth Conference. Tara shares SO MUCH (!) valuable information and we will be looking forward to interviewing her in the future! Here are some little snippets: "I am not there to save the mother from her birth" "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment." You can find Tara at https://birthingbydesignwny.com/ and https://www.wnydoulas.com/

Jessica Zablan is a Maternity Consultant, Baby Gear Expert, Doula, a Certified Car Seat Technician and the owner of The Birth & Baby Company. She is a Baby Planner University graduate, has completed the National Child Passenger Safety Certification and she is an active member of ProDoula. Jessica has been featured on parenting websites as in Romper, Gugu Guru, Blossom To Be Fit and MBA To Motherhood. Her business is also in the starting phases of launching Virtual Services to be able to consult with families all around the world. Jessica, her husband, their two child and two huskies currently live in Boise, Idaho but are going to be making the big hop over the pond to Italy in 2019. Find her at :  www.TheBirthAndBabyco.com www.facebook.com/TheBirthAndBabyCoLLC www.instagram.com/TheBirthAndBabyCo   Want to continue the conversation? Join us over at the Nurtured Mama Community on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/groups/nurturedmamacommunity/ Learn more about The Nurtured Mama at www.thenurturedmama.club