Sleep Training is a Four Letter Word
Sleep Training. Those two words can stir up some pretty aggressive emotions for some parents. I guess it’s because there are so many methodologies, many of which are controversial, and there are so many different thoughts on parenting and what is right and wrong. My answer is there’s no one way to do this! If […]
Podcast Episode #7: Cold and Flu Season
In this episode of Ask the Doulas, Cindy talks about how to stay healthy during the cold and flu season. You can listen to this complete podcast on iTunes. Alyssa: Hi, welcome back to Ask the Doulas with Gold Coast Doulas. I am Alyssa, co-owner and postpartum doula. Today’s episode is sponsored by Cindy’s Suds, […]
Podcast Episode #6: Dispelling The Goddess Myth
In this episode of Ask the Doulas, Alyssa and Ashley talk about The Goddess Myth and how it affects your birthing experience. You can listen to this complete podcast on iTunes. Alyssa: Hi, welcome to Ask the Doulas with Gold Coast Doulas. I am Alyssa, co-owner and postpartum doula, and today we have Ashley Forton […]
Podcast Episode #5: Why Choose Natural Products for Your Baby’s Body?
In this episode of Ask the Doulas, Cindy and Alyssa talk about the benefits of choosing natural care products for your baby and your household. You can listen to the complete podcast on iTunes. Alyssa: Hi, welcome to Ask the Doulas with Gold Coast Doulas. Today we are talking to Cindy, creator and owner of […]
Podcast Episode #4: When to Hire a Doula and Why A Team Works
In this episode of Ask the Doulas, Alyssa and Ashley talk about Gold Coast’s team model for doulas and about the right timing for hiring your doula. You can listen to this complete podcast on iTunes. Alyssa: Hi, welcome to Ask the Doulas. I’m Alyssa, co-owner and postpartum doula at Gold Coast Doulas, and […]
Podcast Episode #2: Having Kids Later in Life – Kristin’s Birth Journey
In this episode of Ask the Doulas, Kristin shares about her birth experiences and how she started the journey to become a birth doula. You can listen to this complete podcast on iTunes. Alyssa: Welcome to another episode of Ask the Doulas with Gold Coast Doulas. I am Alyssa, co-owner and postpartum doula, and […]
Podcast Episode #1: One and Done! Alyssa’s Doula Journey
In this episode of Ask the Doulas, Alyssa shares about her birth experience and her decision to have only child, as well as her journey to becoming a postpartum doula. You can listen to the complete podcast on iTunes. Kristin: Welcome to another episode of Ask the Doulas with Gold Coast Doulas. I’m Kristin. […]
Make Your Hospital Room Feel Like Home
Today’s blog comes from one of our past birth doulas, Courtney Garvelink. Her experience with birth clients, as well as being a licensed massage therapist and previous HypnoBirthing instructor, makes her an expert on comfort measures in the delivery room. See what she has to say about making your hospital birth feel more like home. […]
Meet our new doula, Tricia!
Meet Tricia Buschert, our newest birth and postpartum doula. She is also our new multiples expert! Let’s learn a little more about her. 1) What did you do before you became a doula? I’ve been a stay at home mom for the last four and a half years. 2) What inspired you to become a […]
[un]common sense: Buy them what they asked for
[un]common sense is a blog about navigating through everyday life, using some common sense tips to make it just a bit easier, and sometimes a little more fun. Alyssa is a wife, mother, and postpartum doula who has some tricks up her sleeve and wants to share them with the world. Well now, don’t you […]
It’s our birthday!
Gold Coast Doulas is two years old today! There is so much to celebrate in this short time. Here are some highlights: Gold Coast was a finalist for the 2017 Local First Local Motion Awards. Gold Coast was a named a Top Women Owned Business by the Grand Rapids Business Journal in 2017. GR Kids named Kristin […]
Can My Body Make Enough Milk?
Fact: Most breastfeeding mothers, at one time or another, worry about their milk supply. They wonder whether their body will make enough milk for their baby; if their supply will last. Not surprising, since most of us have heard stories about moms who, despite wanting to breastfeed, reported not being able to; their milk dried […]
Postpartum Depression & Anxiety Resource List
After our recent event at the Wealthy Street Theatre where we screened ‘When the Bough Breaks – A Documentary about Postpartum Depression’ we realized that there are many great resources available to our community, but people may not know how to find them. We at Gold Coast, with the help of Cristina Stauffer, have compiled […]
Gold Coast Gives Back
In case you haven’t heard, Gold Coast Doulas is holding our annual Diaper Drive the entire month of September! Why do we care so much about diapers? Diapers are a basic health necessity for babies and are not provided by government assistance programs, but are one of the top un-met needs of low-income families. The inability of […]
Chiropractic Prenatal Care
Yes, you read that right! If you just raised an eyebrow with a bit of confusion, you are not alone. Most people think Chiropractic care is mostly for neck pain, back pain, and maybe headaches. For most of my patients, that’s true. However, after we resolve their pain, some amazing things start happening. Some people […]
The Modern Grandparent
Understanding the Modern Parent First of all congratulations on becoming a Grandparent! Whether this is your 1st or 5th, it is a very excited time for the whole family. Gold Coast Doulas offers in-home private classes for The Modern Grandparent. We are not currently offering group classes. This 2 ½ hour class will break down […]
[un]common sense: unintentionally intentional
[un]common sense is a blog about navigating through everyday life, using some common sense tips to make it just a bit easier, and sometimes a little more fun. Alyssa is a wife, mother, and postpartum doula who has some tricks up her sleeve and wants to share them with the world. Well now, don’t you […]
Dealing with Stress
Today’s blog comes from one of our previous postpartum doulas, Alex. Her nurturing soul shines in this post, giving us her favorite tips for stress management and self-care. Take the time today, and every day, to nurture yourself. It’s no secret that stress is, inevitably, a part of life, and to some degree is healthy […]
The Big Latch On – Grand Rapids 2017
World breastfeeding week is coming up! Why do we care? Each year, World Breastfeeding Week presents many opportunities to celebrate and promote breastfeeding. From August 1-7, this global movement strives to support breastfeeding by cultivating awareness and cooperation within and between communities worldwide. One big way we come together during World Breastfeeding week […]
[un]common sense: redefining breakfast one bowl at a time
[un]common sense is a blog about navigating through everyday life, using some common sense tips to make it just a bit easier, and sometimes a little more fun. Alyssa is a wife, mother, and postpartum doula who has some tricks up her sleeve and wants to share them with the world. Well now, don’t you […]
Kerry – A HypnoBirthing Birth Story
We love hearing birth stories from our HypnoBirthing students. Kerry had a rough ride but made it through three days of labor in the hospital, smiling in the end because of the tools and techniques she learned in Ashley’s HypnoBirthing Classes. “I just wanted to shoot you a note thanking you so very much for […]
Mom Guilt: How to Survive it and Grow from it
Today’s guest blogger is a past birth client of ours, Nicole Vega, LMSW, CHC. Nicole is a fully licensed clinician and certified health coach. Nicole received her Master’s in Clinical Social Work in 2012 from Western Michigan University and became certified as a health coach in 2016. Her work is founded on the principle that individuals […]
What to do on Michigan’s Gold Coast – Grand Haven
Our guest blogger today is one of our postpartum doulas, Lynnette Nichols. She has lived in Grand Haven for 15 years and wanted to share some hidden gems with you. Next time you take a family trip to West Michigan’s Gold Coast, stop in Grand Haven and check out these fun, family-friendly activities. While raising […]
Meet our new birth doula, Angel!
1) What did you do before you became a doula? I have been a stay at home mom for the past (almost) four years. Before that I worked as a medical assistant in a few different areas, end of life care and a neurosurgeons office. 2) What inspired you to become a doula? I was […]