The BECOMING Course: Amber’s Story – Podcast Episode #125
Kristin & Alyssa talk with Amber Shaw, a recent student in The BECOMING a Mother online series of classes, about some fears she had with her second pregnancy and why she took this course. You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes or SoundCloud. Welcome. You’re listening to Ask the Doulas, a podcast […]
The Lymph System and MLD Therapy: Podcast Episode #124
Kristin talks with Megan Michelotti CD (DONA) about the lymph system and manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) and how it can be helpful prenatally as well as postpartum. You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes or SoundCloud. Welcome. You’re listening to Ask the Doulas, a podcast where we talk to experts from all […]
Natural Hospital Birth: Podcast Episode #123
Kristin Revere, co-owner of Gold Coast Doulas talks with Cynthia Gabriel, author of Natural Hospital Birth, about her experience as a doula and health care provider for women, supporting natural hospital births. You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes or SoundCloud. Welcome. You’re listening to Ask the Doulas, a podcast where we […]
How to get my baby to sleep through the night.
This is probably the most commonly asked sleep question for parents, and unfortunately there isn’t an easy answer! There are many factors involved when attempting to answer this question. It can depend on things like: How old is your baby? How much do they eat? How often do they eat? Were they premature? Do they […]
What is Art Therapy? Podcast Episode #122
Alyssa talks with Janna VanderBand, an art therapist in West Michigan. We learn what art therapy is and how mothers, in any stage of their journey from fertility and conception to pregnancy and postpartum, can use art therapy to heal. You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes or SoundCloud. Welcome. You’re listening […]
Welcome to Fatherhood: Podcast Episode #121
Kristin talks with David Arrell, author of Welcome to Fatherhood. He talks about why he wrote the book then gets into some great tips for Dads and how to best support Mom! This one is a must listen! You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes or SoundCloud. Welcome. You’re listening to Ask […]
Urinary Incontinence: Podcast Episode #120
Amber and Katie from Hulst Jepsen Physical Therapy talk with Alyssa again about women’s health pelvic floor rehab with a focus on urinary incontinence. You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes or SoundCloud. Welcome. You’re listening to Ask the Doulas, a podcast where we talk to experts from all over the country […]
Meet Heidi – our newest birth & postpartum doula!
What did you do before you became a doula? I have a background in healthcare management. However, for the past 6.5 years I have managed a law firm dealing in personal injuries. I am also a yoga teacher specializing in prenatal, postpartum, and fertility yoga. What inspired you to become a doula? It took […]
Valerie Lynn – The Mommy Plan: Podcast Episode #119
What is eco postnatal care? Valerie Lynn, author of The Mommy Plan, tells us how to nourish and heal a postpartum body. You can listen to this complete podcast on iTunes or SoundCloud. Welcome. You’re listening to Ask the Doulas, a podcast where we talk to experts from all over the country about topics related […]
The Postnatal Cookbook: Podcast Episode #118
Jaren Soloff RD, IBCLC talks to Kristin about her new book The Postnatal Cookbook and the importance of nutrition during pregnancy and especially postpartum. You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes or SoundCloud. Welcome. You’re listening to Ask The Doulas, a podcast where we talk to experts from all over the country […]
Meet Kristin Vorce, Certified Sleep Consultant!
We are a little late in the game announcing Kristin to you! She’s actually been working with us for a few months now (oops, sorry Kristin!). Let’s learn a little more about Kristin, her family, and her background. What did you do before you became a sleep consultant? Prior to becoming a sleep consultant, I […]
Don’t be scared of pelvic floor physical therapy! Podcast episode #117
Amanda and Katie, women’s health physical therapists at Hulst Jepsen Physical Therapy, give us an intro into pelvic floor PT. What is it, what does an internal vs external pelvic floor exam involve, and what kinds of symptoms can pelvic floor PT treat? You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes or SoundCloud. […]
Affordable Ways to Help a Loved One Through a Pandemic Pregnancy
While we’ve had nearly a year to adjust to the changes brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, having a baby presents new challenges. Women who are pregnant have to worry about contracting COVID-19, surviving their pregnancy with limited social support, and staying safe at the hospital. If you know someone who is pregnant right now, […]
Meet Lee Ann, our newest birth & postpartum doula!
What did you do before you became a doula? Currently, I own my own Health & Wellness business through Isagenix. In addition, I work as an Interior Designer for a company that does home staging for realtors and their clients. Previously I was an Administrative Assistant for Leadership Events throughout the US and Canada. What […]
Meet Jessica Moeckel, RN – our newest Birth & Postpartum Doula!
What did you do before you became a doula? I was a RN at Mary FreeBed, then I transitioned to Saint Mary’s L&D. Most recently, I was at Mercy Health Physician Partners. What inspired you to become a doula? The first birth I attended was in college during the L&D portion of nursing school. In […]
How the Pandemic Positively Affected Working Out From Home!
The original owner, Marissa Andersen, and I (Sarah Greidanus) soon-to-be owner, went into 2020 knowing that it would be a big year for our business – FIT4MOM Grand Rapids. Marissa was passing on the reins to me after being in the helm for over 8 years. The transition was underway and everything was scheduled to […]
2020 Year in Review
Although 2020 threw us a curveball, we still had a great year. We supported more clients than ever and worked diligently to find ways to support them safely. Here are some of our accomplishments. Worked with 218 clients. Attended 81 births. Worked 2,900 postpartum hours. Supported 10 twin and triplet families. Had 22 lactation visits. […]
Keeping Yourself Healthy During Pregnancy: Podcast Episode #116
Kristin talks with Dr. Annie of Rise Wellness Chiropractic about how to keep yourself and your family healthy during pregnancy and a pandemic! You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes or SoundCloud. Welcome. You’re listening to Ask the Doulas, a podcast where we talk to experts from all over the country about […]
Real Food for Gestational Diabetes: Podcast Episode #115
Author Lily Nichols talks to Kristin about gestational diabetes during pregnancy and how eating has such a profound impact on our health and energy levels. You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes or SoundCloud. Be sure to check out Lily’s book! Welcome. You’re listening to Ask the Doulas, a podcast where we […]
Creating a Calm Space: Podcast Episode #114
Today Amber Brant of The Coziness Consultant talks with Alyssa about how new moms can create a calm space in their homes in the midst of chaos. You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes or SoundCloud. Welcome. You’re listening to Ask the Doulas, a podcast where we talk to experts from all […]
Preparing your dog for a new baby: podcast episode #113
Today Kristin talks to Jenn Gavin, owner of A Pleasant Dog in Grand Rapids, MI about when to prepare your dogs for the arrival of a new baby. You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes or SoundCloud. Alyssa: Welcome. You’re listening to Ask the Doulas, a podcast where we talk to experts […]
Birthing in a Pandemic
We have seen so much strength and resilience from our clients and our subcontracted doulas within the last year. Being pregnant and birthing in a pandemic is no joke. Gold Coast has supported over 200 families during this time. We are so thankful for the trust they placed in us. Our birth doulas have worked […]
Bebcare Low EMF Baby Monitors: Podcast Episode #112
Baby monitors: Today Alyssa, a sleep consultant at Gold Coast Doulas, speaks with Lisa, a Building Biologist at Well Abode, and Brian, an engineer at Bebcare. Bebcare has the lowest EMF baby monitors on the market. The conversation gets a little technical but it’s really interesting, and you may learn a thing or two about […]
Nutritious Meals for New Moms: Podcast Episode #111
Alyssa talks with Kelsey, a dietician at Root Farmacy, about convenient ways to eat healthy and nutritious meals and promote healing after having a baby. You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes or SoundCloud. Alyssa: Hi. Welcome to Ask the Doulas. I am Alyssa Veneklase, and today I’m super excited to talk […]