Birth Coach Method: Podcast Episode #128
Kristin talks with Neri Life Choma, Author and Founder of Birth Coach Method. They discuss the difference between a Childbirth Educator, Birth Doula, and a Birth Coach. They also talk about transforming birthing person’s expectations from the “perfect natural birth” to a “positive birth experience.” You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes […]
When to Take a Childbirth Education Class
When is a good time to take a childbirth class and why does it matter? We often get asked about the appropriate time to take a childbirth class from students and Gold Coast clients. The answer varies depending on the goals of the individual. I often ask clients if they are first-time parents or new parents. It […]
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 […]
Comfort Measures for Labor – 8 Tips for a More Comfortable Birth
No matter how you choose to birth, it is important to think about how you can reduce discomfort and fear during labor. There are many ways to prepare for birth, including taking a childbirth education class. Here are some of my top tips as both an Certified Elite Labor Doula and a childbirth instructor: 1) […]
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. […]
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 […]
What I Didn’t Know About Pregnancy and Birth: Podcast Episode #107
Today Kristin and Alyssa talk about some interesting, and funny, and gross things that happened to their bodies during pregnancy and birth that were a bit unexpected! You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes or SoundCloud. Alyssa: Hi and welcome to the Ask the Doulas podcast. I am Alyssa Veneklase, […]
Hyperemesis Gravidarum
This post was written by Lauren Utter, a ProDoula trained Birth and Postpartum Doula with Gold Coast Doulas. Finding out you are pregnant can bring an array of emotions – planned pregnancy or not. Maybe you’re excited because you have been waiting for this day. Maybe you are surprised because a baby wasn’t on your […]
Virtual Birth Support: Podcast Episode #95
Sam & Justin recently had their baby boy, Judah, in the hospital in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. They describe their experience in the hospital as well as how beneficial birth doula support was throughout pregnancy and then during labor and delivery, even though support was virtual instead of in-person. You can listen to […]
COVID-19 Reduce Your Risk!
Ask The Doulas Podcast · Corona Virus Update on Doulas Reduce Your Risk by Megan Mouser, NP. March 31, 2020 STATISTICS COVID-19 With statistics regarding the novel coronavirus changing daily (and even hourly), the most up-to-date information can come from Michigan Department of Health and Human Services as well as the Centers for Disease […]
Coronavirus Update on Doulas: Podcast Episode #94
Kristin and Alyssa, Co-Owners of Gold Coast Doulas, give an update on doulas and the coronavirus. How is this affecting birth doulas in the hospital and postpartum doulas in the home? They also talk about virtual classes such as Mama Natural Online to help new parents stay prepared while social distancing. You can listen to […]
Birth Photography: Podcast Episode #92
Photographers Kris and Autumn of The People Picture Company answer questions about birth photography, what a photographer actually does in the delivery room and how the process works for hiring a photographer and talking about birth plans. You can listen to this complete podcast on iTunes or SoundCloud. Alyssa: Welcome to the Ask the Doulas […]
When Your Baby Doesn’t Follow Your Birth Plan
Have you ever set out to accomplish something life-changing? How did you prepare for it? Did you research it online? Did you read a how-to book? Did you seek advice from those you trust? Would you ever show up for the big day without preparing ahead of time? Back in November of 2017, I finally […]
Physical Therapy During Pregnancy
Maternity clothes✓ Registry✓ Hospital tour✓ Doula✓ Photographer✓ What could you possibly be forgetting? What about getting YOURSELF prepared? Likely from the moment you found out you were pregnant you have been focused on the tiny human growing inside of you. While prenatal vitamins, nursery preparations, and choosing the perfect name are all very important parts […]
Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction with Rise Wellness Chiropractic: Podcast Episode #90
Dr. Annie and Dr. Rachel talk to Alyssa about Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD), how to prevent it, how to treat it, and things every pregnant and postpartum woman should be doing! You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes or SoundCloud. Hello. Welcome to another episode of Ask the Doulas. I am Alyssa, […]
Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative: Podcast Episode #89
Today we speak with Katie and Becky from Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids about what it means to be a designated Baby-Friendly hospital. You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes or SoundCloud. Kristin: Welcome to Ask the Doulas with Gold Coast Doulas. I’m Kristin, co-owner, and I’ve got Alyssa here. And we’ve […]
Maddie’s Birth Story: Podcast Episode #83
Our listeners love hearing a positive birth story. Today Maddie, a previous HypnoBirthing and Birth client, tells us all about her labor and delivery as well as her experience in the hospital right after having her baby. You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes or SoundCloud. Kristin: Welcome to Ask the Doulas […]
Maddie’s HypnoBirthing Story: Podcast Episode #81
Today our former birth client and HypnoBirthing student, Maddie Kioski, tells us her personal pregnancy journey using HypnoBirthing and how it helped her feel excited about labor and delivery instead of scared. You can listen to this completed podcast episode on iTunes or SoundCloud. Kristin: Welcome to Ask the Doulas with Gold Coast Doulas. […]
Gaby’s Birth Stories: Podcast Episode #77
Gaby is a local business owner in Grand Rapids and talks to Alyssa about the birth stories of both of her children. You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes or SoundCloud. Alyssa: Hi, welcome to Ask the Doulas podcast. I am Alyssa and I’m excited to be here with Gaby today. How […]
HypnoBirthing Baby – Wesley
We love getting birth stories from clients! This is a beautiful story from one of Ashley’s HypnoBirthing students. Through all of the unknowns of labor and delivery for a first time parent, this mom describes her birth experience and how relaxing and keeping calm throughout eliminated any room for fear. Wesley Thomas Sarazin was born […]
Your Trusted Birth Team
We all know that becoming a parent is difficult, but most first time parents don’t really have a full understanding of how hard it will be until they’re in the midst of it. They may encounter fertility struggles or miscarriages; they realize that planning during pregnancy takes a lot of work; they have to find […]
Podcast Episode #65: Annette’s HypnoBirthing Story
Today we talk with a previous HypnoBirthing student, Annette Beitzel, about her personal experience with HypnoBirthing at Gold Coast Doulas. Although she didn’t use it how she intended, it had an incredible impact on her pregnancy and birth experience. You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes or SoundCloud. Kristin: Welcome to Ask […]
How Much Does a Doula Cost?
With all of the expenses that accompany pregnancy and—eventually—parenthood, it’s natural to be concerned about your budget when considering hiring a doula. So, how much does a doula cost? Prices vary widely and depend on the specific role of your doula, since there are both birth doulas and postpartum doulas. Their hours, rates, and responsibilities […]
Response to Article About Illinois Doula That Suppored an Unassisted Homebirth
There has been a lot of talk in the birth community lately about the recent case of the doula who pled guilty after attending an unassisted homebirth where the baby died. Our team is saddened for the family and for the doula community as a whole. Birth doulas do not take on a medical role, […]
