My role as a postpartum doula.
Our very own Jamie Platt, BSN, RN, CLC, CPST shares her personal insights on what it’s like to be a postpartum doula. What is the role of a postpartum doula? What does it look like, and how might a doula support the breastfeeding relationship between mom and baby? A postpartum doula can take care of […]
Meet our newest doula, Jenny!
We are so excited to announce Jenny Chandler as the newest birth doula on the Gold Coast Team! 1) What did you do before you became a doula? Hotel front desk receptionist Church intern Maternity center volunteer in Haiti 2) What inspired you to become a doula? I was in Haiti at a maternity center […]
Meet our new birth doula, Mary!
1) What did you do before you became a doula? I left my career in marketing to be a full-time mom, and with my young family, I ended up traveling for a few years to support my husband’s graduate studies in South Bend, Rome, and New York City. Since then, we’ve settled back in West Michigan, […]
Podcast Episode #20: Lisa’s Story about Postpartum Anxiety
On this episode of Ask the Doulas, Lisa shares about her postpartum experience of dealing with anxiety and how doula support helped her through that challenging time. You can listen to the complete podcast on iTunes and Soundcloud. Please also visit our postpartum depression and anxiety resource list. Alyssa: Hi, welcome back to Ask the […]
Meet Lindsey, our newest Birth Doula!
We are very excited to introduce you to Lindsey Lupo. She comes to us with a wealth of knowledge and an amazing background as well as a love for people that extends beyond words. 1) What did you do before you became a doula? I worked in trauma for 7+ years at a local hospital, […]
Meet Our New Postpartum Doula, Gina!
We have another amazing postpartum doula to introduce to you! Read on to find out more about Gina and her family. 1. What did you do before becoming a Doula? Before becoming a Doula, I nannied for two years until I had my first daughter. When she arrived I became a stay at home mom. […]
Meet our new Birth and Postpartum Doula, Julie!
We’re excited to welcome Julie Skripka to the Gold Coast team as a Birth and Postpartum Doula! Let’s get to know her a little better. 1) What did you do before you became a doula? Before starting my doula adventure, I was home raising and homeschooling my 4 children. I currently nanny and run the […]
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 #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 #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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Meet our new doula, Jamie!
1) What did you do before you became a doula? I worked as a Medical Assistant for 10 years; most of that time was spent at the Pediatric Endocrinology clinic at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. My full time job for the past two years has been as a nursing student at Grand Valley State University. I will […]
Meet Your Gold Coast Doula-Lynnette
We love asking our Gold Coast Doulas questions so you can get to know them more. Meet our infant care specialist and postpartum doula, Lynnette Nichols and learn about her inspirations and background. 1) What did you do before you became a doula? Before I became a doula, I was the manager at Lemon Creek […]
Meet Your Gold Coast Doula – Alyssa
We love asking our Gold Coast Doulas questions so you get to know them a bit more. Meet our co-owner, Alyssa Veneklase and learn about her inspirations and her travel adventures. 1) What did you do before you became a doula? For the past 15 years I was in the construction/real estate business doing everything […]
Meet Your Babywearing Educator–Ashley Forton
Gold Coast Doulas is thrilled to feature Ashley Forton in our latest Q&A about her experiences with babywearing. Reach out if you are interested in booking a babywearing consult with Ashley. 1) What did you do before you became a babywearing educator, HypnoBirthing Instructor and Doula? I have a bachelor’s degree in health sciences from […]
Cesarean Birth Photography Tips
Gold Coast Doulas is pleased to present a guest blog from Bri Luginbill of the People Picture Company. Bri is a Grand Rapids photographer with a passion for photographing families, seniors, babies all of the people and events that enrich and define our lives. She also has years of experience photographing children with special needs. […]
Midwives and Doulas
Gold Coast Doulas is pleased to present a guest blog from Mandi Garvey She is a certified birth doula, Masters trained health educator, and EMT serving families in West Michigan in both clinical and non-clinical labor support roles. When she’s not at a birth in one capacity or another, she’s napping in preparation for the […]
What’s in my Doula Bag?
I often get asked about the contents of my doula bag by clients or other doulas. My bag happens to be a backpack. I have some mementos from my Sacred Doula training which remind me to breathe, be fully present for my clients and that I am fully supported by my peers. I always carry […]
Meet Your Gold Coast Doulas – Ashley
1) What did you do before you became a doula? I have a bachelor’s degree in health sciences from GVSU. I have been a nanny, worked at an adult foster care home and currently work in the insurance industry.. 2) What inspired you to become a doula? When I was pregnant I had an incredible […]
Sick Day Doulas
I could have used sick day doulas when I had the stomach bug. I helped a friend out a couple of weeks ago and watched her babies while she was in the hospital. Her house had been hit with the stomach bug. I ended up getting it soon after I got home and my husband […]
Dads and Doulas
Let’s talk dads and doulas! I often see a look of relief on the face of the husband or partner when I explain that we never replace their role in birth! There is often a concern that they will be left out of the birth or that the experience will be less intimate. At Gold […]
We are Your Doulas!
We are your doulas! At Gold Coast we pride ourselves on our superior service and professionalism. We aim to be your one stop shop for all things pertaining to pregnancy, birth and the postpartum time. Looking for childbirth classes? We’ve got you covered with HypnoBirthing classes and will soon be releasing another option for Childbirth […]