The Postnatal Cookbook: Podcast Episode #118

The Postnatal Cookbook - Simple and Nutritious Recipes to Nourish Your Body and Spirit during the Fourth Trimester by Jaren Soloff, RD, IBCLC book cover

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 Lee Ann, our newest birth & postpartum doula!

Lee Ann Sotok family photo

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!

Jessica Moeckel family photo with dogs

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 […]

Preparing your dog for a new baby: podcast episode #113

Masked woman sits at a desk holding a pen and paper with a dog in her office sniffing someone's hand

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 […]

Nutritious Meals for New Moms: Podcast Episode #111

Three women standing around a table of vegetables watching on of the women cutting peppers

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 […]

Transformed by Postpartum Depression: Podcast Episode #110

Transformed by Postpartum Depression Podcast Episode Zoom Interview Screenshot

    Alyssa:  Hi.  Welcome to the Ask the Doulas Podcast.  My  name is Alyssa Veneklase.  I am co‑owner of Gold Coast Doulas, and today, I have Jessica Kupres, one of our postpartum doulas, with us, and we are both so excited to talk to Dr. Ladd.  She is the author of a book called […]

Acupuncture during Pregnancy and Postpartum: Podcast Episode #103

Dr. Carrie Dennie leans against a brick wall

Dr. Carrie Dennie, ND speaks with Alyssa about the benefits of acupuncture during pregnancy and postpartum.  You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes or SoundCloud.   Alyssa:  Welcome to the Ask the Doulas Podcast.  You are listening to Alyssa Veneklase.  I am the co-owner of Gold Coast Doulas, and today, I am […]

Meet Jessica Kupres, BSN, RN, CLC, CBE – our newest postpartum doula!

Jessica Kupres, RN

1) What did you do before you became a doula?  I was a labor and delivery nurse for 13 years, a nurse for the maternal infant health program for two years, a phone triage nurse at a pediatric office for almost a year, and am currently working as a childbirth and breastfeeding educator, as well as […]

Postpartum Recovery

postpartum physical therapy

Have you ever heard of an athlete getting back on the field after a major injury WITHOUT a period of rest followed by intense rehab? Of course not! But somehow the expectation for women after their pregnancy is to mysteriously “bounce back” to normal activity, appearance, and function without any guidance. Most mamas even attempt […]

Meet our new postpartum doula, Jamie!

Jamie doula

We are excited to have Jamie join our team. As a yoga instructor, she brings a sense of calm and balance to a room that immediately sets you at ease. Let’s learn more about her! What did you do before you became a doula? I spent a glorious taco-and-sun infused 6-years in Austin, Texas, doing […]

Perinatal Mood Disorders: Podcast Episode #91

Today we talk with Elsa, a therapist at Mindful Counseling in Grand Rapids, Michigan who specializes in perinatal mood disorders.  Learn what postpartum anxiety and depression look like, how they are different, and signs to look out for.  You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes or SoundCloud. Kristin:  Welcome to Ask the […]

Meet Lauren – our newest Birth & Postpartum Doula!

Lauren Utter

Welcome Lauren Utter to the Gold Coast team as our newest birth and postpartum doula. We are so happy to have her! 1) What did you do before you became a doula? I was a preschool teacher, event coordinator for a camp for children with various needs, and a nanny. 2) What inspired you to […]

Stress Mastery: Podcast Episode #85

Deb Timmerman Stress Mastery

Deb Timmerman, RN, DAIS, CSME speaks with us today about her new certification in Stress Mastery.  What does that mean, you ask?  It’s all about learning positive ways to handle stress and actually master it, instead of letting stress take over.  Listen to see how this can help parents throughout pregnancy and postpartum.  You can […]

Supporting a Postpartum Mother: Podcast Episode #79

Postpartum Depression

Elsa Lockman, LMSW of Mindful Counseling talks to us today about how partners, family members, and other caregivers can support a mother during those critical postpartum weeks to ensure she seeks help if needed.  How do you approach a new mother and what are her best options for care?  You can listen to this complete […]

Benefits of A Postpartum Doula and Why Should You Hire One?

postpartum doula

Author Bio: Roselin Raj is a journalist and a writer. She has been writing extensively on health and wellness related topics for over a decade. Besides her professional interests, she loves a game of basketball or a good hike in her free time to fuel her spirits. “Health is wealth” is one motto of life […]

Podcast Episode #69: Postpartum Fitness

Postpartum Fitness

Today we talk with Dr. Theresa, Chiropractor and BIRTHFIT Instructor in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  We ask her about what’s safe for a pregnant and postpartum mom to be doing and why having a supportive tribe around is so important.  You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes or SoundCloud. Be sure to listen […]

Podcast Episode #62: Newborn Traumas

Newborn

What is birth trauma and do all babies experience it?  How can you remedy it?  Dr. Annie and Dr. Rachel of Rise Wellness Chiropractic give us several examples of common birth traumas, what they mean, and how chiropractic care can help.  You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes or SoundCloud. Kristin:  Welcome […]

Podcast Episode #61: Postpartum Wellness

Postpartum Wellness

Dr. Erica of Root Functional Medicine gives moms some tips about staying healthy through pregnancy and into the postpartum period.  We also talk about her upcoming Postpartum Wellness class on March 7.  You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes or SoundCloud. This podcast episode is sponsored by LifeFuel, providing healthy meal delivery […]

Podcast Episode #56: Traveling Postpartum Doulas

Traveling postpartum doula

  Will a postpartum doula travel?  Yes, at Gold Coast they do!  Today we talk to Kelsey Dean, a Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula, about her experience in California and in Michigan traveling with families as a postpartum doula and what that looks like.  You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes or […]

Podcast Episode #53: Ashley’s Story – Why I Became a Doula

Ashley Forton Doula

  Today Ashley Forton, Certified Birth Doula and HypnoBirthing Instructor, talks about why she became a doula and different ways a doula can support a pregnancy.  She tells us what a gentle cesarean looks like and why she, as a doula herself, hired a doula for her third child.  You can listen to this complete […]

Podcast Episode #51: Carrie’s Birth and Postpartum Story

birth story

  One of our clients describes her pregnancy, labor, and delivery and how having birth and postpartum doula support saved her sanity.  You can listen to this complete podcast on iTunes or SoundCloud. Alyssa:  Hello!  Welcome to another episode of Ask the Doulas.  I am Alyssa, and I’m super excited to be talking to one […]

Podcast Episode #48: Bri’s Postpartum Story

postpartum depression

In this episode our dear friend, Bri Luginbill of BetterBodyImageConference.com tells us about her struggle with depression and anxiety before, during, and after pregnancy.  You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes or SoundCloud. Alyssa:  Welcome to another episode of Ask the Doulas.  I’m Alyssa, and today I’m so excited to be talking […]

Meet Kelsey, our newest Certified Postpartum Doula!

Kelsey Dean

1) What did you do before you became a doula? I have always secretly been a doula, just in other facets. Before becoming a doula, I ran a mental wellness day center in northern California, and I also worked at an emergency youth shelter looking to reduce rates of domestic violence, child abuse, and human […]

My role as a postpartum doula.

breastfeeding

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 […]