Juliet’s Personal Preeclampsia Story: Podcast Episode #138
Juliet Meyer shares her personal preeclampsia story with Kristin that led to her work with the Preeclampsia Foundation. You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes, SoundCloud, or wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome. You’re listening to Ask the Doulas, a podcast where we talk to experts from all over the country about […]
Gold Coast Doulas is Expanding Our Reach!
We have been listening to our clients and trusted health practitioners, and we are expanding our day and overnight postpartum and sleep consulting services to Northern Michigan and Southwest Michigan starting in April of 2022. Michigan postpartum doula services and support will expand along the Gold Coast of Michigan, covering 300 miles of the western […]
Preventing Preeclampsia with Proper Nutrition
Preeclampsia is a prenatal and postpartum condition that is hallmarked by gestational hypertension and the presence of protein in the urine. It occurs in approximately 5-8% of pregnant women and can be life-threatening. Women who have had preeclampsia with a previous pregnancy are at a higher risk of developing it again. The symptoms of preeclampsia […]
Pelvic Floor: Managing Pain with Intercourse – Podcast Episode #131
Joining us today is Amanda Seymour and Katie Thomas from Hulst Jepsen Physical Therapy. We discuss the issue of painful intercourse, its causes and the importance of speaking up among those who are impacted. You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes, Spotify, or SoundCloud. Welcome. You’re listening to Ask the Doulas, a […]
Depression, Depletion, and Mourning Our Previous Life: Podcast Episode #129
Alyssa talks with Maranda Bower, Postpartum Bliss Coach, about the difference between depression, depletion, and mourning our previous life. How do our bodies change during pregnancy and how can we best support healing? You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes or SoundCloud. Welcome. You’re listening to Ask the Doulas, a podcast where […]
5 Tips to Build a Low EMF Emissions Home for Your Baby
Guest blog post by Andrew from Bebcare Low Emissions Baby Monitor Parents are deeply concerned about the safety of their baby. Why wouldn’t they be? Your baby is your bundle of joy and the most precious. With the abundance of wireless devices these days, EMF radiation is a hot topic amongst parents. In this blog […]
Postpartum Physical Therapy: Podcast Episode #127
Alyssa talks with Amanda and Katie, Women’s Health Physical Therapists at Hulst Jepsen Physical Therapy, about postpartum physical therapy and what pelvic floor physical therapy looks like after having a baby. We talk about incontinence, diastasis recti, symphysis pubic dysfunction, constipation, and so much more! You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Transformed by Postpartum Depression: Podcast Episode #110
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, 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!
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
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!
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 […]