Top 3 Yoga Poses for 3rd Trimester
Cervical checks aren’t quite the crystal ball some providers make them out to be. The truth is, we don’t know how your birth will unfold. But by preparing your body you are creating balance in your pelvis and enhancing your baby’s chances of a smoother, more efficient birth! As a labor doula and prenatal yoga […]
Pregnancy After Loss: Podcast Episode #148
Gold Coast client Deb Kalsbeek shares her story of pregnancy after loss with Kristin. Deb also gives tips on how to best support grieving families. You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes, SoundCloud, or wherever you find your podcasts. Welcome. You’re listening to Ask the Doulas, a podcast where we talk to […]
Meet our new birth doula, Lisa.
What did you do before you became a doula/consultant? I had a 20+ year career as an Occupational Therapist. Much of my career as a therapist, was at Mary Free Bed Hospital working in the wheelchair and custom seating department. Approximately 7 years ago, I completed my master’s degree and became an academic advisor. I […]
Harnessing the Power of Stem Cells Through Cord Blood Banking
Stem cells are special human cells that have the potential to become many different types of cells, such as brain cells, muscles cells, and more. These cells have the potential to treat, or even sometimes reverse diseases that have left patients of the past without effective options. Umbilical cord blood banking provides potential treatments for […]
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 […]
Elizabeth King, Fertility Coach: Podcast Episode #137
Elizabeth King, Fertility Coach, shares helpful tips and resources for those who are struggling with conception and loss. You can listen to this complete podcast 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 topics […]
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 […]
Train for birth the way you would for an Ironman: Podcast Episode #134
Dave Howlett, founder of Real Human Being, talks to us about how elite athletes prepare mentally and physically and so should parents before birth. You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes, SoundCloud, or wherever you find your podcasts. Welcome. You’re listening to Ask the Doulas, a podcast where we talk to experts […]
Pubic Symphysis Pain In Pregnancy
What is it? Pain in the groin or pubic region. In pregnancy, your ligaments increase in laxity to allow more movement of the pelvis in preparation for childbirth. Add the increased weight from the growing baby and you can end up with pain in the pubic region! What to do: Avoid activities that cause your […]
Managing a High-Risk Pregnancy: Podcast Episode #130
Kristin and Alyssa talk with Nathalie Walton, CEO of the Expectful App about managing a high risk pregnancy. Go to www.expectful.com/ask-the-doulas promocode ASKDOULAS to get your first month of Expectful for just $1. You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes or SoundCloud. Welcome. You’re listening to Ask the Doulas, a podcast where […]
Becoming a Mother: Sarah’s Story – Podcast Episode #126
Kristin talks with Sarah Baker, a current client and student in our BECOMING a Mother course, about her concerns with her second pregnancy/delivery and why she chose to hire a birth doula as well as invest the time in a 6-week online course. Welcome. You’re listening to Ask the Doulas, a podcast where we talk […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
What I Wish I Knew: Podcast Episode #104
Kristin and Alyssa, owners of Gold Coast Doulas, talk about the things they wish they had known before having a baby. Listen to this fun episode packed with advice and lots of little gold nuggets of information for new parents! You can listen to this complete podcast episode on iTunes or SoundCloud. Kristin: Welcome to […]
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 […]
Creating a Safe Sleep Space: Sound Machines
Alyssa Veneklase talks with Lisa Tiedt, Building Biologist and owner of Well Abode, about creating health sanctuaries in our homes. You can view this video on YouTube. Alyssa: All right. Today, I’m here talking to Lisa Tiedt. She’s a Building Biologist, and, as you know, I’m a sleep consultant, so we’ve partnered a few […]