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 #19: Lisa’s Postpartum Journey
On this episode of Ask the Doulas, Alyssa talks with Lisa about her postpartum doula and how having a doula helped with her recovery. You can listen to the complete podcast on iTunes and SoundCloud. Alyssa: Hi, welcome to another episode of Ask the Doulas with Gold Coast Doulas. I am Alyssa Veneklase. […]
World Doula Week 2018
Today’s blog is written by Kristin Revere, Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula and Certified Sacred Postpartum Mother Roaster. As the end of World Doula Week nears, I feel I must speak my truth. Before having kids my purpose was to support women in politics. I wanted more voices in office and wanted to run for […]
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 […]
Podcast Episode #6: Dispelling The Goddess Myth
In this episode of Ask the Doulas, Alyssa and Ashley talk about The Goddess Myth and how it affects your birthing experience. You can listen to this complete podcast on iTunes. Alyssa: Hi, welcome to Ask the Doulas with Gold Coast Doulas. I am Alyssa, co-owner and postpartum doula, and today we have Ashley Forton […]
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. […]
Make Your Hospital Room Feel Like Home
Today’s blog comes from one of our past birth doulas, Courtney Garvelink. Her experience with birth clients, as well as being a licensed massage therapist and previous HypnoBirthing instructor, makes her an expert on comfort measures in the delivery room. See what she has to say about making your hospital birth feel more like home. […]
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 […]
Gold Coast Doulas Diaper Drive
Gold Coast Doulas is celebrating its one-year anniversary on Saturday, Oct. 1 with a giveback event at Nestlings Diaper Bank located at 650 Riley Street, Ste. L in Holland. We are laughing the diaper drive with a free event is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Children are welcome. There will be food, refreshments, a photo […]
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 […]
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 […]
Meet Your Gold Coast Doulas – Kristin
1) What inspired you to become a doula? Giving birth myself. It is a transformative and life-changing time. 2) What are your hobbies? I love going on walks through the city with my family and traveling. We are also big music lovers and attend festivals and house concerts as often as we can. 3) Tell […]