The Ordinary Doula Podcast
Welcome to The Ordinary Doula Podcast with Angie Rosier, hosted by Birth Learning. We help folks prepare for labor and birth with expertise coming from 20 years of experience in a busy doula practice, helping thousands of people prepare for labor, providing essential knowledge and tools for positive and empowering birth experiences.
Episodes
Angie Rosier shares insights on doula guidelines at hospitals, exploring the delicate balance between supporting clients and collaborating with medical staff.
• Hospitals will sometimes provide doula guidelines that outline appropriate roles and boundaries
• Doulas are welcome additions who provide emotional support, comfort measures, and improved communication
• Doulas should not perform clinical tas...
Media portrayals of childbirth shape our cultural beliefs and personal expectations, often presenting inaccurate, dramatic versions that instill fear rather than confidence. Our perceptions about birth are influenced by family, education, and especially the entertainment industry which frequently misrepresents what labor and delivery truly entail.
• Common birth myths in media include the dramatic water-break...
A well-fitted breast pump flange is crucial for comfort, breast tissue protection, and maximum milk supply. The flange—the part of the pump that covers the areola and nipple—should be sized to match your exact nipple diameter measurement, not 2-4mm larger as previously recommended.
• Pumps don't actually pump milk; they create suction that pulls milk from the nipple
• Most pumps come with standard 24...
Making personal connections with new parents is vital, especially in the clinical healthcare environment where postpartum families often feel lost in the system.
• Phone calls to postpartum patients create essential connection points during a vulnerable time
• Initial skepticism from parents receiving hospital calls quickly transforms to appreciation
• These calls serve as a lifeline for those struggl...
Birth work involves witnessing both beautiful and difficult moments, creating an emotional weight that doulas carry alongside their clients. After 23 years as a birth doula, I've learned that acknowledging the challenging aspects of birth is essential for processing and growth.
• Difficult births create emotional weight even when outcomes are positive
• Recent challenging experiences include a four-h...
Breast pumps have evolved dramatically from ancient ceramic vessels to modern wearable technology, with significant changes in accessibility since the 2008 Affordable Care Act required insurance coverage for one pump per pregnancy. This episode explores the history, types, and considerations for choosing the right breast pump for your unique situation.
• Breast pumps date back to the Roman Empire when ceramic...
Traveling with babies doesn't have to be overwhelming if you know what to bring and what to leave behind, with baby gear rental services offering a game-changing alternative to hauling equipment.
• Pare back to essentials rather than bringing everything your baby uses at home
• Consider what equipment can serve multiple purposes during your trip
• Baby gear rental services like Baby Quip deliver ...
Nipple shields can be valuable, often temporary tools that help overcome breastfeeding challenges like flat or inverted nipples, painful feeding, or difficulties with preterm babies. When used appropriately with professional guidance, they can help maintain the breastfeeding relationship while addressing specific issues.
• Nipple shields are thin silicone devices that fit over the nipple with holes for milk f...
Lactation Consultant Angie Rosier shares insights about baby weight gain and how to know if your baby is getting enough milk. Many parents prepare extensively for labor but overlook preparing for breastfeeding, which generally lasts much longer than the birth experience.
• Newborn stomachs are tiny—marble-sized on day one, growing to walnut-sized by day three
• Weight loss up to 10% is normal for newborns...
The deep latch is the cornerstone of successful breastfeeding, affecting everything from milk transfer to nipple comfort and baby's weight gain. Angie Rosier shares expertise from her dual role as a doula and lactation consultant, offering practical techniques to improve breastfeeding outcomes.
• Visual signs of a deep latch include pulsating movement by the baby's temple, full jaw movement, and a w...
Kimberlee Williams shares her emotional journey from planning a home birth after three easy deliveries to facing a life-threatening medical emergency and a 6-week NICU stay with her premature son Houston.
• Mother of four who moved to Utah shortly before unexpectedly becoming pregnant with her fourth child
• Planned a home birth with a midwife after three previous uncomplicated hospital births
• Exper...
Healthcare disparities don't discriminate based on education or wealth—Black and brown women face mortality rates three to five times higher than their white counterparts during childbirth. This stark reality forms the foundation of our deep dive into obstetrical racism, a systemic issue embedded within our healthcare institutions that demands our urgent attention.
Cultural competency sits at the heart o...
The humble washcloth is a powerful, versatile tool that can significantly enhance comfort during labor. With 20 years of doula experience, Angie shares how this simple item becomes an essential element in her birth support toolkit.
• The "wondrous washcloth" is available in all birth settings - hospitals, birth centers, and homes
• Cold washcloths provide cooling relief when laboring bodies heat...
We explore the contrasting needs and expectations of first-time parents versus experienced parents during the birth process, highlighting how support needs evolve with each birth experience.
• First-time parents have unique needs including education, emotional support, agency, and validation
• First-time parents often feel overwhelmed and need clear, compassionate explanations about the birth process
...
The emotional journey of those who have experienced fertility challenges requires special care and understanding during pregnancy and birth, with many carrying deep anxiety, fear, and complex emotions throughout their experience.
• Growing number of people facing fertility challenges in our society
• Emotional sensitivity acknowledging the difficult journey to pregnancy
• Validating fears that come fr...
Birth is influenced by three major stakeholders with different objectives: the birthing people, the birth place, and the policies governing care. Understanding the "Three P's" helps expectant parents navigate their birth journey and identify where their interests align with the larger healthcare system.
• Birthing people want safety, support, a voice in their care, and a positive, meaningful ex...
Dr. Venice Haynes shares her groundbreaking work on the 100 Weeks Project, which aims to transform maternal healthcare from preconception through the postpartum year by addressing systemic barriers and creating culturally congruent solutions. She reveals how the project's comprehensive journey maps and state-by-state analysis expose critical gaps in care while highlighting opportunities for employers, policymaker...
This extensive collection of coping techniques for labor is drawn from decades of doula experience, emphasizing how these tools can benefit everyone regardless of their birth plan—even those planning on epidurals.
• Preparation and knowledge dramatically increase confidence and can shift birth preferences
• Physical techniques include belly dancing, position changes, walking, marching, and hands-and-knees...
Partners can provide deep and meaningful support during pregnancy, labor, and birth by developing specific skills beyond vague advice to "just be supportive."
• Learn together through childbirth classes, videos, books, or apps to build knowledge and realistic expectations
• Discover what birth goals are important to your pregnant partner, even if they differ from what you would choose
• Prep...
Angie welcomes doula and nursing student Dani Reed to explore the complementary roles and challenges of nurses and doulas in the birth room, sharing insights from her unique perspective of having worked in both worlds.
• Dani's journey from birth doula of eight years to nursing student pursuing certification as a midwife and women's health nurse practitioner
• The heavy workload nurses carry inc...
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