All About Doulaship Podcast

Today we talk with Tara Withey of episode 2. She tells tales of business adaption through the covid-19 pandemic. She talks about Alice Turner and other various doulas that helped pull everyone through the transition to online support and learning new skills. I hope you enjoy,MeganTara's ConnectionsEmail: birthingbydesign@aol.comInstagram @birthingbydesignFacebookAll About Doulaship ConnectionsEmbracingmothers.comInstagram @all_about_doulashipFacebook

Hello everyone and welcome to the all about doulaship podcast! Today I’m starting something new to help us all become better business people, book reviews! Now just to be clear, I don’t plan on getting rid of the personal interview portion of this podcast, I’m just diversifying. That said the book I’m reviewing today is Girl, Stop Apologizing by Rachel Hollis. Listen in to see if I recommend her book for the birthworker business person!Megan's Contact Information:InstagramFacebookEmail: AllAboutDoulashipPodcast@gmail.comEmbracingMothers.comRachel Hollis' Website: https://msrachelhollis.com/Amazon Link to her book

Hello Everyone!I hope you all are thriving in this hot mess we're calling 2020. Today you're going to listen in on an educational advocacy conversation with Taiwo & Wale Ajao. They lead Hello Baby Baltimore, a Health Communications initiative serving families in Baltimore City and the DMV area. Hello Baby believes in educating the whole village, empowering community doulas and advocating for professional doula services as a public health intervention.  With 12 years of teamwork as a married couple, Taiwo &  'Wale are both equipped as Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educators and as trained doulas creating solutions for both families of color and of culture. Taiwo &  'Wale also draw on their background as a nurse-doctor couple with both local and international experience.I hope you all enjoy! If you do if you could "like, comment, subscribe" to this podcast to spread the word that would be most appreciated. Love to all,MResources:A1 NursingCongress.govBlack Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2020Contact Information:Info@HelloBabyBaltimore.orgFacebookInstagramWebsiteMegan's Contact Information:FacebookInstagramAllaboutdoulashippodcast@gmail.com

Hello Everyone!I hope you all are well in this crazy time. Today I chatted with Rachel Carbonneau, MA. She is a Certified Birth Doula, CD(DONA), an Evidence Based Birth®  instructor, and a certified parenting coach. Rachel is the owner and director of Family Ways, a thriving doula agency in the greater Washington, DC area, and oversees a team of doulas providing birth, postpartum, and full-spectrum doula support, as well as lactation support, childbirth education, and other services, to help families experience a smooth transition through their childbearing year. Rachel is committed to helping families access evidence-based information for informed decision-making, and to helping improve the birth experience for all families, and has additional training through Spinning Babies and in trauma-informed care, infant safe sleep, and combating racism and discrimination. In addition to birth and coaching work, Rachel regularly presents to both parents and professionals in her community on education, research, and community activism. This was a fabulous conversation covering everything from a new doula life to growing a business to having a fabulous mentor. I truly hope that you enjoy. ~MeganHer contact information:Website: www.family-ways.comFacebookInstagramTwitterPinterestEmail: rachel@family-ways.comBook Recommendation: The Doula Business Guide by Patty Brennan along with the workbookIf you want to get in contact with me (Megan) email AllAboutDoulashipPodcast@gmail.com or connect on Facebook. I'd love to chat, take recommendations, or just make a new birthworker friend.

Hello Everyone!Today we're talking with Haley Parizo the owner of Island Doula, located in Northwestern Vermont, where she resides with her husband and two young children. Stemming from a lifelong passion for all things pregnancy, birth, and baby she provides support to families all throughout the perinatal period. She currently wears many hats in her day-to-day life. In addition to owning her own doula business, she is also a registered nurse and has worked part time in a small pediatrician’s office since her graduation from nursing school in 2010. She has previous experience working on labor and delivery as a nurse and has been a Labor doula since 2013, certified through CAPPA. Ever since the birth of her first child she has been passionate about maternal/parental mental health and postpartum support. She is currently finalizing her postpartum doula certification through CAPPA, attending a certificate program for maternal mental health through Postpartum Support International, as well as working on a Stillbirthday and pregnancy and infant loss bereavement certification. For the past year she has also worked as the Coordinator of her local hospital’s brand new volunteer labor doula program, where she helps to ensure all people have access to doula support during labor.Podcast Recommendations: The Birth Hour and Evidence Based BirthBook Recommendation: Birth PartnerFavorite Quote: “In giving birth to our babies, we may find that we give birth to new possibilities within ourselves.” — Jon Kabat-ZinnHaley's Contact Information:Email: Haley.Parizo@UBMHealth.orgWebsite: Island DoulaFacebook: Island DoulaInstagram: Island Doula

Good Afternoon All,Today I talked with Christi Stoltzfus of BellissiMama Doula Services in Lancaster County, PA. She is a certified doula through Birth Arts International that has had the pleasure of supporting women and their families since 2011. She offers antepartum, birth, and postpartum support as well as in-hospital care for those first delicate days after delivery. On top of being a doula, she works as a home birth midwife's assistant serving the local Amish & plain community, has homeschooled for 14 years, and is married to her high school sweetheart. Hope you enjoy!MeganChristi's Contact Information:WebsiteFacebookInstagramBook Recommendation: Birthing from Within by Pam EnglandFavorite Quote: "The most difficult part of birth is the first year afterwards. It is the year of travail – when the soul of a woman must birth the mother inside her. The emotional labour pains of becoming a mother are far greater than the physical pangs of birth; these are the growing surges of your heart as it pushes out selfishness and fear and makes room for sacrifice and love. It is a private and silent birth of the soul, but it is no less holy than the event of childbirth, perhaps it is even more sacred." by Joy KusekQuestions? Comments? Would like to chat? Contact Megan at Allaboutdoulashippodcast@gmail.com

Good Morning Everyone! Today is just a short snippet of me talking with you all about the past, present, and future of this podcast. I talk about my favorite conversations and resources mentioned in the episodes so for (see below), what I'm doing in my life, and where I see this podcast going in the future.I hope you enjoy and have a very happy new year!Episode Two with Tara WitheyEpisode Four with Science and Sensibility BlogEpisode Five with the book Big Magic by Elizabeth GilbertEpisode Eight with the tools Dubsado and Wave's FinancialEpisode Ten with Jennifer KulaEpisode Twelve with the book Natural Hospital Birth by Cynthia Gabriel

Today we talk with Rachel Mueller of NEAR to you Midwifery and Doula Services. She's a DONA certified birth and postpartum doula, certified lactation counselor, evidence based birth instructor, and a Lay midwife. We have a lovely conversation about the business side of birth work. Specifically Rachel talks about how she got her first clients, what her elevator speech is, and her least favorite part of it all. I hope you enjoy!Favorite Quote: "Birth is an Opportunity" - Rachel MuellerBook Recommendation: The Greatest Pregnancy Ever by Laurel Wilson and Tracy Wilson PetersWebsite: http://www.neartoyoudoula.com/Facebook: LinkInstagram: LinkAll About Doulaship Contact Information:FacebookEmail: Allaboutdoulashippodcast@gmail.comMegan's Contact Information:Website: Embracingmothers.comFacebook: LinkEmail: Hoagm939@gmail.com

Today we talked with Sarah Popviker. After giving birth to four boys without a birth companion, she had an eye opening experience when her fifth son was born with continuous and comforting support throughout her labor. She realized that many women miss out on having a special, positive birthing experience because they don’t have a Doula by their side. Inspired by the impact that a Doula can make, she pursued and enrolled with Childbirth International and obtained certification as a Labor Doula. She has since certified in the Gena Kirby Rebozo Method, became a Certified Aromatherapist in 2016, and obtained her Herbalist Certification in 2017 through Heart of Herbs Herbal School.This interview turned into a lovely conversation all about the many paths a doula can follow after her spark of passion has been initiated. I invite you to connect with Sarah by following her on facebook or reaching out via her website. Her favorite book recommendations are as follows:Natural Hospital Birth by Cynthia GabrielMama Natural by Genevieve Howland Hypnobirthing by Mongan MEd MHy, Marie (At least the first few chapters)

Hello All and Welcome Back!To start the new season off we have a lovely interview with Jennifer Sierant. She's married with 2 children working as a parenting worker for almost 10years. She started in the birth field as a Certified Lactation Consultant, then wanted to be with them at the hospital to support their birth. so she trained with DONA. From there it became a passion. She's since certified in prenatal/postnatal fitness and Dancing for birth, teaches prenatal yoga, aquafit, breastfeeding and childbirth education classes and the Engage Birth workshop.   She's constantly taking trainings to have more "tools in my toolbox" to help my clients. Her Recommendations:Ages and Stages Questionnaire: https://helpmegrowvt.org/ages-stages-questionnaireBirthful Podcast: https://www.birthful.com/category/podcast/Evidence Based Birth Podcast: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-based-birth-podcast/Yoga for EveryBody Podcast: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/everybody-yoga-podcastFind Jennifer Online:Website: https://mommystrongbirths.wixsite.com/mommystrongFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jsierant1234/?ref=br_rsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mommystrongbirths/Contact Me:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AADPodcast/Email: Allaboutdoulashippodcast@gmail.comEmbracing Mothers Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmbracingMothers/ 

Today we talk with Jenifer Kula all about her pathway to becoming a doula, finding mentors, and doula business classes. Jenni Kula is a birth and postpartum doula and owner of Mindful Mama Birth Services. As a doula, she provides physical, emotional, and informational support to families through pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and parenting. Jenni believes that pregnancy and birth call us to become mindful of our body, our baby, and our intuition. She provides evidence-based information to help families make choices for their unique birth experience and believes that peace on earth begins at birth.Website: https://mindfulmamabirthing.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MindfulMamaBirthServices/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfulmamabirthing/Email: mindfulmamabirthservices@gmail.comQuote: "It's only two minutes, you're a badass, you can do anything for two minutes."Book: My Cesarean by Amanda Fields and Rachel MoritzIf you'd like to chat or be interviewed please feel free to contact me at allaboutdoulashippodcast@gmail.com

Today we talked with Kayla Rogers from Divine Lotus Doula Services. She was born and raised in Buffalo and reside there with her husband and 3 daughters. She  decided to become a Doula while pregnant with my second daughter, after having an amazing homebirth with her first. She started on her path to be  a Certified birth doula with DONA in 2016 officially becoming certified in 2017. Since then she has also become a Postpartum Doula and has enrolled in the Medicaid Doula Pilot program.We talked all about the many pathways to becoming a doula and the different ways the birth community is gathering this summer. Her book recommendation is Placenta: The Forgotten Chakra Kayla also discussed the NYS Doula Pilot Program with Shannon Johns as the main doula contact in the Buffalo area.If you'd like to talk more about any of these topics or would like to be interviewed please visit our facebook page or send and email to allaboutdoulashippodcast@gmail.com

Today we talk with Nichole Virag. Nichole is a birth doula and birth photographer here in WNY. Before birth work she worked with trauma survivors as a social worker and that work really informs what she does as a doula. Then she started doing birth photography as a way to help families who want to process their births through images instead of words. We talked about many things but I especially want to detail here the different tools that she uses within her birthwork. Dubsado is her client management program that allows her to invoice, email, and keep her to-do list organized. Wave Financial's mobile application is what she uses to track her personal and business finances. Lastly she uses Squarespace as her website host. Nichole's book recommendation for couples is The Birth Partner by Penny SimkinHer book recommendation for Doulas is Birth Work as Care Work by Alana ApfelWebsite: https://nicholevirag.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicholeviragdoulaandphoto/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicholevirag/Email: NicholeVirag@gmail.com 

Today we talk with Lisa Hendrickson-Jack all about the Fertility Awareness Method. She’s a certified Fertility Awareness Educator and Holistic Reproductive Health Practitioner who teaches women to chart their menstrual cycles for natural birth control, conception, and monitoring overall health. In her new book The Fifth Vital Sign, Lisa debunks the myth that regular ovulation is only important when you want children, by recognizing the menstrual cycle as a vital sign. Drawing heavily from the current scientific literature, Lisa presents an evidence-based approach to fertility awareness and menstrual cycle optimization. She hosts the Fertility Friday Podcast, a weekly radio show devoted to helping women connect to their fifth vital sign by uncovering the connection between menstrual cycle health, fertility, and overall health. With well over a million downloads, Fertility Friday is the #1 source for information about fertility awareness, and menstrual cycle health, connecting women around the world with their cycles and their fertility — something our education systems have consistently failed to do. When she’s not researching, writing, and interviewing health professionals, you’ll find her spending time with her husband and her two sons. To learn more, visit fertilityfriday.com. Facebook: Facebook.com/FertilityFridays Instagram: @FertilityFridayTwitter: @FertileFridayPinterest: FertilityFriday Skype: FertilityFriday Quote: "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." Maya AngelouBooks: Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler, The Fifth Vital Sign: Master Your Cycles & Optimize Your Fertility by Lisa Hendrickson-Jack

Today I chatted with Stacey Austin, a license acupuncturist. We conversed about how acupuncture can help in the fertility, birth, and postpartum world, when to recommend a client to an acupuncturist, and how choosing happiness is the way she's trying to live her life. Below is a synopsis of her professional background:"Stacey Austin is a licensed acupuncturist, clinical nutritionist, and herbalist in the State of New York as well as a National Diplomat of Oriental Medicine. She specializes in acute and chronic pain management, internal medicine, digestive issues, facial rejuvenation, fertility, prenatal & postpartum care, and women’s health. Stacey earned her Master’s in Traditional Chinese Medicine from the Finger Lakes School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in 2010 and furthered her studies at Zheng Jiang Hospital, a renowned teaching University in Hangzhou, China.Stacey is truly passionate about her work and has dedicated herself to empowering people to reach their health goals. She believes health care should be fun, safe and accessible for everyone. Stacey supports the individual needs of her patients and focuses on treating the whole person by balancing mental, physical, and emotional needs. She designs comprehensive treatment plans that fully integrate many modalities such as, acupuncture (cupping, gua sha, moxibustion), bodywork, nutrition, whole food nutritional supplements, herbal medicine, stress management, diagnostic testing, and lifestyle modification, to provide you the best care."Her favorite quote is : "Edit your life frequently and ruthlessly. It's your masterpiece after all."Book recommendations: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson and Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John TownsendStacey's Website's LinkFacebook Link

Today I have a chat with the co-founders of Bebo Mia (a seven figure doula+ training & support business), Natasha Marchand and Bianca Sprague. Both are doulas become doula trainers and we get into the nitty gritty of how their journeys began and transformed into the successful business they run today. We talk about goals, measuring progress in a way that works for you, and how to support other doulas versus tearing them down. I hope you enjoy the interview and follow the links below for additional information.Book Recommendations: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, Shrewed: A Wry and Closely Observed Look at the Lives of Women and Girls by Elizabeth Renzetti, Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person by Shonda Rhimes.Bebo Mia 20% Discount Code: Doulaship

Today we talk with Sujata Martin; she is an occupational therapist by training, a birth doula by certification, and a birth photographer and postpartum doula by interest. We chat about what it's like to be a new doula, juggling all of her interests, continuing her education/ growing her practice, and finding her niche. If you'd like to follow her on Instagram click here, Facebook click here, and her website is here.Evidence Based Birth is a fabulous resource and can be found here.Science and Sensibility is a wonderful research blog on pregnancy, birth and beyond that can be found here.Goal Digger Podcast can be found here.Thanks for listening, if you have any comments or would like to suggest an interviewee (this could be yourself) please feel free to email allaboutdoulashippodcast@gmail.com To connect with other listeners follow the AADPodcast Facebook page here.

Today we talk with a chiropractor from Western New York, Dr. Ashely, all about her life's passion. She works with pregnant women throughout their pregnancies to have happier, healthier birth and postpartum transition into motherhood. She also works with children to help with ear infections, colic, breastfeeding troubles, potty training, etc! Dr. Ashley has a positivity and a wealth of knowledge that will brighten your day and hopefully improve your understanding of how chiropractors can help during the early years of motherhood. If you'd like to contact her you can follow this link to her website. Here is a link to the book she recommended Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis.Thanks for listening, if you have any comments or would like to suggest an interviewee (this could be yourself) please feel free to email allaboutdoulashippodcast@gmail.com 

Megan is giving you a quick update on where the podcast is going.

Today we’re here to welcome our guest Tara Withey! She is a certified doula and childbirth educator who has been serving Western New York since 2010. She’s trained with Cascade Christian Childbirth Associates, Madriella, Stillbirthday, Childbirth International, and Prodoula. She’s the founder and owner of Birthing By Design and Co-Founder of the Western New York Doulas with the Better Birth Conference. Tara shares SO MUCH (!) valuable information and we will be looking forward to interviewing her in the future! Here are some little snippets:"I am not there to save the mother from her birth""For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment." You can find Tara at https://birthingbydesignwny.com/ and https://www.wnydoulas.com/