Blog & Podcast
Welcome to my blog and podcast page! Iโm here to offer compassionate, expert support to expectant and new parents as they navigate the joys and challenges of parenthood. Whether youโre preparing for birth, recovering postpartum, or seeking sleep strategies, youโll find valuable resources to guide you every step of the way.
Dive into my posts and podcasts for practical tips and insights on everything from managing labor and breastfeeding to setting healthy sleep habits for your baby. Wherever you are in your journey, you can count on evidence-based advice to help you feel informed, empowered, and confident.
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The Hierarchy of Soothing: A Gentle Guide for Sleep-Deprived Parents
If youโre holding your baby while reading this with one hand and sipping your third cup of lukewarm coffee with the other, first of all, I see you. Iโve been there. And so have hundreds of families Iโve supported through those long, hazy days and even longer nights.
What Youโre Really Paying For When You Hire a Sleep Doula
Grab your favorite mug (bonus points if itโs reheated coffee number three), because weโre about to pull back the curtain on what really goes into working with a sleep doulaโand why it might feel like a big investment.
Spoiler alert: itโs because youโre getting way more than just a few tips about naps and a โgood luckโ email.
How to Support Your Hormones in Postpartum Recovery and Beyond
If youโre currently pregnant and soaking up all the info you can find about what to expect after birthโfirst of all, high five for planning ahead. While everyone seems to be talking about birth plans, swaddling techniques, and car seats, very few people are talking about one of the biggest shifts youโll face postpartum: your hormones.
Monthly Doula Check-Ins: Real Support for Real Life in the First Year
Letโs be real: the first year with a baby is beautifulโฆ and bonkers. One moment youโre soaking up sleepy snuggles, and the next youโre googling โwhy wonโt my baby nap longer than 20 minutes?โ at 2 a.m. Itโs a lot. And thatโs where monthly doula calls come inโoffering practical advice, emotional support, and the comforting reminder that youโre not doing this alone.
Understanding Postpartum Mood Disorders (Dr. Angie Maxwell, PT, DPT, WCS and Laura Meader, LICSW)
Learn how to prepare for postpartum mood disorders before baby arrives. Expert advice on PMADs, recovery, and real supportโyouโre not alone.
The Relational Transition to Parenthood: Why Preparing for Baby Means More Than Just Buying a Crib
Bringing a baby into the world is magical โ and completely life-changing. Beyond the sleepless nights and new routines, parenthood reshapes your identity, rewires your brain, and shifts every relationship you have.
In this episode of Doula Talk, I sit down with Marriage and Family Therapist Angharad Hollingworth to talk about the messy, beautiful reality of the relational transition to parenthood โ and why preparing for a baby means preparing your heart, mind, and relationships, too.
Returning to Work After Baby: What Jamie Wishes She Knew
Youโve spent months preparing for birthโreading the books, taking the classes, maybe even folding tiny onesies with tears in your eyes (no judgment, weโve all been there). But letโs be honest: most of us spend way less time preparing for what comes after baby arrivesโespecially when it comes to the emotional rollercoaster and logistical chaos of returning to work postpartum.
Pelvic Floor Truths Every Pregnant Person Should Know (But Probably Wasnโt Told)
When youโre preparing for birth, youโre usually told to make a birth plan, pack a hospital bag, and maybeโmaybeโdo some kegels. But what if I told you that your pelvic floor deserves way more attention than that checklist gives it?
Today, weโre diving deep (and I mean pelvic bowl deep) into why your pelvic floor is one of the most importantโand most misunderstoodโparts of your pregnancy and postpartum journey. Whether youโre pregnant with your first baby or youโve done this dance before, this post is here to educate, empower, and lovingly blow your mind.
Birth Stories from Hawaii - Deb & Beth Share Their Wildly Different (But Equally Beautiful) Journeys
Pregnancy is one of the most personal, powerful, and unpredictable experiences we go through as human beings. Whether youโre preparing for your very first baby or adding another little love to your growing family, one truth always stands strong: every birth is different, and every parent deserves support through it.
Tongue Ties, Feeding Struggles, and the Power of Myofunctional Therapy
When youโre expecting a baby, there are so many things on your mind: preparing for labor, setting up the nursery, navigating prenatal appointments, and figuring out what kind of parent you want to be. But thereโs one topic that often gets overlookedโand it can have a big impact on your babyโs feeding, sleep, and development: tongue ties.
Holistic Approaches to Postpartum Recovery: Blending Traditional and Modern Practices
Postpartum recovery is not just about โbouncing backโโletโs go ahead and throw that entire idea in the trash where it belongs. The truth is, healing after birth takes time, support, and intentional care. And if thereโs one thing Iโve learned from working with families from all kinds of backgrounds, itโs this: ๐ก Cultures that prioritize postpartum care do it better.
Postpartum Recovery in Four Easy Steps!
Donโt get me wrong, postpartum recovery is NOT easy, BUT if you know what to expect and pace yourself, youโll be feeling better faster! Please note, this is just an average on how to pace yourself and the best thing to do is LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. Do not move to the next week of recovery steps until you feel ready.
Tongue Ties Uncovered: What Every Parent Needs to Know (Guest: Renee Beebe, IBCLC)
Bringing a baby into the world is magical, but letโs be realโfeeding that tiny human isnโt always the seamless, Instagram-perfect experience we expect. Whether you plan to breastfeed, bottle-feed, or do a combination, understanding common feeding challenges before your baby arrives can make a world of difference.
Why Feeding Therapy and Holistic Support Matter for Your Baby and Your Peace of Mind (Guest: Carissa Guiley, M.S., CCC SLP, CLC)
Becoming a parent is like stepping onto the wildest roller coaster of your lifeโone minute youโre flying high, the next youโre wondering how on earth youโre supposed to assemble a breast pump at 2 a.m. Feeding your baby should be one of those things that just works, right? Spoiler alert: not always. If youโre pregnant or navigating postpartum life and finding yourself overwhelmed with feeding struggles, letโs chat. Thereโs a secret weapon you need in your corner: feeding therapy. And trust me, itโs a game-changer.
Preparing for Postpartum โ The Five Essentials Every Mom Needs
Pregnancy is a transformative journey, but what happens after birth is just as importantโif not more so. Yet, so many new mothers find themselves overwhelmed, exhausted, and under-supported during their postpartum recovery. The truth is, your body, mind, and spirit need care just as much as your newborn does.
Many cultures around the world honor postpartum as a sacred period, one where new mothers receive intentional care, rest, and nourishment. But in modern Western culture, the emphasis is often placed on "bouncing back" instead of healing deeply. What if we shifted the focus? What if postpartum was seen as a time to replenish, restore, and be nurtured?
The Preparing for Parenthood Workbook โ The Ultimate Guide to Building Your Support
Pregnancy is an exciting time filled with anticipation, but letโs face itโparenthood comes with its own set of challenges. Whether youโre a first-time mom or expanding your family, the journey doesnโt stop at birth. In fact, itโs just the beginning. Thatโs why preparing for parenthoodโparticularly in terms of postpartum care and supportโshould be top priority.
Why Prenatal and Postpartum Planning is Essential for Your Pregnancy Journey
Pregnancy can be an exciting, overwhelming, and life-changing experience, but the journey doesn't end with childbirth. While prenatal classes are a fantastic resource for first-time parents and seasoned pros alike, they often miss an essential component of preparing for parenthood: the postpartum period. If you're pregnant and seeking more support to prepare for what comes after your baby arrives, youโre in the right place. Letโs dive into why postpartum preparation is just as important as prenatal education and how you can set yourself up for success in both stages of your parenting journey.