My Doula's Podcast

Episode 31: Doula Discussion: Birth after Trauma

Join us as we wrap up our series on Birth after Trauma. We have spoken with some incredible individuals throughout this series. Tune in for our doula discussion where we will discuss some of the birth stories we heard, some ways you can prepare to give birth, and share some resources.

Episode 30: Interview with Janna VanderBand

Janna VanderBand is an art therapist who helps individuals work through trauma. She is especially passionate about helping those who are pregnant or in the postpartum period. Janna has her Masters in Art Therapy with a concentration in counseling and she has experience in a residential treatment facility working with children and teens who have experienced trauma. We touch on topics such as creating your own emotional and mental health birth philosophy so that you can communicate your needs...

Episode 29 - Aly's Birth Story (Rebroadcast)

Aly was one of our very first guests on the podcast. We are re-airing her birth story as part of our series on birth after trauma. Join us as Aly shares the story of her son's birth, which she describes as a healing experience following a traumatic first labor and a loss at 18 weeks.

Episode 28: Interview with Dr. Maureen O'Keefe, DPT

Dr. Maureen O'Keefe is a physical therapist with 24 years of experience focusing on pelvic health. Dr. O'keefe has taught classes at the international pelvic pain society, and she has partnered with top medical centers to advance the knowledge and accessibility of pelvic floor PT. We had a great conversation with Dr. O'keefe about pelvic health in the child bearing years. We touched on numerous topics including common issues in pregnancy and postpartum, trauma informed care, self care, and ...

Episode 27: Marta's Birth Story

TW: Sexual Assault, NICU stay Marta was 8 months pregnant when she stood up in court and gave her testimony against Larry Nassar, the man who sexually assaulted her for 8 years. She began having contractions at the trial and was off of work for 6 weeks leading up to the birth of her daughter. Marta was induced and after several cervical checks, she began feeling panicked. Marta was able to advocate for herself and got a new provider while in labor who was much more respectful and sensitive t...

Episode 26: Anna's Birth Story

Series: Birth after Trauma CW: Sexual Assault, NICU stay Join us as Anna tells us her birth story. Anna has a history of sexual assault as a teenager. This played a big part in preparing for the birth of her baby. Anna worked with a midwife who was sensitive to her needs, but when she went into labor early, she had to transfer to the hospital. While in the hospital, Anna advocated for herself to wear her own clothing, have no men in the room, and she even caught her own baby. To connect...

Episode 25: Doula Discussion - VBAC

Join us as we wrap up our series on VBAC (Vaginal birth after cesarean. We will also discuss our upcoming series on birth after trauma.

Episode 24: Interview with Carrie Stephens

Carrie Stephens is a certified birth doula, postpartum doula, and placenta encapsulator. she has advanced VBAC certifications from VBAC Academy and VBAC link and she is the owner of Ginger Blossom Doula Services. We sat down with Carrie to discuss all things VBAC. Join us as we dive into some of the ways you can prepare for a VBAC, including choosing a provider, and educating yourself beforehand. Resources: CesareanRates.org ICAN West Michigan VBAC support group on facebook VBAC Link VBAC ac...

Episode 23: Brittany's Birth Stories

Join us for week 3 of our VBAC series. Brittany had worked with her OBGYN to plan a VBAC, but her OB wasn't on call when she went into labor. The on call OBGYN was not supportive of her decision to try for a vaginal birth. Brittany worked hard to advocate for herself and her baby and she got her VBAC! Listen as Brittany shares how she leaned on her husband and her faith to get her through both birth experiences. She also shares her experience with a rare pregnancy related auto-immune dise...

Episode 22: Brooke's Birth Stories

Brooke was diagnosed with endometriosis and when an ovarian cyst ruptured, she discovered she had a bicornuate (Heart-shaped) uterus. She was told she would never bear children. ⁠ ⁠ Listen as Brooke shares her two birth stories. She gave birth to her son via cesarean birth when they discovered he was breech. She planned and worked towards a VBAC (Vaginal birth after cesarean), but ended up giving birth to her second child via repeat cesarean. ⁠ Listen as Brooke shares her experiences and the...

Bonus Episode 21: Emily's Birth Story

Emily was scheduled for an induction after being told she was going to have a 10lb baby. After laboring on Pitocin, she wound up having a cesarean birth, but not without its own complications. Emily was able to feel the surgery and was put under general anesthesia. Listen as Emily shares her full birth story.

Episode 20: Sarah's VBAC Story

TW: miscarriage/pregnancy loss Join us as Sarah shares her birth stories with us. Sarah shares with us the stories of her cesarean birth, and how that experience led her to look into VBAC for her next 2 births. Some names have been removed out to protect the identity of our clients.

Episode 19: Doula Discussion: Doula Supported Birth

Join us as we wrap up our series on Doula Supported Birth. We will discuss some of the birth stories we have heard in this series and dive a bit deeper into what doula support looks like.

Episode 18: Whitney's Birth Stories

Doula Supported Birth: Week 5 Join us for our final birth story in the doula supported birth series as Whitney shares her 2 birth stories. Speciation Artisan Ales https://speciationartisanales.com/

Episode 17: Erica's Twin Birth Story

Doula Supported Birth: Week 4 TW: Placental abruption, emergency Cesarean, & NICU Stay Join us as Erica shares her experience giving birth to twins including a placental abruption, an emergency cesarean, a NICU stay for one of her babies, and her breastfeeding journey. ⁠

Episode 16: Bonus Episode: Interview with Doc Ali

Bonus Episode! Alison Arnold has her PhD in clinical psychology and has trained in neuroscience and leadership at MIT. She has spent time studying the mind with masters all over the world including Nepal, Thailand, and Peru. Doc Ali has spent years guiding Olympic medalists in reaching their goals through fear release. We know the role that fear release plays in birth and improving birth experiences for birthing people. We sat down with Doc Ali to talk about her work and the how you can add...

Episode 15: Jen Overbeck, ND: Birth Stories & Interview

In week 3 of our doula supported birth series, we hear from Jen Overbeck, ND. Jen tells us her 2 birth stories and we also discuss her work as a naturopathic doctor and her approach to care.

Episode 14 - Jamie's Birth Story

Doula Supported Birth. Jamie tells us the story of her non-medicated hospital birth with the support of a doula.

Episode 13 - Interview with Jessica English

Tune in for our expert interview with Jessica English, AdvCD/PCD/BDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE. Jessica is a DONA certified advanced birth doula, a DONA certified postpartum doula, a DONA approved birth doula trainer, a Lamaze certified childbirth educator, a Lamaze accredited program director and trainer, and a fellow of the Academy of Certified Childbirth Educators. If anyone knows a thing or two about doulas, it's Jessica! Join us as we discuss what a birth doula does, how a doula supports their ...

Episode 12: Postpartum Doula Discussion

The last episode in our series on the postpartum period and postpartum mood disorders.

Episode 11 - Postpartum: Interview with Clinical Therapist, Kerrie Van Weelden

Join us while we speak with Kerrie Van Weelden, a clinical therapist who specializes in perinatal mood disorders. We will discuss various postpartum mood disorders, the stigma around mental health issues, and resources available in the postpartum period. Resources from Kerrie https://www.postpartum.net/ ( Post Partum Support International, the link provides educational and online support groups and also links to local resources.) https://mipmdcoalition.org/ Michigan resources and informati...

Episode 10 - Kaylee's Birth Story

Kaylee shares her birth story including a large cyst on her tailbone, an unplanned cesarean, and her experience with postpartum depression & anxiety.

Episode 9 - Kali's Birth Story

Kali tells us the stories of her 2 children's births and her experience with postpartum anxiety.

Episode 8 - Courtney's Birth Story

Courtney tells us about her marathon labor including an induction, a severe side effect to a medication, a cesarean birth and the normal ups and downs of the postpartum period.

Episode 7 - Molly's Birth Story

Molly Tells us about the birth of her son, Dodge. Including an ECV (external cephalic version), a cesarean birth, and her experience with postpartum anxiety. Baby Dodge wanted to be on the podcast as well, so enjoy the baby coo's!

Kelli's Birth Story

Kelli shares the story of her son's birth including a precipitous labor, a stay in the NICU and her experience with postpartum depression. TW: Intrauterine stroke

Episode 6 - Kelli's Birth Story

Kelli shares the story of her son's birth including a precipitous labor, a stay in the NICU and her experience with postpartum depression. TW: Intrauterine stroke

Episode 5- Doula Discussion: Positive Birth

In this doula discussion we wrap up our series on positive birth experiences. We discuss the birth stories we have heard, our conversation with nurse Jessica and what all goes into making a birth experience a positive one,

Episode 0 - Introduction

Episode 4 - Positive Birth - Interview with Nurse Jessica

Nurse Jessica talks with us about how expecting parents can have a positive birth experience in a hospital setting. We also discuss some of the changes during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Episode 3 - Kat's Positive Birth

Kat tells us about her positive birth experience even in the face of changing birth plans.

Episode 1 - Alyssa's Birth Story

Alyssa tells us about her positive birth experience following a long first labor and a loss at 18 weeks.

Episode 2 - Theresa Positive Birth

Theresa tells us about her positive birth experiences and what she would do differently the next time around.

Trailer

Welcome to My Doula's Podcast. A show dedicated to all things birthy. Our drive for this show stems from our love for discussing birth and supporting families. Join us for birth stories, expert interviews, and doula discussions on all the important topics. We're happy to have you along for the ride!