The Ordinary Doula Podcast

E123: Your Everyday Stress Response Shows Up In Labor

29 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us Fan MailLabor has a way of turning your everyday stress habits up to full volume. So before we talk about the “perfect” birth plan, we zoo...

E122: Your Body and Your Baby Communicate Through Hormones In Labor

22 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us Fan MailBirth can look like a simple sequence of contractions and dilation, but underneath it all is a powerful hormone conversation between p...

E121: Mother Day: Childbirth Changes You Even When No One Sees It

10 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us Fan MailStrength doesn’t always look like a highlight reel. Sometimes it looks like breathing through one more contraction, waiting through ...

E120: What If Messy Breastfeeding Is Normal

01 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us Fan MailBreastfeeding can look like a sunlit photo shoot online and feel like a complicated midnight puzzle in real life. We’re naming that ...

E119: My Birth Stories Part 2

24 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us Fan MailWater breaks at 7:30 a.m. and you think, “Lunch time baby.” Then the hours crawl by, your house is spotless, everyone is waiting, ...

E118: My Birth Stories Part 1

17 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us Fan MailBirth stories can turn into life stories fast, and I’ve realized mine explain more about my work than any resume ever could. I’m A...

E117: Precipitous Birth

10 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us Fan MailLabor stories go viral when a baby is born in a car or a bathroom, but the real question is what it feels like from the inside, and wh...

E116: Perinatal Mental Health Basics with Sadie Clark

03 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us Fan MailThe moment a baby arrives, your brain and body change fast and not always in the ways you expected. I sit down with perinatal mental h...

E115: Essential Oils For Labor

27 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us Fan MailYour birth room has a “vibe,” and sometimes the fastest way to change it is through something you can’t even see: scent. I’m A...

E114: Pitocin 101

20 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us Fan MailPitocin gets talked about like a simple switch that “makes contractions stronger,” but the real story is more human and more nuanc...

E113: Tips to Avoiding a C-Section

13 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send a textOne number quietly shapes a lot of birth experiences: the cesarean section rate. When about one in three US babies is born by C-section, it...

E112: Low Milk Supply

27 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send a textThe first days of feeding can feel like a maze: a sleepy newborn, an empty‑looking pump bottle, and a mind full of what‑ifs. We pull th...

E111: Why I Love Being A Doula

20 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send a textWe share an unscripted reflection on why doula work still moves us after thousands of births, from client connection to teamwork with nurse...

E110: How Community Milk Sharing Bridges Feeding Gaps

13 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send a textEver wonder how families bridge the gap when milk supply lags, a baby struggles to transfer, or adoption and prematurity change the feeding...

E109: Prepare, Stay Open, Find Power In Any Path

06 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textBirth keeps us honest. Patterns suggest what might happen, then a baby turns face-first or a parent breathes through transition so quiet...

E108: Why Chiropractic Care Helps Labor Feel Smoother with Dr Kristina Kill

30 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textBirth doesn’t have to feel like a sprint against the clock or a battle with your own body. Angie sits down with Dr. Kristina Kill, a f...

E107: Building Better Black Maternal Health with Hakima Payne

23 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textBirth should feel safe, familiar, and centered on the family—yet too often the system delivers the opposite. We sit down with nurse, d...

E106: Morning Sickness, Made Understandable

16 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textNausea that won’t quit can turn early pregnancy into a maze of guesswork, guilt, and survival tactics. We’re pulling that experience...

E105: Complete Childbirth Prep vs Scrolling with Andrea Lythgoe

02 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textThe internet gives you a million opinions on birth; we give you a map. Angie sits down with veteran childbirth educator and doula Andrea...

E104: From Birth Center Plans To NICU Reality

26 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWhat happens when a carefully planned birth center delivery is suddenly rerouted by preeclampsia, a hospital admission, and a 34-week in...

E103: A Series of 19 Unmedicated Births

19 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textNineteen cousins, all born without medication, and not a single birth story was copy-pasted. Angie opens up about how a simple desire fo...

E102: Sacred Birth International with Anna Lundqvist

12 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWhat if birth is a rite of passage, not a procedure? Angie sits down with Swedish mentor and former midwife Anna Lundqvist to explore ho...

E101: Babies Scheduled My Week

05 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textThe calendar looks like dropped spaghetti, but every twist tells a story. We walk you through two real weeks of on-call life as a doula ...

E100: A Conversation with My Four Daughters

28 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textA hundred episodes felt like the right moment to gather around the kitchen table and pull back the curtain on what it’s like to grow u...

E99: Embrace The Wabi-Sabi Of Birth

21 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textBirth rarely reads the script we write for it—and that can be a source of strength rather than stress. We dig into the wabi-sabi minds...

E98: Fueling A Healthy Pregnancy

14 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textBuilding a baby is the most intense construction project your body will ever take on, and it runs twenty-four seven. Angie shares a prac...

E97: 23 Lessons From 23 Years Of Birth Work

07 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textBirth rarely follows a script, but patterns emerge when you’ve walked alongside thousands of families. Angie marks her 23rd year as a ...

E96: Postpartum, For Real

31 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWe reset the cultural script on early postpartum, naming the gap between glossy images and real recovery and offering practical ways to ...

E95: Burnout, Boundaries, and The Birth Worker

24 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWe explore burnout and boundaries in birth work with candor and care, from compassion fatigue to practical systems that protect energy a...

E94: The Confident Birth Partner: Simple Ways to Show Up and Steady the Room

10 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWe share how non‑doula support—partners, friends, and family—can steady the room, shorten labor, and raise confidence through simp...

E93: Understanding Preeclampsia: Warning Signs, Risks, and Real Stories

03 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textPreeclampsia can appear without warning and reshape a birth plan overnight. We explain the signs, risks, and care decisions with real st...

E92: Role of an OB on a Birth Team

26 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWe dive deep into the often-misunderstood role of obstetricians during labor and birth, revealing why they're typically not present...

E91: Utah's Journey of Birth Laws with Guest Holly Richardson

19 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textTwenty years ago, having a baby at home in Utah could land your midwife in jail with felony charges. Today, Utah boasts the most flexibl...

E90: Shoulder Dystocia

05 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textShoulder dystocia is a rare but significant birth complication where the baby's head is delivered but a shoulder gets stuck behind ...

E89: Doula Do's & Doula Don'ts

29 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textAngie Rosier shares insights on doula guidelines at hospitals, exploring the delicate balance between supporting clients and collaborati...

E88: Lights, Camera...Panic! How Media Shapes Our View of Childbirth

22 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textMedia portrayals of childbirth shape our cultural beliefs and personal expectations, often presenting inaccurate, dramatic versions that...

E87: Flange Fitting Fundamentals

15 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textA well-fitted breast pump flange is crucial for comfort, breast tissue protection, and maximum milk supply. The flange—the part of the...

E86: Corporate Calls: Who's Checking On You?

08 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textMaking personal connections with new parents is vital, especially in the clinical healthcare environment where postpartum families often...

E85: Holding the Heavy: When Birth Gets Hard

01 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textBirth work involves witnessing both beautiful and difficult moments, creating an emotional weight that doulas carry alongside their clie...

E84: Pump Talk: Wearable vs Plug-In

25 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textBreast pumps have evolved dramatically from ancient ceramic vessels to modern wearable technology, with significant changes in accessibi...

E83: Tiny Travelers: Tips for Traveling with Baby and Gear

18 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textTraveling with babies doesn't have to be overwhelming if you know what to bring and what to leave behind, with baby gear rental ser...

E82: Nipple Shields: Know When to Use this Breastfeeding Tool

11 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textNipple shields can be valuable, often temporary tools that help overcome breastfeeding challenges like flat or inverted nipples, painful...

E81: Is My Baby Getting Enough? A Lactation Expert Explains

04 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textLactation Consultant Angie Rosier shares insights about baby weight gain and how to know if your baby is getting enough milk. Many paren...

E80: Deep Latch Makes All the Difference in Your Breastfeeding Journey

27 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textThe deep latch is the cornerstone of successful breastfeeding, affecting everything from milk transfer to nipple comfort and baby's...

E79: Trust Your Gut: How Kimberlee's Journey Changed

20 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textKimberlee Williams shares her emotional journey from planning a home birth after three easy deliveries to facing a life-threatening medi...

E78: Addressing Obstetrical Racism

13 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textHealthcare disparities don't discriminate based on education or wealth—Black and brown women face mortality rates three to five t...

E77: The Wondrous Washcloth

06 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textThe humble washcloth is a powerful, versatile tool that can significantly enhance comfort during labor. With 20 years of doula experienc...

E76: Baby #1 vs. Baby #2, 3, 4 Etc: The Evolution of Birth Expectations

23 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWe explore the contrasting needs and expectations of first-time parents versus experienced parents during the birth process, highlightin...

E75: Fertility Journeys: Supporting Those Who've Faced Challenges

16 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textThe emotional journey of those who have experienced fertility challenges requires special care and understanding during pregnancy and bi...

E74: People, Place, and Policy: Birth's Hidden Players

09 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textBirth is influenced by three major stakeholders with different objectives: the birthing people, the birth place, and the policies govern...

E73: Dr. Venice Haynes Believes We can Transform Postpartum Support by 2030

02 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textDr. Venice Haynes shares her groundbreaking work on the 100 Weeks Project, which aims to transform maternal healthcare from preconceptio...

E72: Tools for Coping During Labor

25 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textThis extensive collection of coping techniques for labor is drawn from decades of doula experience, emphasizing how these tools can bene...

E71: Four Essential Tools Every Birth Partner Needs

18 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textPartners can provide deep and meaningful support during pregnancy, labor, and birth by developing specific skills beyond vague advice to...

E70: Bridging Two Worlds: Doula and Nurse Perspectives

12 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textAngie welcomes doula and nursing student Dani Reed to explore the complementary roles and challenges of nurses and doulas in the birth r...

E69: Empowering Postpartum: Advocacy and Personalized Care through Occupational Therapy with Royce Porter

21 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textThis episode emphasizes the critical role occupational therapy plays in supporting new parents during pregnancy and postpartum recovery....

E68: 3 Breech Deliveries

14 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textBreech births present unique challenges and require both education and empowerment for expectant parents. We dive into real-life stories...

E67: Breech Babies and Birth: What You Need to Know

07 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textThe episode dives into the topic of breech babies and the complexities surrounding their deliveries, offering insights on positioning, p...

E66: Funny and Unexpected Birth Moments

31 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textThis episode is a celebration of the unexpected humor found in childbirth, featuring a compilation of funny outtakes from Angie's e...

E65: Perspective and Childbirth

24 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textHave you ever wondered how your cultural background and personal beliefs shape your pregnancy and birth experience? Join us on The Ordin...

E64: Ways to Pay for a Doula

17 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textUnlock the secrets to affording invaluable doula support without breaking the bank. Join us on The Ordinary Doula Podcast as we explore ...

E63: Water as a Tool During Labor

10 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textUncover the secret to a more serene and empowered birth experience by mastering the art of using "Mother Nature's epidural&quo...

E62: Breastfeeding Method: Dinner Dessert

03 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textThis episode explores the intricacies of breastfeeding, focusing on the timing and duration of feeds. Listeners learn to embrace intuiti...

E61: Childbirth and Parenthood Intuition

27 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textThe episode explores the evolution of childbirth education and the paradox of having more access to information yet often feeling less i...

E60: Balls, Balls, Balls During and After Labor

20 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this episode, we discuss the role of birth balls and peanut balls as valuable tools during labor and the postpartum period. Learn how...

E:59 Benefits of Prenatal Lactation Preparation

13 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIn this episode, we explore the importance of prenatal lactation preparation and how it empowers expectant parents to navigate breastfee...

E58: Early Labor with Emily Steadman

06 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textHow does early labor really unfold, and why does it often catch new parents by surprise? Join us with our special guest, Emily Steadman,...

E57: Perfecting Your Flange Fit for Breastfeeding

29 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textEver wondered how a small piece of plastic could be the key to a comfortable and efficient pumping experience? Join us on The Ordinary D...

E56: People, Place, and Policy

22 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textHow can the right combination of people, place, and policy create a birth experience that feels empowering and supportive? Join us on Th...

E55: Instrument-Assisted Delivery

15 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textDiscover the hidden world of instrument-assisted delivery and learn why it remains an essential, albeit less common, aspect of modern ch...

E54: Plan for the Negative

08 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textDiscover the pivotal elements that can unexpectedly turn a birth experience from joyful to challenging. On this episode of The Ordinary ...

E53: Plan for the Positive

01 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textEver wondered what truly makes a birth experience empowering and memorable? Join The Ordinary Doula Podcast as we uncover the key factor...

E52: The Power of Touch During Labor

25 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textUnlock the transformative power of touch during labor and birth in our latest episode of The Ordinary Doula Podcast. Discover how a simp...

E51: Fun Facts about Childbirth

18 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textUnlock numbers with me, as we promise to reveal what two decades of doula work have taught about the birthing journey. Ever wondered how...

E50: Lactation Tales

11 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWhat if your breastfeeding journey took an unexpected turn, even after a successful experience with your first child? This episode of Th...

E49: Craniosacral Therapy for Baby's Health and Well-Being with Meaghan Beames - Part 2

04 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textDiscover how craniosacral therapy can be a game-changer for your baby's health and well-being with our special guest, Meaghan Beame...

E48: Craniosacral Therapy During Pregnancy and Postpartum with Meaghan Beames - Part 1

27 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWhat if a gentle touch could transform your pregnancy and birth experience? Join us as we unlock the secrets of craniosacral therapy wit...

E47: Guided Imagery and Mindfulness

20 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textCan the power of your imagination transform your childbirth experience and help in emergencies? We unravel the secrets behind guided ima...

E46: Lot of Great Births Lately!

13 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWhat makes for a truly remarkable birth experience? We reflect on the awe-inspiring births I've attended recently, shedding light o...

E45: Building Connections

06 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textHave you ever wondered how deep connections can transform your childbirth experience? From the intimate bonds between the birthing perso...

E44: Keeping Newborns Awake During Feeding

30 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWhat if you could keep your newborn awake during feeds with just a few simple techniques? Join us on The Ordinary Doula Podcast as we ta...

E43: How Grandmas Can Help

23 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textEver wondered how grandmothers and family members can truly make a difference during childbirth? This episode of The Ordinary Doula Podc...

E42: What It's Like to be a Doula

16 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textImagine being on call 24/7 for 20 years, constantly ready to support families during one of the most significant moments of their lives....

E41: Preventing Gestational Diabetes and Preeclampsia Through Nutrition and Lifestyle with Brittany Fox

09 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textCan your diet and lifestyle choices really prevent complications like gestational diabetes and preeclampsia during pregnancy? Brittany F...

E40: Third Stage of Labor - Delivering the Placenta

02 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textEver wondered about the often overlooked yet vital third stage of labor? Tune in as we unravel the intricacies of delivering the placent...

Birth Doula Training – Fall 2024

30 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textHave you ever wondered how you can make a profound difference during one of the most critical times in a person's life? Join us on ...

E39: Second Stage of Labor - Pushing

26 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textEver wondered why the second stage of labor, the pushing phase, can vary so much in duration? From understanding how the cervix fully di...

E38: First Stage of Labor

19 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWhat if understanding the stages of labor could transform your childbirth experience, making it more empowering and less daunting? On Th...

E37: Perineal Tear Prevention Strategies with Dr. Katie Taylor

12 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWhat if there were simple, evidence-based strategies to minimize your risk of perineal tearing during childbirth? Join us on this enligh...

E36: Postpartum Care

05 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textJoin us on The Ordinary Doula Podcast as we uncover the often forgotten, yet vital period right after birth and how different birthing e...

E35: The Importance of Protein During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding with Brittany Fox

28 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textEver wondered why protein is so crucial during pregnancy and breastfeeding? Join us on The Ordinary Doula Podcast as we talk with Britta...

E34: Co-Regulation - How Support Really Works

21 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textListen as we discuss the art of co-regulation and its profound effect on the dynamic dance between mother, baby, and birth team. This is...

E33: Pelvic Floor Health with Dr. Katie Taylor

14 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textIs urinary incontinence after childbirth just something moms have to live with? Not according to Dr. Katie Taylor, a pelvic floor physic...

E32: Estimated Blood Loss (EBL)

07 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textEver wondered why there's not as much blood during labor as you might expect, given it's such a monumental physical event? Joi...

E31: Doula Love

31 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textHave you ever wondered about the depth of connection that forms in the quiet, powerful moments of childbirth? Enjoy this narrative throu...

E30: What is the APGAR Score?

24 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textWe are here to decode the APGAR score for you, shedding light on how this quick but thorough assessment paints a picture of your newborn...

E29: 10 Basic Needs During Childbirth

17 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textMental and emotional preparation for childbirth is just as important as physical preparation. In this episode, we will share 10 ways whi...

E28: Product Review: Breastfeeding Pillows

10 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textEver feel like you're swimming in a sea of baby gear, unsure what's a must-have and what's just clever marketing fluff? L...

E27: What do Folks Hope for in the Childbirth Experience?

03 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textThis episode of the Ordinary Doula Podcast promises to illuminate the deeper aspirations expectant families harbor for their labor and b...

E26: Memories from Moms

26 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textHave you ever stood at the precipice of life's most profound moment and felt the world shift beneath you? Each contraction, each br...

E25: A Peek at History - From Home to Hospital Birth

19 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Send us a textEmbark on a time-traveling adventure as we review the captivating evolution of childbirth in the United States. From the intimate commun...