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
93 episodes
E90: Shoulder Dystocia
Shoulder dystocia is a rare but significant birth complication where the baby's head is delivered but a shoulder gets stuck behind the mother's pubic bone, similar to moving furniture through a doorway. • Occurs in only 0.5-1% of b...
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Episode 90
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14:27
E89: Doula Do's & Doula Don'ts
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 r...
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Episode 89
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20:11
E88: Lights, Camera...Panic! How Media Shapes Our View of Childbirth
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 e...
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Episode 88
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23:20
E87: Flange Fitting Fundamentals
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...
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Episode 87
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11:07
E86: Corporate Calls: Who's Checking On You?
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 dur...
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Episode 86
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10:16
E85: Holding the Heavy: When Birth Gets Hard
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 es...
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Episode 85
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18:44
E84: Pump Talk: Wearable vs Plug-In
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...
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Episode 84
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19:21
E83: Tiny Travelers: Tips for Traveling with Baby and Gear
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 bri...
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Episode 83
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14:31
E82: Nipple Shields: Know When to Use this Breastfeeding Tool
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 ...
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Episode 82
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14:18
E81: Is My Baby Getting Enough? A Lactation Expert Explains
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...
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Episode 81
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17:09
E80: Deep Latch Makes All the Difference in Your Breastfeeding Journey
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 prac...
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Episode 80
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18:15
E79: Trust Your Gut: How Kimberlee's Journey Changed
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 Ut...
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Episode 79
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54:41
E78: Addressing Obstetrical Racism
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 di...
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Episode 78
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16:58
E77: The Wondrous Washcloth
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...
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Episode 77
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12:08
E76: Baby #1 vs. Baby #2, 3, 4 Etc: The Evolution of Birth Expectations
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 includi...
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Episode 76
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13:46
E75: Fertility Journeys: Supporting Those Who've Faced Challenges
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.• Growi...
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Episode 75
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12:16
E74: People, Place, and Policy: Birth's Hidden Players
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 wh...
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Episode 74
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18:16
E73: Dr. Venice Haynes Believes We can Transform Postpartum Support by 2030
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. S...
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Episode 73
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45:40
E72: Tools for Coping During Labor
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 knowl...
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Episode 72
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14:11
E71: Four Essential Tools Every Birth Partner Needs
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 k...
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Episode 71
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16:21
E70: Bridging Two Worlds: Doula and Nurse Perspectives
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 f...
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Episode 70
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39:21
E69: Empowering Postpartum: Advocacy and Personalized Care through Occupational Therapy with Royce Porter
This episode emphasizes the critical role occupational therapy plays in supporting new parents during pregnancy and postpartum recovery. By focusing on individualized wellness approaches, the conversation enhances understanding of the integrate...
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Episode 69
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42:13
E68: 3 Breech Deliveries
Breech births present unique challenges and require both education and empowerment for expectant parents. We dive into real-life stories, shedding light on the skills needed for breech deliveries and the importance of having informed practition...
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Episode 68
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21:05
E67: Breech Babies and Birth: What You Need to Know
The episode dives into the topic of breech babies and the complexities surrounding their deliveries, offering insights on positioning, potential solutions, and historical context. With a focus on empowering expectant parents, the discussion emp...
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Episode 67
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26:11
E66: Funny and Unexpected Birth Moments
This episode is a celebration of the unexpected humor found in childbirth, featuring a compilation of funny outtakes from Angie's experiences as a doula. Through laughter and story-sharing, we explore the unpredictable nature of labor and the c...
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Episode 66
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25:02