Birth, Baby! | Guidance for Pregnancy, Birth, Postpartum, and Parenting

If you’re a doula working with an agency, or considering it, understanding whether you’re classified as an employee or an independent contractor isn’t just a technical detail… it directly impacts your pay, taxes, legal protections, and overall work experience.

In this episode, I sit down with fellow doula agency owner, Allison Coleman, to break down the real differences between employee and contractor roles in the doula world. We g...

Hearing the words high blood pressure during pregnancy can feel overwhelming but understanding what it actually means can make a huge difference in how you navigate your care and your birth.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the differences between chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, and preeclampsia in a way that’s easy to understand and actually helpful. We’ll talk about how each condition is diagnosed, common sympto...

In this birth story episode, Shelby shares her powerful journey through pregnancy, HELLP syndrome, a premature delivery, months long NICU experience, and her inspiring approach to birth planning and recovery. She also shares her second and third TOLAC/VBAC plans and outcomes. This episode highlights the importance of informed choices, listening to your intuition, and advocating for your birth experience.

Shelby’s Bio: My name is Sh...

If you’ve had a baby before and expected getting pregnant again to be straightforward, but it’s not, you’re not alone! In this episode, I’m joined by a fertility doula to talk about secondary infertility—what it is, why it happens, and the emotional complexity that often comes with it. This is a topic that’s not talked about enough, and many families feel confused or even guilty for struggling when they already have a child.

We bre...

Pregnancy is often seen as a time of joy, but for many, it can also be a time of increased vulnerability and risk.

In this powerful and eye-opening conversation, Ciarra sits down with Laramie Gorbett, an expert in domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, to unpack the realities of abuse during pregnancy. Together, they explore how relationship dynamics can shift, the warning signs that are often overlooked, and how...

Being told your labor “isn’t progressing” can feel discouraging and for many families, it’s the moment where birth plans suddenly shift. But what does “failure to progress” actually mean?

This episode breaks down the true definition of labor dystocia based on current ACOG guidelines, including what actually counts as progress in labor. We’ll talk about dilation, effacement, and station (and why dilation alone doesn’t tell the full ...

Evelyn Houder is back to share her stories of home birth after cesarean and her transformative journey through motherhood. She details the contrast of these experiences with pregnancy, birth, and postpartum compared to her first. From her initial struggles with IVF to her decision to pursue a home birth, Evelyn emphasizes the importance of intuition, advocacy, and finding the right support during the birthing process. She reflects ...

Maxine Eiland is back to discuss how hormonal cycles influence women's training, energy, and recovery, emphasizing the importance of honoring the body's signals and adjusting workouts accordingly.

With a passion for supporting women through all stages of life—including fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, menopause and beyond—Maxine offers personalized training programs tailored to each individual's needs. Her approach emphasizes stre...

In the world of childbirth, the conversation around doulas often leans heavily towards natural births, leaving many to wonder: what happens when a C-section is necessary? Spoiler alert: doulas are just as crucial during surgical births. In this episode, we’ll explore the invaluable support that a doula can provide during both planned and unplanned C-sections, ensuring that families feel informed, supported, and empowered.

Get acces...

Mary Farrelly, RN, BSN, RNC-NIC, C-ND, a NICU nurse, educator, and doula trainer, joins Ciarra to shares her expertise on the NICU experience. She discusses what the NICU is, common reasons for NICU stays, how families can prepare, and the vital role of NICU doulas in supporting families through this challenging journey.

Mary has over a decade of experience supporting babies and families through some of the most complex beginnings....

Maxine Eiland joins host Ciarra Morgan to discuss the crucial role of estrogen and hormones in women's health, especially as they age. Topics include signs of estrogen decline, menopause, hormone replacement therapy, and how to optimize health during midlife.

With a passion for supporting women through all stages of life—including fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, menopause and beyond—Maxine offers personalized training programs ta...

A candid conversation about IVF, embryo decisions, and the overlooked counseling on embryo options. Exploring personal experiences, ethical dilemmas, and the need for better guidance in reproductive choices.

For many years, Evelyn lived in LA and SF, CA as a dancer, actor and on-camera talent, turned media producer. She drastically changed course when she decided to take on the role of a lifetime as a mama and eventually move to th...

Evelyn Houder joins host Ciarra Morgan to share her profound journey through the pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery of her first child. She discusses the struggles she faced in conceiving, her experience with IVF, and the choices she made regarding her birth plan. Evelyn reflects on the emotional and physical challenges of labor, the impact of medical interventions, and the feelings of defeat and anger she experienced during...

Paula Yost, a seasoned attorney and mental health clinician, joins host Ciarra Morgan to discuss the importance of advocacy in parenting, particularly in medical and educational settings. She emphasizes the need for parents to advocate for themselves and their children, sharing personal experiences and practical strategies for effective advocacy. The discussion covers various challenges parents face, the emotional toll of advocacy,...

Tracy Donegan joins host Ciarra Morgan to discuss the innovative use of red light therapy, particularly its applications for postpartum recovery. She explains the science behind photobiomodulation, the benefits for new mothers, and the importance of proper device selection. The discussion also touches on mental health implications, safety considerations, and the future potential of red light therapy in various health contexts.

Conn...

Bringing a new life into the world is a profound experience, but for neurodivergent parents, pregnancy and postpartum can present unique challenges. Alix Myers, a neuroaffirming doula and parenting support specialist, joins host Ciarra Morgan to discuss strategies for support, comfort, and communication during this crucial journey. You’ll gain valuable strategies to support your journey through pregnancy and postpartum with clarity...

Shamrea Marquell joins host Ciarra Morgan to share her journey of motherhood, from her initial reluctance to have children to her eventual pregnancy and the challenges she faced during and after childbirth. She discusses her experiences with pregnancy and the mental health challenges she encountered postpartum from the perspective of a person that experienced childhood trauma. Shamrea emphasizes the importance of self-identity and ...

Lindsay DiCello, founder of Austin Yoga Lounge, joins host Ciarra Morgan to discuss the unique aspects of prenatal yoga and its significance for expecting mothers. She highlights the differences between prenatal and traditional yoga, emphasizing the importance of tailored practices that address the physiological changes during pregnancy. The discussion also covers the impact of prenatal yoga on labor duration, recovery, and mental ...

Ciarra is joined by Jessica Semar, IBCLC, to discuss the complexities of alcohol consumption during breastfeeding. They address common myths, such as the necessity of pumping and dumping after drinking, and provide insights into how alcohol metabolizes in the body and its effects on breast milk. The discussion also touches on societal judgments surrounding breastfeeding parents who consume alcohol and the importance of evidence-bas...