Ask the Doulas Podcast

Episódios

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  From Overwhelmed to Empowered Building Trust As A New Parent with Dr. Mona. 04.08.2026 34min

  Send us Fan Mail Becoming a parent is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. From endless online advice to well-meaning opinions from family and friends, it's easy to question every decision. In this episode of Ask the Doulas, Kristin Revere sits down with Dr. Mona Amin, a board-certified pediatrician, IBCLC, and mom, to discuss how parents can move from feeling overwhelmed to empowered during the newborn stage. Dr. Mona shares why the first weeks with a baby can feel so challenging and...
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  Celebrating 350 Episodes of Ask the Doulas with Kristin Revere | The Journey Since 2017 28.07.2026 47min

  Send us Fan Mail Join host Kristin Revere for a special solo episode celebrating 350 published episodes of Ask the Doulas! Since launching the podcast in 2017 around a conference table at the Gold Coast Doulas office in Grand Rapids, Ask the Doulas has grown into a trusted resource for expecting families, new parents, and birth and baby professionals around the world. In this milestone episode, Kristin reflects on the journey from recording local interviews to hosting nationally recognized ex...
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  What the Evidence Says About the Vitamin K Shot for Newborns with Dr. Jennifer Lincoln 21.07.2026 25min

  Send us Fan Mail How much do you really know about the Vitamin K shot for newborns? What does the evidence say, why is the Vitamin K injection recommended shortly after birth, and what should parents consider when making an informed decision? In this episode of the Ask the Doulas Podcast, Kristin Revere sits down with board-certified OB-GYN, educator, and bestselling author Dr. Jennifer Lincoln to explore the evidence, common myths, and informed decision-making surrounding Vitamin K. Dr. Linc...
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  How AI Can Help Reduce the Mental Load of Motherhood with Christy Shannon 14.07.2026 27min

  Send us Fan Mail How can you reduce the mental load of motherhood and feel less overwhelmed by everything you have to remember, plan, and manage? In this episode of Ask the Doulas, Kristin Revere sits down with Christy Shannon, Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Ollie AI, to explore the invisible mental load of motherhood and how technology can help lighten it. From managing family schedules and meal planning to keeping track of appointments and the never-ending to-do list, mothers oft...
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  Breast Pumping Tips for Increasing Milk Supply with Chelsea Anderson, CLC of BabyBuddha 07.07.2026 23min

  Send us Fan Mail How can you increase milk supply with pumping, build an effective pumping routine, and continue breastfeeding when life gets busy? Whether you're exclusively pumping, building a freezer stash, returning to work, or trying to increase your milk production, knowing how to pump effectively can make feeding feel more manageable. In this episode of Ask the Doulas, Kristin Revere talks with Chelsea Anderson, CLC from BabyBuddha, about pumping, milk supply, and combining breastfeedi...
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  How Busy Parents Can Prepare for Childbirth with Ashley Brichter of Birthsmarter 29.06.2026 35min

  Send us Fan Mail How can busy parents find time to prepare for childbirth? With packed schedules and endless pregnancy information online, many expecting parents struggle to fit childbirth classes and birth preparation into their lives. The challenge is not always finding the right class. It is finding an approach to childbirth education that fits the realities of modern family life. In this episode of the Ask the Doulas Podcast, Kristin Revere talks with Ashley Brichter, founder and CEO of B...
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  How to Prepare for Postpartum Before Your Baby Arrives with Kristin Revere 23.06.2026 22min

  Send us Fan Mail How do you prepare for postpartum before your baby arrives? Planning for recovery, sleep, meals, feeding support, mental health, household help, and visitors can make the transition into the fourth trimester feel more manageable. A postpartum support plan gives expecting parents a chance to think through what they will need, who can help, and how responsibilities will be handled once the baby comes home. In this solo episode of the Ask the Doulas Podcast, Kristin Revere share...
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  How to Support Perinatal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum with Katie Crenshaw 16.06.2026 15min

  Send us Fan Mail How can you get support for your mental health during pregnancy and after having a baby? Perinatal mental health challenges, including depression and anxiety, can affect parents during pregnancy and postpartum, yet stigma and lack of awareness can make it difficult to know when to seek help or where to turn. In this episode of the Ask the Doulas Podcast, Kristin Revere sits down with Katie Crenshaw, Brand and Integrated Marketing Manager at Postpartum Support Internati...
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  How Can Birth Be Made Safer Through Better Maternal Healthcare Systems with Dr. Vandana Arcot, MD 09.06.2026 37min

  Send us Fan Mail What makes birth safer, and what role does healthcare infrastructure play in maternal and newborn health? Safe birth depends on more than medical care alone. Reliable transportation, hospitals and clinics, electricity, medication storage, emergency services, and trained healthcare providers all play an important role in improving maternal health and birth outcomes. In this episode of Ask the Doulas, Kristin Revere speaks with Dr. Vandana Arcot, MD, a philanthropist and global...
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  What Should I Pack in My Hospital Bag? Birth, Recovery and Newborn Essentials with Kristin Revere 02.06.2026 27min

  Send us Fan Mail What should you pack in your hospital bag for labor, delivery, postpartum recovery, and your baby? If you are searching for a hospital bag checklist, it can be difficult to know which essentials you really need and what you can leave at home. In this solo episode of Ask the Doulas, Kristin Revere shares her guidance on what to pack in a hospital bag for birth and postpartum recovery. She covers hospital bag essentials for birthing parents, partners, and newborns, including la...
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  Measles Outbreak: Vaccine Protection and What Parents Should Know With Dr. Michael T. Myers Jr. 26.05.2026 20min

  Send us Fan Mail Measles outbreaks and vaccine protection are becoming a growing concern for parents as cases rise again across the U.S. What do families actually need to know, and what steps are recommended if exposure happens? In this episode of Ask the Doulas, Kristin sits down with Dr. Michael T. Myers Jr., a pediatrician with more than 35 years of experience in pediatrics, public health, and healthcare consulting, and former Chief of Primary Care, Pediatrics, and Practice Transformation ...
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  How to Calm a Crying Baby: The Science of Soothing Newborns With Dr. Harvey Karp 19.05.2026 31min

  Send us Fan Mail Baby soothing techniques, newborn sleep help, and how to calm a crying baby are some of the most searched concerns for new parents in the early postpartum weeks. But what actually works when your baby is inconsolable and sleep feels impossible? In this episode of Ask the Doulas, Kristin Revere is joined by Dr. Harvey Karp, renowned pediatrician, bestselling author of The Happiest Baby on the Block, and founder and CEO of Happiest Baby, to share practical, science-backed strat...
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  Postpartum Sleep Deprivation: How It Affects Mental Health With Mariana Yancik 12.05.2026 22min

  Send us Fan Mail Sleep deprivation, postpartum mental health, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) are often dismissed as a normal part of new parenthood, but chronic exhaustion can affect the brain and body in ways that go well beyond tiredness. In this episode of Ask the Doulas, we're joined by Mariana Yancik of Gold Coast Doulas to explore the connection between sleep deprivation and PMADs, and how this affects parents during pregnancy and the postpartum period. We dive into: H...
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  Postpartum Care: What Happens After You Leave the Hospital With Ciara Lyons 05.05.2026 24min

  Send us Fan Mail Postpartum recovery and fourth trimester support are often the most overwhelming parts of having a baby, especially when families are sent home from the hospital without a clear roadmap for what comes next. But what actually happens during this transition, and why do so many parents feel unprepared? In this episode of Ask the Doulas, Kristin Revere is joined by Ciara Lyons, MSN, RN, PHN, to explore the physical, emotional, and mental transition into postpartum life and the ga...
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  Cost of Having a Baby: What You Actually Need to Budget For With Kristin Revere 28.04.2026 17min

  Send us Fan Mail The cost of having a baby, from pregnancy and birth to postpartum care, adds up faster than most families expect. And even with insurance, out-of-pocket expenses can catch you off guard. In this solo episode of Ask the Doulas, Kristin Revere of Gold Coast Doulas breaks down what families should realistically budget for during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period, including both expected costs and the ones nobody warns you about. We dive into: How to prioritize spending...
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  How to Improve Newborn Sleep: What Actually Works for Exhausted Parents With Mariana Yancik 21.04.2026 18min

  Send us Fan Mail Newborn sleep is unpredictable, frequent wake-ups are normal, and exhaustion in those early weeks is common. The key is understanding what newborn sleep actually looks like, and how to work with it rather than against it. In this episode of Ask the Doulas podcast, we’re joined by certified sleep consultant Mariana Yancik of Gold Coast Doulas to explore what newborn sleep really looks like and how parents can set realistic expectations during the early months. We dive into: • ...
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  Daycare Sleep: How to Fix Baby and Toddler Nap Problems With Allison Egidi 14.04.2026 22min

  Send us Fan Mail Daycare sleep problems are one of the most common challenges parents face, especially when baby and toddler naps suddenly become inconsistent outside the home. But what’s actually driving these changes, and how can parents approach it? In this episode of Ask the Doulas, we’re joined by certified pediatric sleep coach Allison Egidi, founder of Sleep and Wellness Coach, who has supported over 1,000 families in improving baby and toddler sleep and navigating daycare sleep transi...
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  Birth Center Care: Expanding Access to Midwifery-Led Birth With Lauren McCullough 07.04.2026 25min

  Send us Fan Mail Birth center access, midwifery care in the US, and finding birth center options are becoming increasingly important for families trying to navigate maternity care. But why is access still so limited, and what is being done to change it? In this episode of Ask the Doulas, we’re joined by Lauren McCullough, labor and delivery nurse turned birth center strategist and founder behind national initiatives advancing midwifery-led care and improving maternal health systems across the...
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  Dog and Baby Safety: How to Introduce Your Dog to a Newborn With Dominika Knossalla-Pado 31.03.2026 36min

  Send us Fan Mail Bringing a dog and newborn home together, preparing your dog for a baby, and managing pet behaviour after birth are some of the biggest concerns for expecting parents. But how do you actually make that transition safe, calm, and predictable when emotions, routines, and attention all change at once? In this episode of Ask the Doulas, we’re joined by Dominika Knossalla-Pado, certified dog trainer and founder of Dog Meets Baby, to talk about how families can safely prepare their...
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  Baby Sleep Training Methods Explained with Sleep Consultant Mariana Yancik 24.03.2026 18min

  Send us Fan Mail Sleep struggles are one of the most common challenges new parents face, especially when navigating conflicting advice about gentle methods versus the cry it out approach. So how do you find what's right for your baby and your family? In this episode of Ask the Doulas, sleep consultant Mariana Yancik of Gold Coast Doulas breaks down the differences between popular sleep training methods and what they look like in real-life parenting. She shares expert insight on infant sleep d...