This week Alise talks with Isabelle as she describes her birth experience. She explains, as a driven busy professional,how she prepared for birth, the challenges of back labor and how she found strength in being flexible with her birth plans. "I thought birth was just going to be this physical feat I was going to do..... but it was the most empowered experience of my life". She navigated position changes for hours trying to change baby's position and ultimately found that an epidural was what wo...
Nov 26, 2018•29 min•Ep. 18
Part 1: Let’s Get Physical What's the "411" on active labor? In fact, we can get the impression that having contractions every 4 minutes, that last for a minute long, and this pattern has been happening for an hour or more automatically means you're in active labor. There’s so much more to knowing you’re in active labor. Don’t worry! Most babies don’t fall out. If yours does, congrats, that was a super efficient birth! Pay attention to the timing but also the shift that has happen. Are you, or t...
Nov 19, 2018•51 min•Ep. 17
First trimester- Rest, get through! You'll probably be really tired, possibly feeling sick, and just plain not feel well. You may need to make excuses for not showing up at events or sneaking out of happy hour early. You may or may not eat well (concentrate on eating protein rich foods when able as this can help regulate your blood sugar and keep nausea at by). Forgive yourself, you've got lots of time to eat fresh fruits and veggies. You may or may not feel excited. Practice self acceptance. Ge...
Nov 12, 2018•48 min•Ep. 16
Why do babies need all this stuff? Believe it or not, sooner or later you’ll need to pee, take a shower, eat or even do a load of laundry. In the first weeks babies do sleep a lot but eventually they start to wake up and you’ll need a place to put your baby. This week we are talking about gear that will make your life easier and get you a little more hands-free time, a little more sleep and maybe even a meal while it's still hot Fourth trimester theory! Babies often need another three months in ...
Nov 05, 2018•55 min•Ep. 15
You're the mama now! Jen and Alise give you some encouragement and tips on how to set boundaries with family that may have expectations on the way you might parent or birth. Don't feel forced to do things the way they've always been done. Setting clear boundaries and having hard conversations early on will often make moving forward as a parent easier on your relationships. 1. Get on the same page with your partner - parents on the same page are able to come together stronger and create stronger ...
Oct 22, 2018•53 min•Ep. 13
Early labor- a time to do your do, Netflix and Chill, and tell that adrenaline to go away until it's time to push. We give practical tips for when to head to the hospital, remind you that your cervix is not connected to the contraction timer app, and remind you to invite "relaxing" people to be around your labor. Knowledge is power- we remind you that early labor can last a while! Stay out of your head and it's ok NOT to start deep breathing and doing all the things you learned in that awesome c...
Oct 08, 2018•47 min•Ep. 12
Last week we discussed 10 things that might make you say "Whoa, did that just come out of me", this week we have another 10. This list is a little different as we touch on the emotion and perhaps more vocal side of birth. You might be surprised at some of the things that come out of you. This week we are leaving the liquids behind and getting down to the tears and the swear words that might start coming out and all of the surprising emotions. Jen and Alise will discuss how to work through all th...
Sep 24, 2018•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 11
10 things that will come out of your body during labor and birth that will make you say, "whoa, did that just come out of me". Birth, like parenthood, can be messy. Don't get caught by surprise. Everyone knows there's a little blood sweat and tears in birth but what about all the other things that come out of your body? And it's not all lists, Jen and Alise have a messy parenthood story contest between themselves. Alise's kids may have fleas. The doulas have the old debate, adult diaper vs thong...
Sep 17, 2018•45 min•Ep. 10
You've got the power! In fact, it's been there all along my dear, and we will help you find it. Maybe you need a cape, some red lipstick or a really solid birth plan. No matter what calls to you or what type of birth you want, you can always find your power. Jen and Alise offer useful tips for finding your power and helping you prepare for feeling powerful in labor, way before labor ever begins. It's never to earl to begin. From educating yourself to preparing yourself, you will find several way...
Sep 10, 2018•59 min•Ep. 9
You've heard the saying, "it takes a village to raise a baby". Now if only that village knew how to support new parents and new parents felt comfortable asking for help. Jen & Alise will help you make the most of your village and your help. Don't get caught hosting visitors after having a baby. Learn helpful tips to maximize support before and after baby arrives. This week is all about creating a village so you can heal your body and bond with baby, not worry about dishes and dinner.
Sep 04, 2018•48 min•Ep. 8
On this episode, we're getting real (NOT instilling fear though!) about what to expect POSTPARTUM. Nobody gets to skip this stage. Jen will explain exactly what the heck that word means and as usual we're normalizing something.... in this case what's happening to YOUR body. Find out why there may be some farting in your future. Fundal massage- don't let the word massage fool you! We take the "fun" out of fundal massage. Find out why its needed. We discuss intuition and all the information coming...
Aug 28, 2018•55 min•Ep. 7
Jen & Alise are back to being your friends again and giving you all the information you need to know to give birth. You can’t will your cervix into a juicy pear or into a dilated cervix and they will tell you why. This week they are giving you tons of information on how to navigate labor and how to remember how amazing you are no matter how you give birth. Figure out what birth options are the right options for you and how to own your badassary with birth.
Aug 21, 2018•56 min•Ep. 6
Jen & Alise had the amazing opportunity to sit down and chat with Amy, the owner, and founder of Pumpspotting and the traveling breastfeeding/pumping bus, Barb. This week we cover everything from what it’s like to try to do “all the things”, to ways folks can make a breastfeeding plan to prepare their family and friends to help support them on their breastfeeding journey. Find out why community and support are important for all stages of parenting. After the show, don't forget to download th...
Aug 14, 2018•53 min•Ep. 5
What Your Friends Never Told You About Pregnancy Sure, your friends told you about swollen ankles and morning sickness but they probably never told you about finding foods that really worked with morning sickness. You know, the foods that taste the same coming up as they do going down. Body changes, pregnancy clothes, pregnancy sex? Don't worry, Jen & Alise have your back. This week, find out the honest truth about all the things your closest friends should have told you about pregnancy....
Aug 06, 2018•46 min•Ep. 4
We are fed up of the same old message that there's one way to have a baby and raise a baby. We think our listeners deserve a little bit more credit and are smart enough to make their own decisions. Isn't time to hear more than just how big your baby is compared to the size of a fruit? How big is a papaya anyway? Get to know us this week and find out why we decided to break out of doula office and start podcasting.
Jul 28, 2018•28 min•Ep. 2
You've heard the rumors? Is it true? Is it really as bad as you've heard? Can you avoid it? Jen & Alise give the honest truth on pooping during labor. They discuss their own personal stories and stories of births they've attended with and without poop.
Jul 26, 2018•18 min•Ep. 3
Is mom shaming the grownup version of mean girling? This generation having babies wants so much more. Often, they've waited longer to have babies so that they can have it all. They want the career, the emotional connection, the gourmet meal and the strong attachment to everyone they've intentionally chosen to have in their lives. The only thing that leaves room for is a whole lot of guilt when there isn't room to cram it all in or they just feel like frozen pizza for dinner. Jen and Alise share ...
Jul 24, 2018•38 min•Ep. 1
