The Ordinary Doula Podcast

Angie Rosier
  • 5.0 (9)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

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.

  1. 6D AGO

    E116: Perinatal Mental Health Basics with Sadie Clark

    Send us Fan Mail The moment a baby arrives, your brain and body change fast and not always in the ways you expected. I sit down with perinatal mental health therapist Sadie Clark to name what so many parents feel but struggle to say out loud: mood shifts can start in pregnancy, the baby blues have a real timeline, and “pushing through” is not the same thing as doing well. We dig into the practical side of postpartum mental health, including how sleep deprivation affects nearly every condition, why motivation tanks when you are running on empty, and how baseline self-care like food and rest can be the most powerful first step. Sadie also shares her own experience with a breech baby and a planned C-section, plus the grief that can come when birth doesn’t match the picture you carried for months. We talk about holding two truths at once using “and” instead of “but,” so joy and disappointment can coexist without canceling each other out. Then we get specific about postpartum anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and perinatal OCD, including the “what if” spiral, the heavy “should” list, and the relationship strain that shows up when everything has to be done a certain way. If you have a history of anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or OCD, Sadie explains why the postpartum window of tolerance can narrow and what to do about it. We also cover treatment options, medication fears while breastfeeding, and where to find specialized help through Postpartum Support International, the PMHC credential, and Psychology Today. If this conversation helps you feel seen, subscribe for more birth and postpartum support, share it with a parent who needs it, and leave a review so more families can find these tools. What part of postpartum mental health do you wish people talked about sooner? https://www.serenityrw.com/meet-sadie/ Visit our website, here: https://birthlearning.com/ Follow us on Facebook at Birth Learning  Follow us on Instagram at @birthlearning  Show Credits Host: Angie Rosier  Music: Michael Hicks  Photographer: Toni Walker Episode Artwork: Nick Greenwood  Producer: Gillian Rosier Frampton Voiceover: Ryan Parker

    52 min

  2. MAR 27

    E115: Essential Oils For Labor

    Send us Fan Mail Your birth room has a “vibe,” and sometimes the fastest way to change it is through something you can’t even see: scent. I’m Angie Roger, and I’m sharing a grounded, real-world take on essential oils for labor and birth. No miracle claims, no fearmongering just how I use aromatherapy as an optional comfort tool that can support relaxation, focus, and a sense of safety while you do the real work of labor. We talk about why the sense of smell is such a direct line to emotion and memory through the limbic system, and how that can matter when contractions get intense. I walk through the oils I see used most often in childbirth, including lavender for calming, citrus like lemon or orange for an energizing lift, peppermint as a go-to option for nausea, and where clary sage fits into the conversation. I also share how I handle a quick “smell test” so the laboring person stays in charge and we can pivot fast if a scent suddenly feels wrong. You’ll also hear practical tips for using essential oils safely and respectfully in shared spaces like hospitals: why I prefer a few drops on a tissue or washcloth, what to know about diffuser rules and staff sensitivities, and how scent can layer with other coping techniques like cool cloths and airflow. If you’re building your birth bag or stocking a doula kit, this gives you a simple way to plan ahead without overcomplicating it. Subscribe, share this with a friend who’s preparing for birth, and leave a review with your favorite calming scent so others can try it too. Visit our website, here: https://birthlearning.com/ Follow us on Facebook at Birth Learning  Follow us on Instagram at @birthlearning  Show Credits Host: Angie Rosier  Music: Michael Hicks  Photographer: Toni Walker Episode Artwork: Nick Greenwood  Producer: Gillian Rosier Frampton Voiceover: Ryan Parker

    18 min

  3. MAR 20

    E114: Pitocin 101

    Send us Fan Mail Pitocin gets talked about like a simple switch that “makes contractions stronger,” but the real story is more human and more nuanced. We unpack what Pitocin actually is (synthetic oxytocin), why it’s used so often in hospitals, and how its steady IV delivery can create a very different labor experience than the pulsed, feedback-driven oxytocin your brain releases during physiologic birth. We walk through the three most common moments Pitocin shows up: induction when labor hasn’t started, augmentation when labor stalls, and postpartum care to prevent or treat bleeding. From there, we get specific about what changes when Pitocin enters the picture: why it doesn’t cross the blood-brain barrier in the same way, why that can mean less emotional “warm and safe” support from your own hormones, and why some people feel contractions ramp up faster or hit harder. We also cover how Pitocin is typically titrated, what “dose-dependent” really means, why sensitivity varies so much person to person, and what continuous fetal monitoring is looking for when contractions become longer, stronger, and closer together. Most importantly, we focus on what you can do with this information. We share practical language for asking about a low starting dose and a slower increase schedule, plus comfort tools that can help bring endorphins and natural oxytocin back into the room: privacy, calm, touch, water, position changes, and steady support from your partner and doula. If you want to feel more prepared, less rattled by interventions, and more empowered in decision-making, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share with a pregnant friend, and leave a review with the question you want answered next. Visit our website, here: https://birthlearning.com/ Follow us on Facebook at Birth Learning  Follow us on Instagram at @birthlearning  Show Credits Host: Angie Rosier  Music: Michael Hicks  Photographer: Toni Walker Episode Artwork: Nick Greenwood  Producer: Gillian Rosier Frampton Voiceover: Ryan Parker

    24 min

  4. MAR 13

    E113: Tips to Avoiding a C-Section

    Send us Fan Mail One 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 raises a big question for anyone planning a birth: how many of those surgeries are truly necessary, and what can we do to lower the odds of an avoidable one without turning birth into a battle plan? I walk through the real factors that push C-section rates up or down, starting with the two choices that often matter most: your provider and your birth setting. We talk about what to ask in prenatal visits, including primary cesarean rates, how your team handles slow labor, and how long they have seen pushing still end in a healthy vaginal birth. You will also hear why midwifery care and hospital culture can change your experience more than you might expect. Then we get practical. We cover pregnancy movement, pelvic mobility, fetal positioning, and ways to protect mobility during labor even if you get an epidural. I also dig into pregnancy nutrition as a neglected tool, with simple guidance around protein, fiber, and reducing sugar to support steady blood sugar and reduce common complications. Finally, we talk early labor strategy, when it is safe to stay home longer, and why continuous support from a partner, doula, nurse, or midwife can lower interventions and build confidence. If you want evidence-informed, down-to-earth tips for avoiding an unnecessary C-section while staying ready for the real moments when surgery saves lives, press play. Subscribe, share this with a pregnant friend, and leave a review with your biggest question about C-sections or labor support. Visit our website, here: https://birthlearning.com/ Follow us on Facebook at Birth Learning  Follow us on Instagram at @birthlearning  Show Credits Host: Angie Rosier  Music: Michael Hicks  Photographer: Toni Walker Episode Artwork: Nick Greenwood  Producer: Gillian Rosier Frampton Voiceover: Ryan Parker

    26 min

  5. FEB 27

    E112: Low Milk Supply

    Send us Fan Mail The 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 the fog back with clear ways to spot true low milk supply, from weight trends and diaper counts to weighted feeds and hunger cues, then map out what to do next without judgment or panic. We walk through the twin pillars of milk production—effective milk removal and consistent stimulation—and show how small shifts add up: deepening latch and positioning, feeding 9–10 times in 24 hours, adding short post‑feed pumps, and leaning into skin‑to‑skin. We also tackle the big medical and situational factors that can shape your journey: thyroid issues, PCOS, insulin resistance, prior breast surgery, IGT, early hormonal birth control, long labors, cesareans, heavy IV fluids, and delays to the first feed. If you’ve been told to “just relax,” we explain why stress, severe sleep loss, and under‑fueling matter biologically and how to protect your basics. Real stories ground the guidance. You’ll hear about parents doing everything “right” and still facing partial supply, what triple feeding looks like in practice, and how to transition to combo feeding with intention. We unpack the emotional weight of comparison culture—freezer stashes on social media—and offer a kinder metric for success: a fed baby, a supported parent, and a sustainable plan. Whether you’re troubleshooting a dip or navigating long‑term low supply, you’ll leave with practical steps, language for advocating with your care team, and permission to define success on your terms. If this conversation helps you or someone you love, share it with a new parent, subscribe for more grounded birth and feeding guidance, and leave a review to help others find the show. Your support keeps these evidence‑based, compassionate chats coming. Visit our website, here: https://birthlearning.com/ Follow us on Facebook at Birth Learning  Follow us on Instagram at @birthlearning  Show Credits Host: Angie Rosier  Music: Michael Hicks  Photographer: Toni Walker Episode Artwork: Nick Greenwood  Producer: Gillian Rosier Frampton Voiceover: Ryan Parker

    19 min

  6. FEB 20

    E111: Why I Love Being A Doula

    Send us Fan Mail We share an unscripted reflection on why doula work still moves us after thousands of births, from client connection to teamwork with nurses and midwives. The talk traces a path from personal beginnings to professional neutrality, and why value often lives beyond metrics. • shifting from personal lens to professional neutrality • building trust with clients across many styles of birth • supporting partners with practical, tailored involvement • finding community with doulas and birth workers • witnessing human strength, fear and triumph in labor • collaborating with nurses, midwives and physicians • balancing awe for the body with hard realities • making sense of value beyond outcomes and fees • short vs long labors and staying adaptable • widening purpose from one family to many Oh, and please make a human connection. Hug someone, handshake someone, text someone, message them, ping them, make a connection with someone else. It is important. We need each other. Visit our website, here: https://birthlearning.com/ Follow us on Facebook at Birth Learning  Follow us on Instagram at @birthlearning  Show Credits Host: Angie Rosier  Music: Michael Hicks  Photographer: Toni Walker Episode Artwork: Nick Greenwood  Producer: Gillian Rosier Frampton Voiceover: Ryan Parker

    14 min

  7. FEB 13

    E110: How Community Milk Sharing Bridges Feeding Gaps

    Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder how families bridge the gap when milk supply lags, a baby struggles to transfer, or adoption and prematurity change the feeding plan? We take you inside the world of human milk sharing—what it is, why families choose it, and how to do it safely—while honoring every parent’s comfort level and goals. Drawing on two decades in a busy doula and lactation practice, we share stories that show what’s possible: an oversupply helping a post-cesarean parent through the first days, a short-term donor stash supporting therapy for a weak suck, an adoptive parent inducing lactation and supplementing with community milk, and a grieving father fulfilling his partner’s wish to provide human milk for their baby. We also map the landscape of options. Regulated milk banks screen donors, pasteurize pooled milk, and prioritize NICU and medically fragile infants, offering a gold standard for safety. Peer-to-peer sharing connects neighbors and local parents through networks like Human Milk for Human Babies and Eats on Feets, where clear ground rules and transparency matter. We break down the questions to ask about health history, medications, nicotine or substance exposure, storage practices, and labeling, plus the nuts and bolts of transport—coolers, ice, and keeping the cold chain intact. If you’re navigating delayed onset after surgery, experiencing a formula shortage, caring for a preterm baby with sensitive digestion, or building supply after adoption, human milk can still be within reach. Our goal is to give you practical steps, credible options, and the confidence to choose what aligns with your values. Subscribe, share this episode with someone who might need it, and leave a review to help more families discover safe, community-centered ways to feed their babies. Visit our website, here: https://birthlearning.com/ Follow us on Facebook at Birth Learning  Follow us on Instagram at @birthlearning  Show Credits Host: Angie Rosier  Music: Michael Hicks  Photographer: Toni Walker Episode Artwork: Nick Greenwood  Producer: Gillian Rosier Frampton Voiceover: Ryan Parker

    22 min

  8. FEB 6

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

    Send us Fan Mail Birth keeps us honest. Patterns suggest what might happen, then a baby turns face-first or a parent breathes through transition so quietly the room barely moves. We walk through three recent stories—a first-time labor that stretched across days and ended in a necessary cesarean for a face presentation, a second birth that unfolded with calm, self-directed pushing and an immediate skin-to-skin latch, and a third journey where an early epidural became the right tool at the right time. Different routes, same core pursuit: safety, dignity, and agency. We dig into what truly shapes outcomes: thorough prenatal preparation, clear communication, respectful provider care, responsive nursing, and partners who read needs moment by moment. You'll hear how position changes address asynclitism, why progress can stall at nine centimeters, and how a supportive environment—low lights, movement, water, and quiet—can help physiology do its job. Just as important, we explore the limits of control. Anatomy, fetal position, and individual pain perception still play leading roles, and the best plan is one that flexes with reality. Our north star is empowerment from the inside out. That means informed choices, consent at every step, and a team that protects your goals while staying honest about safety. Whether you aim for unmedicated birth or plan on an epidural, whether you deliver vaginally or by cesarean, your experience can be powerful when your voice leads the room. If you’re preparing for labor or supporting someone who is, you’ll find practical insight and grounded encouragement here. If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who’s preparing for birth, and leave a review to help more parents and birth workers find these stories. Your support helps us keep thoughtful, evidence-informed conversations in your feed. Visit our website, here: https://birthlearning.com/ Follow us on Facebook at Birth Learning  Follow us on Instagram at @birthlearning  Show Credits Host: Angie Rosier  Music: Michael Hicks  Photographer: Toni Walker Episode Artwork: Nick Greenwood  Producer: Gillian Rosier Frampton Voiceover: Ryan Parker

    21 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Angie Rosier
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    119
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Ordinary Doula Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Ordinary Doula Podcast