The Ordinary Doula Podcast

Angie Rosier

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. 1D AGO

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

    Send us a text 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

  2. JAN 30

    E108: Why Chiropractic Care Helps Labor Feel Smoother with Dr Kristina Kill

    Send us a text Birth doesn’t have to feel like a sprint against the clock or a battle with your own body. Angie sits down with Dr. Kristina Kill, a family wellness chiropractor with 22 years of experience, to unpack how alignment and nervous system clarity can make pregnancy more comfortable and labor more efficient. We go beyond the “aches are normal” script and look at pain as useful feedback, then explore how gentle, specific chiropractic care helps the uterus do its job and the pelvis move the way it was designed. We break down the power, passenger, passageway model in plain language: how your brain coordinates contractions, how your baby finds an optimal position, and how the pelvis opens when the sacrum is free to move. You’ll hear why lying flat can shrink the outlet, why movement matters, and how techniques like Webster support balance without “forcing” baby to turn. If breech has you anxious, you’ll learn the value of starting care early, what to expect from adjustments, and how the right environment can invite baby to settle head down when appropriate. Planning a VBAC? We talk about resolving the issues that may have led to your first cesarean, rebuilding function for a smoother labor, and why midwives who partner with chiropractors often see fewer transfers and interventions. Postpartum isn’t an afterthought here, either. We share how early, gentle care supports healing, feeding, sleep, and sanity for the whole family, and why preconception care for both parents sets the stage for a strong start. Throughout, the message is simple: build your village. Pair a pregnancy-focused chiropractor with doulas, midwives, pelvic floor PTs, and lactation consultants to create a supportive, informed team. Ready to feel more at home in your body and more confident about birth? Listen now, subscribe for future deep dives, and share this episode with someone who needs an extra dose of evidence-backed encouragement. Then tell us: what’s one belief about labor you’re ready to rethink? Family First Chiropractic & Wellness Center: https://utahfamilychiro.com/ 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

    30 min

  3. JAN 23

    E107: Building Better Black Maternal Health with Hakima Payne

    Send us a text Birth should feel safe, familiar, and centered on the family—yet too often the system delivers the opposite. We sit down with nurse, doula, educator, and Uzazi Village founder Hakima Payne to trace how personal experience scales into community clinics, data-driven policy, and a blueprint for culturally rooted prenatal care. From the early days when “doula” wasn’t a household word to today’s Medicaid reimbursement wins, Hakima shares what’s changed, what stalled, and what’s getting worse for Black maternal and infant health. Together we unpack the difference between doulas and midwives, why VBAC remains restricted across many hospitals, and how routine inductions became normalized without consistent shared decision-making. Hakima explains why race-specific data is essential to make disparities visible, how policy lags behind evidence, and what it takes to convert awareness into funding, regulation, and accountability. We also talk candidly about the insurance industry’s outsized influence on bedside care and clinician autonomy, and why clinicians employed by hospital systems may have less power to bend the rules than many assume. The heart of the conversation is a model: community-embedded prenatal care. Think accessible clinics in the neighborhoods they serve, culturally concordant teams, and integrated services—midwifery, doulas, lactation, chiropractic, herbal support—wrapped in details that signal safety and belonging. For parents, we share practical steps to shape their birth experience and ask better questions. For doulas, nurses, and providers, we outline how lifelong learning, anti-racism training, and cross-setting collaboration can move outcomes. Stay for a grounded call to action that keeps momentum alive even when media attention fades. If this conversation resonates, follow the show, share it with someone who cares about maternal health, and leave a review with the one change you want to see in birth care. Your voice keeps this movement growing. 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

    40 min

  4. JAN 16

    E106: Morning Sickness, Made Understandable

    Send us a text Nausea that won’t quit can turn early pregnancy into a maze of guesswork, guilt, and survival tactics. We’re pulling that experience into the light with a clear look at what drives “morning” sickness, why it rarely sticks to mornings, and how to find practical relief that respects your limits. Drawing on years of doula care and personal trial and error, we map the spectrum—from everyday nausea to hyperemesis gravidarum—so you can recognize red flags early and get the right support. We talk through real-world strategies that fit into a busy life: small, frequent snacks that keep your stomach from tipping into empty, gentle proteins paired with bland carbs, and hydration plans that work when plain water tastes off. You’ll hear how ginger, vitamin B6 with doxylamine, and P6 acupressure can help, along with environmental tweaks like cooler air and scent-free spaces. When symptoms surge, we walk through medical options, from antiemetics to IV fluids, and why early intervention protects both you and your baby. Throughout, we name the emotional weight of constant nausea, and how humor, permission to slow down, and a small, informed support circle can restore dignity and hope. This conversation holds space for the messy middle: the days when brushing your teeth is a victory, the moments when a bowl of cereal genuinely saves the afternoon, and the stories that remind you you’re not alone. If you’re navigating nausea now, or supporting someone who is, you’ll leave with clear tools, language to ask for help, and a kinder frame for the work your body is doing. Subscribe for deeper, evidence-informed guidance on pregnancy and birth, share this with a friend who needs reassurance, and leave a review with your go-to nausea tip—what helped you most? 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

    25 min

  5. JAN 2

    E105: Complete Childbirth Prep vs Scrolling with Andrea Lythgoe

    Send us a text The internet gives you a million opinions on birth; we give you a map. Angie sits down with veteran childbirth educator and doula Andrea Lythgoe to unpack how a thoughtful class can transform uncertainty into confidence, whether you’re planning an unmedicated birth or want to be epidural-ready. We explore what a local class adds that videos can’t: real-world insight into your birthplace, equipment practice, and the language to navigate risks, benefits, and alternatives with your care team. Across a lively, practical conversation, we compare formats and methods so you can choose what fits your goals, budget, and schedule. From weekend intensives to seven-week series, from live online to private sessions, you’ll hear how each option supports different learning styles. We break down the pros and cons of hospital versus independent classes, why quality varies, and how to spot a program that respects your birth plan. You’ll also get a clear overview of approaches like the Bradley Method, hypnosis-based programs, Birthing From Within, and research-forward courses tailored to analytical minds. We also address the reality of information overload. Social media and TV can raise awareness and anxiety at the same time, leaving parents informed yet confused. Andrea shares how skilled educators filter noise, answer nuanced questions in real time, and guide you through hands-on practice so comfort measures become second nature. Expect actionable tips on matching a class to your personality, using local knowledge to reduce surprises, and carving out time to prepare with intention. Ready to feel prepared instead of overwhelmed? Press play, learn how to pick a class that truly fits, and then share this episode with a friend who’s expecting. If you find value here, follow the show, leave a quick review, and tell us: what’s the one skill you most want to practice before labor? 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

    33 min

  6. 12/26/2025

    E104: From Birth Center Plans To NICU Reality

    Send us a text What happens when a carefully planned birth center delivery is suddenly rerouted by preeclampsia, a hospital admission, and a 34-week induction? We sit down with Andrea and Joakim to tell the full story of Magnus’s early arrival: the shock of a one-day pivot, the seven-week NICU marathon, and the quiet work of rebuilding trust in themselves as new parents. We walk through the real logistics and the raw feelings. Twice-daily drives to the hospital. Care times every three hours. Learning the language of oxygen saturation, NG tubes, and feed volumes. Andrea shares the steep curve of breastfeeding a preterm baby—latching practice, non-nutritive sucks, and negotiating how much to supplement when transfer is hard to measure. Joakim opens up about the partner perspective, where limited hands-on time and a sleepy newborn can delay bonding and leave you wondering if you’re connecting at all. Together we unpack the “island” step-down unit, the optimism of almost-going-home, and the frustration of rotating teams and shifting milestones that made discharge feel like a moving target. This conversation is equal parts practical and heart-forward. You’ll hear how they advocated for small choices within big hospital protocols, why one ointment change mattered, and how both gratitude and grief can be true at the same time. We talk about bringing Magnus home—no beeping monitors, just breath sounds in the dark—and how anxiety gave way to rhythm, confidence, and a breastfeeding breakthrough. If you’re a NICU parent, preparing for birth, or supporting someone through a preterm journey, you’ll find empathy, clear takeaways, and language to ask better questions. Subscribe for more grounded birth stories, share this episode with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help other parents find honest support. What part of their journey resonated most with you? 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

    40 min

  7. 12/19/2025

    E103: A Series of 19 Unmedicated Births

    Send us a text Nineteen cousins, all born without medication, and not a single birth story was copy-pasted. Angie opens up about how a simple desire for unmedicated labor grew into a family pattern shaped by childbirth education, midwifery care, and steady partner support. What started as a personal preference became a repeatable approach: learn the physiology, choose a team aligned with your goals, and keep the plan flexible enough to adapt in real time. We walk through three sisters-in-law with very different personalities who arrived at similar choices for their own reasons. One expected an epidural and induction because “that’s what everyone does,” then flipped after a powerful class and a supportive doula. Another navigated six births, including a surprise “caboose” during COVID and one labor that needed a small Pitocin boost. A third moved from hospital to birth center to home, even welcoming an 11‑pound baby, while her partner became an effective, hands-on advocate. Across these stories, midwives, education, and continuous support show up as quiet levers that change outcomes without heavy-handed rules. The goal isn’t a gold star for going unmedicated. It’s informed choice, compassionate care, and a team that knows when to wait, when to move, and when to use tools thoughtfully. Angie shares candid reflections, practical insights for selecting providers and classes, and a grounded reminder that empowerment comes from consent and preparation, not perfection. You’ll leave with concrete ideas for aligning your birth plan with the right setting and people, plus renewed confidence that partners and doulas can make the room feel safer, calmer, and more human. If this resonated, follow the show, share it with someone preparing for birth, and leave a review telling us what part shifted your thinking. 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

  8. 12/12/2025

    E102: Sacred Birth International with Anna Lundqvist

    Send us a text What if birth is a rite of passage, not a procedure? Angie sits down with Swedish mentor and former midwife Anna Lundqvist to explore how intuition, preparation, and grounded advocacy can transform pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. Anna traces her path from Australia’s home birth culture in Byron Bay—where physiological birth and birth centers were the norm—to the painful decision to leave hospital practice after witnessing obstetric violence. When her Australian credential wasn’t recognized back home in Sweden, she stepped fully into education and mentorship, founding Sacred Birth International to support families and train a new kind of birth worker. We dive into practical ways parents can build inner authority: understanding physiology, clarifying values, practicing consent and refusal, and learning to filter outside advice through personal intuition. Anna explains why “you birth the way you live,” showing how daily habits of presence, breath, and boundaries translate directly into the labor room. For professionals, she outlines the Sacred Birth Worker Mentorship, a comprehensive program that blends deep inner work with clinical awareness—covering variations of normal, trauma-aware care, hospital navigation, and advocacy that is calm, clear, and effective. Along the way, we talk about the power of community debriefs to prevent burnout, the role of sacred space in any setting, and the quiet beauty of a home birth where attendants step back and a family leads. Whether you’re preparing to give birth or to support it, you’ll leave with language, tools, and confidence to protect physiological birth, honor consent, and keep the mother at the center. If this conversation resonated, share it with a friend, subscribe for future episodes, and leave a review to help others find the show. Your voice helps keep this work visible and strong. 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

    39 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
    112
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Ordinary Doula Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Ordinary Doula Podcast