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. 1h ago

    E129: Postpartum Pelvic Floor Reset with Dr. Kasia Unes

    Send us Fan Mail You get nine months to prepare, one day to give birth, and then a lifetime of “wait, is this normal?” questions. We sit down with pelvic floor physical therapist Dr. Kasha Unes from Reborn in Utah to make postpartum recovery feel clearer, more practical, and a lot less isolating. If you’ve ever wondered when you can start pelvic floor PT, what’s safe before the six-week visit, or why your body feels totally different after delivery, this conversation is for you. We dig into postpartum pelvic health basics that actually change outcomes: diaphragmatic breathing, diaphragm mobility, and pressure management for real-life movements like getting out of bed, lifting your baby, and returning to exercise. We talk candidly about urinary incontinence, why “common” is not the same as “normal,” and why coordination and technique can matter just as much as strength especially for runners and active parents. Dr. Unes also explains why a tight pelvic floor can still be weak, and how “lengthen to strengthen” helps with leaking and urgency. Painful sex after birth comes up too, with concrete options like perineal scar mobilization, gentle stretching, dilation tools, and nervous system retraining to reduce anticipatory tension. We also shift to cesarean recovery, including C-section scar mobility, when manual work is appropriate, and why earlier support can make moving and healing easier. To close, Dr. Unes shares personal birth insights about advocacy, autonomy, and the reality of feeling surprisingly weak postpartum even with great prep. If you want a postpartum recovery plan rooted in pelvic floor therapy, evidence-informed guidance, and compassion, listen now, then subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review so more parents can find this support. Learn more, here: https://rebornphw.com/our-staff/dr-kasia-unes/ Visit our website, here: https://hatchednlatched.com/ Follow us on Facebook at Hatched & Latched Follow us on Instagram at @hatchenlatched Show Credits Host: Angie Rosier  Music: Michael Hicks  Photographer: Toni Walker Episode Artwork: Nick Greenwood  Producer: Gillian Rosier Frampton Voiceover: Ryan Parker

  2. Jul 10

    E128: Pelvic Floor Prep For Pregnancy with Dr. Kasia Unes

    Send us Fan Mail Pregnancy can feel like a nonstop stream of “Is this normal?” and too many people get brushed off when they bring up pain, pressure, leaking, or pelvic heaviness. We sit down with pelvic floor physical therapist Kasha Unes to break down what pelvic floor physical therapy actually looks like during pregnancy and why it can help even before any symptoms show up. Think prevention through posture, body mechanics, breathing, relaxation, and strength, not just a quick fix when things get unbearable. We get specific about the problems we hear most often: sciatica, SI joint pain, pubic symphysis pain, back pain, and that creeping feeling that your body is shifting faster than you can keep up. Kasha explains how pelvic PT evaluates the whole pelvic girdle and the full movement chain, why lifestyle factors matter, and when an internal pelvic floor exam is useful. We also talk through supportive tools like SI belts, belly bands, and perineal or groin support garments, including who they can help most and how to avoid wasting money on random trial and error. Then we move into labor prep, because birth is not just “get the baby out.” Kasha shares how she helps clients practice positions and pelvic mobility, plan for movement with or without an epidural, and build confidence with pushing mechanics. We also cover tight or hypertonic pelvic floors, how stress and fear can cause clenching, what calming the autonomic nervous system can change, and what research says about perineal massage and tearing risk. If you want a clearer plan for pregnancy comfort and long-term pelvic health, this conversation is a strong place to start. Subscribe for more practical birth education, share this with a pregnant friend, and leave a rating or review if it helps you feel more prepared. What pregnancy symptom do you wish someone took more seriously? Learn more about Dr. Unes, here: https://rebornphw.com/our-staff/dr-kasia-unes/ Visit our website, here: https://hatchednlatched.com/ Follow us on Facebook at Hatched & Latched Follow us on Instagram at @hatchenlatched Show Credits Host: Angie Rosier  Music: Michael Hicks  Photographer: Toni Walker Episode Artwork: Nick Greenwood  Producer: Gillian Rosier Frampton Voiceover: Ryan Parker

  3. Jul 3

    E127: Understanding Epidurals

    Send us Fan Mail Epidurals get talked about like a scoreboard, and that mindset can steal your peace before labor even starts. I want a calmer, clearer conversation one that treats pain relief as a tool, not a test of strength, and helps you build a labor pain management plan you can actually live with when things get real.  From my lens as a doula with more than 20 years in a busy practice, we walk through what an epidural is (and how it differs from a spinal or a combined spinal epidural), why today’s epidurals are often lighter than they used to be, and why the “right” choice depends on your body, your baby, your goals, and your circumstances. We also dig into timing: the real pros and cons of getting an epidural early for rest, anxiety, high blood pressure concerns, or a long induction, versus waiting until labor is well established. Along the way, I call out common myths, including the idea that you must be a certain number of centimeters, or that an epidural automatically leads to a C-section.  We also get practical about what happens after the epidural. “Walking epidural” doesn’t mean strolling the halls, but movement still matters. I share simple positioning strategies like side-lying with a peanut ball, supported hands and knees, and other bed-based options to help rotation, descent, comfort, and progress. And because epidurals don’t always work perfectly, we talk about why it’s smart to plan multiple coping tools so you’re not left scrambling if you feel a hot spot or uneven coverage.  If you want a thoughtful, non-judgmental guide to epidurals, childbirth education, and empowered decision-making, hit subscribe, share this with a friend who’s pregnant, and leave a quick review wherever you listen. Visit our website, here: https://hatchednlatched.com/ Follow us on Facebook at Hatched & Latched Follow us on Instagram at @hatchenlatched Show Credits Host: Angie Rosier  Music: Michael Hicks  Photographer: Toni Walker Episode Artwork: Nick Greenwood  Producer: Gillian Rosier Frampton Voiceover: Ryan Parker

  4. Jun 26

    E126: Hatched & Latched - What Can We Learn from Mother Birds?

    Send us Fan Mail A business name change shouldn’t feel emotional, but this one does. After more than 20 years supporting thousands of families through pregnancy, labor, birth, breastfeeding, and postpartum life, I’m stepping into a new “face” for my work: Hatched and Latched. The name ties together the moment a baby arrives and the moment feeding begins, and it better reflects how families experience the transition into parenthood as one connected story, not a set of separate appointments. To explain why I chose it, I go somewhere unexpected: birds. Mother ducks, geese, and other bird parents have become my personal blueprint for courage, protection, and trust. I tell stories that range from tender to heartbreaking to hilarious, including a duck nesting near a church door that suddenly turns busy, Disneyland cast members forming a protective bubble around a goose family, and the gut-punch of ducklings left to navigate the world after loss. Each moment opens up a bigger conversation about maternal instincts, postpartum vulnerability, and why comparing yourself to other parents can make even simple decisions feel impossible. We also talk about what support can look like in real life, from childbirth education and breastfeeding preparation to postpartum doula care, overnight help, and lactation services. If you’re pregnant, newly postpartum, or simply trying to feel steadier in the chaos of new parenthood, come listen for practical perspective and the kind of reassurance that doesn’t sugarcoat. Subscribe, share the episode with a friend who needs it, and leave a rating or review so we can keep having thoughtful conversations about birth and feeding. Visit our website, here: https://hatchednlatched.com/ Follow us on Facebook at Hatched & Latched Follow us on Instagram at @hatchenlatched Show Credits Host: Angie Rosier  Music: Michael Hicks  Photographer: Toni Walker Episode Artwork: Nick Greenwood  Producer: Gillian Rosier Frampton Voiceover: Ryan Parker

  5. Jun 19

    E125: Retiring My Old Birth Bag

    Send us Fan Mail A doula bag is like a time capsule of real births: the tools that help, the “just in case” items you never touch, and the tiny comforts that keep you steady at 3 a.m. Today we’re doing something oddly emotional and surprisingly useful, retiring my oldest birth bag after hundreds and hundreds of births and unpacking what’s actually inside. I share the simple gear that supports labor in real life, not in a perfect checklist fantasy. We talk through the binder of prenatal handouts, the visual models that help families understand dilation and baby positioning, and the birth notes I take so clients can have a written birth story afterward. You’ll hear what I carry from my doula and lactation consultant work, including a rebozo I use often, a few essential oils, and the everyday basics that matter more than most people expect like gum, deodorant, socks, chargers, and a toothbrush. Then the bag takes a turn into meaning. I find a decades-old keepsake from a client and reflect on why support during pregnancy, breastfeeding, postpartum, and even NICU seasons is so personal. If you’re packing your own hospital bag or building a birth center packing list, this conversation will help you decide what belongs in your birth space, what you can skip, and what small “talisman” might remind you that you’re capable and supported. If you like practical birth prep with a warm, honest tone, subscribe for more, share this with a friend who’s getting ready for baby, and please leave a rating wherever you listen. Visit our website, here: https://hatchednlatched.com/ Follow us on Facebook at Hatched & Latched Follow us on Instagram at @hatchenlatched Show Credits Host: Angie Rosier  Music: Michael Hicks  Photographer: Toni Walker Episode Artwork: Nick Greenwood  Producer: Gillian Rosier Frampton Voiceover: Ryan Parker

  6. Jun 12

    E124: Pregnancy Prep in the Age of Social Media

    Send us Fan Mail Your pregnancy feed can make you feel prepared, or completely panicked, and the difference often has less to do with you and more to do with what the algorithm keeps serving next. We talk about how social media has changed childbirth education, from the genuinely helpful parts (free access to educators, visuals of labor positions, and support communities) to the stuff that quietly warps expectations (fear-based stories, extreme outcomes, and nonstop comparison). We dig into why doom scrolling during pregnancy is so common, how rare events get amplified until they feel “normal,” and why that can raise anxiety right when you’re trying to build confidence for labor, birth, breastfeeding, and postpartum recovery. I also share a real example of the “freezer mom” pressure, where viral oversupply content can make a normal milk supply feel like failure. Then we get practical: how to tell the difference between evidence-based guidance and noise, why a big following does not equal real expertise, and what to watch for when sponsorships and marketing are baked into “advice.” We close with simple strategies to intentionally curate your feed, verify information with multiple sources, and use your emotional response as a compass for what belongs in your world right now. If you want social media to support your birth plan instead of stressing you out, press play. Subscribe, share with a friend who’s pregnant, and leave a review so more families can find the show. Visit our website, here: https://hatchednlatched.com/ Follow us on Facebook at Hatched & Latched Follow us on Instagram at @hatchenlatched Show Credits Host: Angie Rosier  Music: Michael Hicks  Photographer: Toni Walker Episode Artwork: Nick Greenwood  Producer: Gillian Rosier Frampton Voiceover: Ryan Parker

  7. May 29

    E123: Your Everyday Stress Response Shows Up In Labor

    Send us Fan Mail Labor has a way of turning your everyday stress habits up to full volume. So before we talk about the “perfect” birth plan, we zoom out and ask something more revealing: when your day goes sideways, what do you actually do? I walk through two questions I use with my doula clients to quickly understand how a pregnant person and their partner respond to frustration, surprises, and uncertainty, because those default patterns often show up in the birth room. We start with the small stuff, the traffic jam moments, the work disruptions, the tiny hits to your expectations. Some of us roll with it and move on. Some of us need a pause, a vent, a cry, or a quick analysis before we can re-enter the plan. Watching partners answer side-by-side is powerful, because it shows where you naturally match and where you might misread each other under pressure. That insight helps you build a support team mindset for labor, when the unexpected is basically guaranteed. Then we go to the big stuff: grief, job loss, long-term stress, the problems you cannot solve in a single day. We talk about common coping mechanisms like planning, list making, internalizing, talking it out with a safe person, or using task-based focus to stay grounded. We connect those tools to postpartum life and newborn reality, including feeding and sleep challenges that can be improved but not fully controlled. I also share why protecting your relationship matters months down the road, when “real life” returns and patience can wear thin. If you are preparing for birth, supporting a partner, or simply trying to become more resilient, this one gives you practical questions you can use today. Subscribe, share with a friend who is expecting, and leave a review so more families can find grounded, realistic birth and postpartum support. Visit our website, here: https://hatchednlatched.com/ Follow us on Facebook at Hatched & Latched Follow us on Instagram at @hatchenlatched Show Credits Host: Angie Rosier  Music: Michael Hicks  Photographer: Toni Walker Episode Artwork: Nick Greenwood  Producer: Gillian Rosier Frampton Voiceover: Ryan Parker

  8. May 22

    E122: Your Body and Your Baby Communicate Through Hormones In Labor

    Send us Fan Mail Birth can look like a simple sequence of contractions and dilation, but underneath it all is a powerful hormone conversation between parent and baby. We pull back the curtain on the hormone dance of birth, focusing on oxytocin and cortisol, plus the adrenaline surge that shows up when labor gets real. With two bodies working as one system, the chemistry matters, and it explains so much about why labor can feel smooth one moment and overwhelming the next.  We talk through what oxytocin actually does in physiologic labor, why it supports effective contractions, and why it thrives in conditions that many laboring people crave: privacy, calm, dim lighting, and emotionally safe support. Then we reframe cortisol as more than “just stress,” looking at how a normal rise helps both parent and baby prepare for the intensity of transition, pushing, and the first moments after birth. We also touch on how Pitocin differs from brain-released oxytocin and how interventions and interruptions can affect the body’s natural rhythm.  From there, we connect the dots to the birth environment as a real third factor in the room. Feeling watched, unsafe, or unheard can elevate stress and make it harder for oxytocin to build, while respectful words, steady reassurance, and supportive touch can help the body keep working. After birth, we highlight why skin to skin, eye contact, and early feeding are more than “nice extras” and how they help regulate temperature, heart rate, and bonding.  If you’re preparing for labor, supporting a loved one, or working in birth spaces, this is a practical, science-grounded guide to protecting emotional safety and supporting the physiology of birth. Subscribe for more evidence-informed birth education, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more families can find the support they deserve. Visit our website, here: https://hatchednlatched.com/ Follow us on Facebook at Hatched & Latched Follow us on Instagram at @hatchenlatched Show Credits Host: Angie Rosier  Music: Michael Hicks  Photographer: Toni Walker Episode Artwork: Nick Greenwood  Producer: Gillian Rosier Frampton Voiceover: Ryan Parker

See All (132)

Trailer

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
    132
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Ordinary Doula Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Ordinary Doula Podcast