Ally the Doula

Ally Raven
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Your birth bestie for real talk about birth, motherhood, and real life.

  1. Oct 21

    My Birth Story Isn't Your Birth Plan

    My Birth Story Isn't Your Birth Plan Hey besties! Have you ever heard someone else's birth story and immediately started wondering if the same thing was going to happen to you? Or had someone tell you their entire traumatic labor and delivery story while you were just trying to enjoy being pregnant? We're talking about it today! Before I start sharing the birth stories of all three of my kids, I wanted to have a little conversation about birth stories in general, how we compare our experiences, and why someone else's birth doesn't have to become the expectation for your own. As a doula, I LOVE hearing birth stories. I think there's so much we can learn from other people's experiences. But there's a difference between learning from someone else's story and convincing yourself that your birth is going to happen exactly the same way. In this episode, we're talking about: Why hearing other people's birth stories can influence how you feel about your own birth How to learn from other people's experiences without letting them create unnecessary fear Why two people can have similar birth experiences and feel completely differently about them The comparison trap before, during, and after birth Why your birth doesn't have to go according to plan to be meaningful How to set boundaries when people want to share their traumatic birth stories with you What you can actually say when you don't want to hear a scary birth story Why being informed about birth is different from being frightened by someone else's experience I'm also sharing why I'm starting a series about my own birth stories, beginning with my son, and what I hope you'll take away from hearing my experiences. Because, besties, you can learn from someone else's birth without making their experience your expectation. Your birth is your own, and you deserve to approach it with information, support, and the freedom to make decisions that are right for you. So grab your coffee and settle in. We're talking birth stories, unsolicited advice, and protecting your peace. If you've been around here for a while, you know I already love and use Ceres Chill! I've used my Ceres Chill with all three of my kids, and I'm so excited to partner with a company that I genuinely use and recommend. Ceres Chill makes reusable breastmilk chillers designed to make pumping and storing breastmilk easier while you're living your actual life. Want to check them out? 🌐 Website: https://www.cereschill.com/ ✨ Use code ALLYTHEDOULA for 15% off your purchase! 📸 Instagram: @allythedoula 🌐 Website: https://allyravendoula.com 🎙️ Podcast: Ally the Doula: Your Birth Bestie for Real Talk I'm Ally Raven, a certified birth doula, breastfeeding counselor, and childbirth educator supporting families throughout Raleigh, the Triangle, and beyond. And remember, you're doing much better than you think.

  2. Oct 9

    Pregnant, Breastfeeding & Confused About Skincare with Erin Wynn, Esthetician

    Pregnant, Breastfeeding & Confused About Skincare with Erin Wynn, Esthetician Besties, have you ever stood in front of your skincare products wondering, Wait… can I even use this while pregnant or breastfeeding?! You're not alone! In this episode, I'm sitting down with my sister-in-law, Erin Wynn, who's an esthetician, and we had WAY too much fun with this conversation. We laughed so much, but we also got into the skincare questions that come up during pregnancy and breastfeeding. We're talking about what products and ingredients to be mindful of, what you may need to change in your routine, and how to keep taking care of your skin without feeling like you have to throw your entire bathroom cabinet away the second you find out you're pregnant. We also talk about the importance of having a normal, realistic skincare routine and finding ways to take care of yourself through all the changes that come with pregnancy, postpartum, and breastfeeding. Because let's be real: motherhood comes with enough changes already. Your skincare routine shouldn't have to feel like a full-time job, too! Whether you're pregnant, breastfeeding, planning for a baby, or just trying to figure out what belongs in your skincare routine, this episode is for you. Grab your coffee and settle in because we're talking skincare, motherhood, and laughing our way through it all! IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: Skincare during pregnancy and breastfeeding Products and ingredients to be mindful of What you may need to change in your skincare routine Keeping a consistent, realistic skincare routine Taking care of yourself through pregnancy and postpartum And, of course, plenty of laughs with Erin! As always, this conversation is for educational purposes and isn't a substitute for individualized medical advice. Check with your healthcare provider about skincare ingredients you're unsure about during pregnancy or breastfeeding. ✨ Business: Indulge Skin and Beauty 🌐 Website: https://indulgeskinandbeauty.glossgenius.com 📸 Instagram: @indulge.skinbeauty I'm Ally Raven, a certified birth doula, breastfeeding counselor, and childbirth educator supporting families throughout Raleigh, the Triangle, and beyond. 📸 Instagram: @allythedoula 🌐 Website: https://allyravendoula.com 🎙️ Podcast: Ally the Doula: Your Birth Bestie for Real Talk And remember, you're doing much better than you think. ❤️

  3. Sep 23

    Induced at 37 Weeks & Still in Control: Alex's Birth Story

    What happens when you're told you're going to be induced at 37 weeks? For Alex, it didn't mean losing control of her birth. In this episode, I'm sitting down with my former client Alex to talk about her positive induction experience — from preparing for an induction and asking questions, to making decisions about interventions, advocating for herself, and having a birth team that supported her choices. We talk about: 🤰 Being induced at 37 weeks💬 Asking questions and advocating for yourself📝 Preparing for an induction and knowing your options🤝 The importance of a supportive birth partner🏥 Choosing providers you trust💭 Staying flexible when birth doesn't go exactly according to plan❤️ What made Alex's induction such a positive experience💪 And why being induced doesn't mean giving up control of your birth This isn't a story about a "perfect" birth. It's about being informed, prepared, supported, and involved in your own care. If you're facing an induction — or the word induction makes you nervous — I really want you to hear Alex's story. I'm Ally Raven, a certified birth doula, breastfeeding counselor, and childbirth educator serving families throughout the Triangle and beyond. 📸 Instagram: @allythedoula🌐 Website: allyravendoula.com🎙️ Podcast: Ally the Doula: Your Birth Bestie for Real Talk Find my doula services, Birth Partner Crash Course, classes, resources, and more on my website. And remember, you're doing much better than you think. ❤️ I'll talk to you soon. This episode is sponsored by Ceres Chill If you've been around here for a while, you know I'm already a huge fan of Ceres Chill and have used my Ceres Chill with all three of my kids. Ceres Chill makes reusable breastmilk chillers and accessories designed to make pumping and storing breastmilk easier while you're living your actual life — whether you're at work, traveling, running errands, or just spending a long day away from home. I love that this is a product I genuinely use and recommend to my clients, which makes partnering with them for the podcast extra special. ❤️ Want to check out Ceres Chill? 👉 Ceres Chill Use code ALLYTHEDOULA for 15% off your purchase. CONNECT WITH ALLY I'm Ally Raven, a certified birth doula, breastfeeding counselor, and childbirth educator serving families throughout the Triangle and beyond. 📸 Instagram: @allythedoula🌐 Website: allyravendoula.com🎙️ Podcast: Ally the Doula: Your Birth Bestie for Real Talk Find my doula services, Birth Partner Crash Course, classes, resources, and more on my website. And remember, you're doing much better than you think. ❤️ I'll talk to you soon.

  4. Sep 8

    The Mom Rage Behind Ceres Chill: Breastfeeding, Pumping & Real Talk with Lisa Myers

    Okay besties, this is a GOOD one. 👀 Today I'm sitting down with Lisa Myers, founder and CEO of Ceres Chill, for a conversation about breastfeeding, pumping, motherhood, and what happens when a mom looks at a problem and thinks, there has to be a better way. Lisa shares the story behind Ceres Chill — including her own breastfeeding journey, the challenges she faced as a working and pumping mom, and the frustration that ultimately led her to create a product that would make life easier for breastfeeding and pumping parents. We talk about: 🤱 Breastfeeding and pumping in real life💭 The pressure moms feel to "get it right"💼 Returning to work while breastfeeding and pumping🍼 Why pumping IS breastfeeding👙 Flange sizing and why the standard flange isn't necessarily right for everyone🏥 The importance of good lactation support and education❤️ The emotional side of feeding your baby🔥 The "mom rage" that sparked Ceres Chill❄️ The Ceres Chill products and how they actually work🚗 Pumping and storing milk while traveling, working, or spending long days away from home🌎 The bigger mission behind Ceres Chill and supporting moms wherever life takes them And honestly, we talk about SO much more. One of my favorite parts of this conversation is hearing Lisa talk about the fact that moms shouldn't have to choose between feeding their babies and showing up for their families, careers, communities, and lives. Ceres Chill was created from her own experience — and that story is a huge part of why I love this company. I also share my own experience using my Ceres Chill with all three of my kids and why it has become one of those things I genuinely don't want to leave the house without. 😂 Whether you're planning to breastfeed, currently breastfeeding or pumping, exclusively pumping, combo feeding, heading back to work, or just trying to figure out how the heck you're supposed to make all of this work... This conversation is for you. Want to check out Ceres Chill for yourself? Ceres Chill makes reusable breastmilk chillers and accessories designed to make pumping and storing breastmilk easier while you're living your actual life. And because I'm a Ceres Chill affiliate, you can use my code: ALLYTHEDOULA Use my code at checkout for 15% off! 👉 Ceres Chill: cereschill.com I'm Ally Raven, a certified birth doula, breastfeeding counselor, and childbirth educator serving families throughout the Triangle and beyond. If you're pregnant, preparing for birth, figuring out breastfeeding, or just want someone in your corner who will give you honest, real-life support — I'd love to connect. 📸 Instagram: @allythedoula🌐 Website: allyravendoula.com🎙️ Podcast: Ally the Doula: Your Birth Bestie for Real Talk You can also find information about my doula services, Birth Partner Bootcamp, classes, resources, and more on my website. And remember, you're doing much better than you think. ❤️ I'll talk to you soon. 🧊 SHOP CERES CHILL💕 CONNECT WITH ALLY

  5. Aug 19

    Unless I'm at a Birth: The reality of being an on-call doula with three kids

    We just wrapped up the Build Your Birth Team series, so I thought it was time to give you a little peek at what happens on the other side of the doula-client relationship. What is it actually like to be a birth doula when you're also a wife, a mom of three, and a small business owner? In this episode, I'm talking about what being on call really looks like in my everyday life — from getting a client text while I'm at Target or nursing my baby, to figuring out childcare at 2 AM, to the mental load of always knowing that someone could call and say, "It's time." I'm also talking about the parts of doula work that happen behind the scenes, why having a solid backup network is so important, how my family makes this job possible, and what my kids actually think I do for work. 😂 And if you're a doula, I have a little reminder for you at the end: you don't have to stop living your life just because you're on call. You can still see your friends, go to appointments, take your kids places, and be a whole human. Being available doesn't mean putting your entire life on pause. This is a more personal, behind-the-scenes episode about life as a doula — the unpredictable parts, the funny parts, the hard parts, and why I genuinely love what I do. Find me on Instagram: @allythedoula Learn more about my doula services + Birth Partner Bootcamp: allyravendoula.com And remember, you're doing much better than you think.

  6. Jul 27

    Girl ... Go to Therapy

    I know—that title might make you laugh. 😅 But hear me out. When we think about building our birth team, we usually think about our OB or midwife, a doula, maybe a pelvic floor therapist or lactation consultant. But what about our mental health? In this final episode of the Build Your Birth Team series, we're talking all about why therapy deserves a seat at the table. From preparing for postpartum before your baby arrives, to navigating identity shifts, relationship changes, birth trauma, and finding a therapist who actually feels like the right fit, this is an honest conversation about why asking for support is one of the strongest things you can do. And yes... I share some of my own postpartum experience, too. If you've ever thought, "I'm fine—I don't need therapy," this episode is for you. Why therapy isn't just for people in crisisPreparing for the emotional side of postpartumIdentity shifts after becoming a parentChanges in your relationship after having a babyBirth trauma and processing difficult birth experiencesHow to find a therapistWhy it's okay if the first therapist isn't the right fitWhy building your support system doesn't end after birthThis wraps up the Build Your Birth Team series! Whether you've listened to every episode or this is your first one, I hope this series has helped you feel more confident, informed, and supported as you prepare for birth and parenthood. Connect with me:Instagram: @allythedoulaWebsite: www.allyravendoula.comMy Birth Partner Bootcamp gives you and your birth partner the tools, confidence, and practical skills to prepare for labor, birth, and those first moments postpartum. Learn more at www.allyravendoula.com. Keywords: pregnancy podcast, birth podcast, postpartum mental health, therapy during pregnancy, postpartum therapy, perinatal mental health, birth trauma, postpartum anxiety, postpartum depression, therapist for moms, pregnancy support, birth team, doula, childbirth education, new parents, motherhood, parenthood, mental health after baby, pregnancy, postpartum, Ally the Doula

  7. Jul 13

    Part 2: Nobody Told me Breastfeeding Would Be This Hard | The Better Boob

    Part 2 with Courtney at The Better Boob! Welcome back to Part 2 of my conversation with Courtney, founder of The Better Boob and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)! As we continue my Build Your Birth Team series, we're diving into what it's actually like to work with a lactation consultant after your baby arrives and how to choose the right one for your family. From home visits and weighted feeds to pumping, returning to work, and breastfeeding myths, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you feel more confident throughout your feeding journey. In this episode, we discuss: ✨ What a lactation appointment actually looks like✨ Home visits vs. office visits✨ What a weighted feed is and why it's so helpful✨ Pumping support, flange fitting, and returning to work✨ Your legal rights as a pumping parent in the workplace✨ How to choose the right lactation consultant✨ Why it's okay to get a second (or even third!) opinion✨ Common breastfeeding myths and milk supply concerns✨ Why having someone who truly understands your feeding journey can make all the difference Whether you're breastfeeding, pumping, combo feeding, or simply preparing for postpartum, I hope this conversation helps you feel informed, supported, and empowered. 💛 Connect with Courtney & The Better BoobInstagram: @thebetterboobWebsite: www.betterboob.com The Better Boob is located in downtown Cary, NC and offers home visits throughout the Triangle, office visits, virtual consultations, pumping support, prenatal lactation visits, weighted feeds, return-to-work planning, and more. You can also text the number listed on their website to get in touch or request an appointment directly through their website. 💛 Connect with AllyInstagram: @allythedoulaWebsite: www.allyravendoula.com 🎓 Birth Partner Bootcamp Want your partner to feel confident and prepared for labor? My self-paced Birth Partner Bootcamp teaches practical comfort measures, labor support techniques, communication strategies, advocacy skills, and what to expect during labor and birth so your birth partner can show up feeling informed, confident, and ready to support you. Learn more at:www.allyravendoula.com Keywords: Build Your Birth Team, lactation consultant, IBCLC, breastfeeding support, weighted feeds, pumping, flange fitting, return to work, breastfeeding myths, milk supply, postpartum support, newborn feeding, breastfeeding podcast, Raleigh doula, Cary NC, Triangle moms, pregnancy podcast, birth education, fourth trimester, The Better Boob, Ally the Doula

  8. Jun 22

    Nobody Told Me Breastfeeding Would Be This Hard | The Better Boob (Part 1)

    Nobody Told Me Breastfeeding Would Be This Hard | The Better Boob (Part 1) Welcome back to my Build Your Birth Team series, where we're talking about the providers who can support you throughout pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and beyond. When most people think about building their birth team, they think about their OB, midwife, or doula. But one of the most valuable members of your support team may be someone you don't think about until you're sitting on the couch at 2 a.m., exhausted, emotional, and wondering if your baby is getting enough milk. In this episode, I'm joined by Courtney, founder of The Better Boob and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), to talk about why lactation support deserves a place on your birth team. Courtney shares her own breastfeeding struggles, despite being a labor and delivery nurse at the time, and explains why even lactation consultants sometimes need lactation consultants. We also dive into what an IBCLC actually does, why breastfeeding isn't always intuitive, common pumping mistakes, flange fitting, tongue ties, and why getting support before baby arrives can make a huge difference in your feeding journey. In this episode, we discuss: ✨ What an IBCLC is and how they're different from other feeding support professionals✨ Why breastfeeding can be challenging, even for experienced parents✨ The story behind The Better Boob✨ Tongue ties, oral function, and feeding challenges✨ Why lactation consultants assess both parent and baby together✨ Pumping, flange sizing, and choosing the right pump✨ Why even lactation consultants sometimes need lactation consultants✨ The benefits of prenatal lactation consultations✨ How lactation support fits into your birth and postpartum support team✨ Setting yourself up for feeding success before baby arrives And a quick heads up: both Courtney and I had our babies with us during this recording, so if you hear some baby noises in the background, consider them our tiny guest stars for today's episode. 💛 🎙️ Coming in Part 2: We'll continue our Build Your Birth Team conversation by talking about what it actually looks like to work with a lactation consultant after baby arrives, common feeding challenges, how to choose the right lactation consultant for your family, and what to look for when building your feeding support team. 💛 Connect with Courtney & The Better BoobInstagram: @thebetterboobWebsite: www.betterboob.com 💛 Connect with AllyInstagram: @allythedoulaWebsite: www.allyravendoula.com 🎓 Birth Partner Bootcamp Want your partner to feel confident and prepared for labor? My Birth Partner Bootcamp teaches partners practical comfort measures, labor support techniques, advocacy skills, communication strategies, and what to expect during labor and birth so they can show up feeling informed, empowered, and confident. Learn more at:www.allyravendoula.com Keywords: build your birth team, lactation consultant, IBCLC, breastfeeding support, breastfeeding podcast, pumping, flange fitting, tongue tie, lip tie, prenatal breastfeeding education, lactation support during pregnancy, postpartum support, newborn feeding, breastfeeding help, Raleigh doula, North Carolina pregnancy podcast, Triangle moms, first-time mom, postpartum recovery, birth team, feeding support, The Better Boob, Ally the Doula

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About

Your birth bestie for real talk about birth, motherhood, and real life.

Information

  • Creator
    Ally Raven
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ally Raven
  • Show Website
    Ally the Doula