The Ordinary Doula Podcast

Angie Rosier
  • 5.0 (8)
  • 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. 1D AGO

    E97: 23 Lessons From 23 Years Of Birth Work

    Send us a text Birth rarely follows a script, but patterns emerge when you’ve walked alongside thousands of families. Angie marks her 23rd year as a doula by distilling 23 honest lessons about labor, from the mental game that steadies you through transition to the quiet power of movement, nutrition, and a supportive team. This isn’t glossy advice—it’s grounded insight on what actually helps in the room: how partners can turn knowledge into comfort, why birthplace culture affects your options, and how a clear set of priorities functions better than a rigid plan. We dive into the realities of long inductions and lightning-fast second births, exploring how to prepare for both the marathon and the sprint. Angie unpacks the midwifery model and provider fit, explaining where physiology thrives and when medical expertise is essential. You’ll hear why prenatal education often does the heavy lifting, how strategic position changes may prevent some cesareans, and what chiropractic care can contribute to pelvic balance and comfort. Just as important, we shine a light on postpartum—a phase that deserves real planning for recovery, feeding, sleep, and mental health. Breastfeeding support, often underused and misunderstood, gets candid attention, along with practical ways to find help covered by insurance. Through it all runs a core message: trust the process, shape your preparation, and let your story unfold with your values at the center. If you’re building your birth plan, considering a midwife, or simply looking for an empowering, evidence-aligned approach to labor and postpartum, these lessons offer clarity and calm. If this conversation supports your journey, follow the show, share it with a friend who’s expecting, and leave a quick review to help more families find it. What’s one priority you’ll put at the top of your birth plan? 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

  2. OCT 31

    E96: Postpartum, For Real

    Send us a text We reset the cultural script on early postpartum, naming the gap between glossy images and real recovery and offering practical ways to rest, plan, and get help. Joy and struggle can sit side by side, and that truth makes room for healing, teamwork, and steady confidence. • normalizing messy, exhausting early postpartum • myth of the perfect new mother and why it hurts • when birth plans change and grief shows up • physical recovery needs and sleep deprivation • feeding realities, cluster feeding, latch issues • identity shifts, doubt, and mood fluctuations • relationship communication and partner support • newborn behavior explained in simple terms • rest as a healing strategy, not a luxury • practical planning for food, water, chores, help • building a support circle and when to call professionals • baby blues and postpartum mood disorders • cocooning, slowing down, and realistic expectations “Reach out and make a human connection. People are our most valuable assets. Don’t give them up. Hold on tight to those connections and make new ones when you can.” 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

  3. OCT 24

    E95: Burnout, Boundaries, and The Birth Worker

    Send us a text We explore burnout and boundaries in birth work with candor and care, from compassion fatigue to practical systems that protect energy and improve outcomes. We share tools for communication, caseload limits, backup plans, debriefing, rest, and reconnecting with joy. • symptoms of burnout in doulas and caregivers • compassion fatigue and emotional load • on-call life, identity and fear of letting clients down • culture of hustle versus balance • communication windows and phone settings • client caps and counting collateral time • backup systems and shift handoffs • planned recovery days and true time off • not inheriting client challenges • debriefing, mentorship and peer support • continuing education as renewed purpose • transition rituals and non-work hobbies • choosing one boundary to start this week • modeling self-care for clients and family Reach out and make a human connection today—text or call a friend, meet for a walk, or lunch. Choose one boundary this week and honor it. 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. OCT 10

    E94: The Confident Birth Partner: Simple Ways to Show Up and Steady the Room

    Send us a text We share how non‑doula support—partners, friends, and family—can steady the room, shorten labor, and raise confidence through simple, human tools. Presence beats perfection as we lay out physical comfort, emotional grounding, and clean advocacy in plain language. • why continuous support changes labor outcomes • roles any trusted person can play at birth • physical tools such as counterpressure, knee press, position changes • small resets including sips of cold water and cool washcloths • emotional steadiness through breath, words, and eye contact • advocacy by asking clear questions and naming preferences • what not to do, from phones to arguing • how to prepare: practice at home, pack well, plan backup • personal stories that show what effective support looks like • a reminder that presence matters more than perfection Make a human connection today—reach out to someone and make somebody else feel a little bit better today 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. OCT 3

    E93: Understanding Preeclampsia: Warning Signs, Risks, and Real Stories

    Send us a text Preeclampsia can appear without warning and reshape a birth plan overnight. We explain the signs, risks, and care decisions with real stories from the hospital and straightforward steps to lower risk and catch problems early. • what preeclampsia is and why it matters • common and less obvious warning signs • who is at higher risk and why risk shifts • how diagnosis works in real prenatal care • dangers for mother and baby if untreated • treatment options, induction and cesarean decisions • postpartum risks and long-term health impacts • prevention basics: aspirin, calcium, nutrition, exercise • real cases: risking out of home birth, NICU realities • self-advocacy, listening to your body, asking for help Your listens mean so much to us. I want you to try and make a human connection today. If you can reach out, touch someone, whether that's virtually eye contact, really grab hold of someone with your own hands, give them a hug. 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

  6. SEP 26

    E92: Role of an OB on a Birth Team

    Send us a text We dive deep into the often-misunderstood role of obstetricians during labor and birth, revealing why they're typically not present throughout the entire process despite their crucial medical expertise. Understanding the true role of each birth team member helps set realistic expectations and creates space for better collaboration. • OBs are medical doctors with extensive training who specialize in pregnancy, birth, and reproductive health • During labor, OBs monitor from afar, reviewing health history and making decisions about interventions when necessary • Continuous bedside support comes primarily from nurses, partners, and doulas, not from the obstetrician • OBs typically appear near the end of pushing stage to manage delivery, the placenta, and any complications • The energy shift when an OB enters the room can revitalize a tired birth team at a critical moment • OBs' expertise is most crucial during high-risk pregnancies, emergencies, and complicated labors • Understanding your specific OB's philosophy and communication style helps create realistic expectations • Creating a complete birth team means recognizing what each person contributes to the experience • When birth teams collaborate with clear communication and mutual respect, birthing people feel safer As always, I want to close with making human connection. Please make a positive human connection today. You'll need it, and somebody else will as well. The joy you bring might change someone's entire day. 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

    23 min

  7. SEP 19

    E91: Utah's Journey of Birth Laws with Guest Holly Richardson

    Send us a text Twenty years ago, having a baby at home in Utah could land your midwife in jail with felony charges. Today, Utah boasts the most flexible midwifery laws in the nation. What happened in between is a remarkable story of determination, political savvy, and grassroots organizing that forever changed how families experience birth in the state. Holly Richardson, now known for her political commentary and radio show "Inside Sources" on KSL, joins us to share her firsthand account of the five-year legislative battle to legalize direct-entry midwifery in Utah. As one of the key architects of this movement, Holly reveals the challenges they faced, from powerful medical lobbies to threatening phone calls, and the creative strategies that ultimately led to success. We explore how a small group of determined women navigated the legislative process despite being told they were fighting an impossible battle. Their persistence paid off in dramatic fashion when the bill passed by a single vote at 9 PM on the final day of the 2005 legislative session. This landmark legislation made Utah the only state with voluntary midwifery licensure and paved the way for birth centers to become legal options for families. The conversation offers fascinating insights into how birth rights were secured through political activism. Holly shares amusing stories about their advocacy tactics, including flooding legislators with postcards announcing each home birth in their district and mobilizing hundreds of pink-clad supporters to fill committee rooms. These grassroots efforts transformed public perception of midwifery from fringe to mainstream. For parents considering out-of-hospital birth today, Holly provides practical advice on selecting providers and understanding the licensing system. Whether you're interested in birth options, political activism, or how determined citizens can change laws against powerful opposition, this episode offers valuable lessons in persistence and the power of organized advocacy. 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

    29 min

  8. SEP 5

    E90: Shoulder Dystocia

    Send us a text Shoulder dystocia is a rare but significant birth complication where the baby's head is delivered but a shoulder gets stuck behind the mother's pubic bone, similar to moving furniture through a doorway.  • Occurs in only 0.5-1% of births • Risk factors include large babies, maternal diabetes, prior shoulder dystocia, and short maternal stature • Providers look for the "turtle sign" where the baby's head retracts slightly after emerging • Birth rooms typically have stools ready for this emergency • McRoberts maneuver (hyperflexing mother's legs) is usually the first intervention • Additional techniques include suprapubic pressure, internal maneuvers, and position changes • All-fours position is often used as a last resort intervention • In extreme cases, intentional clavicle fracture may be necessary • Most babies recover well, though there may be temporary arm weakness • Mothers may experience increased bleeding or perineal tears • Birth teams train regularly for this scenario and have clear protocols Please reach out and make a human connection with someone today, whether it's someone you've seen recently or someone you haven't connected with in a while. 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
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 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 - 2025
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Ordinary Doula Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Ordinary Doula Podcast

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