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What keeps expecting parents from signing up for childbirth education? It isn't necessarily another class. More often, it's the feeling that there simply isn't enough time.

In this episode of the Ask the Doulas Podcast, Kristin Revere sits down with Ashley Brichter, founder and CEO of Birthsmarter, to explore how modern childbirth education must evolve to meet the realities of today's busy families. They discuss why traditional childbirth classes often compete with packed schedules rather than other educators, how to make prenatal education more accessible, and what parents truly need to feel confident heading into labor, birth, and the postpartum period.

Whether you're expecting your first baby or supporting growing families as a birth professional, this conversation offers practical insights into creating realistic, engaging education that empowers parents without overwhelming them.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why time is the biggest barrier to childbirth education
• How today's parents consume information differently
• What essential topics every childbirth class should cover
• Ways to fit birth preparation into a busy schedule
• How quality education can improve confidence and birth experiences

Connect with Ashley Brichter and learn more about Birthsmarter.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the Ask the Doulas Podcast, leave a review, and share it with an expecting parent who could benefit from evidence-based birth education.

This episode is sponsored by Cozy Earth. Use the code GOLDCOAST to receive a discount of up to 20 percent off.

Subscribe to our newsletter, check out Kristin Revere’s birth and baby book, and see more about our doula services & online courses below:

https://linktr.ee/goldcoastdoulas

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Most parents spend months preparing for birth, the nursery, and baby gear, but very few spend the same amount of time planning for the postpartum period. The truth is that the weeks after birth can be one of the most physically, emotionally, and mentally demanding times in a family's life. Creating a postpartum support plan before your baby arrives can make all the difference in your recovery, confidence, and overall well-being.

In this solo episode of the Ask the Doulas Podcast, Kristin Revere shares practical steps to help expecting parents build a strong postpartum support plan. From identifying your village and setting realistic expectations to planning for sleep, meals, mental health, feeding support, and household responsibilities, Kristin breaks down exactly what families should consider before bringing baby home.

Whether you're expecting your first baby or adding another child to your family, this episode will help you feel more prepared for the fourth trimester and empower you to ask for the support you deserve.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• Why a postpartum plan is just as important as a birth plan
• How to identify your support team before baby arrives
• What conversations to have with your partner about responsibilities and expectations
• Tips for planning meals, household help, and visitor boundaries
• How to prepare for feeding support and newborn sleep challenges
• When to consider hiring a postpartum doula or newborn care specialist
• How to create a realistic plan that adapts to your family's needs

The best gift you can give yourself before birth isn't another baby gadget. It's a plan for support.

This episode is sponsored by Cozy Earth. Use the code GOLDCOAST to receive a discount of up to 20 percent off.

Subscribe to our newsletter, check out Kristin Revere’s birth and baby book, and see more about our doula services & online courses below:

https://linktr.ee/goldcoastdoulas

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Perinatal mental health affects countless families, yet stigma and lack of awareness often prevent parents from seeking the support they need. In this episode of the Ask the Doulas Podcast, Kristin Revere sits down with Katie Crenshaw, Brand and Integrated Marketing Manager at Postpartum Support International and Social Media Manager for The Blue Dot Project.

Katie shares how The Blue Dot Project has become a powerful symbol of awareness, advocacy, and hope for families navigating perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. She discusses the importance of storytelling in reducing stigma, how communities can better support parents during pregnancy and postpartum, and the role birth workers play in recognizing, validating, and connecting families with resources.

Whether you're a parent, doula, childbirth educator, healthcare professional, or advocate, this conversation highlights actionable ways to support maternal mental health and become part of a movement that reminds families they are never alone.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• What The Blue Dot Project is and how it began
• Why perinatal mental health awareness matters
• The impact of stigma on seeking support
• How storytelling helps families feel seen and understood
• Ways birth workers can support clients experiencing mental health challenges
• Resources available through Postpartum Support International
• How listeners can get involved in the movement for maternal mental health awareness

This episode is sponsored by Cozy Earth. Use the code GOLDCOAST to receive a discount of up to 20 percent off.

Subscribe to our newsletter, check out Kristin Revere’s birth and baby book, and see more about our doula services & online courses below:

https://linktr.ee/goldcoastdoulas

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In this episode of Ask the Doulas, Kristin Revere welcomes Dr. Vandana Arcot, MD, a philanthropist and global health leader who has spent more than 17 years working in maternal and reproductive healthcare across 13 countries. Through her work around the world, Dr. Arcot has seen firsthand that improving maternal and infant outcomes requires more than access to medical care alone—it depends on strong systems working together.

From roads and transportation networks to clinics, electricity, medication storage, emergency services, and well-trained providers, Dr. Arcot explains why infrastructure is often the foundation of safe birth outcomes. She shares lessons from countries including Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, which have made significant progress in maternal health over the past three decades through sustained investments in healthcare infrastructure.

Kristin and Dr. Arcot discuss why maternal health systems remain underfunded in many areas, the impact this has on families and healthcare providers, and what communities and policymakers can learn from successful global models.

Whether you're preparing for birth, supporting new families, or passionate about improving maternal health, this episode offers valuable insights into the systems that help keep mothers and babies safe.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What maternal health infrastructure includes
• Why healthcare systems play a critical role in birth outcomes
• Global lessons from countries that have improved maternal health
• The consequences of underfunding maternal healthcare
• Strategies for creating safer births and healthier communities

This episode is sponsored by Cozy Earth. Use the code GOLDCOAST to receive a discount of up to 20 percent off.

Subscribe to our newsletter, check out Kristin Revere’s birth and baby book, and see more about our doula services & online courses below:

https://linktr.ee/goldcoastdoulas

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Packing your hospital bag can feel overwhelming, especially with so many conflicting checklists online. What do you actually need for labor, postpartum recovery, and your baby's first days?

In this solo episode of Ask the Doulas, Kristin Revere breaks down the must-have hospital bag essentials for birthing parents, partners, and newborns. From comfort items that can make labor more manageable to practical postpartum recovery supplies and baby basics, we share what is truly worth packing—and what can stay at home.

You'll learn:

• When to start packing your hospital bag
• Labor comfort items that can help during birth
• Postpartum recovery essentials for a more comfortable stay
• What your partner should bring
• Baby items you'll need (and those you probably won't)
• Common overpacking mistakes to avoid
• Tips from experienced doulas who have supported hundreds of births

Whether you're planning a hospital birth, induction, or scheduled cesarean, this episode will help you feel prepared, confident, and ready for the big day.

Tune in for a practical, doula-approved hospital bag checklist that takes the guesswork out of packing for birth and postpartum.

This episode is sponsored by Cozy Earth. Use the code GOLDCOAST to receive a discount of up to 20 percent off.

Subscribe to our newsletter, check out Kristin Revere’s birth and baby book, and see more about our doula services & online courses below:

https://linktr.ee/goldcoastdoulas

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Measles outbreaks and vaccine protection are becoming a growing concern for parents as cases rise again across the U.S. What do families actually need to know, and what steps are recommended if exposure happens?

In this episode of Ask the Doulas, Kristin sits down with Dr. Michael T. Myers Jr., a pediatrician with more than 35 years of experience in pediatrics, public health, and healthcare consulting, and former Chief of Primary Care, Pediatrics, and Practice Transformation at Summit Health New Jersey, to break down what parents need to know about current measles outbreaks, vaccine protection, and practical steps for protecting children.

We dive into:
• What parents should know about current measles outbreaks in the U.S.
• How measles vaccine protection works and what it means for children
• What's recommended if your child is exposed to measles
• How misinformation affects family health decisions
• Why conversations with your pediatric provider are especially important right now

This conversation helps parents cut through fear and confusion so they can focus on clear, practical information about measles risk and child health.

🎧 Perfect for expecting parents, families with young children, and anyone wanting to stay informed about current pediatric health concerns.

This episode is sponsored by Cozy Earth. Use the code GOLDCOAST to receive a discount of up to 20 percent off.

Subscribe to our newsletter, check out Kristin Revere’s birth and baby book, and see more about our doula services & online courses below:

https://linktr.ee/goldcoastdoulas

Send us Fan Mail

Baby soothing techniques, newborn sleep help, and how to calm a crying baby are some of the most searched concerns for new parents in the early postpartum weeks. But what actually works when your baby is inconsolable and sleep feels impossible?

In this episode of Ask the Doulas, Kristin Revere is joined by Dr. Harvey Karp, renowned pediatrician, bestselling author of The Happiest Baby on the Block, and founder and CEO of Happiest Baby, to share practical, science-backed strategies for soothing fussy babies, improving infant sleep, and building confidence during those exhausting newborn weeks.

We dive into:

• Why babies cry and how to respond effectively
• The science behind soothing techniques and infant sleep
• How the "5 S's" can calm newborns quickly
• Safe sleep recommendations every parent should know
• How calming strategies support parental confidence and mental health

Whether you're preparing for baby's arrival or navigating sleepless nights right now, this conversation is packed with actionable advice to help your whole family rest easier.

🎧 Perfect for expectant parents, new parents, doulas, and anyone supporting families through the newborn stage.

This episode is sponsored by Cozy Earth. Use the code GOLDCOAST to receive a discount of up to 20 percent off.

Subscribe to our newsletter, check out Kristin Revere's birth and baby book, and see more about our doula services & online courses below:

https://linktr.ee/goldcoastdoulas

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Sleep deprivation, postpartum mental health, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) are often dismissed as a normal part of new parenthood, but chronic exhaustion can affect the brain and body in ways that go well beyond tiredness.

In this episode of Ask the Doulas, we're joined by Mariana Yancik of Gold Coast Doulas to explore the connection between sleep deprivation and PMADs, and how this affects parents during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

We dive into:

• How sleep deprivation can contribute to postpartum depression, anxiety, overwhelm, and burnout
• What chronic exhaustion actually does to the brain and body in the perinatal period
• How to tell the difference between normal fatigue and something more serious
• Common misconceptions about infant sleep and realistic parental sleep expectations
• How support systems and personalised sleep guidance can protect mental health

Whether you're expecting, newly postpartum, or supporting families professionally, this episode offers compassionate, evidence-informed insight into one of the biggest challenges of early parenthood.

🎧 Perfect for expecting parents, new parents, and birth professionals supporting families through postpartum mental health challenges.

This episode is sponsored by Cozy Earth. Use the code GOLDCOAST to receive a discount of up to 20 percent off.

Subscribe to our newsletter, check out Kristin Revere's birth and baby book, and see more about our doula services & online courses below:

https://linktr.ee/goldcoastdoulas