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What actually is a doula—and why do so many parents say they’d never give birth without one again?

This week I’m joined by Kristin from Gold Coast Doulas, who’s on a mission to transform the way we support birthing individuals from conception through the chaos of early parenting. Kristin shares how her own birth experiences sparked a passion for advocacy and led her to create the kind of business she wishes existed when she became a mom.

We dive into the misunderstood role of doulas, bust myths around who they serve (hint: it's not just for home births), and explore how emotional and physical support can completely change the postpartum game. From navigating insurance coverage to trusting your gut in a system full of managed care, this conversation is packed with insights for anyone navigating pregnancy, birth, or the foggy fourth trimester.

Whether you’re expecting, postpartum, or simply passionate about maternal health—this episode is your permission slip to seek support, ask questions, and reclaim your power.

Takeaways

• Kristen's journey into doula work was influenced by her own birth experiences.
• Gold Coast Doulas offers comprehensive support from conception to age five.
• Doulas provide non-medical support and advocacy during pregnancy and postpartum.
• The role of a doula is often misunderstood, with many believing they only assist with home births.
• Judgment-free support is crucial for empowering birthing individuals.
• Doulas help clients navigate their birth experiences and make informed decisions.
• Collaboration with healthcare providers is essential for effective doula support.
• Every birthing person deserves access to doula care and support.

Sound Bites

• "I fell in love with advocating for women."
• "I created the business that I wish existed."
• "I felt alone even with a nurse midwife."
• "There is a lot of managed patient care."
• "There is a doula for everyone."
• Todayas can impact prenatal health and support."
• "I would never do it without a doula."
• "Moms get things done."
• "Trust that little nagging feeling or your gut."
• "Everybody should look into doulas."

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 Special Thanks to Steve Audy for the use of our theme song: Quiet Connection

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In this Quiet Confession, Chelsea opens up about the lifelong belief that saying “no” equals failure, and how motherhood has challenged that mindset. Between constant illness in their household, navigating hormone replacement therapy, and juggling an endless list of commitments, they're learning that saying “no” isn’t selfish. It’s survival.

This episode dives into the messy, emotional practice of setting boundaries, rejecting burnout, and redefining love as something that includes yourself, too.

✨ Key Takeaways

• Saying “no” isn’t failure—it’s a form of self-preservation.
  
  
• Boundaries teach our children that love includes self-respect.
  
  
• You don’t have to do it all to be enough.
  
  
• Rest and recovery are acts of resistance against burnout culture.
  
  
• Protecting your energy allows you to show up as your best self.

💬 Soundbites

1. “If I say yes to one more thing, then I’m saying no to myself.”
   
   
2. “Maybe saying no is an act of love.”
   
   
3. “My limits are not weakness. They’re survival.”
   
   
4. “If our kids see us running ourselves into the ground, what are we teaching them?”
   
   
5. “Saying no doesn’t make me a bad mom. It means I’m protecting the version of me my kids need.”

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 Special Thanks to Steve Audy for the use of our theme song: Quiet Connection

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Motherhood is rarely what we expect—and sometimes it’s life-threatening. In this episode of Quiet Connection, Lisa, a mom of three, shares her powerful story of an unexpected pregnancy, a dangerous case of preeclampsia, and the challenges of NICU life. She opens up about navigating postpartum depression, anxiety, and rage, and how listening to her inner voice and reaching out for support became lifelines.

Lisa’s story is a reminder that maternal health matters, prenatal and postpartum visits can be life-saving, and advocating for yourself—even when it feels hard—is an act of love. Whether you’re a new parent, a seasoned one, or walking alongside someone on this journey, this conversation reminds us all: you are not alone.

 Connect with Lisa on Instagram. 

🔑 Key Takeaways

1. Trusting your instincts matters. Lisa’s story shows how listening to that inner voice during pregnancy and postpartum can be life-saving.
   
   
2. Preeclampsia is serious and often misunderstood. Routine prenatal visits caught Lisa’s life-threatening condition before it became fatal.
   
   
3. NICU life is overwhelming and emotional. Balancing fear for her baby’s health with her own recovery was a defining part of Lisa’s journey.
   
   
4. Postpartum rage is real. It’s not just “being irritable”—it’s a form of postpartum mood disorder that deserves recognition and treatment.
   
   
5. Advocacy saves lives. Speaking up, asking questions, and insisting on care are critical in both pregnancy and postpartum.
   
   
6. Support is essential. Lisa’s healing has come from community, therapy, and openly sharing her story to help others feel less alone.

🎤 Soundbites

1. “One routine appointment changed everything — preeclampsia nearly killed me.”
   
   
2. “NICU life teaches you how strong and fragile we can be all at once.”
   
   
3. “Postpartum rage isn’t just being cranky. It’s a real, serious symptom of postpartum mental health.”
   
   
4. “Advocating for yourself in pregnancy isn’t optional. It can save your life.”
   
   
5. “Moms are told to be grateful, but we also need space to be real about our trauma.”
   
   
6. “Maternal health doesn’t end when the baby arrives — that’s when so much of it begins.”
   
   
7. “Every mother deserves to know she’s not alone in this.”
   
   
8. “I thought it was just me losing it. It wasn’t — it was postpartum rage.”

Support the show

 Special Thanks to Steve Audy for the use of our theme song: Quiet Connection

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Send Chelsea a message on PodMatch 

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In this week’s Quiet Confessions, Chelsea gets real about marriage in survival mode. With sick kids, nonstop appointments, and the relentless weight of the world, they share how love can sometimes look less like date nights and more like passing the baton at bedtime.

From the honesty of being “sleep divorced” with twin Tempur-Pedics and CPAP machines, to the reminder that relationships ebb and flow, Chelsea offers reassurance that quiet love is still love. This episode is for every parent who’s ever felt too tired for romance but certain in their commitment.

🔑 Key Takeaways

1. Relationships ebb and flow. Love doesn’t need to look fiery and passionate all the time to be strong.
   
   
2. Quiet love matters. Acts of teamwork and small gestures — like switching off kid duty or making tea — still count.
   
   
3. Survival mode is not failure. Sometimes marriage looks like keeping kids alive and collapsing into bed, and that’s okay.
   
   
4. Naming the season helps. Calling it what it is makes it feel less like failure and more like reality.
   
   
5. This season isn’t permanent. With time and intention, couples can return to rituals of closeness, laughter, and connection. 

🎧 Soundbites

• “It’s like having a full bank account but the ATM is closed — the love is there, the access just isn’t.”
  
  
• “Sometimes love looks like switching off kid duty and making sure there’s a clean cup for evening tea.”
  
  
• “Right now we’re best friends who live together and share a bedroom — and that’s still love.”
  
  
• “Nothing’s wrong. We’re just really freaking tired.”
  
  
• “Naming it feels less like failure and more like reality.”

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 Special Thanks to Steve Audy for the use of our theme song: Quiet Connection

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In this week’s Quiet Confessions, Chelsea reflects on the small, everyday moments of parenting that are equal parts exhausting and heart-melting — the duality we don’t always recognize until it’s gone.

From preschool mispronunciations like “B-member” and “preschoo,” to bedtime bathroom excuses, to popcorn-for-dinner movie nights, Chelsea shares the sweetness hidden beneath the chaos. This episode is a gentle reminder to notice what we’ll miss one day — not because we have to savor every second, but because love is often tucked into the most overwhelming parts of parenting.

🔑 Key Takeaways

1. Parenting is full of duality. The same moments that feel overwhelming now are the ones we’ll one day miss.
   
   
2. Mispronunciations are fleeting magic. Words like “B-member” or “Lightning the Queen” capture a child’s unique stage of life.
   
   
3. Bedtime routines hold hidden sweetness. What feels like stalling now may one day feel like a gift of connection.
   
   
4. Simple joys matter. Popcorn-and-movie dinners are proof that small rituals become treasured memories.
   
   
5. Sibling bonds shine through. Even amid bickering, moments of laughter and connection remind us how strong sibling relationships are.
   
   
6. Presence over perfection. It’s not about savoring every moment, but noticing love inside the chaos. 

🎧 Soundbites

• “The duality of parenting is that the things that drive us crazy now will break our hearts when they’re gone.”
  
  
• “One day she won’t come downstairs for that extra hug — and I’ll miss it.”
  
  
• “B-member and preschoo are uniquely hers right now — and I know I’ll miss it when the words are gone.”
  
  
• “Popcorn-and-movie night feels like survival to us, but to them, it feels like a party.”
  
  
• “Love is tucked into the chaos — and that’s what we’ll miss one day.”

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 Special Thanks to Steve Audy for the use of our theme song: Quiet Connection

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In this week’s Quiet Confessions, Chelsea gets vulnerable about the mom guilt that comes with trying to balance parenting and personal growth. With both kids now in school, they share the challenges of juggling preschool pick-ups, three-hour Zoom trainings, and the ever-present temptation of screen time for their toddler.

From Paw Patrol marathons to the sweetness of a preschooler “working” on their lap, Chelsea opens up about the tension between logic and guilt, passion and parenting. This episode is for every parent who’s ever felt stretched thin, questioned if they were doing enough, and needed the reminder: you are not failing.

🔑 Key Takeaways

1. Logic doesn’t erase guilt. Even when kids are safe, cared for, and entertained, parents can still feel guilt about relying on screens.
   
   
2. Independent play has value. Letting kids entertain themselves builds resilience, creativity, and problem-solving.
   
   
3. Passion projects matter. Pursuing opportunities like trainings, studies, or work benefits both parent and family long-term.
   
   
4. Grace makes a difference. Being surrounded by other moms who understand the chaos of parenting helps ease guilt.
   
   
5. Balance is messy. Parenting and personal growth don’t line up perfectly — and that doesn’t mean failure.
   
   
6. Small glimmers count. Sweet moments, like a toddler pretending to work alongside you, can transform guilt into gratitude.

🎧 Soundbites

• “Guilt does not care about logic, does it?”
  
  
• “Independent play has value — but guilt says I should be doing more.”
  
  
• “I know I’m not choosing between my kids and something meaningless — this matters.”
  
  
• “Sometimes balance looks like Paw Patrol and a preschooler on my lap during Zoom calls.”
  
  
• “We’re not failing. We’re juggling. And that has to be enough.”

Support the show

 Special Thanks to Steve Audy for the use of our theme song: Quiet Connection

Want to be a guest on Quiet Connection - Postpartum Mental Health?
Send Chelsea a message on PodMatch 

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In this week’s Quiet Confession, Chelsea shares a whirlwind week of parenting their three-year-old—complete with nap strikes, preschool jitters, and a household cold that took almost everyone down. 

From meltdowns soothed only by K-pop on repeat to the bittersweet milestone of watching their last baby walk into preschool, this is a candid look at the messy, exhausting, and surprisingly tender moments of parenting through transition.

Because sometimes, survival looks like tissues, deep breaths, and blasting “Golden” on repeat.

🗝️ Key Takeaways

• Nap transitions are tough on kids and parents.
  
  
• Household colds derail everything—especially in the first week of school.
  
  
• Preschool is a milestone full of excitement, nerves, and “three-nager” energy.
  
  
• Music (even if on repeat!) can be a surprising survival tool.
  
  
• Parenting transitions are universal—messy, exhausting, and survivable.
  
  

💬 Sound Bites

1. “Naps have always been my lifeline—and now? Gone. Just like that. Gone.”
   
   
2. “I’m convinced our house helped keep K-pop Demon Hunters at number one.”
   
   
3. “Watching her walk into that classroom was surreal—anxious, nervous, excited, sad, all at once.”
   
   
4. “Every parent goes through these transition storms. We’re gonna survive. Even if it sucks.”

Support the show

 Special Thanks to Steve Audy for the use of our theme song: Quiet Connection

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After years of feeling alone in their rare postpartum experience, Chelsea finally connects with someone who truly understands—the hemorrhage, the tumor, the trauma, and the fight to survive while parenting. In this episode, Chelsea reflects on how one unexpected connection through social media felt like oxygen after years of suffocation.

Sometimes, one “me too” is all it takes to change everything.

🗝️ Key Takeaways

• Carrying rare and complex medical trauma often feels isolating.
  
  
• Finding one person who understands can be life-changing.
  
  
• Connection doesn’t always come from big communities—sometimes one “me too” is enough.
  
  
• Online “pocket friends” can provide powerful support and belonging.
  
  
• Sharing our stories creates bridges for others to find their puzzle piece.

💬 Sound Bites

1. “That connection felt like oxygen when I didn’t even realize I was suffocating.”
   
   
2. “I carried my story for years thinking I was the only one—and then suddenly I wasn’t.”
   
   
3. “One Me Too can carry you through years of inner battles.”
   
   
4. “One social media connection can change your life.”

*As mentioned in this episode, check out Kathryn's Instagram @BeyondTheBirthTrauma

Support the show

 Special Thanks to Steve Audy for the use of our theme song: Quiet Connection

Want to be a guest on Quiet Connection - Postpartum Mental Health?
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In this episode of Quiet Confessions, Chelsea shares their story of surviving postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, suicidal ideation, and the long road through psychiatric hospitalizations and misdiagnoses. With raw honesty, Chelsea reveals the toll of stigma, the failures of the healthcare system, and the terrifying weight of intrusive thoughts—while also highlighting the resilience, healing, and glimmers of hope that kept them moving forward.

As Suicide Awareness Month comes to a close, this episode is a reminder that silence feeds shame—but sharing our stories can save lives.

📌 Key Takeaways

• Postpartum mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) can include suicidal ideation, and it’s vital to speak openly about these experiences to break stigma.
  
  
• Hospitalizations can be both necessary and traumatizing—highlighting the need for compassionate, effective perinatal mental health care.
  
  
• Misdiagnoses and dismissals by providers can delay critical treatment; self-advocacy is essential, though often exhausting.
  
  
• Healing is possible—through partial hospitalization, outpatient therapy, and learning skills like DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy).
  
  
• Silence feeds shame; stories of survival can help others feel less alone.

💬 Soundbites

1. “The darkness of shame and stigma dies when we bring it into the light.”
   
   
2. “I begged to be admitted because I knew I wasn’t safe. And every time I left worse than when I arrived.”
   
   
3. “I told them over and over again this wasn’t just depression or anxiety—I knew my body. And I was right. Two years later, they found the pituitary tumor.”
   
   
4. “If you’re listening and struggling—even if you’re not suicidal—text 988. You deserve help.”
   
   
5. “Suicide Awareness Month isn’t about statistics. It’s about stories. It’s about saying out loud: I’ve been there, but I’m still here.”

This episode discusses topics that may be triggering for some individuals. Please check the show notes for more information and be mindful of your own mental health and comfort levels.

Visit our Patreon to help support our mission to normalize the conversation and end the stigma surrounding PMADs!

Support the show

 Special Thanks to Steve Audy for the use of our theme song: Quiet Connection

Want to be a guest on Quiet Connection - Postpartum Mental Health?
Send Chelsea a message on PodMatch 

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⚠️ Trigger warning: This episode discusses intrusive thoughts, suicidal ideation, and homicidal ideation related to postpartum psychosis. Please take care while listening.

In this deeply vulnerable and powerful episode, Chelsea sits down with author and advocate Aaisha Alvi to talk about her lived experience with postpartum psychosis—not once, but twice. Aaisha opens up about the terrifying symptoms she faced, how medical professionals repeatedly dismissed her cries for help, and the tragic consequences that so many families face due to widespread ignorance of this treatable condition.

They discuss Aaisha’s book, A Mom Like That, her journey from patient to advocate, and how helping another mom in crisis became a pivotal part of her healing. Aaisha reminds us all that postpartum psychosis is not who you are—it’s something you experience. And with proper care, healing is possible.

Important Links:

• Aaisha’s Instagram
• A Mom Like That: A Memoir of Postpartum Psychosis
• Aaisha’s Website

Takeaways

• Aisha Alvi is a postpartum psychosis awareness advocate.
• She experienced postpartum psychosis after both of her pregnancies.
• Healthcare providers often lack knowledge about postpartum mood disorders.
• Aisha's memoir details her experiences and the importance of awareness.
• Postpartum psychosis is a temporary and treatable condition.
• Many mothers face dismissal from healthcare providers when seeking help.
• Aisha's story emphasizes the need for better education on maternal mental health.
• The stigma surrounding postpartum psychosis can lead to tragic outcomes.
• Aisha's writing process was influenced by her desire to fill a gap in literature.
• Sharing personal experiences can help others understand and seek help. Everything in the book happened.
• The most terrifying part was not getting help.
• Helping others can be a form of healing.
• Postpartum psychosis is an illness that affects many.
• Awareness can save lives.
• Stigma around mental health needs to be broken.
• Honest narratives in motherhood are crucial.
• Family dynamics can shift with open conversations.
• Reader feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
• Teaching children about mental health is essential.

Sound Bites

• "I'm a postpartum psychosis awareness advocate."
• "I started to feel depressed and super anxious."
• "I was never diagnosed."
• "This condition is temporary and treatable."
• "I refused to tone it down."
• "I always tell them to take their time with my book."
• "It's out there for when you're ready for it."
• "Everything in the book happened."
• "I couldn't get help. That was the most terrifying."
• "We need to get it checked out because of that."
• "I want to create a world with no stigma."
• "It's highly treatable and nobody needs to suffer."
• "I just want to save a life."

This episode discusses topics that may be triggering for some individuals. Please check the show notes for more information and be mindful of your own mental health and comfort levels.

Visit our Patreon to help support our mission to normalize the conversation and end the stigma surrounding PMADs!

Support the show

 Special Thanks to Steve Audy for the use of our theme song: Quiet Connection

Want to be a guest on Quiet Connection - Postpartum Mental Health?
Send Chelsea a message on PodMatch