Hi friends! We are back. So sorry for the little pause to help me catch up after one of the worst sick seasons my house has seen.

In this episode of Picking Daisies, Mary sits down with Kristin Revere — doula, podcast host, founder of Gold Coast Doulas, and author of Supported: Your Guide to Birth and Baby — to have a raw and powerful conversation about what it truly means to feel supported in motherhood.

They unpack the critical role doulas play in the birthing and postpartum experience — not just as birth experts, but as compassionate advocates who help women feel seen, heard, and held in one of life’s most transformational moments. From personal stories to generational perspectives, hypnobirthing to loss support, this conversation touches every corner of what support really looks like when you’re growing through what you go through.

They also explore the cultural stigma around asking for help, how education can empower moms, and why support in motherhood should never be treated like a luxury.

Whether you're preparing for birth, healing from it, or just wondering how to show up better for yourself or the people you love — this episode is packed with insight, validation, and a gentle reminder that you don’t have to do it all alone.

TAKEAWAYS:

• Doulas offer critical emotional, physical, and informational support throughout childbirth.
• Hypnobirthing empowers women through positive language and visualization techniques.
• Loss doulas provide vital care and comfort during some of the hardest moments of parenthood.
• Generational beliefs can shape the way we view support in birth and postpartum.
• Doulas help partners feel more prepared and involved in the birthing process.
• New moms often feel isolated — doulas can be a lifeline in those early days.
• Cultural norms often stigmatize asking for help, making support feel like a privilege instead of a right.
• Education about birth options leads to more confident, empowered parents.
• A birth preference sheet helps care teams support the birthing person more intentionally.
• Kristin’s book Supported offers a judgment-free, inclusive approach to navigating pregnancy, birth, and early parenting.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Kristin Revere's book: Supported: Your Guide to Birth and Baby
• Gold Coast Doulas: goldcoastdoulas.com
• Ask the Doulas Podcast

Join Mary everyday for a real look into life with 3 crazy ass kids, surviving, thriving, and whatever the F else you might consider over at www.instagram.com/theverymarylife. Or if you're a Tik Tok fan, find me at https://www.tiktok.com/@theverymarylife. And of course, explore more on Theverymarylife.com