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Midwife or OB? Most parents don’t realize they’re choosing more than a title, they’re choosing a care model. We’re Misty and Tammy, two doulas who spend a lot of time in hospital birth rooms, and we keep getting the same question: what’s the real difference between hospital-based midwives and obstetricians during pregnancy and labor, and how do you know which one is right for you? We walk through it with nuance, because we’ve worked with amazing providers on both sides.

We talk about what changes in prenatal visits, including time, education, and how thoroughly options get explained. We unpack how CNMs are trained, why bedside communication can feel different, and how labor support often shifts depending on whether the mindset is “manage labor” or “let labor unfold.” You’ll also hear our on-the-ground perspective on inductions, epidurals, pushing positions, and intermittent versus continuous monitoring, plus why personality fit matters so much when you’re at your most vulnerable.

Then we get practical with a list of questions to bring to any provider: how they feel about inductions and their cutoff dates, what they do when labor stalls, what their C-section rate means in context, who will actually deliver your baby, and how they work with doulas. The biggest takeaway: there’s no single right answer, but you do deserve to feel safe, respected, and informed and you can change your mind if you don’t. Subscribe, share this with a newly pregnant friend, and leave a review with the question you wish you’d asked sooner.

Thanks for listening! Always feel free to message us for more information or, if you have information you feel we should see, please send that. We LOVE to hear and learn from you!

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Labor started at church, the hospital trip was short, and the Broncos played on the radio while she worked through contractions. For Mother’s Day, we bring on a very special guest, Linda, Tammy’s mom, to tell the story of giving birth in the 1970s and to compare it with what families face in modern pregnancy, hospital birth, and postpartum recovery.

We talk about how parents learned about pregnancy before podcasts and social media, what it meant to trust one consistent doctor through prenatal care, and how support looked when dads being in the room was still a newer idea. Linda shares what surprised her, what made her feel strong, and why she didn’t feel the same fear around birth that many parents feel today. We also dig into pain relief options then vs now, the reality of episiotomy repair, and why a doula’s steady presence can help fill gaps when care feels less personal.

Postpartum gets real: rest, sleep deprivation, feeding challenges, hormones, and the practical truth that partners can’t read minds. We share simple postpartum tips, honest laughs, and a reminder to stop trying to control everything when it isn’t medically necessary. If you’re pregnant, newly postpartum, or years into motherhood, this conversation offers perspective, warmth, and concrete ways to ask for the support you deserve. Subscribe, share this with a mom who needs it, and leave a review. What’s the one postpartum need you wish someone had handled for you?

Sadly, the Broncos lost to the Chicago Bears! 33-14.

Linda's, and every other 1970's mother's, textbook of birth. A Child Is Born.

Thanks for listening! Always feel free to message us for more information or, if you have information you feel we should see, please send that. We LOVE to hear and learn from you!

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We talk honestly about cesarean birth from the stats to the emotions, and why C-section support deserves the same care and respect as any other birth. We share how doulas help before, during, and after a C-section, including what makes the OR experience feel calmer and more human.
• C-section awareness month and why we talk about cesarean birth without being anti-C-section
• US and Colorado C-section rates and how hospital variation affects outcomes
• How a first birth can shape later choices and what VBAC really means
• Why families feel “defeated” after an unplanned C-section and how we reframe that story
• Doulas in the OR as emotional and mental support for parents during surgery
• Myth versus fact on body failure, repeat C-sections, and the “easy way out” claim
• Practical ways to influence outcomes through provider choice, movement, and early labor timing
• How continuous doula support reduces anxiety, slows spirals, and creates space for informed consent
Please comment on our podcast or share your experience about what it was like.

Hospitals in Colorado are not required to publicly report their C-section rates, though some do choose to share this information. One helpful resource is the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade website, where you can search for available data.

If your hospital isn’t listed, you have the right to request this information directly. It’s also important to keep in mind that C-section rates can fluctuate month to month, and individual provider rates may differ significantly within the same hospital. Asking your specific provider about their personal C-section rate can give you a clearer, more accurate picture as you prepare for your birth.

Thanks for listening! Always feel free to message us for more information or, if you have information you feel we should see, please send that. We LOVE to hear and learn from you!

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After some time away, we’re back with a fun and honest catch-up.

In this episode, we’re sharing recent birth stories, the reality of life on call, and what it looks like to support families through some of their biggest moments—sometimes all in the same week.

It’s real, it’s a little chaotic, and it’s why we love what we do.

Thanks for listening! Always feel free to message us for more information or, if you have information you feel we should see, please send that. We LOVE to hear and learn from you!

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The birth trend in America is shifting dramatically. For the first time in history, women over 40 are having more babies than teenagers – a complete shift that raises fascinating questions about modern motherhood.

Drawing from our extensive experience as birth doulas, we dive into this groundbreaking CDC study showing births to women over 40 have surged 193% since 1990 while teen births plummeted 73%. The statistics align perfectly with what we're seeing in our practice, where approximately 75% of our clients now fall into the "advanced maternal age (geriatric pregnancy)" category.

What's driving this shift? We discuss multiple factors: better access to sex education, birth control, career advancement opportunities allowing women to establish themselves professionally before motherhood, evolving dating patterns (with many finding partners later through work or online dating), and remarkable advancements in fertility treatments making pregnancy possible for many who might previously have been unable to conceive in their later reproductive years.

But delayed motherhood brings unique challenges. Healthcare providers typically approach pregnancies in women over 35 differently, recommending additional monitoring, earlier inductions, specialized genetic screening, and generally higher levels of medical management. Through personal stories and observations, we examine how older mothers – particularly those who've undergone fertility treatments – often approach birth with different expectations than younger mothers. Having already navigated the complex medical world of reproductive technology, they typically have a different relationship with the healthcare system than women who conceived easily in their twenties.

Have you experienced pregnancy after 35? We'd love to hear your story! Text or email us about what you wish your birth team had known about supporting you. Whether you're part of this growing demographic of older mothers or among the declining number of younger parents, your perspective matters to us and our community of listeners navigating similar journeys.

The studies referenced in this episode:

CDC Study

Motherly Article

Thanks for listening! Always feel free to message us for more information or, if you have information you feel we should see, please send that. We LOVE to hear and learn from you!

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Misty and Tammy unpack the vital role of postpartum doulas and why the "fourth trimester" deserves just as much planning and support as birth itself.

WARNING: This episode includes discussion of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), sharing both personal reflections and supportive insight.
Some moments may feel heavy, it's ok to pause and come back when you're ready. You are not alone!

• Support from a doula can reduce postpartum depression risk by up to 65%
• Postpartum doulas provide physical, emotional, and informational support after childbirth
• Specializing in newborn care, maternal recovery, household help, emotional support, and resources
• Day doulas versus night doulas - different support for different family needs
• The postpartum period is often emotionally challenging and isolating for new mothers
• Proper support helps mothers feel seen, heard, and validated in their experiences
• Many families lack nearby support systems, making professional help essential
• We celebrate when families no longer need our services - it means we have done our job
• Consider gifting postpartum support to new parents instead of traditional baby items

The following studies and resources were used in the making of this episode:

https://evidencebasedbirth.com/ebb-344-crash-course-perinatal-mood-disorders-treatment-dr-kat-kaeni-perinatal-psychologist-postpartum-support-international/

https://www.motherhoodcenter.com/10-reasons-to-hire-a-postpartum-doula/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9257331/

Recommendations:

https://takingcarababies.com/best-swaddle?srsltid=AfmBOopERR6Ghb-pj7E5DdhWglJk3gFq7SU4LPMBlu3_IDQiwDxs_QfD

https://milehighdoulas.com/

Thanks for listening! Always feel free to message us for more information or, if you have information you feel we should see, please send that. We LOVE to hear and learn from you!

Send us Fan Mail

Thanks for listening! Always feel free to message us for more information or, if you have information you feel we should see, please send that. We LOVE to hear and learn from you!

Send us Fan Mail

Misty and Tammy tackle the most common misconceptions about doulas in birth work, clarifying their non-medical supportive role distinct from midwives or obstetricians. They explore the myths and realities about what doulas can and cannot do during labor and delivery.

• Doulas are not midwives - they provide continuous non-medical emotional and physical support during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum
• Doulas enhance rather than replace the partner's role in the birth space
• Despite common beliefs, doulas support births that involve medical pain management
• Doulas cannot guarantee specific outcomes or "save" clients from unwanted interventions
• Doulas work collaboratively with the medical team rather than against them
• Financial accessibility - doulas are available at various price points including volunteer work for those who need it

If you're concerned about affording doula support, reach out to us as we know many doulas who volunteer or offer reduced rates for families in need. Everyone deserves a doula!

Thanks for listening! Always feel free to message us for more information or, if you have information you feel we should see, please send that. We LOVE to hear and learn from you!