Doulas Unhinged

Prioritizing your relationship in the early days of the postpartum period can make or break your future relationship. In this Episode, Alex and Lacey discuss many of the common pitfalls of the postpartum period and offer many tips for easy tweaks, adjustments and simple mindset shifts which can be implemented immediately. If no one gives you a play book, how can you know. Now that you have the tip...

In this episode of Doulas Unhinged, Lacey and Alex get real about one of the most routine—and rarely questioned—parts of modern birth: cervical checks. Are they actually necessary? What information do they really give? And why do so many women walk away from them feeling uncomfortable, discouraged, or even violated? We’re breaking down: •What cervical exams are meant to assess (and their limitatio...

In this episode of Doulas Unhinged, Lacey and Alex sit down with a powerful VBAC mama who shares her journey of choosing to birth again after a cesarean—and doing it unmedicated. She opens up about the fears, the pressure, and the moments where she had to deeply trust her body despite everything she’d previously experienced. From navigating provider conversations to staying grounded through intens...

In this episode Alex and Lacey explore a New York Times article's report of the negative impact of constant fetal monitoring. Constant fetal monitoring is used in almost every U.S. hospital labor and delivery unit. Most people in labor are attached to belts that track the baby's heart rate continuously. This particular tool became widespread in the 1970's, replacing intermittent mon...

In this episode Alex and Lacey discuss a new hospital policy that may impact patients at their local hospital- though these types of policies exist all over. They go through the document pulling apart the ways it could be used against the doulas to prevent families from having the support they choose to have in the room. They leave you with a call to action. As the consumer, your money talks. Tell...

In this warm, honest, and deeply supportive episode of Doulas Unhinged, hosts Alex Shaw and Lacey Morgan speak directly to new families navigating the tender postpartum period — a time when protecting your energy, space, and recovery is essential. Alex and Lacey unpack the art of setting boundaries with visitors, from deciding when people can come over to how long they stay. They explore the impor...

Emmalee opens up about the birth of her second child whom she chose to invite into the world via induction at 39 weeks. She shares how her long, protracted process was joyful, encouraging, surprising, and ultimately successful with some creative doula tricks which helped her step out of the standard approach and into her own storyline. 

Induction of labor is one of the most common interventions in modern birth—but it’s also one of the most misunderstood. In this episode, we break down why inductions are offered, what the process typically looks like, and how to navigate the conversation with your provider from an informed and empowered place. We discuss both the medical and non-medical reasons inductions may be recommended, inclu...

At around 36–37 weeks, almost everyone is offered a Group B Strep (GBS) test — and for many parents, that’s the first time they’ve ever heard of it. Suddenly there’s talk of “positive results,” IV antibiotics, hospital policies, and fear-based statistics… without a lot of context. So what is GBS really? How risky is it actually? And what choices do you have? In this episode, we break it all down w...

Labor isn’t just something that happens to you—it’s a dynamic process influenced by your body, your baby, your environment, and your mindset. In this episode, we break down how labor actually progresses and why it looks so different from one person to the next. We explore the often-overlooked factors that can either support or stall labor, starting with mindset and the messages we carry into birth...

Today we hear from Chelsea Barbine, founder of Postpartum Better, a postpartum coaching program, host of the Postpartum Better Podcast and co-host of the Postpartum Better Expo. Hear her share about the difference between her typical first-time labor and her second birth in which her son arrived at 33 weeks. Jump in to hear how the unexpected can still be well supported and empowering. 

In this episode, we unpack a client’s distressing induction experience that occurred at a local hospital—and use it as a springboard to discuss broader patterns of medical mismanagement we’ve repeatedly witnessed at this facility. We walk listeners through what went wrong, why it matters, and how these experiences are not isolated incidents , but part of a larger systemic problem rooted in routine...

When people think about hiring a doula, they often wonder, “But what about my partner?” In this episode, we flip that misconception on its head and explore how doulas don’t replace partners—they support them. We talk about how doulas enhance the partner’s experience , helping them feel confident, calm, and empowered throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. From understanding what’s normal in l...

What is a doula anyway—and what do we actually do? In this episode, we break down the role of a doula in clear, honest terms. Whether you’ve heard the word before or are totally new to it, this conversation is designed to demystify what doulas do, who they’re for, and why their presence can be so impactful. We talk about how doulas are non-medical professionals who serve as educators and support p...