Guardian Doula’s Diary

Episode 31: Coached Pushing: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2413703/open_sms] “PUSHHHHH! 1, 2, 3, 4, 5…” Sound familiar? That’s coached pushing - when you’re told how and when to push during labour.  Sometimes it’s helpful… sometimes it’s not… and sometimes, it’s just a hospital trying to beat the clock 🕒 In this episode, I’m breaking down:  👉 What coached pushing actually is  👉 When it can be a game-changer (hello, avoiding forceps 🙌)  👉 When it can backfire — and disconnect you from your body  👉 What to do instead if it doesn’t feel right 👉 How having a doula by your side can make all the difference This isn’t about “good or bad” - it’s about informed choices and timing. 🎯 🎧 Hit play and let’s talk about one of the most misunderstood parts of labour. Where to find me: 👉 If you're in Sydney and are looking for in-person birth doula support, view my packages via my website www.guardiandoula.com.au 👉 My instagram: @guardian.doula 👉 My email: angela@guardiandoula.com.au

Episode 30: The Crucial Mental Game Nobody Talks About | Waiting for Labour

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2413703/open_sms] The end of your pregnancy is here, finally. The last stretch! You’ve done all the prep. You’re informed, empowered, and ready for your unmedicated birth.  But... There’s one vital piece that often gets overlooked – and it’s not about your pain threshold or the perfect birth playlist. In this episode, I’m diving into the mental game that matters most in the final weeks of pregnancy – the one that can either set you up for a spontaneous, physiological birth… or lead to interventions you didn’t want. If you're nearing your due date and feeling done, impatient, or even a little defeated – this is the mindset shift you need.  Because how you wait can shape how you birth.  Let’s talk about the quiet, crucial battle of late pregnancy – and how to win it. Where to find me: 👉 If you're in Sydney and are looking for in-person birth doula support, view my packages via my website www.guardiandoula.com.au 👉 My instagram: @guardian.doula 👉 My email: angela@guardiandoula.com.au

Episode 29: The Truth About The "I Can't Do This" Moment | Transition Myth Busted

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2413703/open_sms] Have you heard this myth before? 👉 “When you feel like you can’t do it anymore, it means you’re in transition – and baby’s almost here!” Me too. More times than I count! And sometimes that’s true… But - other times, you still have a while to go. And when the labour isn’t nearly over yet, that belief can really mess with your head. So in today’s new podcast episode, I’m busting this common myth wide open.  We’ll talk about: 👉 What the “I can’t do this” moment actually means 👉 Why it doesn’t always signal the end 👉 How to reframe that moment and keep going 👉 How a doula helps when you hit the wall This one is practical, and empowering – especially if you’re preparing for a physiological birth and want to know what to expect mentally and emotionally. Where to find me: 👉 If you're in Sydney and are looking for in-person birth doula support, view my packages via my website www.guardiandoula.com.au 👉 My instagram: @guardian.doula 👉 My email: angela@guardiandoula.com.au

Episode 28: What I actually DO as a doula | Practical insight into what doula support looks like

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2413703/open_sms] If you’ve ever wondered what specific, practical things I actually DO as a doula, and thought “do doulas just help with breathing?!”...  Then this episode is for you! 👇 In today’s chat, I walk you through what I actually do for my clients during pregnancy, birth and postpartum – and how it makes a very real, evidence-backed difference. Including: *  What my support actually looks like throughout your pregnancy + during your birth *  Real stories from real births (like breech babies, operating room saves, and emotional pep talks that changed everything) *  What continuity and trust can be like in the thick of labour *  What I do after the birth that helps you land softly into motherhood This one’s honest, super practical, and full of heart.  If you’re pregnant or planning to be, you need this in your ears. Share with a mama who needs to know what real doula support looks like! 💛 Where to find me: 👉 If you're in Sydney and are looking for in-person birth doula support, view my packages via my website www.guardiandoula.com.au 👉 My instagram: @guardian.doula 👉 My email: angela@guardiandoula.com.au

Episode 27: "Do I *Really* Need a Doula If...(Insert Situation)?"

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2413703/open_sms] "Do I really need a doula if… (insert your situation here)?" This is a common question I get as a doula - and in this episode, I’m walking you through the honest, evidence-backed answer. Because you might have wondered, "do I *really* need a doula if...":  👉 If I've got a supportive partner…?  👉 Or if I'm having a home-birth…?  👉 Or if I'm in the MGP…?  👉 Or if I've given birth before…?  👉 Or if my pregnancy is low risk (or high risk!)…? 👉 Or if I don't want strangers in my room...? I walk through each of the questions I often hear from women who are unsure whether hiring a doula is still worthwhile - and gently unpack each one.  Together, we explore why having a doula remains one of the most powerful choices you can make for yourself, your baby, and your birth story. If you’ve ever wondered whether hiring a doula is “worth it,” this episode is a must-listen. Let’s set the record straight - and get you feeling clear, confident, and supported heading into birth. Where to find me: 👉 If you're in Sydney and are looking for in-person birth doula support, view my packages via my website www.guardiandoula.com.au 👉 My instagram: @guardian.doula 👉 My email: angela@guardiandoula.com.au