Vanessa distinguishes between the non-medical support of doulas and the medical care provided by midwives and obstetricians, explaining various midwife credentials. Vanessa also discusses when to head to the hospital during labor, what VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) entails, and stresses the importance of informed decisions and finding the right provider.

In this episode, Olivia (Libby) Atley of BusyBÿ, LLC recounts her personal journey from a career in dance to becoming a full spectrum doula, herbalist, Reiki master, and yoga instructor. Olivia discusses the challenges she faced as a pregnant dancer, the transformative experience of discovering yoga, and the epiphany that led her to doula work. She emphasizes the importance of having a supportive birth team, the misconceptions about self-sufficiency in birth, practical tips for creating a calm and empowered birth experience, and ways to build a supportive village during pregnancy and postpartum. Olivia also shares insights on funding doula services through HSAs, FSAs, and baby registries, and passionately discusses the need for systemic changes in maternity care, including the inclusion of doulas in surgical births. Her dedication is fueled by a desire to ensure that future generations can experience safe and supported births without fear.