Guardian Doula’s Diary

Send us Fan Mail“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 differenceThis 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: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailThe 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: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailHave 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 wallThis 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: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailIf 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 motherhoodThis 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: [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail"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: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailLet’s talk about something LOTS of women are nervous about, but few women talk about enough… perineal tearing.How common is it? Can you actually prevent it? What really causes it — and what doesn’t?Tearing is something I VERY often find my clients feel nervous about going into birth. But it doesn't have to be scary!So in this episode, I’m breaking down the truth about tearing in birth: the myths, the evidence, and the very practical things you can do during pregnancy and labour to reduce your risk.Whether you’re planning a natural birth, an epidural, or just want to feel more confident heading into the unknown — this is a must-listen. 💥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: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailAre doulas really worth their weight in gold? In this episode, we dive into the research that proves just how powerful doula support can be in labour. From shorter labours to lower rates of intervention, the evidence is clear — the doula difference is real. Let's explore exactly what the research proves!4oWhere 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: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailThe first VIDEO episode of the podcast is here, yay! 🎉 And if you've ever wondered, "how will I handle the pain of labour!?" - then this episode is for you.You’re not weak for worrying about it. You’re smart for wanting to prepare. In this episode, I’m giving you everything you need to tackle birth pain head-on:⚡ Why pain in birth is different and how to work with it⚡ Mindset shifts that will change everything ⚡ Techniques I’ve used in my own 4 births and teach my clients⚡ Why hiring a doula is one of the smartest moves for pain managementIt’s about the right support. The right strategy. And believing in your body.Listen to the episode now and start preparing for a confident, empowered birth. 💪You’ve got this - and I’ve got you.Angie,your Guardian DoulaWhere 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: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailA concern I hear from pregnant women all the time, is that they'd love to have an empowering, natural birth - but they're birthing in the hospital system and they're not so keen on all the unnecessary intervention that commonly comes with that...Well, today I'm here to give you all the practical tips and tricks to improve your odds of the birth of your dreams.So many people believe the myth that "birth is outside your control, so you may as well not put anything in place". What a load of rubbish! That couldn't be further from the truth. Helping women have the births of their dreams, no matter where they're birthing, is my bread and butter. So I can't wait to unpack all of this and help you navigate it all with confidence!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: [email protected]

Send us Fan MailToday, my past client, Claire, shares the positive, empowering birth story of her first baby.Now as a side-note, recently, I was chatting to another client who was worried about a complication she'd encountered in her pregnancy. I sent her all sorts of super reassuring evidence. (I'm talking, a studies that looked at over 500,000 women with this complication, and 99.5% of them went on to have no issues whatsoever.) Sounds like it'd be reassuring right?Well, it was, but she called me up a few days later, sounding like her whole perspective had changed and a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She said to me "Ange... I spoke to my care providers and they told me a story of a past mother who had this same condition, and she was totally fine. I feel SO much better about everything now."At first my brain started ticking, struggling to understand why a story of one woman's great result was more reassuring than a study where 99.5% of 500,000 women had great results. But then, my face turned into a smile, and I remembered the profound power of story telling. And I remember why I so love interviewing past clients on their birth stories.There's something so precious, so encouraging about hearing the stories of other women. There's an ancient desire inside of us all as human beings, to hear stories of those who have gone before us.That's what these birth stories are all about. If other women can birth with joy and positivity, you can too. I hope this story inspires and excites you for what's possible.Enjoy it, beautiful xWhere 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: [email protected]