As a chiropractor, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with moms through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery. I’ve seen firsthand how powerful the body can be when it’s aligned, supported, and trusted — and how easily that power can be overshadowed in a modern medical system that often prioritizes efficiency and control over intuition and connection.
But my story with birth actually started long before I became a chiropractor. My first experience with birth was at 12 years old in a bathtub with my mom + dad, (both also chiropractors), as my mom gave birth to my youngest sibling… with no midwife present. The midwife didn’t make it in time. It was just my mom, my dad, and me- and I watched in awe as my mother, who had once been told she could never have children, brought her fourth baby into the world naturally, in a bathtub, through the power of chiropractic and innate intelligence. That moment changed me forever.
So when I speak about the body’s wisdom and the natural process of birth, it’s not theoretical — I’ve lived it. I’ve seen how alignment, trust, and support create safety and strength in one of the most sacred experiences of life
Postpartum is a threshold. It’s not just the weeks and months following birth, but a full-body, full-heart transformation. It’s where the real work of becoming a parent happens. There’s nothing linear or polished about it. Some days feel like honey and skin-to-skin bliss. Others feel like cracked nipples, too many half-drunk cups of coffee, and wondering if anyone remembered to eat.
This is the dance of early parenthood: fierce love mixed with sleep deprivation, identity shifts, and the kind of tired that seeps into your bones.
That’s where we come in.
At Doulas of Orange County, our postpartum doulas offer steady, evidence-based, deeply human support for families across San Diego County — whether you need help during the day, overnight, or 24/7 live-in care. We come in with warm hands, sharp instincts, and the experience to help your family soften into this new season.
Let’s talk about what postpartum care really looks like — and why it changes everything.
So, you’ve brought two babies into this world. First of all, you’re a superhero—no doubt about it. But let’s get real for a second: postpartum recovery after twins is not the same as recovering from a single birth. It’s double the diapers, double the feedings, double the sleepless nights—and sometimes, double the discomfort. Your body just did an incredible, exhausting, miraculous thing. Now, it's time to heal, recover, and find yourself again in the whirlwind of having two newborns at home.
It’s important to remember, you’re not just healing from birth. You’re also adjusting to a new life with two precious babies. And while there’s a lot of joy, there’s also a lot of messiness that nobody really prepares you for. Let’s break down what you really need to know about postpartum recovery after twins!
As your due date nears, the reality of impending parenthood can be both exciting and overwhelming. You may be getting nervous or have anxiety around when you’ll go into labor. You may be stressing about getting the nursery ready or finalizing details for your maternity leave. That’s why planning and enjoying a big night out can provide a special opportunity to unwind, connect, and relish your partner’s company before your baby’s arrival takes center stage. I always encourage clients to schedule a “no holds barred” date night around 37 or 38 weeks - it’s a chance to take a deep breath, enjoy some quality time together, and remind yourselves why you’re a great team. Orange County offers an array of high-end, memorable spots to make this final pre-baby date night one for the books.
In the quiet hush of the labor & delivery room, where the air is charged with anticipation and the scent of earthiness and birthyness, a new chapter in your life unfolds. The rhythmic cadence of your breath is mirrored by the gentle whispers of your doula, a reassuring presence in this oh so sacred moment. The culmination of nine months… maybe more, leads to this: the first hour with your newborn.
In a culture that glorifies stress it can be a challenge to slow down. Too often we equate being busy and exhausted with being productive and along the way, we’ve lost the art of taking care of ourselves. When it comes to self-care too many people see it as just another thing to cross off their ever-growing to-do list. So how can you prioritize yourself when society encourages you to glorify busy and pushes you to your limits?
Exciting changes on the horizon for OC Doula Collective LLC! Today, we are happy to announce our new co-owner, Lauren Jacobs.
Lauren is a Birth & Postpartum Doula, Prenatal Yoga Instructor and Childbirth Educator that has been serving the greater Los Angeles & Orange County areas since 2008. She joined the team at OC Doula Collective in August 2015, and has since provided our clients with exceptional care every step of the way. She has walked alongside over 300 families through pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Her dedication to facilitating empowerment, self love and confidence is one of the many reasons we hand selected her to join our team.
After showing an exemplary skill set on the business side of birth work, we brought Lauren on as our amazing Administrative Director in July 2016. Lauren's cheerful voice is the one our potential client's hear when inquiring and she is the first to respond to questions about our services.
I am thrilled to welcome such an incredibly smart, passionate and positive woman as the new co-owner of OC Doula Collective. Her expertise and fresh ideas will be a huge asset to the agency and I am overjoyed to work alongside of her! Lauren's style of care is refreshing to both our clients and colleagues.
At OC Doula Collective, we are committed to providing non-judgemental and professional care to Orange County families at every stage of parenting. We are excited for all that 2017 will bring as we continue to work hard to create an amazing community of support and resources for OC Moms and Dads.
That lingerie hugged every curve of your pre-baby body so perfectly. You could drink champagne without worrying if your baby was gonna get drunk right along with you. Doing your hair didn’t involve crying in a heap on the floor because of the literal clumps falling out of your scalp.
Sigh. Those were the days.
The sun rises and the sun falls. The tides wash up and the tides recede. Another day, another journey. So much to reflect on and so much to look forward to.
Today it is with a big sigh that we say a fond farewell to the co-founder of OC Doula Collective LLC, Jessica Bougie, and announce that she is stepping down from her role as the co-owner and magic maker here at OCDC. Although she is now 1300 miles away, her impact on Orange County birthing families will last a lifetime.
Jessica and I launched OC Doula Collective in Spring of 2014 with the shared vision of providing compassionate and professional support starting from pregnancy through early parenthood. The following year in 2015 we opened our offices and parenting education center in Costa Mesa to offer the community a place to grow and flourish as a family through prenatal classes, mommy & me groups and group events. The many families that we have had the pleasure of serving together has been an immense honor and joy. Through her work as the co-owner she helped to build bridges of trust and collaboration with care providers and raise the standards of care in our industry.
As a Birth Doula and Student Midwife, Jessica’s passion for creating an atmosphere where birthing people feel loved, nurtured and safe was evident, as she walked along side of countless families. She was the doula for my daughter's arrival and was an irreplaceable part of Juniper's birth story. I know that we can all agree that Jessie’s infectious smile and warm embrace will make anyone’s day a million times better. She is dedicated to improving not only the experience, but the holistic care that a mother receives as she welcomes her baby into the world.
As this chapter in her life comes to a close; she is currently writing her new narrative as a future Licensed Midwife in the great state of Texas. Austin City is lucky to have such a warm hearted, genuine and passionate woman to guide and support them through life’s greatest adventure. Everyone that has had the pleasure of knowing this wonderful woman is sure to miss her dearly. I know I do! Please join me in wishing her all the love and positivity your heart can contain. If you happen to live or know a family in ATX, make sure to look up Feather & Fawn Birth for all of your Doula needs.
Bon Voyage sweet friend!
