National Baby Co
Why Should My Daughter Hire a Doula?

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

Why Should My Daughter Hire a Doula?
DOC Team, Local OC Resources, Postpartum
Lauren Foster, Co-Owner
Real Postpartum Care for San Diego Families

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.

Real Postpartum Care for San Diego Families
Postpartum, Our Favorites, Motherhood, Newborns
Lauren Foster, Co-Owner
Postpartum Recovery After Twins: What You Need ...

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!

Postpartum Recovery After Twins: What You Need to Know
Local OC Resources, Our Favorites, Pregnancy
Lauren Foster, Co-Owner
Our Favorite Spots For a Pre-Baby Date Night in ...

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.

Our Favorite Spots For a Pre-Baby Date Night in Orange County
Motherhood, Newborns, Postpartum, DOC Team, Birth Planning
Lauren Foster, Co-Owner
The Magical Golden Hour

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.

The Magical Golden Hour
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Mindfulness in Pregnancy

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Pregnancy can be one of the most overwhelming seasons of life. Your attention is pulled in so many different directions with so many decisions to make: Where should I give birth? What do I want to include in my birth plan? Should I hire a doula? What color do I want to paint the nursery? Where should we register? 

That, plus the world around you doesn't stop just because you're growing a baby. There's still your job to think about, your family, and your social commitments. Trying to keep up with a busy schedule while coming to grips with the realities of being a parent can send anyone spinning. The constant demands of life can be a perfect storm for stress and anxiety. 

Tell me you can relate.

If I just described your life, finding a way to introduce mindfulness & balance into your pregnancy is a MUST. Regular mindfulness practices will provide you with tools to keep a positive outlook and a level head through the challenges of pregnancy and parenting.

What is mindfulness you ask?

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In The Spotlight: Midwife Nancy Pol

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What better person to feature during one of the biggest baby boom months of the year than a midwife! A special shout out to all of you who got busy around Christmas & New Years... you've kept the doulas, midwives and doctors on their toes this month!

Have you had the chance to meet Nancy Pol yet? If not, put it on your to-do list, especially if you are expecting or plan to become pregnant soon.

Nancy is a Certified Nurse Midwife (and all around amazing human being) with Beach Cities Midwifery. Beach Cities Midwifery has 3 birth centers to serve the growing families in Southern California: Laguna Hills, Long Beach, & Corona. They provide well-rounded, client-centered care for all women, but especially the pregnant and birthing ones. Nancy is just one of the incredible baby catchers they have on staff. 

We had the honor to chat with Nancy about her work as a midwife, her passion for serving families, and the other things that bring her joy in life. 

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How To Be The Best Postpartum Visitor

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We know you're excited to see that baby. We're excited for you to see that baby, to hold that baby, to love that baby!

BUT we're here to tell you: it's not all about that baby.

Being a helpful & encouraging postpartum visitor is about more than the birth and the new life that has emerged, it is also about supporting the transitioning family and helping the new parents stay sane!

To be honest, it's easy to get caught up in the euphoria of being around a newborn. They're just so fun to look at and they smell divine. But while you're staring at that sweet baby, your friend is hungry and tired, and probably hasn't showered in a few days. And she needs your help.

So, what can you do to help??!

Ready to Join Our Agency?

Have you ever wondered what working for a Doula Agency would be like? Are you curious what it takes to be a professional doula with an agency? Do you want to know more about how our team works? Do you have questions, but haven't had the chance to ask us?

Join us on Thursday, September 21st at 6pm in Irvine for our quarterly Info Session and get all of your questions answered!

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At Doulas of OC we are always on the lookout for professional, career-minded, and passionate Doulas and Placenta Specialists to join our team. We receive many inquiries each week and it can be a challenge for us to respond to each and every one of you. We value your interest and your desire to join our agency and have thus created a seamless process to do so. 

During this Info Session you will learn more about the history of Doulas of Orange County and how the agency model operates. Owners, Chelsea and Lauren will share their business philosophy and expand on their standards of care. Together we'll explore the differences between operating as a solo/independent doula and operating as an independent contractor. You'll learn about the professional criteria required to join our agency and receive next steps.

We invite Birth Doulas, Postpartum Doulas & Infant Care Specialists, and Placenta Specialists who serve Long Beach and Orange Counties to attend. We seek individuals who are serious about joining our agency and are willing to make professionalism a priority. As such, attendance at this event is a pre-requisite for submitting an application to join our agency.

Registration is required to attend and is available on our website. Light refreshments will be served.

We thank you for your interest in joining our agency and cannot wait to meet you!

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Benefits of Prenatal Yoga

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Growing that “baby belly” can be a wonderful, joyous experience, but it is often mixed with challenges for the body and mind. Developing a consistent yoga practice during pregnancy is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your body & your baby in preparation for childbirth. By linking yoga postures with breath as well as the use of guided meditation; yoga during pregnancy can help bring awareness to the mind, body, & spirit, as well as help connect you to the spirit of your baby.

Prenatal Yoga is specifically designed to help alleviate the most common pregnancy ailments. The postures chosen by an experienced, educated teacher will assist in adapting to the many emotional & physical changes that occur during pregnancy. Specific postures help strengthen & tone the uterus and pelvic floor, improve circulation in the legs & pelvic area, aid in digestion, exercise the spine, and increase overall comfort during pregnancy. Yoga can also help alleviate other discomforts such as low back pain, sciatica, swelling, varicose veins, and nausea.

An oft forgotten aspect of yoga is the social one, specifically in regards to prenatal yoga. It's not uncommon to build a strong community within these classes as you bond over heart burn, swollen feet, and waiting for the day your babies arrive. Prenatal Yoga can be a safe haven for many parents-to-be as they connect with others who truly understand the challenges they face in pregnancy. Many moms and moms-to-be find their tribe in yoga classes and create lasting friendships for years to come!