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Kristin and Alyssa of Gold Coast Doulas hugging in front of a colorful wall

Ownership Change at Gold Coast Doulas

Classes, Doulas / / , , ,

In 2015, when my daughter was 2 years old, I decided to leave my office job and become a postpartum doula. Kristin was one of the first doulas I met, and we actually took our postpartum trainings together. Little did we know that a year later she would call me to ask if I wanted to join Gold Coast Doulas as an owner. With an enthusiastic yes, I became co-owner in 2017.

From 2017 – 2022 we grew from 7 doulas to over 22 with lactation consultants, sleep consultants, and educators. We were nominated for all sorts of awards, became a Certified B Corporation, and were even given the honor of Top Woman Owned Business in 2021 by the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce. Together, we accomplished so much to elevate the level of support and professionalism of doulas in West Michigan, create amazing partnerships with health care providers, assemble a team of the best of the best, and offer the highest level of care to parents in our community.

Today I announce that I am stepping away from my role as co-owner and leaving Gold Coast Doulas in Kristin’s capable hands. I will remain on the team as a subcontractor teaching my classes: Newborn Survival, Becoming a Mother, and Tired as a Mother.

I am now a licensed real estate agent at Urban Soil Realty with my husband, Brad. Before becoming a doula, my professional experience consisted of photography, interior design, construction, and real estate so this isn’t unfamiliar territory. I’ve done hundreds of showings for condos downtown and walked dozens of construction job sites. Together, my husband and I own several properties, including a 5 room boutique hotel called The Finnley, named after our daughter, that will keep me busy. I am excited for what the future holds for me in this new venture, and thrilled to be working in a larger capacity with my husband in our family business.

To Kristin and the entire Gold Coast team, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to work with such an amazing group of women. You’ll always be considered friends, and Gold Coast Doulas will always hold a special place in my heart.

 

Ownership Change at Gold Coast Doulas Read More »

Lisa Newhouse poses in front of a blue curtain wearing a brown top

Meet our new birth doula, Lisa.

Birth, Doulas, Postpartum, Pregnancy, Self-Care / / , , ,

What did you do before you became a doula/consultant?

I had a 20+ year career as an Occupational Therapist. Much of my career as a therapist, was at Mary Free Bed Hospital working in the wheelchair and custom seating department. Approximately 7 years ago, I completed my master’s degree and became an academic advisor. I worked at Aquinas College and Grand Valley State University until the initial months of Covid. At which time, I resigned due to family needs.

What inspired you to become a doula/consultant?

I have always enjoyed professions that allow me to help others. I knew I wanted to do something that would feed my soul a little more, and I also knew that I had a desire to be involved with helping women and children. The doula profession has been on my radar for a while now and the time seemed right to go with my heart and pursue this career.

Tell us about your family.

I have a blended family that consists of four children from my husband’s previous relationship, two children from my previous relationship and one child together. All our children, with the exception of the youngest (15 y/o), are adults and most have families of their own.

What is your favorite vacation spot and why?

My husband and I love to travel and have many favorite spots! I would say that we enjoy traveling internationally and South Africa was one of our favorite trips.

Name your top five bands/musicians and tell us what you love about them.

I really enjoy music, particularly live music, and I find it hard to name who would be my top 5. I can say that I have three artists that I have seen live a few times and every time it has been so fun! The first artist is U2, that I have seen two times. What I love the most about U2 is how they always fill me with hope. A couple other artists that I have seen a couple times is OAR and Michael Franti. I have seen both of them at Meijer Gardens and both artists put on a fabulous show!

What is the best advice you have given to new families?

To always lead with love. At the end of the day, we all make mistakes or can think of something we wished we would have done differently, but I firmly believe that it is always going to be ok if you lead with love.

What do you consider your doula/consultant superpower to be?

I am not completely sure, but I think it would be my ability to anticipate what someone needs in the moment. I have always been good at reading or sensing when someone needs something and responding appropriately.

What is your favorite food?

I am a real foodie! I like just about anything that is local and fresh. However, I do have a real love for ethnic flavors and in particular Mediterranean.

What is your favorite place on West Michigan Gold Coast?

I have two favorite places on the west coast. Saugatuck holds a very special place in my heart because my husband and I were married there! We also love Petoskey, not only is it beautiful, but we have an annual camping trip with friends there every Labor Day. So, we have wonderful memories in both spots!

What are you reading now?

I am a voracious reader! I typically have a stack of 3-4 books at any given time that I am reading. I am in two book clubs, one that primarily focuses on non-fiction and the other fiction. The last couple of books I just read was Brene Browns Atlas of the Heart, love her so much and everything she writes! I also, just read The Sentence by Louise Erdrich.

Who are your role models?

I have always admired and tried to emulate women who have weathered the storms and did what needed to be done. I believe there is nothing more formidable than a woman who is doing what is right and necessary for those she loves.

 

Meet our new birth doula, Lisa. Read More »

Kristn M Family photo of Gold Coast Doulas

Meet our new postpartum doula, Kristin M.

Doulas / / ,

What did you do before you became a doula?
Before I became a doula I worked in child care. I was a babysitter/ day care provider/ nanny for 20 years. I also am currently a preschool teacher. I have loved kids my whole life, and absolutely love working with them.

What inspired you to become a doula?
After I became a mom of 4 beautiful children, I was looking for a job that I would love, but would also allow me to spend quality time with my family. A friend told me about being a doula and not only was I excited but I quickly became passionate about postpartum and infant care. I love being able to encourage and empower growing families.

Tell us about your family.
My husband and I have been very happily married for 15 years. We have 4 wonderful kids currently aged 14, 12, 10 and 7. We have lived in Denver, Grand Rapids, and London UK. We love to travel, camp, play games and just be together.

What is your favorite vacation spot and why?
My favorite vacation spot is our cabin in the Upper Peninsula. It is one of the few places I feel like I can truly relax. I love how life slows down, and peace and rest become the main focus.

Name your top five bands/musicians and tell us what you love about them.
Frank Sinatra, Lauren Daigle, Florence and the Machine, Hillsong United, and Patsy Cline.

I really love and appreciate all music, but I have a few go-to’s. Frank Sinatra was just the best of his kind. He knew how to perform, and he loved it. Lauren Daigle has a beautiful and soulful voice, and I appreciate how she doesn’t always sing about the perfect. She is honest about her brokenness. Florence and the Machine has such articulate lyrics, and wonderful songs. Hillsong is an amazing group of Praise and Worship singers, I am very encouraged by their music. And Patsy Cline was another great!

What is the best advice you have given to new families?
We need to have grace for ourselves often. We aren’t going to get everything right the first time. It’s the mistakes and trials that help us become stronger and better parents.

What do you consider your doula superpower to be?
My super power is getting babies to sleep.

What is your favorite food?
Chocolate.

What is your favorite place on West Michigan’s Gold Coast?
Tunnel Park in Holland Michigan.

What are you reading now?
I am reading Becoming Us: 8 steps to grow a family that thrives.

Who are your role models?
My sister in law – a mother of 4 including a set of twins, my Grandma who raised not only her own 4 children but also her grandchildren, and my friend Amber who has such a gentle servant’s heart and caring spirit.

 

Meet our new postpartum doula, Kristin M. Read More »

Endira Davis Doula side hugging a woman in front of stained glass windows

Meet Endira, our newest postpartum doula!

Doulas / / , , ,

As you know, when we bring a new person onto the Gold Coast Doulas team we love to find out more about them and share that with you! Endira comes to us with tons of passion for working with families, and also tons of great experience. Let’s find out more about her!

What did you do before you became a doula?
Before becoming a doula, I worked as a full-time nanny. Before that I was a teacher’s assistant at a child development center. Through nannying, I have been able to establish a deeper, more intimate relationship with the children I care for as well as with their extended families.

What inspired you to become a doula?
I have felt called to birthwork for as long as I can remember. To encourage and support birthing people and their partners and to follow them in the journey into parenthood is an absolute honor and something I do not take lightly. I pride myself in offering a safe space and being a source of comfort for families as they take on the adventure of caring for themselves and their new additions.

Tell us about your family.
I am one of three daughters raised in an interracial family in upstate New York. My partner Annamarie and I met in high school and have taken life on with a team approach. We’ve been together through many seasons and have loved every step. We made the move to Grand Rapids about two years ago to be closer to loved ones and find new opportunities.

What is your favorite vacation spot and why?
My favorite vacation spot is Cancun, Mexico. There is nothing better than eighty degree weather and being able to jump from the pool to the sea.

Name your top five bands/musicians and tell us what you love about them.
Top five musicians/bands? This is hard because there is always new music being dropped but my all time favorites are…

1. GIVEON – His music feels like a warm embrace; it fills my soul with confidence that new beginnings are coming.
2. Sasha Sloan – If I am ever doing a project and need something to encourage me to press on, she just seems to get me back on track.
3. Lindsey Stirling – I come from a family of string players (my mom, my sisters, and I all played the violin). My arms always got too tired to play, so I enjoy violin music vicariously through Lindsey. When you are tired and need a hype up, Lyndsey is your girl. And as a bonus, her concerts are amazing.
4. Florence + the Machine – Whether it is 2008 or 2022, her music is still so good!
5. Ella Mai – Her voice is just so beautiful. Even when she is singing the saddest love song, her music still feels like warmth to your ears.

What is the best advice you have given to new families?
Be patient with yourself. This is new and not easy for anyone.

What do you consider your doula superpower to be?
I am consistent and dedicated. My goal is to provide the best services and be a resource. I am easy to work with and want you to feel supported and comfortable asking if you need more or less.

What is your favorite food?
Any kind of dip.. Literally ANY kind!

What is your favorite place on West Michigan’s Gold Coast?
Barrier Dunes State Park… the secret cove that we always have to ourselves. Well, I guess I will see you all there next summer now.

What are you reading now?
The Big Letdown by Kimbery Seals Allers.

Who are your role models?
My mom is my biggest role model and confidant. She set a legacy and led by example by always educating, encouraging, and following through with her words. She advocated for not only herself but many others through pregnancy and childbirth and taught me the importance of being informed and supported through all decisions. I now have both a wealth of knowledge as well as the utmost respect for mothers, fathers, and anyone else who is raising a child.

 

Meet Endira, our newest postpartum doula! Read More »

Angela - Postpartum Doula for Gold Coast Doulas at a beach

Meet our new birth and postpartum doula, Angel!

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What did you do before you became a doula?
I have been working in health care since I graduated high school. I started off as a CNA working with geriatric populations in a facility. I then because a nursing assistant in adult acute care in the hospital while I went to nursing school. I have been working as a registered nurse for the last 2.5 years, the most recent setting being in the hospital with high risk postpartum and women’s health populations.

What inspired you to become a doula?
My patients are what inspired me to look into how I could better support families during their labor, delivery, and postpartum journey. I have heard too many stories about traumatic birth experiences and families longing for more support. I am always looking to expand my skillset to better serve and partner in my patient’s care. In researching this I discovered doula work and I was intrigued, I wanted to jump right in, but I was not sure where to even begin.

Tell us about your family.
I live in Grand Rapids with my partner. We were doing long distance since we lived on opposite sides of the state for our careers, until this month! Together we have two fur babies – a big baby of a spaniel mix named Willow, and a dramatic, mischievous cat named Tofu. We both have complicated extended families, but they live nearby.

What is your favorite vacation spot and why?
I really enjoy the Ybor city neighborhood of Tampa, Florida. It has the hustle and bustle of Tampa with lots of shopping, restaurants, and entertainment. It is also a historic Cuban town that is full of culture. My father lives about 30 minutes from there which gets me away from the business that the city offers.

Name your top five bands/musicians and tell us what you love about them.
This is difficult because I love music and listen to varying genres depending on my mood.

· Dermot Kennedy: His voice is extremely powerful and soothing. He sounds even better live than in his recordings.

· Eminem: I listen to him when I need to hype up and get some things done quickly. His music never gets old.

· Stevie Wonder: I grew up listening to his music while my dad was working on building my childhood home, I remember being shocked when my dad told me he was visually impaired, it made me enjoy his music even more.

· Machine Gun Kelly: His unique blend of hip hop and rock has me turning to him when I need a little pick me up.

· Fletcher: She sings about real life experiences that I relate to. She is newer to the music scene with her first single being released two years ago, but she is not short on talent.

What is the best advice you have given to new families?
Follow your gut! You know your body and your baby best, advocate for yourself to get questions answered, concerns addressed, etc.

What do you consider your doula superpower to be?
I can quickly form a good rapport with clients. This makes things go smoothly so those around me can feel comfortable being their authentic self and it makes asking those tough questions a little easier.

What is your favorite food?
Chicken alfredo is my favorite, you cant go wrong there.

What is your favorite place on West Michigan’s Gold Coast?
There is a beautiful area of lake Michigan in Whitehall that always brings me peace. When I am feeling stressed or overwhelmed, it is a great spot to just watch the water and sit on the big rocks or the sand and listen to music or read.

What are you reading now?
I am currently reading the latest issue of the Journal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing, specifically an article titled “Perinatal Quality and Equity – Indicators That Address Disparities”. Health disparities have always been of interest to me, especially when it comes to maternal and infant health care.

Who are your role models?
I have a few but my father would be the one who has made the biggest impact on me. He was always extremely tough on me while growing up, and I now realize why. He started from nothing and has really made something of himself. He never wanted me to struggle in the ways that he did so he made me learn some tough lessons, but it made me a better person. He is the person I can count on to give me an honest opinion on something or to tell me when I need to get back on track. He has shown me that hard work pays off and to play hard, you must work harder: that is something I now live by.

 

Meet our new birth and postpartum doula, Angel! Read More »

Heidi McDowell poses with her infant on the floor

Meet Heidi – our newest birth & postpartum doula!

Doulas, Postpartum / / ,

What did you do before you became a doula?
I have a background in healthcare management. However, for the past 6.5 years I have managed a law firm dealing in personal injuries. I am also a yoga teacher specializing in prenatal, postpartum, and fertility yoga.
  
What inspired you to become a doula?
It took me many years  to conceive my baby girl. Feeling the lack of control in my own journey, I began educating myself on our maternal healthcare system, choices, and norms. I began to feel empowered with all of the new information I had uncovered. While I waited for my turn to become a mama I decided that I would help other families on their journeys.

Tell us about your family.
I am one of 15 children, six sisters and six brothers, originally from the east side of the State. I have a wonderful husband and a blended family of three strong and amazing daughters. We also have a ball-obsessed Labradoodle.

What is your favorite vacation spot and why?
Anywhere warm and humid with a touch of adventure! I love a cruise with options to see a lot of places in a short time.

Name your top five bands/musicians and tell us what you love about them.
Truly my musical selections bend to my mood.

John Mayer – amazing songwriter

Amos Lee – sings to my soul

Deva Premal & Mitten – because you can’t not love someone named Mitten

Dolly Parton – speaks for herself

Beach Boys – I’m a sucker for nostalgia

What is the best advice you have given to new families?
Support yourself by lining up the support you’re going to need!

Delegating tasks to others doesn’t make you a lesser parent, partner, or spouse. It makes you smart.

What do you consider your doula superpower to be?
My ability to anticipate a need, then seamlessly sneak in and fill the cracks where help and support are needed.

What is your favorite food?
Inn Seasons Salad from this vegan restaurant in Royal Oak…yum!

What is your favorite place in West Michigan’s Gold Coast?
I am a sucker for rock and stone collecting. Hiking over Sleeping Bear and spending hours head down searching for hidden gems is my favorite!

What are you reading now?
The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Sielgel and Tina Payne Bryson.

Who are your role models?
My older sister Nici has always, ever since we were young children, been miles ahead of me. And my mother showed me what unconditional love and empathy for everyone truly looks like. Together they lit the torch and blazed the trails so I could find my way.

 

Meet Heidi – our newest birth & postpartum doula! Read More »