My Birth Story Isn't Your Birth Plan

Hey besties! Have you ever heard someone else's birth story and immediately started wondering if the same thing was going to happen to you? Or had someone tell you their entire traumatic labor and delivery story while you were just trying to enjoy being pregnant?

We're talking about it today!

Before I start sharing the birth stories of all three of my kids, I wanted to have a little conversation about birth stories in general, how we compare our experiences, and why someone else's birth doesn't have to become the expectation for your own.

As a doula, I LOVE hearing birth stories. I think there's so much we can learn from other people's experiences. But there's a difference between learning from someone else's story and convincing yourself that your birth is going to happen exactly the same way.

In this episode, we're talking about:

• Why hearing other people's birth stories can influence how you feel about your own birth

• How to learn from other people's experiences without letting them create unnecessary fear

• Why two people can have similar birth experiences and feel completely differently about them

• The comparison trap before, during, and after birth

• Why your birth doesn't have to go according to plan to be meaningful

• How to set boundaries when people want to share their traumatic birth stories with you

• What you can actually say when you don't want to hear a scary birth story

• Why being informed about birth is different from being frightened by someone else's experience

I'm also sharing why I'm starting a series about my own birth stories, beginning with my son, and what I hope you'll take away from hearing my experiences.

Because, besties, you can learn from someone else's birth without making their experience your expectation. Your birth is your own, and you deserve to approach it with information, support, and the freedom to make decisions that are right for you.

So grab your coffee and settle in. We're talking birth stories, unsolicited advice, and protecting your peace.

If you've been around here for a while, you know I already love and use Ceres Chill! I've used my Ceres Chill with all three of my kids, and I'm so excited to partner with a company that I genuinely use and recommend.

Ceres Chill makes reusable breastmilk chillers designed to make pumping and storing breastmilk easier while you're living your actual life.

Want to check them out?

🌐 Website: https://www.cereschill.com/

✨ Use code ALLYTHEDOULA for 15% off your purchase!

📸 Instagram: @allythedoula

🌐 Website: https://allyravendoula.com

🎙️ Podcast: Ally the Doula: Your Birth Bestie for Real Talk

I'm Ally Raven, a certified birth doula, breastfeeding counselor, and childbirth educator supporting families throughout Raleigh, the Triangle, and beyond.

And remember, you're doing much better than you think.

Pregnant, Breastfeeding & Confused About Skincare with Erin Wynn, Esthetician

Besties, have you ever stood in front of your skincare products wondering, Wait… can I even use this while pregnant or breastfeeding?!

You're not alone!

In this episode, I'm sitting down with my sister-in-law, Erin Wynn, who's an esthetician, and we had WAY too much fun with this conversation. We laughed so much, but we also got into the skincare questions that come up during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

We're talking about what products and ingredients to be mindful of, what you may need to change in your routine, and how to keep taking care of your skin without feeling like you have to throw your entire bathroom cabinet away the second you find out you're pregnant.

We also talk about the importance of having a normal, realistic skincare routine and finding ways to take care of yourself through all the changes that come with pregnancy, postpartum, and breastfeeding.

Because let's be real: motherhood comes with enough changes already. Your skincare routine shouldn't have to feel like a full-time job, too!

Whether you're pregnant, breastfeeding, planning for a baby, or just trying to figure out what belongs in your skincare routine, this episode is for you. Grab your coffee and settle in because we're talking skincare, motherhood, and laughing our way through it all!

IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:

• Skincare during pregnancy and breastfeeding

• Products and ingredients to be mindful of

• What you may need to change in your skincare routine

• Keeping a consistent, realistic skincare routine

• Taking care of yourself through pregnancy and postpartum

• And, of course, plenty of laughs with Erin!

As always, this conversation is for educational purposes and isn't a substitute for individualized medical advice. Check with your healthcare provider about skincare ingredients you're unsure about during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

✨ Business: Indulge Skin and Beauty

🌐 Website: https://indulgeskinandbeauty.glossgenius.com

📸 Instagram: @indulge.skinbeauty

I'm Ally Raven, a certified birth doula, breastfeeding counselor, and childbirth educator supporting families throughout Raleigh, the Triangle, and beyond.

📸 Instagram: @allythedoula

🌐 Website: https://allyravendoula.com

🎙️ Podcast: Ally the Doula: Your Birth Bestie for Real Talk

And remember, you're doing much better than you think. ❤️

What happens when you're told you're going to be induced at 37 weeks?

For Alex, it didn't mean losing control of her birth.

In this episode, I'm sitting down with my former client Alex to talk about her positive induction experience — from preparing for an induction and asking questions, to making decisions about interventions, advocating for herself, and having a birth team that supported her choices.

We talk about:

🤰 Being induced at 37 weeks
💬 Asking questions and advocating for yourself
📝 Preparing for an induction and knowing your options
🤝 The importance of a supportive birth partner
🏥 Choosing providers you trust
💭 Staying flexible when birth doesn't go exactly according to plan
❤️ What made Alex's induction such a positive experience
💪 And why being induced doesn't mean giving up control of your birth

This isn't a story about a "perfect" birth. It's about being informed, prepared, supported, and involved in your own care.

If you're facing an induction — or the word induction makes you nervous — I really want you to hear Alex's story.

I'm Ally Raven, a certified birth doula, breastfeeding counselor, and childbirth educator serving families throughout the Triangle and beyond.

📸 Instagram: @allythedoula
🌐 Website: allyravendoula.com
🎙️ Podcast: Ally the Doula: Your Birth Bestie for Real Talk

Find my doula services, Birth Partner Crash Course, classes, resources, and more on my website.

And remember, you're doing much better than you think. ❤️

I'll talk to you soon.

This episode is sponsored by Ceres Chill

If you've been around here for a while, you know I'm already a huge fan of Ceres Chill and have used my Ceres Chill with all three of my kids.

Ceres Chill makes reusable breastmilk chillers and accessories designed to make pumping and storing breastmilk easier while you're living your actual life — whether you're at work, traveling, running errands, or just spending a long day away from home.

I love that this is a product I genuinely use and recommend to my clients, which makes partnering with them for the podcast extra special. ❤️

Want to check out Ceres Chill?

👉 Ceres Chill

Use code ALLYTHEDOULA for 15% off your purchase.

CONNECT WITH ALLY

I'm Ally Raven, a certified birth doula, breastfeeding counselor, and childbirth educator serving families throughout the Triangle and beyond.

📸 Instagram: @allythedoula
🌐 Website: allyravendoula.com
🎙️ Podcast: Ally the Doula: Your Birth Bestie for Real Talk

Find my doula services, Birth Partner Crash Course, classes, resources, and more on my website.

And remember, you're doing much better than you think. ❤️

I'll talk to you soon.