Untitled - May 8, 2026
00:00:00 Speaker: So many of us are experiencing what it's like to have children that are older, and yet some of us have older children and younger children. And the gap of things that change between simply five years is mind boggling to me, and a concept that I wish had been more prevalent when Sydney and Hudson were born, which again nine and seven years ago, is the concept of having a doula. When you even say the word doula, a peace comes over you and anyone listening to the Working Moms Redefined podcast is like, give me all of the peace. And I had first heard about Brittany Higgins, our doula, that we are speaking with today, from friends who have used her and several who are currently using her. And we met not too long ago at a health conference. And I was like, I have to go say hi to her because she seems really cool. And so then of course she's going to be on the podcast. So help me everyone. Welcome Brittany Higgins, how are you? I'm so good. I'm so excited to be here. It's going to be such a fun conversation. It will jive. Between learning what you do and honestly, as I was thinking last night as I was preparing, it's almost like I kind of want to heal a piece of me that didn't get you when I delivered. And I know so many other people can relate to that while also saying like, hey, we have girlfriends who are consistently having children and how can they use your help? So, Brittany, can you share a little bit about your journey from labor and delivery new nurse to doula and what led you to this type of work? Yeah, so ultimately, the short answer is my own birth trauma. I was a labor nurse and I had all of the education and in theory, all of the resources. And that still happened to me. And I kind of I had, I think when I had my first daughter, I had been a labor nurse for like about three or four years where I gave birth to her. It was like I really had only seen birth one way. Like very medicalized, lots of inductions. And so when the opportunity was presented to me, it was on my due date to be induced. I said yes because I just truly didn't know better. And so long story short is, and I think this is an important part of the story, I didn't have any risk factors. So there is definitely a time and a place for induction. I had no risk factors. My baby was safe, I was safe. Um, I went in on a Monday night and I didn't have her until Wednesday. I, it was like, push your baby out right now or you're having a C-section. And so my baby came out and then it's the labor nurse curse my uterus, like came out and it flipped inside out, which is an obstetrical emergency luckily. thank goodness I didn't have any horrible complications from that, but I never in a million years was anticipating that. Um, and so kind of after that, I was like, okay, I love birth. I want, I still want to be involved in this space, but I think things can be done differently. And so about eighteen months after that, I, I did a doula training course and then Covid happened. As you know, I think that changed everyone's lives and plans. Um, so I actually transitioned to a different hospital where things were just a little bit different. They're a little bit lower intervention. Um, and it was pretty good. And then it got to the point where I was doing doula work by word of mouth. And then it was like, okay, I need to make a decision. Like, am I going to fully embrace this doula role, or am I going to stay at the bedside? And so I told my husband, I was like, give me a year. Give me a year to like, prove that I can do it. And to prove that, like, there is a place for this here in our community and where we live. And I mean, yeah, the, the CliffsNotes version is that it's exploded. How proud of yourself are you? Very. Yeah. Being in a rural area, that had to be a hard step. I think you and I both can relate to what happens when you take the jump of leaving a structured schedule and paycheck to create your own business. It's scary. And when also you're selling yourself and serving others. But when your heart is as good as yours, you have success and it's visible. I I appreciate you sharing your birth trauma story because it helps us better understand why you went into this. So for me too, like I was induced, but mine was for medical reasons. And mine was Monday to Thursday. And I will never forget Doctor Fry leaning on the side of the bed and she goes, Denise. Like she was lovely. Yeah, she was probably the closest thing I could get to to you, Brittany, at the time. She leaned over and she said, sweetie, like you can choose to have an induction or to have a C-section right now. We can do that. Or you can choose to keep going. And I remember being like, I'm, I'll keep going. And like, sometimes I regret that decision. And then other times I'm like, no, I made the right decision. But in that moment, it was me. It was, it was me. Granted, Jeremy would have been there to assist, right, if I had had questions, but there is power. Brittany in the female touch and voice and way in which we care for one another. I do not want to negate what our husbands or partners do for us in that delivery room. I do not. But my labor and delivery nurse with Hudson's name was Lexie, and Lexie was very young, but she has a very soothing voice and Jeremy was saying certain words and phrases, and I looked at him and I said, you've got to stop talking. Like, stop talking. And Lexie was saying the exact same words, but her tone was different and her feeling was different. And again, I only had her for twenty minutes. So the peace that she gave me is what I like to think and compare to what you give for the entire experience. Because as a doula, you start before the baby is even here. Describe to me what that looks like. I'm so interested. It it depends. So it kind of depends if it's somebody's first baby or like their fourth, because sometimes they're like, I'll see you at the birth. And I'm like, okay, you got it. Typically, I meet with women and their families, um, at least twice prenatally. They always have the option to do more. Once you are like, yeah, I want you as my doula, you pretty much have twenty four over seven access to me, whether it's text or call or whatever. Whatever they need. I really customize everything to them. And then I'm also a Reiki practitioner. So I feel the reason I did that is because I had a client last summer, and the dad actually had a lot of birth trauma. And I think stereotypically, we can say that like men, most men don't want to go sit down and talk to a therapist about their feelings. But this dad was really struggling. And I was like, we have to I want to help them, um, navigate this. And what is something that like, he doesn't have to speak it out loud. So I got, um, certified in Reiki. Um, but I'm saying that because if a mom or if a family has a lot of previous birth trauma, we will build in extra visits to kind of process some of that so that we're not carrying in all of that junk to the birth space. So at least two visits prenatally, whenever you think you're in labor, or if you need to be induced for some reason, I'll be there. Basically, you tell me when and I'm with you. I try to get the dads involved as much as possible, and then I see people at least once postpartum. And again, um, I do postpartum care. So there's always the option for more. It's just whatever they need. Describe to me the experience of why a doula is a nice addition in the delivery room. Okay. I think several reasons. One, it's like you automatically have someone in your corner. So what I tell everybody is maybe I might make a different choice than you, but my job is to give you all of the information and you get to decide and I'll support you no matter what that looks like. Um, so yeah, just having someone in your corner who knows how to navigate the system. And then I feel like I get to do all of the things that the nurses want to do, but maybe they can't due to staffing or the charting or just things they're bound by the system. Like I get to do all the fun parts, um, that maybe they don't get to do. So, um, I mean, I love like the physiology of birth. So I'm in there positioning the moms. I'm in there really building relationships with these families. And ultimately the nurses get twelve hours. So I kind of I feel like I get the best part of it. MM. How do you help women feel confident in their voice in that room? I think so many times women don't know what they don't know or families they don't know what they don't know. And I don't know why this is, but it's like people see a pregnant person and they're like, oh my God, let me tell you this horror story that happened. Good luck. If I could tell pregnant women anything, it's that like, birth can be beautiful no matter what that looks like. Um, so my goal, I feel like what I do is just let them know that they have choices. And I'm like, so we start with like a birth preference checklist and I give them a folder full of information and resources. And I'm like, if you don't even know where to start. This is where we start and we start having conversations about X, Y, and Z right here. If they feel because some people do, some people have really strong opinions about certain things in birth, I really encourage them. Like the sooner you can start having these conversations with your provider, the better. That way we're navigating that sooner versus just like springing it in the delivery room. I think about in the delivery room with a partner, specifically Jeremy. In my case, I was adamant about wanting an epidural, adamant I did not want to feel it with Sydney, the. It took three. The the two first ones didn't work, but the third one worked great, so I. I knew what a pain, a less painful birth experience felt like I knew what that that was great. I want to do that again with Hudson. So with Hudson again, three epidurals. And I wish that I would have because Jeremy was going to do whatever I wanted. Right. If Denise wants another epidural, give her an epidural. Great, man. Right? I couldn't see past the trees. I knew what I wanted, I couldn't have a conversation because one, there was no one to have a conversation with about like, hey, you realize what happens every time the risk factors. Do you realize what this potentially could do? Could we maybe transition your thought? Because for me, it was I couldn't change the plan. My plan was, no, I didn't want to feel it. No pain. I wanted epidural, I couldn't get through, I couldn't see it. If I had had you, Brittany, to be able to talk and offer other options, I absolutely know that my confidence would have been increased and my ability to have a non-medicated birth and to know that I wasn't alone again. Jeremy didn't make me feel like I was alone, but I was the only one making that choice at the time. I wish I wouldn't have made the choice right. I just wish I would have let go. But hindsight's twenty twenty. You provide, like you said, another offering, another piece of the puzzle, a a third party there to be able to see things in the moment. And also three weeks from now, there is such value in that. What would you say to somebody who is wondering if a doula is a right choice? I think that every single woman deserves a doula, no matter. I get that a lot. Like, oh, doulas are only for home birth. And if you want a natural birth. And that's just not true. Like doulas are for everybody, whether you want an epidural in the parking lot or whether you just want to like go in and basically drop your baby and don't really want anyone to touch you again. Like I tell people, I am there to keep a pulse check on the room and kind of like what you were talking about in your labor. Um, when you're in labor, that is not the time to have to be making these decisions. Like you needed somebody to tell you to pivot. Mhm. And I'm sure like your husband was doing the best he could with what he had. And it's just different. So different. I'm not there to like control your labor. I'm not there to like boss people around. I'm truly there to be in your corner, whatever that looks like. Um, and I will say that the state of Illinois had a grant, um, to improve maternal mortality and morbidity to improve maternal healthcare outcomes in the community. And so that is up for review very soon. And hopefully, um, the hospital gets that again and that can be utilized for doula services. And then I just try to make it work with people. If it's, if it's like, okay, I really want this and I, I just can't, we can't financially do it. Like things are tough. I think for everybody right now. That's the beauty of owning your own business is because you have value in the services that you have to offer. And you also understand that one proposal can't look the same for everybody. And that's where you adapt to fit what they need. And then also, I'm very interested in post care because once you leave the hospital, you, I mean, you and I, I know can relate to that feeling of, I'm leaving this hospital with a baby. What the heck do I do? Not only for the baby, but like even ourselves. And so what does post care look like for the moms? It's it's usually up to them whatever they want. So part of like us meeting prenatally is us coming up with a postpartum plan. Like, do you have support? Are you guys did you guys just move here? Are you totally away from like, family and resources? Um, so we kind of come up with a plan and, and try to like, troubleshoot any thing that could possibly be like a bump in the road. So if somebody wanted me postpartum, I'm, I tell them like, I can pick up your groceries, I will meal prep for you. I can come like, hold your baby while you get three hours of solid sleep. Seriously, whatever they need, if we need to do Reiki, like whatever, whatever they need. Talk to me about Reiki. Okay. It seems kind of funky. So it's a Japanese healing technique and it's based off the chakra system. And basically, I'm just a conduit for healing energy. And so everyone experiences that differently. Um, some people, the, the usually people get as relaxed as like if you would have a massage. That's how relaxed people get. And so some people see colors, some people cry, some people fall asleep. Uh, it just depends. So everybody has a different experience. Um, but when I as like the practitioner am doing Reiki, I can usually feel where there's like a blockage or pain and I don't know how to explain it. I just did it two days ago on someone who was pregnant. She's having a ton of back pain and I, I was doing it on my bed and afterwards she said, that was crazy. And I said, well, tell me about it. And she said, I started like having a contraction and pain in my back. And she said, right when that started, you moved your hands there. And she said, and then it happened again. And you moved your hand right where it was. I, I, I don't know, it's not like it's not me. I just feel very intuitively led to like where people need that healing energy. It's a gift. I've gotten to do Reiki a couple times and it's been fun. Okay, cool. Yes. It's a, it's a neat experience that honestly helps you feel lighter, I think is the best byproduct that I can say. Now, this is something that like doula in the hospital room, sign me up. Home birth. Yeah, I don't know about that. Okay. And I love having these conversations because help me learn because for me, the reason that I'm scared of a home birth has nothing to do with the medical. It's that I don't know if I based off the birth trauma that I've had previously, want that energy in the house. And second, there's a lot of blood like or fluid, I guess is the best way. So I give you props and it's so fun. But describe to me what a home birth experience is. Even like, um, so I saw I got to be a part of a home birth for the first time last year. And, um, like a midwife had reached out to me, she needed a birth assistant and knew I had been a labor nurse. So a birth assistant is basically like a labor nurse in the home setting. Um, it's oh my gosh, so different. Like you walk in and it's just cozy and like there's not a bunch of beeping. There's not like doors slamming. It doesn't feel quite so like sterile or, and I, yeah, I wouldn't, I mean, you walk into the hospital and there's just like, it smells like a hospital. Like if you know, you know. Um, and like you have your baby and then you just get to crawl in your bed and snuggle your baby. So it's, it's just so much different. Do you think for those women who are preparing to deliver and have babies, do you think some of us were or are influenced by fear or lack of knowing? Yes. And I think actually I was just talking with another labor nurse about this the other day. Oh, like the world of obstetrics. I mean, probably every every provider in the area has probably been litigated at some point, whether it was wrong or not, you know, like whether harm actually occurred or someone felt like it or didn't understand. They've been litigated. And I can only imagine what that process is like when you basically like they basically have two patients, the mom and the baby, and you can't see the baby. Um, and so, yeah, I think that a lot of providers are practicing from a place of fear and not wanting to be litigated. And I think that a lot of women don't actually understand, like, what does it mean if I make this decision or not make this decision? And like, what are the consequences of these actions or lack thereof? So there's a lot of room, like we could sit here and blame the system all day. And the system does need to change. It does. There's room for improvement. And like as pregnant women, it's our job to be active participants in our care. I love that advocates for ourself and forever learners. Yes. Yeah. What would you say are some good questions for pregnant women to be asking their providers? I think first, it's good to know what kind of birth you want? What kind of birth? Do you even want? Like if you could have your dream birth situation, what does that look like for you? So start there. And then I think it's important to know too. Do you have risk factors like is the birth you're wanting going to be possible with those risk factors or not? Um, and because there's certain things and certain risk factors where interventions are needed. So that just depends. I, I think important questions. Yeah. It depends what kind of birth that a woman is looking for. I would ask their induction rate. That's good. I would ask them, I would suggest asking like what are your thoughts on the Arrive trial? The Arrive trial was a study that came out. I don't quote me on this around Covid time. And it was a study. It was pretty poorly done. But some people just take it as the law. And it's said that there's no like increase in the in the risk of a c section. If every mom is induced at thirty nine weeks and a normal pregnancy gestation is at least forty weeks. And in that last week, so much development for the baby's brain takes place. And so, um, just yeah, like, what's your view on the arrive trial? Like, what's your induction rate? Um, what? And again, it depends on the kind of birth that you want, but do you allow intermittent monitoring or do you prefer that the monitors are on the whole time? Um, and just, yeah, I have a lot of that in like a birth checklist. And so I think anything on there is a great place to start with questions. Okay. Personal question. If you were. How many? You have two children? Two. Yes. Two. Do you find do you think that you and your husband will have a third? I have no idea. I am the worst pregnant person. I puke my brains out. I mean, I puke my brains out, and I had a really hard postpartum last time. Darn it. Okay, well, first of all, I hate that you had to experience both of those things. And if by chance, let's say you could look at getting pregnant and having a third child and it would be a dream birth, you asked us to name what that would be for you. What would that look like? Oh, um, I would probably either utilize the birth center or have a if I had a home birth, there would be things I would take into consideration, like absolutely no risk factors. Um, but probably first the birth center, you get to go. Well, and for some people, it's a turnoff. You get to go home in four to six hours. So you have like, you have your baby. And then if you guys are stable, you get to go home. That's amazing. Yes. So if someone doesn't have the support system, it might not make sense for them to have their baby there. Or some people are like, no, I don't have to be with my other kids. Like, I'm staying at the hospital as long as I can and that's okay. But for me, I would utilize the birth center. What a cool concept. Okay, my favorite way to end a podcast interview is to go through some lightning round questions. So, okay, Brittany, what is something that women often over prepare for? And then something that we under prepare for when it comes to birth over prepare. Packing your bag true underprepared saying I'm just going to go with the flow. Oh, that's so good. Okay. Um, what? Speaking of packing your bag, what is one non-negotiable for you in your bag? Towels. Your own towels. That's what I was gonna say. Big towels. Like I need a fluffy big towel, and it should not be white. Take that in your learn the hard way. Um, but somebody told me that. And powerful. You don't even need those nice pajamas if you just have a big fluffy towel. Okay. What is a birth trend that you are loving right now? Oh. Um, I don't know if I can rapid fire that one. I don't know any birth trends right now, so it's okay. Is there one that you're like, I wish this would go away. Just bad information on TikTok. Yeah. Oh, that's a good one. Can I say that? Can I say that social media platform. Okay. Yeah. Bad information. And then thinking that we have to take it all is to be truth for sure to yes. Yeah. So many people are like, well, this is the way I had birth and this is the way that you should do it. But in birth there is so much nuance. And if anybody is telling a woman you have to do it this way, or you have to do it this way, or you're wrong, they are wrong. And they they probably don't actually have that much experience in the birth world. Wow. So interesting. Okay. Last question. What is one must have item for postpartum recovery in your opinion? Nourishing food. Oh, that's a good one. Do you have some top of mind favorites? Yes. There she is, an entrepreneur. She's from Iowa and she has a company called Chilled Freezer Meals, and she specifically has a postpartum bundle. Um, so it has like bone broth and just like super nutrient dense foods because when you're freshly postpartum, you're usually focusing on feeding your baby, you have broken sleep and you're eating like just snacks and stuff. So any kind of nourishing food that you can just like pop in the microwave or warm up quickly. Mhm. That would be like if you could only spend money on one thing postpartum. I would say that hands down. Wow. I never would have even thought of that. My mom and sister did a great job of, like, freezer meals, but that was for dinner. Oftentimes we did some lunch stuff, but those went quickly. Uh, one thing for me, I don't know what they're called. Are they like hydrogels? Basically for your nipples? Those were clutch for me. Yes. That is one thing I've been telling clients. I'm like, if you listen to anything I say that there's something called silver ETS. And Amazon even has a knockoff brand. But silver has like antimicrobial properties and healing properties. I'm like, order that before you go into labor and take it to the hospital with you. So it's like a little silver disc. Um, that helps save the nips. Oh, man, that's a whole nother level of pain. You think it ends and then it changes. That's. Yeah. Oh, Brittany, how fun is this? Thank you for sharing your wisdom and your explanation and the desire to help and serve women. You can totally tell it's your jam. How can people connect with you can always shoot me a message on Facebook or Instagram. You can reach out through my website. And if you know somebody that has my phone number, I, I will answer my phone. Some people are like, you don't call me, I will answer. You can call me or text me whatever. And I do believe sometimes here in the Quincy area, there are going to be opportunities for you to connect with Brittany actually through the hospital soon, if not already there as well. So that's exciting as well. We will have her contact information as well in the show notes so that you can connect with Brittany, but she is someone who you feel totally safe, Protected and cared for from the moment that you meet her. And I cannot encourage you enough. Again, I'm telling you, we are. We are done having children, hopefully by the grace of God. But if we were to, if a vasectomy was not going to work and we were to have another child, we would absolutely be calling Brittany because we can do hard things, but we can do hard things with help. Yeah. Amen. Thank you for listening to the Working Moms Redefined podcast. It is not lost on me that you chose to spend time together. Thank you. Let's connect outside of the space on socials. We'd love for you to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest. We've got it all to connect with you. If you feel as if someone in your life could be impacted by this message, feel free to share it. That is the biggest compliment. As we part ways together, remember you can do hard things.
