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How Doulas Help Families — Especially the Non-Birthing Partner
When people hear the word doula, they often picture someone who supports the birthing person through labor — offering comfort, information, and calm. That’s absolutely true — but it’s only part of the story. A doula’s role extends to the entire family, and one of the most transformative parts of our work is helping the non-birthing partner feel confident, connected, and supported throughout the journey. 💞 Supporting the Supporter Birth can feel both miraculous and overwhelmi

Lorie Michaels, CD(DONA), PMH-C, CLC, EBB Inst.
Oct 10, 20252 min read


Sole Proprietor vs. LLC: What Doulas Need to Know
When you’re building your doula practice, one of the first business questions that comes up is: Do I need an LLC, or can I just be a sole proprietor? The answer depends on your goals, your finances, and how you want to structure your work. Let’s break it down in plain language. What Is a Sole Proprietor? A sole proprietorship is the simplest way to operate a business. If you’re running your doula practice under your own name and reporting your income on your personal tax retu

Lorie Michaels, CD(DONA), PMH-C, CLC, EBB Inst.
Oct 3, 20252 min read


5 Ways Postpartum Doulas Make the Fourth Trimester Easier
Postpartum doulas help families find their rhythm — easing the challenges of recovery and supporting parents as they bond with their new baby. Bringing a new baby home is one of life’s most beautiful experiences — and also one of the most challenging. The first weeks after birth, often called the “fourth trimester,” can feel overwhelming as families adjust to new routines, sleepless nights, and the physical and emotional recovery that comes with childbirth. A postpartum doula

Lorie Michaels, CD(DONA), PMH-C, CLC, EBB Inst.
Sep 9, 20252 min read


Calming the Fussy Baby: 5 Doula-Approved Soothing Techniques
Every parent knows the sound of newborn cries — and the rising stress that comes when nothing seems to work. Babies fuss for all kinds of reasons, and while crying is normal, it can leave new parents feeling overwhelmed or inadequate. That’s where postpartum doulas come in. Beyond providing rest, meals, and emotional support, doulas share practical soothing strategies that help families feel calm and capable in the early weeks. Why Babies Cry Crying is a baby’s first language

Lorie Michaels, CD(DONA), PMH-C, CLC, EBB Inst.
Sep 2, 20252 min read


Babywearing Basics: How Postpartum Doulas Help Parents Find Their Rhythm
Babywearing offers parents comfort, connection, and hands-free support — skills postpartum doulas often teach in the early weeks. Bringing a new baby home is joyful — and sometimes overwhelming. Parents often find themselves wishing they had an extra set of hands, especially in those early weeks. That’s where babywearing can make a world of difference. As a postpartum doula, you’re not just supporting recovery and household flow — you’re teaching parents the everyday skills t

Lorie Michaels, CD(DONA), PMH-C, CLC, EBB Inst.
Aug 26, 20252 min read


From Competent to Confident: Stories of Growth Through Doula Mentorship
Feeling overwhelmed after doula training? Mentorship helps untangle the confusion and turn uncertainty into confidence. Every doula has a moment when the work feels bigger than their training. You’re competent—you know the basics—but confidence can waver when a client’s needs push you into uncharted territory. That’s exactly where mentorship makes all the difference. Today, we’re sharing real stories of how mentorship has helped doulas move from “I hope I’m doing this right”

Lorie Michaels, CD(DONA), PMH-C, CLC, EBB Inst.
Aug 19, 20253 min read


Why Mentorship Is the Missing Piece After Doula Training
Mentorship makes the difference: real conversations, real growth. A supportive mentor guiding a fellow doula through her next steps. You finished your doula training. You learned the physiology of birth, how to comfort a laboring parent, and the importance of advocacy. You might even have a certificate in hand. But when it comes to supporting real families with complex needs, the truth often hits: training is just the beginning. That’s where mentorship comes in. In this post,

Lorie Michaels, CD(DONA), PMH-C, CLC, EBB Inst.
Aug 18, 20253 min read


Tapping Into Calm: EFT’s Growing Role in Birth & Beyond
EFT, or tapping, is a proven mind-body tool that helps reduce fear and anxiety — including around birth. If you’ve ever felt fear or anxiety rising before labor, you’re not alone. One of the most powerful tools I share with families — and now teach in my doula trainings — is Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), also called tapping. EFT combines gentle tapping on acupressure points with focused attention on thoughts or emotions. This simple practice helps calm the nervous syste

Lorie Michaels, CD(DONA), PMH-C, CLC, EBB Inst.
Aug 17, 20253 min read


Why Postpartum Doulas Are More Important Than Ever
Becoming a parent is one of life’s most transformative experiences. Yet in today’s world, many families are navigating the postpartum period with little support. Between short maternity leaves, limited extended family nearby, and rising mental health challenges, the early weeks after birth can feel overwhelming. This is where postpartum doulas step in—and why the need for them has never been greater. What Does a Postpartum Doula Do? A postpartum doula provides non-medical, ho

Lorie Michaels, CD(DONA), PMH-C, CLC, EBB Inst.
Aug 15, 20252 min read


How to Apply for Your NPI Number as a Doula
Everything you need to know about the process, why it matters, and which taxonomy codes to use. How to apply for your NPI number Why Doulas Need an NPI Number If you’re a birth or postpartum doula, you may be wondering why you keep hearing about “getting your NPI.”An NPI (National Provider Identifier) is a unique 10-digit number issued by the federal government to identify healthcare providers in the U.S. While it’s not a license or certification, it’s often needed when: Subm

Lorie Michaels, CD(DONA), PMH-C, CLC, EBB Inst.
Aug 9, 20252 min read


Elevating Birth Work: Why Ongoing Mentorship Matters
Women learning about pregnancy and hormones together in mentorship. At BirthPro, we recognize that completing a doula workshop is just the beginning of your journey into birth work. That first certification is powerful—but sustaining confidence, deepening skill, and staying inspired requires ongoing learning and community. The Mission Behind BirthPro BirthPro exists to strengthen the field of birth work by helping doulas grow beyond basic certification. We offer trauma‑inform

Lorie Michaels, CD(DONA), PMH-C, CLC, EBB Inst.
Aug 3, 20252 min read


When Words Aren’t Enough: The Heartwork of Holding Space Through Loss
Another loss. Another family whose lives are forever changed. As doulas, we are often the steady hands and open hearts in the most vulnerable of moments—but when tragedy strikes, even the most experienced among us can feel unsteady, heartbroken, and unsure of how to be in that space. Supporting a family through the death of a mother or baby is the hardest work we will ever do. It’s also the most sacred. Birth is not always joyful. Sometimes it’s devastating. And in those mome

Lorie Michaels, CD(DONA), PMH-C, CLC, EBB Inst.
Aug 2, 20252 min read
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