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

Save the Date :: Doulas of OC Grand Opening!

It is our extreme pleasure to announce that we'll be having our Grand Opening event on January 20th from 1-6pm. This "Open House" style event will be fun for the whole family! We invite you to join us for food, drinks, hourly giveaways, and a raffle in our new and improved space in Irvine, CA. 

Friends, family, clients, community members, care providers, and fellow birth workers are all welcome! The first 75 people in the door will be gifted a curated swag bag full of items to support pregnancy, birth & postpartum. Each attendee will be automatically entered into our hourly giveaway and given additional chances to win prizes and gifts during our event-long raffle. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase at and prior to the event and 50% of the proceeds from our raffle with go to benefit Postpartum Support International. PSI provides resources for those struggling with postpartum mood disorders, as well as comprehensive training for therapists and practitioners to better treat new parents. We are honored to partner with PSI to shed light on the importance of mental health and access to resources during the postpartum period. 

As we prepare for this special event, we are seeking sponsors, food vendors and giveaway partners. With varying levels of involvement, we invite you to join us in sharing your business or your service with our community.

Not sure what you could contribute? Here are just a few ideas!

  • Gift certificate for your service (Massage, Photography Session)
  • Tickets to your venue (Symphony, Playhouse, Movie Theater)
  • Gift card for an amount of your choosing (Restaurant, Retail Store, Service)
  • Pregnancy or postpartum products (Skin Care, Breast/Bottle Feeding Support)
  • Baby products (Swaddle/Blankets, Skin Care, Toys)
  • Healthy & delicious treats 

Whatever your unique product or service, we welcome your collaboration! More information and a sponsor application is available on our website. Please contact us directly at hi@doulasofoc.com with any questions. 

We eagerly count down the days to share this joyous occasion with all of you!

,

The Pantry: Butternut Squash Dip

,

One of Chelsea and my favorite places to have work meetings (occasionally over cocktails) is Cafe Gratitude in Newport Beach. Their food is fresh and healthy and beyond delicious and they have some of the most refreshing libations out there. 

I remember the first time I went to Cafe Gratitude. We were meeting Midwife, Allison Molinski, for happy hour and winding down after a long day. I looked over the menu and while there were so many enticing choices, one stood out amongst the rest... the butternut squash dip. 

This is the stuff that dreams are made of. Rosemary infused butternut squash whipped into a frenzy and served on top fresh baguette slices. Oh my gosh you guys, it's almost orgasmic. 

,

Carry On, Mama

,

 

Hey there, mama. We see you.

We see you with your sore nipples trying to get your baby to latch, scrolling through KellyMom trying to figure out what's going on and how to make it work. We know it's hard and painful and exhausting. They told you your baby would feed every 2-3 hours, but how has it only been 45 minutes since your baby last fed and is now showing signs of hunger again?! Yeah, we see you.

November 2017 Classes & Events!

Is anyone else in complete denial that it's already November?! Before you know it we'll be decorating Christmas trees and lighting Menorahs in celebration of the season. And while the rest of the world seems to come to a stop during the holiday season (I mean, let's face it, we've all uttered the words "after the holidays" at least once in our lives) Doulas of OC keeps on plugging away. 

Some things are too important to put on hold until after the holidays, specifically preparation for your baby's arrival. It's for that reason that our schedule will continue on normally despite the busy-ness of the holidays. We look forward to seeing you for our Baby Care Basics, Milk Mama 101, Babywearing, and Labor Refresher classes! These classes are timed perfectly for those of you due in December or January and looking to complete your prenatal & parenting education.

, ,

Postpartum Doula or Baby Nurse? What You Need to Know

, ,

Have you every wondered what the difference is between a night nanny, a baby nurse, a newborn care specialist, and a postpartum doula? Yeah, so have we! 

The commonality in all of these professions is that we are all here to provide support to new families throughout the months and first year following birth. And while our goals are similar, the scope of practice within each role, along with the training & professionalism required is quite different. 

Let me be straight with you - there are no specific credentials or training associated with a night nanny or a baby nurse. In fact, baby nurses or night nurses are typically not nurses at all, let alone trained to provide any type of medical care. I personally don't know many night nurses or baby nurses that utilize a contract or have many professional systems in place, which can be another red flag for some families. I honestly don't know where these terms came from but they can be confusing and misleading to parents seeking trusted support.