The Breath & Birth Co Podcast

From Dancer to Doula: Olivia Atley's Path to Transforming Maternal Care and Building Communities

Vanessa Bauman Episode 2

In this episode, Olivia (Libby) Atley of BusyBÿ, LLC recounts her personal journey from a career in dance to becoming a full spectrum doula, herbalist, Reiki master, and yoga instructor. Olivia discusses the challenges she faced as a pregnant dancer, the transformative experience of discovering yoga, and the epiphany that led her to doula work. She emphasizes the importance of having a supportive birth team, the misconceptions about self-sufficiency in birth, practical tips for creating a calm and empowered birth experience, and ways to build a supportive village during pregnancy and postpartum. Olivia also shares insights on funding doula services through HSAs, FSAs, and baby registries. She passionately discusses the need for systemic changes in maternity care, including the inclusion of doulas in surgical births. Her dedication is fueled by a desire to ensure that future generations can experience safe and supported births without fear.

  • 00:00 Introduction of Olivia Atley
  • 00:31 Discovering Yoga During Pregnancy
  • 02:52 The Journey to Becoming a Doula
  • 04:39 Supporting Friends and Community
  • 07:38 Misconceptions About Pregnancy and Birth
  • 11:55 The Role of a Doula in Labor
  • 18:52 Creating a Calm Birth Environment
  • 25:10 Building Your Support Village
  • 33:35 Recommended Resources and Final Thoughts
  • 40:12 The Unnecessary Restrictions in Surgical Spaces
  • 41:43 The Role of Doulas in Supporting Partners
  • 44:37 Personal Experiences in the OR
  • 46:29 The Importance of Doula Support During Birth
  • 49:28 Addressing Bias and Inequality in Maternal Health
  • 51:37 Building a Supportive Birth Team
  • 59:49 Funding Doula Services
  • 01:09:55 Insurance and Employer Benefits for Doula Care
  • 01:16:31 The Passion Behind Birth Work

View resources referenced during the episode in the SHOW NOTES here.


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As a reminder, the content discussed on this show is not medical advice. For more information, please see Disclaimer here.