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The Breath & Birth Co Podcast
Pregnant and craving evidence-based guidance but not more conflicting advice?
Tune in twice a week with Vanessa Bauman (DONA-International Certified Birth Doula, Certified Prenatal Yoga Teacher, and Certified Childbirth Educator) for practical tools, calm mind-body practices, and real-life birth wisdom you can trust.
What you’ll hear
- Monday Meditations – 10–15-minute breathwork & visualization sessions that lower stress hormones and deepen your bond with baby. (Keywords: pregnancy meditation, prenatal yoga breathing, relaxation techniques for labor)
- Thoughtful Thursdays – Expert interviews, empowering birth stories, and research-backed tips to help you advocate for the birth you want… whether that’s unmedicated, epidural-assisted, or belly-birth. (Keywords: evidence-based birth, hospital birth, natural birth, cesarean support, birth plan)
Why listen?
- Merge intuition + modern medicine so you can make confident decisions
- Learn doula-approved coping skills, labor positions, and postpartum prep
- Feel supported by a community that values calm, confidence, and connection
🔔 Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, and start your transformation from anxious to empowered parent-to-be… one episode at a time.
(Educational content only; not a substitute for personalized medical advice.)
The Breath & Birth Co Podcast
From Dancer to Doula: Olivia Atley's Path to Transforming Maternal Care and Building Communities
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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Find more information on the Becoming pregnancy retreat here.
Find more information on course offerings 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.