C&C Musings

In the first episode of the Cradle and Coos Podcast, we have a candid conversation with Stephanie Mollinier, a highly experienced birth doula and coach. Stephanie sheds light on invaluable comfort measures, tips, and tricks for expectant parents as they embark on the birthing journey.

Preparing for the birth of your baby is thrilling, and assembling a comprehensive hospital bag can greatly ease the process for first-time parents. Here is a summarized checklist that covers essentials for the birthing person, partner/support person, and the baby, along with additional useful considerations

Choosing the right doula is essential for a supportive birthing and postpartum experience, as many parents struggle to find a perfect match. Cradle & Coos emphasizes the importance of understanding your own needs and aligning them with a doula's approach and experience through a structured process of identifying needs, interviewing potential candidates, and making an informed decision based on a mix of careful evaluation and personal intuition.

Faced with unprecedented challenges as a first-time mother to premature twins during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sharmeen's story is a testament to human strength and adaptability. It emphasizes not just the physical and emotional resilience required to overcome such obstacles, but also the undeniable importance of having a robust support system—whether near or afar—to ensure a healthy and supported postpartum recovery. Her journey is one of hope, bravery, and the unspoken bond of motherhood that endures even the toughest circumstances.

The role of a doula, rooted in ancient practices that vary across cultures—from Latin America's "cuarentena" and China's "zuo yue zi," to Nigeria's omugwo—has evolved into that of a professional who offers emotional, physical, and informational support to new mothers. They play a vital role in supporting the mother and the family post-birth, just as seen in many traditional customs, thus providing a bridge between cultural tradition and contemporary medical systems for new parents.

From healthcare consulting to the dynamic world of health-tech startups, and now to building Cradle & Coos — a platform dedicated to providing expectant parents with access to comprehensive care services for both birth preparation and postpartum support, this is my journey.