This week, Caite and Arlene interview Illinois doula Brittany Higgins, a former labor nurse who left hospital work about 18 months ago to run her doula business while raising two daughters and living on a corn, soybean, and Black Angus cattle farm. Higgins explains that doulas provide non-medical education and support prenatally, during labor, and postpartum, including helping process prior birth trauma, offering continuous presence through long labors, supporting partners, and sometimes assisting with C-sections depending on hospital rules.

The conversation highlights rural maternal-care challenges such as long travel distances, limited services like VBAC availability, and closing delivery facilities. Higgins discusses pain-management options beyond epidurals, boundaries and advocacy in birth, postpartum mental health support and resources, practical ways to help new parents, and using Reiki and therapy for trauma. The episode ends with parenting reflections, county fair fun, and where to find Higgins online and locally.

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