Abbey Bartley - Doula

10/14/2025

Did you use hydrotherapy during your labor? Did you love it or hate it? 😉 Let me know in the comments!

10/11/2025

Doulas have to hold space for a lot of tricky things like:
🔸sometimes we don’t know why certain labors unfold the way they do
🔸wishing we’d spent more time educating on a certain topic
🔸if only we’d known _______
🔸care providers acting in ways we didn’t anticipate

We’re learning as we go. We don’t always get things right. Doulas improve outcomes and patient experiences generally. Yet we are not ultimately in control of client births and how they progress; they are not our stories.

It is both beautiful and challenging to walk through someone else’s journey with them for a time.

That’s why we need community. We need other birth workers to tell us how hard but good it can be. To see us in the thick of it, or drop off a meal. If you’re a birth worker in central MO, come hang with us! If this post doesn’t convince you, let this: Last coffee date I made pumpkin pie whipped cream for our coffee and it was very fancy. 💁‍♀️☕️

Thank you doula sisters for supporting me, so I can support my clients! Together we are improving access to better birth support for our community! ✊

10/06/2025

Most of these are red flags even if you’re not planning a vbac!

🚩 5 Provider Red Flags if You’re Planning a VBAC 🚩

Finding a provider who truly supports your VBAC journey is so important. Here are 5 warning signs that it might be time to look for someone new:

1️⃣ They dismiss your VBAC goals
If your provider constantly talks about repeat cesareans as the only “safe” option, or minimizes your desire for a vaginal birth, it’s a sign they may not honor your choices. Your birth goals deserve respect.

2️⃣ They use fear instead of facts
Comments like “your uterus will rupture” or “something terrible will happen” without context aren’t helpful. Evidence-based counseling is about sharing real risks and options, not scaring you into a decision.

3️⃣ They don’t offer informed consent and informed refusal
Supportive providers walk you through all your options and let you make the decision that’s right for you. Informed refusal is just as important — you should never feel pressured into interventions you don’t want.

4️⃣ They tell you to schedule a C-section “just in case”
Being told to plan a cesarean without discussing your actual VBAC potential may mean your provider doesn’t believe in or encourage vaginal birth after cesarean. That’s a red flag.

5️⃣ Your gut says something’s off
Intuition matters. If you feel dismissed, rushed, or unsafe in appointments, trust yourself. Feeling comfortable and respected by your provider is critical for a positive birth experience.

You deserve a provider who listens, informs, and partners with you — not one who raises red flags. And it's not too late to switch providers to someone more supportive!

If you’re looking for a provider who supports VBAC, check out our Supportive Provider List! You can find it at thevbaclink.com/supportive-provider-list

09/30/2025

We’re offering FREE C-section scar screenings the month of October! If you’ve had a cesarean birth, this is your chance to check in on healing, mobility, and comfort.

09/22/2025

Sometimes, a loving touch from your mama is just what you need to stay grounded 💕

09/18/2025

Did you squeeze a comb during labor? If so, did you love it or hate it? 😉 Let me know in the comments!

09/10/2025

09/04/2025

Birth is all about connection: connection to your body, connection to your birth team, and connection to your baby. As this mama's doula and photographer, it was awesome to witness her connection to her body, team, and baby during her powerful birth last week. She prioritized movement to help baby descend. Her team eagerly offered hands to hold and physically held her up during pushes. Everyone felt so proud when they saw baby's adorable face for the first time! 💕

03/25/2025

This morning Revive Rehab hosted a networking event for health and wellness providers in the Columbia area to better serve our clients.

It was a blast getting to network and support like-minded women 🤍

Physical therapy, chiropractic, doula services, mental health, and functional medicine were represented at today’s visit.

Tag your favorite Columbia health and wellness providers, we’ll send them an invite to our next meetup!

Our vision is to improve wellness for everyone that enters our door, whether that is under our care, or knowing where to send them for the best care!

03/24/2025

We’re sending love and gratitude to ALL the incredible doulas out there who provide unwavering support, advocacy, and encouragement to birthing parents. As a doula-founded company, we know firsthand how transformational the right support can be—especially when planning a VBAC.

That’s why we created our VBAC Certified Doula program and our VBAC Doula Finder—so parents can connect with doulas who truly understand VBAC birth and are ready to support them every step of the way.

✨ Doulas make birth better. ✨ If you’re looking for a VBAC-friendly doula, check out our Doula Finder to find one near you!

📣 Are you a doula looking to expand your VBAC knowledge and support more VBAC parents? Become a VBAC Certified Doula through our training program! Follow the link in our bio to learn more.

Tag a doula you love and show them some appreciation today!

03/22/2025

It was so great to meet everyone at Doula Speed Dating! It’s always so encouraging to have a room full of people talking about birth and all of the ways that it can be empowering.

03/19/2025

The feeling of contentment while snuggling with your babe after working so hard to bring her earthside is such an unmatched feeling. This mama and her babe are so beautiful, and her labor and birth were just as magnificent.