Born for Birth

Alice Turner, LLCCE, CD (DONA)

Birth Pro Alice Turner is a force for families.

With an unassuming confidence, helping nature and easy sense of humor, it’s kind of impossible not to like Alice. But don’t let her calm, kindness fool you, she isn’t afraid of a fight…as long as it’s for good. A multidimensional childbirth expert, she’s given birth to her four children naturally, supported upwards of 200 as a doula, helped prepare countless families as a certified Lamaze educator, and is currently working to make birth safer for all women as President of the organization’s Board of Directors.

Back Story

I met Alice as an expectant first-time mom in a Lamaze childbirth class she was teaching. At the time she was the backup for the doula we’d chosen, and I instantly wished we’d hired her instead. So when we found out we were expecting baby number two, she was one of my first calls, and again with our third.

When Alice hired me to help her brand her online childbirth class, I witnessed her entrepreneurial savvy, purposeful passion, dedication to her family and moral integrity. One late morning as we walked to our matching minivans after breakfast, we witnessed a man in a fancy suit and car bump into a much less fancy and empty parked car. Before he could sneak away, which was undoubtedly his plan, Alice called him out proceeding to calmly-yet-sternly insist he leave a note.

At our last get together, Alice broke the news to me that she and her family were leaving Atlanta to resettle in Seattle. While I was certainly sad to see her go, I sensed her enthusiasm and was happy to see what was next. Check out my Q&A with Alice to get sage advice on all things birth and a down-to-earth dose of mom inspiration.

Q&A

YOU’VE BEEN HELPING BIRTH BABIES FOR 15 YEARS AS A BIRTH DOULA, A BIZ COACH FOR DOULAS, A CHILDBIRTH EDUCATOR AND AN ADVOCATE WITH LAMAZE INTERNATIONAL.

AS A FORMER COMPUTER PROGRAMMER, DID YOU EVER SEE YOURSELF IN THIS INDUSTRY? AND WHAT IS IT ABOUT YOUR JOB THAT YOU LOVE SO MUCH?

I never in my wildest dreams thought I would work in the field of childbirth. I have a degree in Biomedical Engineering and always loved the healthcare field. I thought my path would be in informatics, but when I learned about doula work, there was no turning back.

I love helping families at such an important time in their lives. I love seeing women tap into the true strength inside of them, and I love seeing partners amazed when they witness this process. Birth is amazing every single time no matter how things go.

SupportingHer online childbirth class for the other half.

YOU CREATED AN ONLINE CHILDBIRTH CLASS SPECIFICALLY FOR DADS AND PARTNERS CALLED SUPPORTINGHER. WHAT WAS YOUR MOTIVATION FOR THIS, HOW IS IT GOING, AND WHAT’S NEXT?

I was asked to “keep partners busy” during a regular couples’ childbirth class taught by a nurse friend of mine. She wanted to teach a breakout session to just moms and wanted me to come up with an activity to keep the partners busy. I jumped at the chance and quickly discovered that when the partners were in a room together they shared needs that weren’t being addressed in typical couples’ classes.  Their questions quickly became the foundation for the SupportingHer online course. Sales for the course are steadily increasing, and I have a vision of the course being the go-to resource for expecting dads and partners. I would love to expand my educational offerings to couples’ classes and classes for OB/GYN residents.

YOU SERVE ON THE BOARD OF LAMAZE INTERNATIONAL, CURRENTLY AS THE PRESIDENT ELECT.

FOR FOLKS WHO ARE EITHER UNAWARE OF THE ORGANIZATION OR JUST THINK IT’S A FUNNY BREATHING TECHNIQUE THEIR MOM USED, CAN YOU EXPLAIN THEIR MISSION, WHY YOU GOT INVOLVED AND YOUR ROLE?

Lamaze International is an organization that educates and certifies childbirth educators and promotes healthy birth. The organization is celebrating its 60th year supporting birthing families and creating quality educators.

I was asked to apply for a board position in 2014. The president of the board at that time had seen that I was active on social media, was a speaker at conferences and ran my own business. She thought my skills would be an asset to the organization, and it’s been a great experience. In my current role, I help make sure that the organization is fiscally sound and that we stay true to the strategic mission of the organization. I enjoy being involved in our advocacy efforts to affect policy and make birth a safer experience for all, and I am so sad that we had to cancel our in-person advocacy summit planned for May due to Covid-19.

YOU HAVE FOUR CHILDREN AGES 18, 16, 12 AND 10. WHAT IS IT THAT YOU MOST WANT TO INSTILL IN THEM?

I am a trying to teach them how to be honest and kind people. I would love for them to be creative, resilient risk takers.

THE US, MATERNAL MORTALITY RATE IS SHOCKINGLY HIGH.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR EXPECTANT MOMS WHO TRUST THEIR OB’S, UNDERSTANDABLY SO, AND DON’T SPEND MUCH TIME RESEARCHING OR LEARNING ABOUT THE BIRTH EXPERIENCE?

As most women prepare for birth in the US, I think one thing that is missing in their preparation is childbirth education. I have found that women who read books outside of the typical best sellers (like Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth and Mindful Birthing) have an entirely different idea about birth. They understand the process and gain confidence in their ability. Families that invest time in childbirth education have more control over their outcomes and tend to have more positive birth experiences. I want all women to know that they have options and a say in their birth experience.

Dad est. 2020 Hooded Sweatshirt from Alice’s SupportingHer Shop filled with go-to gear for the big day for mama and partner.

YOU WERE MY DOULA FOR MY SECOND AND THIRD BIRTHS AND SUCH A HUGE HELP FOR ME AND MATT ALLOWING HIM TO BE PRESENT AND SUPPORT ME NOT WORRYING ABOUT WHAT WAS HAPPENING.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR DADS AND PARTNERS WHEN IT COMES TO PREPPING FOR THE BIG DAY? 

Dads and partners have a very important role in the birthing process. I want them to lean into this role. Discuss with their partner how they can help. They can learn practical skills and practice before labor. My most important tips for supporting someone in labor is to just try. Don’t ask a woman in labor if they want this or that. Just try something and they will let you know if it works. Making decisions in labor is too difficult, so avoid asking questions.

I also want partners to realize that getting up to speed on the birthing experience doesn’t have to be a huge time or money investment. My online SupportingHer class is two hours from start to finish and covers everything you need to know to feel ready for the big day, and I even offer a live Beer & Birth experience that is only 90 minutes and a lot of fun.

 WHO IS A MOONLIT MAMA YOU LOOK UP TO AND WHY?

Right now I am inspired by Rachel Hollis. She is an entrepreneur and also a mother of four. I love her determination and ability to think outside the box and appreciate how she shares her journey in a real and relatable way.

YOU RECENTLY MADE A BIG DECISION WITH YOUR FAMILY, TO MOVE TO SEATTLE. TELL ME ABOUT WHY, THE PROCESS AND HOW THINGS ARE GOING.

We lived in Seattle from ‘95 - ‘99 and spent three consecutive summers there. Each time we vacationed there, we told ourselves that someday we would move back. Then our discussions started to become more about the timing for a move. What would make the most sense for moving four kids in four different grades?

Finally we realized that there was no ideal time, and life is short. What were we waiting for?

The move was difficult, and many people, including our family, did not understand why we were choosing to move so “far away”. But we knew it was the right move for us, and thankfully, the transition is going well. We can walk everywhere and enjoy the outdoors, and the kids are really loving their new schools and are growing so much with this experience. We say that this move has given us a lot of new tools for our virtual tool boxes. 

I LOVE THE IDEA OF THE VIRTUAL TOOL BOX. CAN YOU EXPOUND ON THAT A BIT?

I think it’s often life’s challenges that give us the opportunities to grow by developing new skills and strategies to survive and thrive. The move was a chance for each of us to grow as people individually and as a family. Each of us had to develop new skills, and now when we face similar challenges in the future, we can use this experience as a tool for confidently moving through new life experiences.

The Turners, I mean, Alladin's, at their 6th annual Disney Halloween Party

WITH THE CURRENT COVID-19 PANDEMIC, YOU’RE CURRENTLY HOMESCHOOLING THREE OF YOUR FOUR KIDS. DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR MANAGING THIS NEW NORMAL, ESPECIALLY AS A MOM OF MULTIPLE KIDS AT DIFFERENT GRADE LEVELS AND WITH DIFFERENT LEARNING STYLES?

The truth is that this is proving to be very challenging for me. I am lowering the bar on trying to provide a lot of education. If my kids learn nothing during this time period that is fine with me. If they spend the day drawing, reading and playing games then that is a win. I miss the days of walking my youngest to school and returning to a quiet house and alone time and am continually reminding myself that this is temporary, and I will get better at this new reality. 

WHAT DO YOU DO TO DECOMPRESS AND RELAX?

I have 3 go-to’s 1)  running and listen to an inspirational podcast 2) long bath with podcast or audio book 3) morning meditation before everyone wakes up.

YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND HAVE BEEN MARRIED 23 YEARS AND SEEM TO MAINTAIN A REALLY SWEET, STRONG RELATIONSHIP. WHAT IS YOUR SECRET TO STAYING CONNECTED AS A COUPLE AND AS A FAMILY?

We have consistently kept regular date nights and made an effort to spend time together without the kids, and I think that is key to staying connected as a couple. And we both share a goal to be a tight-knit family and achieve that in pretty simple ways like rarely missing family dinners, epic road trips like our most recent from Atlanta to Niagra Falls and back, and traditions like our annual Disney World Halloween party we’ve been attending for six years. We also took a family dance class recently which has come in handy during the long, social-distancing days of late.

Keep up with Alice via Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to her YouTube channel for tons of tips including my favorite, #thebigwheelofbirth series.

And if you’re expecting or know someone who is, take a peek at Alice’s birth must haves in her Expert Edit.

1. Doula | 2. Birthing Ball & How-To Video | 3. Pillows | 4. Flameless Candles | 5. Washcloths