Hidden Gems: Meet Olivia Wieda

Today we’d like to introduce you to Olivia Wieda.

Hi Olivia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Nebraska, in a family full of caregivers. My parents both worked in social services, and I babysat lots of neighborhood kids from middle school on. Throughout high school and college, I continued nannying in the summers and as a part-time job while I focused on school. I kept hearing the same kinds of stories from the families I worked with: their postpartum time left them feeling anxious, guilty, and like they failed. So when I graduated, my husband and I moved to Michigan for a graduate program where I studied maternal stress and how that affected the mothers’ relationships with their babies. I was interested in the subject, but I felt so detached from the actual families that I wanted to help. The stress of the program was overwhelming, I developed health issues, and I would sit in my office daydreaming about leaving everything behind and being a nanny or doula. It just wasn’t for me, so I had to make a change.

I left the program after the first year, not knowing what I’d do next. I felt like I had thrown away everything I had worked for. I felt like a failure. But it also gave me a sense of relief and freedom. I started nannying again and found a family that I loved. I finished my master’s degree online in maternal and infant mental health. During that time, I came across the research about the effects of postpartum doula support, and I knew that’s what I wanted to do. I became certified as a postpartum doula and lactation counselor. I worked with amazing doulas and midwives in Michigan, and they really helped me shape who I am as a doula.

My husband, daughter, and I recently moved to Kansas City to be closer to family. I’ve started meeting other doulas and perinatal professionals, and everyone is so warm and welcoming. I hope to collaborate and find my place in this community.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road hasn’t always been smooth, but I’ve been fortunate enough to have a great support system and I’ve grown from every obstacle that I’ve encountered. Despite dreaming of being a doula, I never really wanted to be a businesswoman. It’s been a steep learning curve, and I’ve really had to come out of my shell to market my business and make connections. Many people don’t know really what a doula is and have never even heard of a postpartum doula. So it’s been a little bit of an uphill battle to get the word out about different types of support that are out there.

Then after the birth of my daughter, I suffered from terrible postpartum anxiety and felt like I was failing as a mother and as a postpartum doula. If I couldn’t handle my own postpartum time, how could I help others through this? But when I got a couple of calls for help from other moms who were struggling, I realized that what I had gone through could help me understand and provide support in a way that I never could have before. Then COVID happened, and I had to pivot and figure out how to do virtual support. Surprisingly, I’ve been loving it. Every family has different needs and virtual support is perfect for some families. It also allows me to take on more clients while maintaining a more flexible schedule.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I’m a postpartum doula, lactation counselor, and newborn care educator with a passion for working with growing families. Too many new parents feel overwhelmed and unsupported after they bring home their new baby. I am here to offer physical and emotional support to new parents, as well as evidence-based information and referrals to great community resources. I help with infant feeding and newborn care skills. I also provide infant and sibling care to give parents a much needed break. Each family is different, with a unique set of needs, so I have several different in-person and virtual service options. I am dedicated to helping parents integrate the new baby into their family and meet their specific goals. I provide the knowledge and support to help families find confidence and peace in the postpartum period.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success means something different to everyone. For me, it means being able to do the thing that energizes me. To be able to make a living doing what I’m passionate about, helping other parents and having time to focus on my own growing family, that’s all that I could ask for.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://postpartumfamilycare.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oliviawiedadoula
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oliviawiedadoula