Birth Charts to Birth Doula and More with Alyssa

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Welcome to Season Two of 'It's a Circus' podcast! Join host Elsa as she dives into real conversations about the messy, magical, and unpredictable journey of parenting. In this episode, Elsa is thrilled to welcome her dream guest, Alyssa—a San Diego-based full spectrum doula, folk herbalist, and astrologer. Hear Alyssa's fascinating journey from astrology to birth work, her profound insights on birth as a sacred ceremony, and the importance of support during prenatal and postpartum periods. This episode is a heartfelt testament to the power of intuition, the beauty of each unique birth journey, and the vital role doulas play in supporting families. Elsa and Alyssa also discuss societal pressures on new mothers, the emotional and physical challenges of postpartum recovery, and the indispensability of having a wise woman to guide you through parenthood. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that redefines motherhood and the sanctity of birth.

00:00 Welcome to It's a Circus

00:20 Introducing the Guest: Alyssa

00:38 Alyssa's Journey from Astrology to Doula

01:13 The Role and Impact of a Doula

08:12 Challenges and Realities of Postpartum

20:39 Cultural Perspectives on Motherhood

38:46 Understanding Support Preferences

39:19 Creating a Birth Plan

39:49 Navigating Hospital Birth Plans

40:34 The Spiritual Aspect of Birth

41:24 The Role of Intuition in Birth

41:42 Personal Birth Experiences

52:07 Astrology and Birth Patterns

01:02:12 The Importance of Wise Women

01:12:16 Final Thoughts and Advice for New Moms

Alyssa Donato | San Diego Doula, Herbalist & Astrologer
Founder of A Ceremony of Birth, Alyssa Donato is a San Diego-based full spectrum doula, folk herbalist, and astrologer devoted to guiding families through the sacred thresholds of birth, postpartum, and transformation. Her practice weaves intuitive care with ancient wisdom. Offering grounding, soulful support for modern families in the San Diego area and beyond. 
Alyssa holds space for birth as ceremony, blending physiological care with ritual, herbal remedies, and cosmic insight. From prenatal preparation to postpartum integration, she serves San Diego families with tenderness, reverence, and a commitment to restoring trust in the intelligence of the body and the beauty of each unique journey.
Connect with her at @aceremonyofbirth @alyssa.donato or visit www.aceremonyofbirth.com to learn more.

🎪 It’s a Circus 🎙️

Step right up to the podcast that tells it like it really is—because parenting isn’t always picture-perfect, but it’s always worth the ride.

Hosted by entrepreneur and mom Elsa Marit, It’s a Circus brings you real, unfiltered conversations with parents who know what it’s like to balance the chaos of kids, careers, and everything in between. Through heartfelt interviews and personal storytelling, Elsa peels back the layers of parenting to reveal the messy, hilarious, and deeply human moments we all experience—but rarely talk about.

This isn’t a guide to having it all figured out. It’s a reminder that you don’t have to.

Tune in for laughs, confessions, and insights that will leave you feeling connected, comforted, and ready to take on the next act. Hit subscribe—because life in the circus is better when we’re in it together. 🎪✨