Meet Melinda Olson of The Birth Season

Today we’d like to introduce you to Melinda Olson

Hi Melinda, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey into this field began with the birth of my first son. When I discovered I was pregnant in 2020, it was the height of the pandemic. I attended my first OBGYN appointment alone, as my husband had to wait in the parking lot due to restrictions on the number of people allowed in the room. This was devastating for us; our first child, and he couldn’t even be present at the prenatal appointments.

Determined to find care that aligned with my vision for a natural birth, we decided to look beyond hospital settings. After researching birth centers in San Diego, I was surprised to find only a few options. Following interviews with different centers, I chose one in Pacific Beach. It felt right to have a midwifery team that listened, understood, and supported my view of birth as a natural, undisturbed part of life.

Planning for an out-of-hospital birth, I sought techniques to help me through the challenges ahead. That’s when I was introduced to HypnoBirthing. I received the book “HypnoBirthing, The Mongan Method” by Marie Mongan, which resonated with my beliefs about birth. With my background in yoga, reiki, meditation, and a holistic lifestyle, the techniques came naturally to me. I also hired an amazing doula to support me during labor.

My labor lasted three days and was filled with internal shifts, realizations, trials, tribulations, and transformations. It was exactly what my body needed. With the tools from HypnoBirthing, the support of my midwives, the reassurance of my doula, and my husband as my anchor, I powered through and gave birth in the most positive and peaceful way. Labor was challenging but ultimately the most rewarding experience.

After giving birth, I knew my purpose was to share the wisdom I had gained. I wanted to spread the message that childbirth doesn’t have to be scary or traumatic; it can be positive, powerful, and calm. Within a few months, I began teaching HypnoBirthing and supporting women as a birth doula.

Now, nearly four years into this work, I have transitioned to a full-time birth worker. I teach, provide birth support, encapsulate placentas and host monthly mom walks. I am deeply invested in connecting with other birth workers in the San Diego community, to raise awareness around the challenges women face during one of the most pivotal moments of their lives, giving birth.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t been a smooth journey; growing my business while raising a family has been my biggest challenge. With babies arriving on their own schedule, I’m on call 24/7 for four weeks with every client. Figuring out how this would work for my family, especially while breastfeeding, was incredibly difficult. Everything had to be meticulously planned—childcare, backup childcare, even vacations required careful coordination and hiring a backup doula “just in case.” Now, I’ve reached a point where navigating being on call is less stressful than in the beginning. Prioritizing a good work-life balance was essential to prevent burnout, which is, unfortunately, all too common in this field.

Starting a business from the ground up has also been a significant struggle—not knowing if I’d secure doula clients or fill my classes. This is how I provide for my family, and each month can look very different. I’ve now implemented systems to help me through both the slow months and the busy ones.

None of these challenges compare to the daily struggles I witness within the complex medicalized industry. Working closely with women during the most transformative, sacred, and powerful moments of their lives, I have seen the immense trauma and fear placed upon families. This often prevents women from fully opening up, trusting their bodies, babies, and healthcare providers ultimately leaving them with a negative and often traumatizing birth experience.

My goal is to go deeper in this work, understanding the importance of aligning mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual states. It’s about surrendering to the process, crossing the veil of the conscious mind, and releasing anything holding us back. I advocate for body autonomy and true informed consent, enabling women to make informed choices for their unique situations.

This work is incredibly challenging, but more necessary now than ever before. The US remains the most dangerous developed country for childbirth. Women deserve better, that is why I continue to show up time and time again.

We’ve been impressed with The Birth Season, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
As a doula, I support families during one of the most transformative times of their lives. In today’s society, the normalcy of birth has shifted, making it a potentially scary, unknown, and overwhelming experience to navigate. With so much conflicting information available, it can be confusing for women who simply want the best for their families. That’s why they hire me—to help support them through this journey. I help by educating them on what true, normal birth looks and feels like, provide them with tools to use, teach them how to advocate for themselves by asking questions, offer a shoulder to cry on, and make them feel heard and deserving of the birth they want. This work is important; it’s the foundation, the beginning of a baby’s life.

I am currently the only in-person HypnoBirthing educator in San Diego. HypnoBirthing is a childbirth method that teaches self-hypnosis and relaxation techniques to help expectant parents experience a more comfortable and positive birth by reducing fear and anxiety, which can cause tension and pain during labor. Most families feel more confident to birth their babies after taking my course, and many of them have very positive birthing experiences.

I take great pride in maintaining an authentic presence throughout my brand and everything I do. When families take my class or hire me as their doula, they see that I am consistent, authentic and trustworthy. It’ important to me to know that families choose to work with me because of who I am; I don’t have to pretend to be someone I’m not, which would be exhausting. It feels wonderful to know they genuinely want my support.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
From a young age, I was endlessly curious. I had a knack for asking countless questions and if an answer wasn’t readily available, I’d go out and find it myself. My curiosity spanned across many topics, and I often had an internal sense of knowing when something didn’t feel right. This intuition became a guiding force early on and has ultimately led me to the work I do today.

Empathy has also always been a significant part of who I am. I’ve been able to cultivate compassionate and meaningful relationships throughout my life. I recall friends often seeking me out for advice, assistance, or simply a supportive shoulder to lean on. I listened to them intently, connecting on a deeper level and responding with genuine care and sensitivity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thebirthseason.com/
• Instagram: Thebirthseason