Hi, I'm Exie Buehler
In 1995, I was a new mom who had a traumatic birth (though I wouldn’t have that terminology for years to come), trying to figure out breastfeeding (there was no way we could afford formula), and suffering from undiagnosed postpartum depression without any family support (paternity leave – yeh, that didn’t exist). In 1998, I had my 2nd son and an incredibly healing birth experience (although I still lacked the understanding of what it was). Fast-forward to 2003, when I enrolled in massage therapy school and found my first professional calling. I first heard the word “doula” in one of my prenatal massage elective classes, and I knew immediately that it was my second (& my true calling). I started my business and was off and running.
I'm a mom - Happy, but Traumatized
I was so relieved to meet my son & happy he was healthy, but my birth experience was traumatic physically and emotionally. I felt alone and ill-equipped to take care of my son - but what choice did I have?
Oh boy, it's another boy!
An unplanned pregnancy, an induced labor, & one little positional change with some sacral rubbing - & I FELT his head turn, even with an epidural. He arrived quickly after that. How did so little do so much? A seed was planted.
Answered my first calling
With both kids in school, I enrolled at Irene's Myomassology Institute, knowing I wanted to specialize in prenatal massage. I craved my own identity not tied to being "wife" and "mom".
My 3rd baby was born - I became a solopreneur
I founded Tranquil Touch Therapeutic Massage for Women in March and officially registered it as an LLC in April, specializing in women’s health (wellness, chronic pain, and pregnancy).
Graduation day!
I graduated from Irene’s and quickly enrolled in a program to become a Certified Prenatal Massage Therapist and Certified Massage Doula. Little did I know what the future held.
My first Doula baby – This is my Calling Now
This sweet baby girl was the first of 3 sisters I had the privilege of witnessing enter the world. I was in awe of her mother and my ability to support her to have such a beautiful experience!
Certified Massage Doula
My first doula certification training was based on my prenatal massage training. Like many doula certifications, my CMD required renewal every 3 years, which I did until 2016. Honestly, between that and my massage boards, I felt like I was drowning in paperwork and CE renewal fees every 3 years – Something had to change!
Certified Childbirth Educator (CBI)
I’m just one person and knew I couldn’t doula everyone. I felt a wave of sadness any time I had to turn someone away, so I became a childbirth educator, too! That way, I could expand my support to help more people know their options and feel empowered to decide what was best for them, whether I could be their doula or not.
Certified Birth Doula (CBI)
I was so impressed with my CBE program that I enrolled in the CBI birth doula course and let my other certification expire.
The After-Place, A devatating loss that stopped me in my tracks
My big sister was suddenly gone. A victim of domestic violence homicide, my life-long protector and loudest cheerleader was stolen from me. I spent the next 6 years trying to find the new me without my “wonder-twin.” My grief journey revealed a diagnosis of PTSD & C-PTSD, which spurred me to do a deep dive into the world of trauma and, finally, experiencing Post-Traumatic Growth. My sister, Lisa, would be so proud of my resilience!
Certified Postpartum Doula (CBI)
Having worked with women throughout their pregnancies and the early postpartum period for many years, receiving this credential was natural and directly related to the next step in my journey.
Joined the CBI Trainer Team
After my first student experience with Childbirth International, I often wondered how someone became a Trainer. After my second student experience, I secretly committed myself to exploring the idea if it ever came along. Well, in 2020, the CBI opportunity arrived, and after weeks of intensive training, I began my work as a CBI Trainer for students all over the world enrolled in the birth, postpartum, and childbirth educator programs.
Medicaid Doula Coverage
After weeks of intense work, I was approved by MDHHS and 8 Medicaid Insurance companies to work with clients using Medicaid insurance as part of the initiative to improve maternal and infant health in Michigan. A bonus of that was being in the first cohort trained as a Survivor Moms Companion(SMC) Tutor, helping women who experienced maltreatment in childhood learn coping skills to help them be confident mothers.
One Door Closed, Another Opened
I relocated from my large massage/birth work office, where I had been for 8 years, to a smaller 1-room suite in Farmington Hills. Leaving traditional massage work after 20 years was a hard decision, but one I knew I had to make so I could use all my trauma-informed knowledge and passion to focus on supporting pregnant women and new moms more fully.
I’m Officially Perinatal Mental Health Certified (PMH-C)
After completing an 8-week base training on the Components of Care for the Perinatal Period in 2022 & the Advanced Psychotherapy course in 2023 through Postpartum Support International (PSI), I was fully trained to support maternal mental and emotional wellness and studied hard to achieve my goal of becoming a PMH-C Allied Professional with the expertise to support women and their families with perinatal mental health challenges as a bridge to mental and emotional wellness.
What's next for me
In many ways, I feel like my journey is just beginning. My kids are grown, the grief cloud has finally lifted, and I am fully focused on my work with expectant and new moms and their families. You can keep up with me by signing up for my monthly newsletter, following my blog, and listening to my podcast, Metro Detroit Birth Stories. I’m excited to have you join me for what comes next.
Let's keep in touch
I started a blog years ago and have decided to bring it back—right alongside my podcast, which began as a passion project with a dear friend during the pandemic. I’ve also been sharing a monthly newsletter filled with insights, support, and resources—and that’s not changing!
Now, everything is coming together in one place, and I’d love for you to be part of it. Subscribe today and join me on this ever-evolving journey of birth, postpartum, and the beautiful (sometimes messy) surprises of life