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Episode 20: Birth Stories and Gift Giving
Let’s talk about writing birth stories and giving gifts to clients. Many doulas have been taught to provide a written account of their client’s birth. For some, this practice begins as a part of the certification process. Others are taught or assume that it’s a necessary part of the services doulas offer. But what are the potential drawbacks to providing a written record of the client’s experience? Are birth stories really beneficial to the client’s experience? In this episode, we also talk about gift-giving. Some doulas consider gift-giving a nice thing to do. Others look at gift-giving as a form of marketing. But is there really a good return on…
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Episode 19: Induction of Labor
Let’s talk about induction of labor. When, how and why induction of labor happens is a hot topic among many doulas. As we move through the holiday season we see many doulas posting warnings to pregnant people to question an induction. Especially those scheduled before a holiday. We see discussions about why inductions of labor may happen and how they may or may not be “justified.” In this episode, we discuss how to handle the nuances of support during an induction. When should we arrive? Should we go and stay from the beginning? Setting expectations for communication during the process and when to check-in. What we don’t often see is…
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Episode 18: The Virtual Doula
In this episode, we take a look at the concept of “the virtual doula.” A virtual doula is a doula that provides a ‘client’ emotional and informational support remotely. They are not physically present for pre-birth meetings or the birth. Instead, they utilize phone, video or text messaging to support a client during pregnancy and birth. By definition, doulas provide physical, emotional and informational support. So can a doula really provide the full scope of doula services without being physically present to provide continuous physical support? Join us as we discuss the ins and outs of virtual support along with the possible drawbacks to both the doula, the client and…
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Episode 17: Physical vs Emotional Pain
When we think about pain surrounding labor and birth, physical pain is usually what comes to mind. Yet the emotional pain experienced during labor can contribute to a traumatic experience and may often be left undetected by doulas. Clients often expect physical sensation or pain during labor. Yet when they feel overwhelming emotions during the process they may be taken off guard. As doulas, one of our roles is to help clients navigate both the physical and emotional pains of labor. One of the ways we do this is by being mindful if a client is coping vs suffering. Come join us as we discuss how we can best support…
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Episode 16: Doula Philosophies
Let’s talk doula philosophies. What does that mean? Do you have one? Do you allow them to dictate which clients you support? In this episode, we talk about some of the philosophies that we know doulas subscribe to and the reasons why. We try to unpack the reasons why doulas support some clients vs. others. Being a doula is not a philosophy, it’s a profession. Or at least it is to us. While we all bring our own life experience to working with clients, our personal philosophies should be left at the client’s door. Saying this is one thing, practicing it is quite another. In this episode, we cover a…
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Episode 15: Doula Support – The Partner’s Perspective
As doulas supporting the partner is as important as supporting the birthing person. We often hear lots of feedback from the birthing person about how the doula helped them through the process, but we hear from partners with far less frequency. In this episode, we explore the partner’s perspective with a fan of the podcast and one of our own Tucson Doulas’ clients. Join us as Jo Jo shares and what he thought a doula was. What lead Jo Jo and his partner to hire a doula. How they found a doula to interview local to them. Why it’s important for doulas to be responsive to inquiries and return calls and…
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Episode 14: Interventions – The Cascade of Interventions
Have you ever heard the phrase, “The cascade of interventions”? You know, that concept of agreeing to one intervention in labor will inevitably lead your client to another. And another, and yet another? Many doula training organizations teach this concept, but is it actually accurate? Is it possible that they have it all wrong? Most importantly, are they adequately preparing doulas to support clients who choose or need interventions in their births? In this episode, we explore the paradigm of interventions during labor and birth. Does this paradigm actually support and teach doulas to provide the best care to clients who need intervention? Or does it leave doulas lacking the…
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Episode 13: Agency vs Independent Contractor vs Solo Doula
One of the first decisions you will make about your doula business is one that determines your doula business structure. Before you create your LLC, secure insurance or even choose a name, you’ll need to decide how your business will be run. Will you simply open a solo practice? Do you want to start an agency? Or would you prefer to be an independent contractor? Each of the options has its own unique benefits and drawbacks. Do you want to call all the shots and love working on your own? Perhaps you envision a team of doulas or other birth professionals working together to serve your community. Or do you…
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Is My Appearance Holding Me Back?
Short answer? Not at all. However, if you had asked me this 5 years ago I would have said yes, but now I know better. I KNOW NOW THAT MY APPEARANCE WASN’T HOLDING ME BACK BUT MY MINDSET SURE WAS. When I first started taking the steps to become a doula I was really in my head about what I had to offer my future clients. I filled my mind with the most fucked up self-talk ever. I would ask myself why would someone hire me and I never had a good answer. I would always think well why would they? I have no children. I don’t have a medical…
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Doula Byte: Empowerment
Let’s talk about empowerment! This is a doula byte do you do not want to miss! Can someone who lacks empowerment in their own life empower another? We recognize that birth as an individual’s sacred moment. An experience that lasts a lifetime. A powerful experience where there are no do-overs. It’s a story that they will tell again and again. Yet when a birth worker is carrying trauma from their own experience they can’t effectively help another have an empowering experience of their own. If you are dealing with your own past experience, you can’t be fully present for the client that you are serving. There is a tendency among…
