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Episode 83: Supporting Epidurals
One skill set that many doulas express a lack of confidence in is supporting clients with an epidural. Many doula workshops overemphasize how to support an unmedicated birth. As a result, doulas may feel uncertain and often unprepared to support the client who has chosen an epidural. Supporting the client with an epidural is multi-faceted. Many clients and even doulas assume that the doula’s job is done once an epidural is in place. The reality is, that the doula’s job has just begun. Physical support is still necessary when supporting epidurals. Frequent position changes help the baby navigate the changing diameters of the pelvis. The necessity for emotional support can…
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Episode 82: The Art of Newborn Soothing
Newborn soothing can sometimes seem like a mysterious, magical, art, especially to new parents. The phone rings, it’s a new parent who needs help. Sometimes they need more sleep. Others need help with learning how to settle or soothe their newborns. They are feeling panicked, helpless, desperate, and oftentimes as if they are not doing it right. Some also express that they feel as if their baby doesn’t like them. For some, the frantic urgency to try and calm their baby perpetuates the cycle. For others, they cycle through the newborn claiming techniques they know too quickly. As a result, no one technique is given enough time to work. This…
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Episode 81: Navigating Family Challenges
Navigating family challenges surrounding our clients and their support systems can be challenging for many doulas. The relationships between our clients and their support systems are nuanced and built over time. As with all relationships, there is often a deep history that we as doulas are not privy to. Helping clients navigate the challenges that family and friends can present is often a huge part of our role. Giving birth and becoming a parent are emotionally charged transitions. At the same time, it is also an extremely vulnerable state, both emotionally and physically. The people our clients choose to have around them during birth can impact how they view themselves.…
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Episode 80: Cervical Scar Tissue
Trigger Warning: Discussion about gynecologic procedures. While there are many reasons for dilation during labor to take time or pause, one reason is often overlooked—cervical scar tissue. Cervical scar tissue can come from many sources. Biopsies, cryosurgery, LEEP procedures, to name a few. For some, the scar tissue caused by these procedures may pose no problem at all during labor. But for others, scar tissue can impact the progression of dilation. While doulas are not clinical care providers, some will choose to explore a clients GYN history a bit to see if there is a history of such procedures. Others may decide not to ask but instead remain mindful and…
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Episode 79: Doulas As A Lived Identity
 As doulas, it’s easy to let the what-ifs that surround our lives take control. Unlike many other professions, a doula’s entire life can center around our work. Being a doula may become a bit of a lived identity if you will. For some, the philosophies of doula work will apply to everyone they encounter. Non-judgmental support, reflective listening, the desire to help in any way possible. For others, the role of a doula is an intentional mindset that they step into or out of as they go to work or transition back to at-home life. As doulas and individuals, how we interact with and support those we encounter in…
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Episode 78: Doula Advocacy
noun: advocate; plural noun: advocates /ˈadvÉ™kÉ™t/ a person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy. “I want my doula to advocate for me.” When this sentence is spoken by someone seeking a labor doula it often means “speaking for” them. However, we believe that it is not our place to speak for our clients. This belief can ruffle some doula feathers. While we can achieve the same goals, we tend to define advocate and advocacy a bit differently. We believe that as doulas, we amplify our client’s voices. Speaking for them removes their voice. It assumes that they haven’t changed their mind. Speaking for the client can actually remove…
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Episode 77: Supporting Back Labor
There is no doubt that for clients, back labor can present a major challenge. Some experience intermittent pain, while for others it will be continuous. As doulas, it can feel intimidating and frustrating when presented with the challenge of supporting a client with back labor. There are many approaches available for doulas to help our clients cope with back labor. At the same time, the cause of back labor often seems to be misunderstood. Many doulas assume that back labor indicates that the baby is posterior. However, when we look at available data on back labor, it tells a different story. If we dig deeper into the whys of back…
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Episode 76: Childbirth Education
Teaching childbirth education classes is one way to support pregnant individuals and their families. It is also a great way to enter birth work. Especially when labor or postpartum doula work just isn’t something that you can make work for your current circumstances. Adding childbirth education when you’re already an established doula or birth worker is also a great way to expand your knowledge, services and add to your revenue stream. Those considering becoming a childbirth educator or doula may ask, “Which avenue should I pursue first?” The good news is there is no one right answer. Becoming a childbirth educator before you become a doula will help you become…
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Episode 75: Long Term Postpartum Care
We often hear doulas ask “When should I stop working with clients postpartum? While some doula training organizations seem to limit the work of a postpartum doula to a few weeks or the first few months, we have a different approach. Long-term postpartum care is a highly beneficial service to both doulas and families. It has many benefits, but at the same time, there are also drawbacks. Mostly for the doula. Growing families thrive from this type of postpartum care. Parents have a caregiver that they trust, have come to depend on, and with who they often have a deep relationship with. Especially if their doula was also a part…
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Episode 74: Doula Licensure
When we look into what the future might hold for doula work in the next 5-10 years, one topic keeps turning up again and again. Doula licensure. But what is doula licensure? What does it mean to be licensed? Who regulates licensure? Who sets the standards that a doula must meet to become licensed? How is licensure different than certification? These are all common questions that many doulas have. Licensing in the United States is typically facilitated and controlled at the state level. Individual states set the standards of professionalism and scope of practice for those within a licensed profession. Those who do not meet these standards, apply for, and…
