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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 /ˈadvəkət/ 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…
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Episode 73: Doula Business Wrap Up
Doula business year in review. As the year comes to a close there are many important tasks to complete in order to close out the current year and anticipate and plan for how to proceed into the new year. As doulas, it’s important to review every aspect of our business with a critical eye. Our first goal is to determine what is working and what needs to be changed. Should we stay with the same systems, or are there improvements to be made? Does our process from contact to contract run smoothly? Or do we need to change our process to result in more client conversions? Do our contracts still…
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Episode 72: Year of the Doula
If there is one thing that 2021 has taught us it is that this has been the year of the doula. Navigating through 2021, doulas still feel the impact of visitor restrictions. Restrictions that limit their ability to provide in-person support. But at the same time, doulas across the globe have seen exponential growth in their business. Underscoring these business successes is the ability to pivot. Doulas denied access to in-person support, pivoted to virtual support. Others approached local birth facilities to underscore the importance of doula support. As a result, doulas negotiate with facilities to allow doulas access to in-person support. While the discourse of these restrictions plays out,…
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Episode 71: Supporting Adoption: Adoptive Parent(s)
November is National Adoption Month and so we continue the second part of our Supporting Adoption series. For some, adoption has always been a part of the plan for growing their family. For others, adoption is an option that is considered due to infertility, loss, or other unanticipated circumstances. In this episode, we take a look at how to support adoptive parents who will welcome a new baby to their family in the days or weeks after birth. As a doula, supporting the adoptive family can come in many forms. If the adoptive family will be present for the birth, a childbirth education class may be beneficial. Especially for those…
