Episode 53: Unpacking Your Doula Baggage

One of the most common questions in doula forums is, “What’s in your doula bag?” What isn’t as readily talked about is our individual psychology. Those psychological and ideological things we carry in our mental doula bag. Our life experiences. Implicit and explicit biases. Work ethic.

It is essential to learn how to peel back and get comfortable with the uncomfortable feelings that may arise when working with families.

The first place to start is to identify your “shoulds.” When you think about birth, parenting, or infant feeding for yourself, what are your “shoulds?” Next is to examine if your “shoulds” can be tucked away. Can you prevent them from having an influence on your feelings or ability to work with clients? Last, is learning how to navigate your own anxiety or fears. Feelings that center around your own shortcomings. Also the perception of the quality of support that you provide.

As doulas, we are often deeply empathetic and often people pleasers. Often, there is a need to feel needed. Pride often comes from what we perceive as a job well done. But in birth and postpartum so many factors that contribute to this sense of self-satisfaction are simply out of our control.

Come join us as we discuss the many complexities that exist when unpacking your doula baggage.