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Episode 37: Developing Your Doula Voice | Part One | Doula Fears
Becoming a doula is an exciting and rewarding journey. However, this journey comes with some fears and anxieties for many people. When starting out as a doula fears and worries are common. But letting these fears hold you back can be even more common. Common concerns often include: What if: I don’t remember what to do I can’t remember the medical terms What I see or smell makes me nauseous or sick I pass out I don’t have the answer to a client’s question Here’s the truth, you are not alone! These fears are common. They are also valid. Better yet? There are ways to address all of these common…
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Episode 36: Empathy & Compassion in Birth Work
Empathy and compassion are two common foundational elements of birth work. While not a required trait, many birth professionals will readily admit that they have a strong empathetic nature. Their ability to empathize with growing families and the struggles they may face is often what prompts them to explore a career in birth work. Their compassion for the struggles of growing families is what motivates them to take the next step. Yet many birth workers often use the terms interchangeably. But empathy and compassion are two distinct personality traits. One is passive, and the other is active. Empathy is inherently passive. Our connection with others allows us to come to…
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Episode 35: UPDATE – Doulas Supporting Clients & Each Other Through COVID-19
It’s been almost four months since doulas and other birth workers have felt the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In its wake has come a host of changes to the way we operate our businesses. How has the virus has changed how we interact with clients and our communities? In this follow-up episode, we explore how the landscape of our work has changed. We explore what services are working. The changes we and other birth workers have made to adapt to social distancing and self-isolation. Safety practices we have implemented to protect our clients and ourselves. We also explore what happens when businesses do not pivot to meet the changing…
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Episode 34: Why Does One Become A Doula?
As doula trainers, it is our privilege to hear the stories of why those we train were drawn to doula work. The desire to nature, care for, and support others is the foundation of what brings most individuals to doula work. However, there are two other common themes: Those who want to help families have positive experiences in birth and postpartum. As a result, they actively work towards helping the family achieve the client’s own goals Those who often, unconsciously, seek healing from their own birth or postpartum experiences through serving others. Often with the intent to protect the client from repeating the doula’s own experience. In this episode, we…
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Episode 33: The Myth of the Doula Sisterhood
 Hang around doulas long enough and you’ll hear it. Those two words that seem so innocent and inviting, doula sisters (or doula sisterhood). But take a closer look and you’re likely to find that the notion of the doula sisterhood has a darker meaning and intent. How can a sisterhood exist when doulas are actively being excluded? Can a sisterhood exist when in 2020 doula forums and organizations exist that are rampant with white privilege, racism, and white tears? Is it acceptable for “doula sisters” to silence Black and BIPoC people’s voices? To delete posts, to shut off comments, to archive entire groups to shut down the conversation surrounding…
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Episode 32: Postpartum Support
Postpartum support. When many people think about doulas, labor doulas are what immediately come to mind. However, postpartum support is just as invaluable to growing families. The word postpartum is often associated with postpartum depression. This can be an obstacle that many postpartum doulas face when trying to market their services. Families who could benefit from postpartum doula services often assume that postpartum care is not something they’d need since they are not experiencing postpartum depression. Postpartum doulas provide so much more than baby care and household assistance through light housekeeping duties. For many families, it’s a listening ear. The ability to talk to someone about who the client used…
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Episode 31: Doula Certification
 Doula certification is a topic that comes up frequently among those considering doula work as a profession. Does it matter? Who should I certify with? Which organization is the best? All of these are common questions we see. In this episode, we tackle the topic of doula certification. As doula trainers, it’s no secret that to us, certification matters. In this episode, we dig deep into our beliefs and opinions surrounding certification. Angela shares her journey through three different certification organizations before finding the perfect fit. Eva shares her thoughts surrounding some of the assumptions surrounding certification by consumers. Come join us as we discuss certification in the doula…
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Episode 30: Male Doulas
In this episode, we tackle the topic of male doulas. We are so excited to talk to Kelly Carrington, Canada’s first male doula. Kelly joins us to discuss the life of being a husband, father, massage therapist, and labor doula. This isn’t your typical doula interview. We decided to take a different approach and explore some deeper topics such as: How does your wife feel about the physical intimacy often present between a doula and a client in your work as a doula? The discrimination present in the doula community against male doulas. That being a male doesn’t matter, intentions matter. The biases that exist against male doulas that do…
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Episode 29: Informed Consent & Decisions
Informed consent. This phrase is one of the top three most common phrases in the doula dictionary. However, the actual process of informed consent is between a patient and their care provider. This involves a discussion of the risks, benefits & alternatives to any proposed intervention or treatment. In addition, it also includes the right to refuse any recommended treatment or intervention. Yet somewhere along the way, doulas have been taught that they are responsible for clients giving informed consent. “I support whatever my client decides, as long as they are making an informed decision.” Is it the doula’s role to determine if the client is making an informed decision?…
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Episode 28: Supporting Cesarean Birth
 April is Cesarean Awareness Month! With all that is going on in the world today, it’s important to continue to hone our skills as we adapt our support to this ever-evolving landscape. In this episode, we discuss supporting cesarean births with our guest Christi Banks! Christi is the co-owner of Doulas of Bellingham and has developed a niche in supporting cesarean birth. Scheduled, unscheduled, emergent, all are types of cesareans that our clients may face. Being prepared to support clients through all types of cesarean birth is an essential skill. As a result, we can help our clients best navigate a cesarean birth with confidence. We also take a…
