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Episode 9: Creating Boundaries As Birth Workers
Let’s talk about boundaries. As a birth worker, it is important that we establish boundaries. One of the most important boundaries to establish are those surrounding the use of social media. While we may use social media as a tool to promote our businesses, there are some potential pitfalls to doing so as well. Even in large communities, sharing photos, tagging a location, using hashtags and talking about the client’s experience can disclose identifying information. As birth professionals protecting client privacy & confidentiality is an important part of what we do. Boundaries are an ever-evolving part of our work. Boundaries around social media. Setting boundaries around when you schedule client…
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Episode 8: Nonjudgmental Support
In recent years the phrase nonjudgmental support has become a buzzword in the birth community. As birth professionals, we know that language matters. Yet our implicit and explicit biases can often cause us to express judgment. Even when we do not intend to do so. Today we discuss nonjudgmental support with Kristyn Blocher. Nonjudgmental support is unconditional. Often we hear a birth professional say “I provide nonjudgmental support as long as my client is making an informed decision”. Statements such as these apply conditions to the support we give. The reality is that people make decisions based on different criteria. Only as mall percentage will make decisions based on all…
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Episode 7: Childless Doulas
Doulas who do not have children. Some call themselves childless others identify as childfree. There is longstanding insecurity in the doula community and it is one that is often deeply personal. It involves a topic that is intensely intimate and one that often defines individuals to others. There’s no denying that there are biases that exist in the doula industry against doulas who do not have children. Both from other doulas, doula trainers and potential clients alike. In today’s episode, we sit down with two doulas who do not have children. We discuss the common insecurity among doulas who don’t have children. How can they support clients without having a…
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Episode 6: On-Call Life
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to live the on-call life of a birth worker? Are you a birth worker who is finding navigating the realities of on-call life a challenge? On this episode, we discuss the ins and outs of navigating the on-call life of a birth worker. When you are a birth worker on-call you have to find a balance between being “on edge” and being ready to go at any moment and living your day to day life. Learning how to manage your time when you get the “We might need you soon call, ” and not staying in a high energy, high adrenaline state is…
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Episode 5: Grandparent Support
Let’s talk about grandparent support. Are you providing grandparent support in your practice? As doulas, we are most commonly known for the support that we provide to the birthing person and their partners. But we also support others who are present in the lives of our clients. Most notably, the grandparents. In our work with grandparents, we have come to understand that grandparents really want to do what is best for their grandchildren. Yet there is a distinct lack of up-to-date information made available specifically to grandparents today. Even when information is available it often contradicts what grandparents did with their own children. When expectant or new parents try to…
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Episode 4: Supporting Infant Feeding
Are you ready to take a deep dive into the world of infant feeding? Grab a chair and a cuppa and let’s get started! As doulas, so often the little education we receive during our training is focused on supporting one type of infant feeding method. Breastfeeding. We learn how to properly position a baby at the breast and how to look for a good latch. Sometimes we are taught about common red flags and how to help clients resolve them. Postpartum training goes a bit deeper into feeding. Yet it often lacks the delivery of a comprehensive approach to assist clients with other feeding issues. At the end of…
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Episode 3: Self Confidence
Self-Confidence is the feeling of trust in one’s abilities, qualities, and judgment. When we lack self-confidence as doulas it can hold us back and negatively impact our self-worth. In this week’s episode, we talk about self-confidence as a doula. When we doubt our abilities we can hold ourselves back. We take a look at strategies on how to increase our self-confidence and how to become more comfortable in our role as a doula. Especially in situations, we have never encountered before. It’s important to remember that our work is not about having all the answers. In a lifetime we will never be able to attend every kind of birth scenario.…
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Episode 2: Placenta Encapsulation Chat
Let’s chat about placenta encapsulation! Together with our guest host, Kristyn Blocher, Eva and Angela dig into the “meat” of the common concerns surrounding placenta encapsulation. Are you someone who encapsulates placentas? Perhaps you are thinking about learning how to encapsulate placentas as a part of your birth related business. Or maybe you are a consumer wanting to have your placenta encapsulated. If you fit the descriptions above, this episode is for you! Without a doubt, we love the placenta in all its glory. Not only is it a magnificent organ that facilitates a wonderous process of supporting life. It also provides nutrients and hormones after birth through the practice…
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Episode 1: Old School vs New School Doulas
Welcome to Episode One of the Podcast!! In our first official episode, Angela and Eva sit down and talk about the differences between how they viewed this work when they first came to it. There seems to be a divide in the doula community with doulas that have been doing this work for a long time vs the those who are new to this work. Some “older” doulas feel that the “new” doulas need to “pay their dues” before they can charge what experienced doulas charge. With a difference of 18 years of experience between them, Angela and Eva take a look at what has changed over the years and…
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Doulas Byte: What Kind of Doula Should I Be
When thinking about entering birth work, there are many different paths to consider. Where do you start and how you transition into this new profession are two common questions. In this doula byte we discuss the many paths available to supporting growing families, and the considerations that an individual may take when choosing the path that is right for them. Is this the right season of your life to begin birth work? Will your family support you in your work? Do you need a predictable schedule? Where does your true passion lie? We take a look at these questions and discuss the reality of what it means to support growing…
