Doulas work for you … and no one else

It’s World Doula Week 2024 and this year's theme is “Doula Support You”!

People often ask me what makes doulas unique within maternity care and my answer is that doulas work for you and no one else.

We only work for our clients and no one else. We are not responsible to an employer (NHS or private company) or a professional body setting out exactly what we can and can’t do. for our registration which means we have true autonomy in our work.

This means the support we provide is as unique as you and your pregnancy are. We are able to advocate for your needs and wishes. That is our only agenda. We have no judgement around how you should give birth, where or with whom.

We won’t tell you you’re not allowed to do something or that you have to give birth in a certain setting or way. If you want an elective Caesarean we’ll support you to ensure that your needs are met, your well supported and informed (about the procedure, long and short term risks/benefits), ensure your birth setting looks, sounds and feels the way you would like and then support you to recover, whilst you begin the incredible journey to becoming a new humans parent. You may want to give birth in a yurt in a field without medical support. Many doulas will support you to do this too (though not necessarily all - make sure you find the right doula).

However you choose to give birth a doulas role is to support you to tap into what instinctively feels right for you and your baby, help you find the information you need to make decisions you feel comfortable with and then support you through the birth process. Need a hand to hold, want someone to provide massage, an extra pair of hands to help fill the pool, provide snacks .. that’s you’re doula. Want someone to support your partner to ensure they’re able to support you to the best of their ability … or give them space/ time to tap out if necessary … that’s your doula. Want an advocate in the antenatally to help you decipher what your consultant has told you during an antenatal appointment … that's your doula. Want an advocate in the birth space who will help ensure your wishes are respected, allow you time to birth and help you understand and make decisions should the need arise … that’s your doula. And postnatally when you’re recovering from your birth your doula will be there with nourishing foods, an extra pair of hands, support with all the newborn feeding, sleeping and routines that you will be navigating in that immediate postpartum period. All this is undertaken without judgement, placing you at the centre of your experience.

Given the current state of maternity services in the UK we're seeing increasing numbers of people turning to doulas and birth workers to support them through pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period so they can be reassured they receive balanced information, true continuity of emotional and physical care and have someone with them who can help them navigate maternity services and advocate for their choices in birthing their babies.

This role is as old as the hills (ancient Greek hills in fact ... but that's another story) and is needed now more than ever! Perhaps having a doula for your modern birth experience is the way forward. This World Doula Week let’s take a moment to celebrate this incredible, diverse calling and career.

The First Conversation

Typically, the first step after someone contacts you to be their Doula, you want to meet up. I often say that as I’m going to be in your birth space, you need to be certain that the way I swallow or hum along to your birth playlist doesn’t annoy you. The first interview is an important opportunity to get to know each other before agreeing to work together.  As you’re reading, keep an eye out for some questions our OBC Doulas will typically ask during their first conversation with potential clients. 

“What made you think about inviting a Doula into your journey? And what are you hoping they bring to your experience?” -Michelle - The Kiwi Doula

Being a Doula for someone means building a relationship with them. You don’t necessarily have to be the best of friends at the end, but you need to build a trust and a rapport together. It’s a mutual interview where both your potential client, and you, decide whether you can work well together.  In my experience I’ve heard several Doulas suggest that a person they’ve spoken to meet with other Doulas as they don’t feel they could best serve them.  I recently heard this called a “chemistry meet”, which I think encapsulates the objective of the meeting perfectly. 

“What’s your Vision?” Leanne - The Doula Diary

There are a few questions I ask myself as I meet potential clients:

• Do we gel? Does our conversation flow? Does anything feel awkward?

• What are these parents learning styles? Does that fit with how I work?

• What are these parents communication styles? Does that fit with how I communicate?

• What do they understand a Doula does? Do I need to manage their expectations?

If I feel that we gel, that I can work within their learning and communication styles and that they understand the remit, and limitations of a Doula, then I will ask more questions about what their hopes and visions are for their pregnancy and birth. 

“What are the biggest challenges or fears you’ve experienced on this journey so far that you would love to overcome?” - Lyddie - From Fertility Doula

Even if I’m not sure whether we’re going to be working together, it’s like an interview, we carry on the conversation until it’s natural completion.  I like to clearly explain what a Doula does in general, and how I go about my work.  I’ll explain some of my core philosophies and what I hope they will get out of working with me. I will explain their responsibility in this relationship, much of the hard work is done by the client, as a Doula, you guide them and provide support. You may also be skilled in aspects which could help with easing previous traumas that could impact their birth experience.  I will clearly explain how we will work, including all of the practical aspects like organisation, how often and when we will visit, what the on-call period means, any extenuating circumstances. I will also frankly and honestly discuss money, you are self-employed after all, and being paid for the great work you do is important!

Once we’ve been through all of that, I will always check in to ask if there is anything we haven’t discussed. Often asking was there anything surprising about our conversation? Anything they didn’t expect, or expected to discuss that hasn’t been yet. Any concerns that they need to get out there now. 

Honesty and a frank conversation about yours and theirs expectations is important, even at this early stage of a potential relationship. Be honest about who you are, be honest about any challenges you may face. Be genuine, be yourself, and if you were meant to walk within this partnership towards your clients parenthood, then consider yourself lucky. 

What we do is an honour. It is also powerful. Be as fierce in advocating for yourself as you will be for your clients. 

Let’s talk about Freebirth

You may have seen some news stories lately about Freebirth. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists  (RCOG) and some Midwives have issued a statement expressing their concern about the rise in Freebirth.

In case you’re not sure what Freebirth is …. it is the active decision to (typically) not engage with medical professionals during pregnancy and birth. This is different from a “Birth Before Arrival” (BBA), where maternity services are accessed throughout pregnancy and midwives are summed to a homebirth, but do not arrive before the baby is born.

So, as Doulas, what do we think?

If you’ve read the articles you may have had a mix of emotions, thoughts, gut reactions ranging from anger, to frustration, to even maybe agreement. One aspect of the reporting that stands out is the blanket statement that Freebirth is dangerous.  One of the key tenents of good Doula practice is the advocacy for individualised care. Another is to respect the instinct of the birthing person.  Perhaps Freebirth isn’t right for everyone, but birthing people should be given up to date information about risk and their rights. These discussions are often not had, and blanket statements such as those shared in the media are unhelpful.

WHAT IS FREEBIRTH?

Freebirth is entirely legal in the England. It is the choice to birth without medical attendants present.

Freebirth has been gaining momentum, impacted by several factors. The first being the availability and flexibility of good maternity care during the pandemic, where birthing people who birthing within the NHS were serverely restricted on where they could give birth and when … delivery suite was generally the only option in most trusts and we saw a huge rise in inductions. To counter this many more people chose to birth individually at home in order to have their chosen partner(s) with them.

Since the pandemic the state of maternity services in the NHS has left many people feeling that birthing independently, at home, with their chosen partners around them will feel safer. 2/3 of maternity services in England are currently considered inadequate by the Care Quality Commission.

Freebirth isn’t a knee jerk reaction to a previous bad birth. Or to a single bad interaction or a general belief that “natural”, pain-relief free birth should be the objective - no matter the cost. Parents who choose to freebirth tend to well informed. They consider their knowledge and understanding of birth and the potential risks/ benefits of birthing without assistance very carefully .

SUPPORTING FREEBIRTH AS A DOULA?

It’s important that as Doulas and other birth workers we are not idolising “natural” birth, unless it is what is right for the individual. Toxic positivity can have as damaging and longterm negative impacts as a traumatic birth experience.

Those who choose to freebirth often opt for the continuity of care a Doula provides. Many have done research into what Freebirth means, and know the risks in detail. Most have spent a great deal of time internalising their sense of wellbeing and their babies wellbeing.

Looking inward for signs of anything wrong instead of relying solely on monitors and external information puts them in tune with their body and an ability to react quickly should something go wrong.

What they come up against is fear mongering, such as what you’d read in the above media pieces.

Being told that no ambulances would be able to attend, no midwives would be able to come, no one will help them because they have had the audacity to attend to their own well being and birth.

Freebirth is not for everyone. Understanding the risks of all birth, how comfortable your clients are with those risks are important for doula supporting freebirth. It’s important to have a  have a plan in place should medical care be required.  Up to date studies about the safety of home births, medicalised procedures and the realities of birthing in a hospital should be explored. As doulas we’re able to make independent decisions about whether we choose to provide emotional and physical support to parents intending to freebirth.

What Freebirth should not be is ignored and maligned. Nor should it be entirely discouraged.

So what do you think?

Doulas are not an insurance policy

Are you (doula) setting yourself up as an insurance policy for your clients birth experience? Are you being hired by people as an insurance policy so they have a “positive birth”?

Do clients say things to you like "I couldn't have done this without you?" Do you find yourself working ridiculous hours (that no mortal would work in a row without a break .... 24 hours at a birth anyone)? Do you find yourself foregoing social events, family events, complaining that your clients can't make a decision without you (or then don't listen to what you tell them anyway)?

All these things suggest you have boundary issues. You're a doula - a heart centred, knowledgeable, empathetic birth professional. Not a super hero (with or without the cape).

Your work is to ensure your client feels equipped to birth as they choose (whether you're there at their side or you fell down a well). Obviously ideally you're there every step of the way. But you are just part of the birth team - not all of it!

Your work is to ensure that your clients know how to tap into their instincts, how to advocate for their choices (or at the very least, their partner should be able to do this and understand why they have to do it rather than the labouring person).

And yes ... we absolutely 100% want to be there for our clients (for as long as is humanely possible) but you need remember the old adage "Can't pour from an empty cup".

If you're not transparent with your clients; need to be able to sleep and tag team with another birth partner; need to breastfeed a baby/toddler, need to stretch your legs, eat or have a wee; need to attend a family event, then you're setting both your clients, and yourself up for a fall.

What are the ways you can remedy this situation?

1. Always be transparent about what you need to support them at your absolute best (I'm going to kip on the floor by the pool/ make me up a spare bed etc just in case it becomes a marathon birth). It’s important that your clients understand from the get go you’re a normal human being with normal human being needs. Also - your clients deserve the absolute best and this is you when you’re primary needs aer met too.

2. Be clear in your communication with clients - write stuff in your contract, discuss it with clients. The discuss it again and again until everyone is happy and comfortable with arrangements.

3. Don't take on births that you know may be tricky (got a family event in the middle of on call, baby/ toddler not sleeping through the night) without ensuring you have secured back up; and don’t take on births you don’t really, really want to do.

4. Do not spend the "birth" proportion of your fee until you've attended the birth. You may need back up (if you get sick or it goes on for a really long time) and they will need paying!

5. Ensure you have left you're client feeling like THEY are in control of their birth and THEY can rock anything - whether you're there to rub their back and provide continuity of care (or you're at home nursing a sick child/ fell down the well etc) and can only be there on the phone or your’ve had to call your back up.

6. Make sure its worth it financially - if it leaves you out of pocket because you had to pay for child care or your fee was eaten up in petrol … no one wins. Birth work won’t be sustainable for you in the long run and potential clients will be missing out on an amazing support system.

Birth work is the best work in the world (after 12 years of this I'm absolutely sure) but its also incredibly taxing sometimes. Make sure it works for you and your client. If you want support from our team of experienced doula mentors to ensure you’re doula business practices are sustaining you and your clients click here for mentoring support

Where our Doulas work. Pt.2. Jess of Oyster & Olive Birth Support

The second part of our feature on where our OBC Doulas are and what it’s like for them where they work.

Hi, I’m Jess of Oyster and Olive Birth support. I’m based in South Bristol but I cover all of Bristol and North Somerset

There are a lot of doulas in Bristol! But we are quite a close knit bunch. When meeting clients I do encourage them to meet as many as they can and will usually have met the others doulas they've seen already. It also means I can recommend another doula if I don't mesh that well with someone. That comes from knowing the people around me. It was a bit daunting in the early days, trying to make a name for myself. But I think coming from the OBC doula group, I felt more comfortable finding my voice in a group of other birth workers and not constantly feeling the imposter syndrome creep in!

We have two main maternity hospitals in Bristol and they are quite different (different trusts). We used to have a brilliant birth centre as well but I quietly don't feel that stoked about birth centres so I'm not missing it all that much! I have found that it has had to be a careful negotiation when working with these trusts. One has an excellent home birth team and I have got to know lots of the midwives on the team and we are becoming good friends and supportive of each other in our very different roles. The home birth provision by the other hospital isn't good at all, run by, often begrudged, community midwives, and less confident to support physiological birth.

My approach is definitely not an all-guns-blazing one. I make an effort to be kind and courteous to ensure the birth environment stays positive. But sometimes I do ask to have a chat outside of the birth room and try to make it clear that I am there to 100% advocate for this family and my ears and eyes are open! 

I co-host a Pregnancy & Parenthood drop-in group in South Bristol - a sort of 'come along if you fancy and have a cuppa and a chat'. I usually take a few books and props but so far the conversation has flowed nicely and they have been really great! I feel like it's important to offer this space for free - something really informal but where you could go with a newborn or when you felt a bit fed up in your third trimester! Sometimes people bring their older kids along and it turns into a bit of a playgroup! As well as this, I have started reaching out to other birth workers and related professionals to include add-ons to my doula packages. Things like pregnancy/postpartum massages, Mummy MOTs, postpartum food boxes. To try and create a network of people who offer different things so parents can see what's available to them but also really easy to access - I do all the bookings etc!

Finally, I volunteer for ProjectMama, supporting refugees and asylum seekers through their pregnancies, births and fourth trimesters. This is hard work, where a lot of time and attention needs to be offered. I have learned that I can only manage to support one woman at a time with this because they need and deserve a lot of care. This feels really important to me though, to balance my workload and be able to support them and work with this beautiful charity. 

It definitely helps me to feel enveloped in the birth world. To feel 'real' and knowledgeable. It also opens my experience net massively, just talking to people about their pregnancies and births. I hope it gives me some credibility as well!

The work also impacts my community positively! Our pregnancy group was shared by a few people on local WhatsApp groups and that felt great, like it was needed! 

In the greater Bristol community, the ProjectMama work definitely feels very important - raising awareness as much as anything else.

We know that it takes a village - becoming a parent can be so isolating, lonely and scary if you're unsupported. Not everyone can afford to have full doula support but luckily some can - and those that can fund the extra projects when the support can be extended out to everyone. Where I live in South Bristol we are a community - there is a high street with a bookshop, greengrocer, butcher ... the primary schools all come together for a lantern parade every year. The community centre is active and central. These things help us to bring the community together and our community is rife with families. Things like free drop-in groups can be a real life line, a way to make friends and merge into the community. This feels like a way to give back to a community that I was raised in and ensuring people don't feel the loneliness that is so often felt by new parents.

Where our Doulas work. Pt 1. Leanne of Doula Diary- Lake District

A new feature highlighting where in the UK you can find OBC Doulas, and what it’s like for them where they work.

I moved back to my home town of Ulverston, Cumbria just before Easter 2023. Before the move I was based in North Buckinghamshire. It was the right time for us to return as me and my husband wanted our daughter to have the gorgeous Lake District as their playground like we did as children. We now have another child due any time now and being back north has been blessing after blessing.

Cumbria is very much a “being in the know” kind of place. Once word of mouth takes hold it makes a huge impact on your reach and connections with people. People really appreciate value for money and having an opportunity to get out to a place that feels safe and inviting. That can look and feel very different to different people. I focus on who would benefit from connecting with me as this is my target audience. I want people to feel supported throughout pregnancy and beyond, have access to best practice information, be signposted to reputable organisations and groups and generally feel part of a community that understands the challenges they may face through pregnancy, birth and parenting. Even with social media and various marketing campaigns, lots of great support networks and free resources are overlooked unless you know someone who is in the know.

As a part of the move I’ve been reflecting on what it’s like working with my new local NHS trust (University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay). Compared to other trusts I have personal experience with and experience supporting clients with, the trust near me has been very open to supporting individual birth choices and working with families. I have been particularly impressed with the consultant midwife who is like a breath of fresh air and finds ways to overcome the barriers that policies put in place. The key things I’ve noted is that being informed is key. If you can demonstrate knowledge and your personal reasoning behind your choices, you will be heard. I have had the pleasure of working with clients and now I am on my own journey for a home birth after caesarean, with no monitoring or checks unless requested. This is unusual practice within the current nhs maternity model and usually results in people birthing outside of the system. To see such a proactive and sensible approach in maternity has been such a boost as I have come from an area where it feels like a real battle to be heard and have your wishes upheld.

Being accessible in different environments and to different people opens many doors. Most interest is sparked by a conversation. People gravitate towards you naturally. As I have a little one I find ways to be supportive in my community which doesn’t impact on my time with her. She enjoys the play dates and I enjoy connecting to other parents. I see it a little like networking. I’m a volunteer for doulas without borders and I have set up a free local parent meet up so others are able to come and go as they please to find connection and be signposted to reliable and helpful information on their journey, at whatever stage they are at.

I understand myself to be the only Doula within the south lakes, there are a handful of others doulas which cover the area and travel in but they do not offer a community or group gathering. We are all so different too and part of the OBC programme encourages you to find your own niche and personality within the birth world, being true to yourself really pays off. It has been a journey for me helping people understand the role of a doula and navigating the gaps that are missing in my local area so I know where I need to focus my energy first. Variety is limited here so bringing something new to the area has been lots of fun and encouraged some really great conversations around preparing for birth and postpartum.

When I moved away and had my first child I was so shocked at how isolated I felt, I missed real connection with like minded people, in an environment that focused on mums/parents rather than the baby. I really struggled with any form of baby sensory or play group. I needed adult time with my baby. This is why I took the extension to train in baby massage and hold circles. I wanted something practical to teach and build confidence in connection and soothing new parents and babies but I wanted to offer an environment which was focused on the parents and building their confidence. My classes are strip backed and a confidential safe space is held. This has given me confidence to generally hold space for others and parent connect was born which welcomes anyone at any stage. I have been so pleased that people have felt comfortable to come early pregnancy. It helps people grasp the role I can offer in pivotal points in their journey and having an offering which can support from fertility, birth then having a community space to welcome people has been a dream come true for me.

Reflections on another year in birth work

2023 is drawing to a close and I wanted to take a moment to reflect (if you will indulge me), on what an incredible year it has been for OBC doulas and trainees, what birth work is like at the moment for doulas and the world in general. Not much then!

OBC onwards and upwards

We have continued to expand and grow as a business, What started as an idea back in the winter of 2020 during the COVID pandemic, in yet another lockdown, has blossomed into an incredible community of birth workers. We trained another 20+ people this year and have plans to train many more in 2024. Thats 20+ beautiful people who answered the call and stepped into this incredible process. Because, as a newly graduated doula reminded me yesterday in a mentoring session … “this work makes you dive deep and it a real process that takes time and patience and passion”.

The OBC now offers new short courses to expand peoples skill base, and continuing education for its graduates. Including our Doula Mini Series, where we’re addressing various topics that our doulas felt they wanted more information on and time to discuss.

Birth work in a time of austerity and pain

We can’t help but acknowledge the financial difficulties many continue to face as a result of rising inflation and prices, unstable government, and the legacy of Brexit.

Many birth workers have also been rocked by the devastating violence across the world but particularly in the Ukraine, Sudan and Palestine which tests every ounce of our humanity. We’re often left feeling powerless to effect real and lasting change for those who suffer most as a result of this violence … women and children.

Despite both these things we’ve continued to see a rise in the numbers of people accessing doulas for support during fertility journeys, pregnancy, birth and loss. I feel this is because people continue to find a lack of individualised, compassionate care through the NHS as it creaks under its owns failings as a system of care. The unique continuity of support, education and compassion that doulas provide everyone who births within our communities appears to be needed now, more than ever. And parents are voting with their feet! Actively seeking out support and, some are disengaging from the NHS system altogether.

Reaching the masses … supporting their birth choices

As the work of birth workers and doulas appears to be needed more than ever, we’re also realistic that the majority of parents are still actively birthing in a system where our Caesarean rate is hovering around 50% in some trusts, with our national induction rate not far behind.

What does this mean for doulas and parents alike? It means that we need to reach more people. We need to continue to normalise physiological or “natural” birth in this country. We need to normalise choice. We need to normalise accessing obstetric care … but in true emergencies… not emergencies of healthcare professionals making because they’ve stuck ridgedly to a policy that serves no one.

We need to continue to educate families about the possibilities that are available to them. The benefits of having choice and exercising agency in their pregnancy and birth to have the best outcomes for them. Birth with less intervention, less medicalisation, greater choice is better for women and their babies.

So what next ….

Here at the OBC, we will continue to train incredible doulas (perhaps you’ll be one of them in 2024)! We’ll continue to speak up against the obstetric violence that we are seeing perpetrated in this country, and continue to bring awareness to the difficulties faced by women and birthing people when accessing NHS services to have their choices respected, their voices heard and their bodies and babies cared for.

We’re going to be expanding our training resources for doulas in 2024 … with the continuation of our Doula Mini Series (the next session will focus on induction), and new offerings that will be available later in 2024. We will continue to work with others within the birth world who support all those who birth in our communities, to help women and birthing people access doula support, have an advocate at their birth if they would like one and reach people who are looking to birth their babies beautifully, calmly and with respect.

Reteach the breech

I don’t think I can adequately put into words how spending two days with Dr Stuart Fischbein learning to deliver breech babies has impacted me. Understanding that we’re robbing people of a physiological birth experiences simply because their baby presents as one of the 3% of all babies who are breech was really saddening. The deskilling of midwives and other maternity professionals to confidently and successfully deliver breech babies is an absolute travesty of modern maternity provision.

However, it was an incredible weekend for so many reasons …

Firstly, there is something quite incredibly about being in a space with others who are equally obsessed with a subject matter as you are. Being around people who live and breathe physiological birth and supporting families really helped re-ignite my fire for being in the birth space. Knowing that I’m not shouting into the wind alone about the need for Western medicine and society to support physiological birth, not only because of the benefits to the mother and child, but also because of the long term consequences for society and how we as human beings exist.

Secondly the joy of learning a new skill from someone with many years of experience and births under their belt was truly inspiring. Whilst every birth is as unique as the person giving birth there are so many intricate mechanisms at play that can be learnt and understood. It really did feel like a piece of the puzzle for me in terms of my understanding of birth physiology.

And finally I thinks it’s wonderful that we as birth practioners are such avid learners and absorbers of knowlege. I love being in a space with people who are as keen to question and understand as I am. I love facilitating learning (not sure I’d call myself a teacher) but I really enjoyed being the student this time!

I really feel we offer these things within The Original Birth Connection training. The space and time to facilitate learning, to discuss and learn from each other, to share stories and information about birth. It’s alway an honour to be able to hold a space for people who are passionate about supporting birth in all its forms but who understand the innate desire in so many of us for a physiological experience. I love watching a new group of people tentatively take steps towards supporting their communities to reclaim their births.

As my 11 year old would say … this weekend left me “buzzing” and I hope we can provide a similar experience for everyone who chooses to do their doula training with The Original Birth Connection. For more information about our doula training programme click here.

Ignite Success in Your Birth Work Business with Original Birth Connection

Are you tired of treating your birth work business like that okay boyfriend you never saw as life-long partner material? Do you dream of turning it into a successful, sustainable, and profitable company? Well, it's time to give your business the love and attention it deserves.

Here's the thing: if you keep ignoring essential business tasks, pushing them to the bottom of your to-do list, or avoiding the challenging aspects of running your birth work business, it's bound to feel like a mere hobby—an afterthought in your life. But fear not, because we have a simple solution to transform your mind set and your business.

Celebrate Your Successes Daily

Picture this: every morning, set aside just 10 minutes to reflect on all the remarkable achievements your birth work has seen. It could be financial milestones, positive client feedback, a well-designed website, or your consistent presence on social media. Whatever it is, take a moment to celebrate it. Yes, every single day.

Acknowledge how incredible it is to have attracted your ideal clients, crafted an engaging blog, or put together the perfect client goody bag. The key is to celebrate what you're doing well, what's working for you, and what fills you with pride.

This daily ritual is a powerful way to shift your energy and perspective. Instead of viewing your birth work business as an afterthought, you'll see it as a thriving venture filled with achievements and potential.

Join Birth Business Accelerator

If you're ready to take your birth work business to the next level, here's your chance. In 2023, I'm offering a unique opportunity for just five individuals who are determined to transform their mind set, energy, and strategies to make 2024 their best year in business yet.

During our time together, we'll focus on shifting your energy, building a growth-oriented mind set, and creating a practical yet slightly challenging strategy that's tailored to your birth work business. Whether you're an experienced doula trainer or just starting out, this program is designed to help you accelerate your birth work business.

To become one of the select few to join Birth Business Accelerator, all you need to do is drop me a message, and I'll send you an application form. Your journey towards a more prosperous and fulfilling birth work business begins here.

Bottom Line

Your birth work business has the potential to be more than just a hobby or an afterthought. By taking a few minutes each day to celebrate your achievements and shift your mind set, you can turn it into a thriving, successful, and profitable venture.

At Original Birth Connection, we're here to help you on this journey. Join our select group of individuals who are committed to making 2024 their best year in business. Together, we'll work on energising your birth work business, cultivating the right mind set, and developing a strategy that will set you up for success.

Don't wait any longer to give your birth work business the love and attention it deserves. Reach out to us today, and let's start the journey towards an incredible future for your business. Your success is just a message away.

Guest Post: Birth work + Community Work = Birth Activism

Thank you to Amanda of Your Bold Birth for this months Guest Blog!

Speak to any Doula or birth worker today, and they will tell you that you cannot just support birth. Birth work needs birth activism, and you can no longer do one without the other. 

This can be intimidating, where do you start? Is it taking on too much? What does activism look like anyway?

One of the easiest, and most effective ways of supporting birthing humans is to engage in your community. Not only is it the most direct and impactful form of birth activism, it’s a great way to build up your reputation in your local area, meet other amazing birth workers and learn how you can best support your local families. 

Here are some ideas on how to get started.

Parent & Baby groups - a really lovely, simple place to start is setting up, or offering to support any Mom/Parent & Baby groups in your local area. Coffee groups for pregnant and postnatal parents is an incredible place to offer free support to families. Connection to other parents is shown to reduce the cases of postnatal depression. It offers a place to share information with parents, give pregnant people a place to ask questions and start learning about how to prepare for their birth.  Empowering them to start asking questions of their healthcare professionals. 

Meet up with other birth workers -  Have you met the other birth workers in your area?  Bring together a group, meet in free places like coffee shops or parks, and go from there! This group of birth workers will also be an invaluable resource in your work! Is the group just to offer pastoral support to each other? Or, will you set up places for new or planning families to come meet you for support? Will you organise further?  Completely up to you!

Set up a WhatsApp group - It could be as simple as this. Have local Birthworkers join a WhatsApp group for information sharing, pastoral support, guidance on local trust, advice on how to approach challenging situations and more. Empower birth workers, ensuring they don’t burn out means that they can keep supporting families in the area.

Support your local Childrens Centres - Are your local childrens centres looking for volunteers to run antenatal sessions, or breastfeeding guidance sessions? Funding for Childrens Centres is dwindling, the best way to keep them open is to demonstrate their importance to the local community. Just pop in and ask if there is any way you can help?

Volunteer - If you have the capacity, and the financial security you can volunteer your time to organisations who provide free doula support to underprivileged and vulnerable groups in society.  Organisations like the Doula Access Fund and Doula without Borders are an example, you can find more information about them on Social Media and online.

Keep doing what you’re doing!  Doing the work, speaking to Healthcare Practitioners in the NHS every day about why you do what you do, how you plan on doing it, is activism.  It’s important that we don’t bring anger or frustration into a birth room - but intelligently advocating on behalf of your client, speaking to you client about how they can advocate for themselves could have the potential to change someones mind.

Many of the above will enrich your birth work, help you build your career, mean you will meet the right people, and build your confidence in birth work. It will add to the fulfilment you feel in the work, and support you when you come up against the inevitable challenges of birth work.

Becoming a Doula: Empowering Birth Support and its Advantages

For expectant parents, the process of bringing a child into the world is profoundly changing. Having the support of a competent and caring birth worker can make a world of difference at this changing time. A career as a doula may be right for you if you have a strong enthusiasm for assisting birthing women and people, and their loved ones during their pregnancy, labour, and after birth. This blog will discuss the rewarding experience of becoming a doula, the benefits it provides, and how it may enhance the lives of expectant mothers and their families through doula training. Come explore the inspiring world of birth work with us as we explore the special potential it offers.

What is a doula?

A doula is a skilled birth associate who offers families, individuals, and couples physical and emotional support before, during, and after labour. Doulas, in contrast to medical professionals experts, don't carry out clinical duties; instead, they concentrate on assisting , and strengthening and advocating for the person giving birth. Doulas make sure the client's wants and requirements are honoured while also nurturing fostering an effective childbirth experience.

What do doulas do?

Continuous Support:

Doulas provide ongoing assistance to people and their families, in contrast to healthcare professionals who are frequently pressed for time. This assistance begins during pregnancy and lasts through labour and birth, delivery as well as the immediate postpartum period. Doulas can tailor and adjust their support to fit specific needs, delivering a unique and rewarding experience, by developing a strong rapport and a thorough understanding of the client's wants and worries.

Emotional assurance:

Being able to support people who are giving birth at one of the most transformative moments in their lives is one of the main benefits of becoming a doula. Throughout the entire process, doulas offer continuous emotional assistance, assurance, and motivation, enabling people to feel secure and in control of their birthing choices. Doulas serve a crucial role in promoting a positive birth pleasant delivery experience by providing a calming presence, standing up for their clients' preferences, and disseminating evidence-based knowledge.

Physical comfort:

Doulas are adept at offering both physical and psychological comfort during labour and delivery. To assist people in managing pain, lowering anxiety, and fostering a happy, optimally birthing environment, they provide a variety of therapies, including massage, breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, and position recommendations. Doulas help birthing people delivering mothers feel more at ease and empowered by providing a safe and supportive environment.

Professional and personal growth:

You gain a comprehensive understanding of labour, postpartum care, breastfeeding support assistance, and other topics from doula training programs. Joining a birth worker organization also offers a forum for ongoing education, networking, and mentorship, promoting personal and professional development in this wonderful career.

There are numerous chances to make a good difference in the lives of expectant parents and their families by starting the doula training process. Consider becoming a doula if you are passionate about assisting others through one of life's most transforming experiences. Join the ranks of committed birth workers; take advantage of this rewarding career with Original Birth Connection.

Flexible Education for a Rewarding Career: Explore the Benefits of Online Doula Training!

Are you passionate about supporting mothers during their birthing journey? Do you have a strong desire to make a positive impact in the lives of families as they welcome their little ones into the world? If so, becoming a doula might be the perfect career path for you. And now, with the advent of online doula training, pursuing your dreams has never been more accessible or flexible.

Online doula training offers numerous benefits that make it a great option for people seeking a rewarding career in birth support and advocacy. Let's explore some of the advantages of choosing online doula training.

Flexibility in Schedule

One of the most significant advantages of doula training online is the flexibility it provides. Unlike traditional in-person training, online courses allow you to set your own pace and study at times that suit your schedule. Whether you have family commitments, a full-time job, or other responsibilities, online training enables you to learn and complete coursework at your convenience.

Time Efficiency

Online doula training eliminates the need for commuting to a physical location. You can access course materials from the comfort of your own home, saving precious time that would otherwise be spent on transportation. Our 8 week framework allows you to deep dive from the comfort of your own home and immerse yourself in all that birth work has to offer.

Comprehensive Online Modules

The Original Birth Connection offers an immersive online doula course consisting of seven comprehensive modules. These modules cover a wide range of topics, including physiological birth,, human rights in perinatal practice, postpartum care, and business acumen. The course is carefully designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel as a doula.

Engaging Live Sessions

The online doula training includes weekly sessions via Zoom where you can interact with experienced instructors and fellow trainees. These live sessions offer a supportive learning environment where you can discuss important topics related to inclusive birth practices. Engaging in discussions and exchanging ideas with professionals in the field can greatly enhance your learning experience.

Mentoring and Support

Throughout the course, you will receive two one-to-one mentoring sessions to guide you in your learning journey. Additionally, after completing the training, you will have access to 12 mentoring sessions throughout the year as part of The Original Birth Connection Doula Accreditation Process.. This ongoing support ensures that you continue to grow and thrive as a doula even after you qualify.

Scholarships and Bonuses

The Original Birth Connection offers partial scholarships to make the course accessible to individuals on low incomes, receiving means-tested benefits, or currently unemployed. Additionally, as a participant in the online doula training, you'll receive bonuses such as a monthly newsletter, the option to add The Original Birth Connection logo to your website, discounts on additional workshops, and the opportunity for continued mentoring and CPD opportunities.

Bottom Line

Are you ready to pursue your passion for supporting families during the transformative experience of childbirth? Visit The Original Birth Connection's website and sign up for their Birth Worker Training Programme starting 18th September!

The Benefits of Having a Doula During and After Birth

Doulas have been incredibly popular in recent years, with the rise of information and empowerment surrounding pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. With the increase in online community and social media, more and more women and birthing people are sharing their thoughts, experiences, and advice, giving rise to hypnobirthing, positive birth experiences and a more calm and comfortable birth experience. This blog explores the benefit of having a doula during and after birth.

Experienced Companion

Birthing people have always traditionally been supported by a birth companion, often their partner or a female friend. These partners provide information, advocacy for their needs, birth plan and pain relief, practical support in birthing positions and emotional support. Doulas are trained professionals, who take accountability for these tasks, understand their client and their client’s wants and needs, and guide both the parents and surrounding medical team through the process for safe and comfortable birth. They will be able to understand more than a non-experienced birth companion and likely communicate more effectively with staff.

Improved Outcomes

Many studies have found that the presence of a doula improves outcomes for parents and babies, improving health outcomes, making vaginal delivery more likely, reducing the need for caesarean delivery, reducing need for pain medication, reducing time spent in labour and increasing satisfaction in birth experience. Doula case studies also tend to show increased health and wellbeing in birthing people and baby after birth, with mental health, wellbeing and general care being shown to be improved. This may be due to increased education, information and support for parent and baby as a doula is dedicated to checking on both for wellbeing.

How can I Find a Doula?

Knowing the benefits of a doula are wonderful – but how do you find the right one for you? At The Original Birth Connection, we are passionate about being birth keepers, advocates, and intuitive, confident support for women and birthing people. Our Doula Courses are taught by experts in the field, with decades of experience behind the training, and our doulas are more empowered and prepared as a result. Find out more by visiting our website or see our Doula Directory to find your nearby doula.

Supporting people through their fertility experiences.

When you think of doulas or birth workers you may think of birth and possibly postnatal work but we often spend a lot of our time supporting people before they get to experience that birth.

I remember being completely unequipped when my 3rd client had a stillbirth at term. I had only been taught about how to support birth not to walk beside someone experiencing such overwhelming grief, and simultaneously manage my own emotions.

Loss is one of the key reproductive experiences that defines many of our fertility journeys with an estimated 1 in 8 pregnancies ending in miscarriage alone. It is natural that doulas are often on hand to support such experiences - you may have been hired by an excited client at 8 weeks pregnant only to be called at 12 weeks gestation to be told their miscarrying. Understanding these experiences and the range of emotions that parents may undergo and why is fundamental to the support and non judgemental understanding that doulas provide.

Based on my own experience of supporting clients through loss, but also through fertility experiences that included assisted reproductive technologies led me to the conclusion that birth workers needed access to training that enabled them to understand and support these journeys. Working with a client who’s had IVF and is being treated as high risk during their pregnancy, or someone who has experienced multiple losses and is treated similarly? Understanding what your clients have been through and being able to walk beside them as they navigate a maternity system that often lacks compassion and understanding is priceless.

I knew doulas needed a grounding in a complete picture of our physiology because to support our clients fertility you must understand the physiology of the menstrual, and therefore the fertility cycle. So From Fertility was created by myself and the incredible Harriet @weweomb. The course delves deep into the womb body cycle and the fundamentals of conception. What support, mentally, physically and spiritually you may be able to offer if your clients are experiencing challenges in conception. Our hope is that this self led, online learning experience will give birth workers a grounding in the information they need and space to reflect on their own practise in relation to all elements of the womb body.

My hope is that we can better equip birth workers to support their clients through all the fertility experiences, providing support when people are at their most vulnerable, often able to then complete the cycle through conception, birth and postpartum with a family.

Doulas are not wannabe midwives!

Doulas and birth keepers are not wannabe midwives!

It’s a statement that I’ve had thrown at me many times over the last 10 years of being in the birth space. “You just want to be a midwife!”

Well no - not really - not at all in fact in the current sense.

I don’t want to work in a system that fails to treat people as individuals, doesn’t provide the nurture, care and support for people through the childbearing year that we know has huge benefits for mother, family and baby.

Whilst I would love to be accessible to all I don’t want to be hamstrung by the NHS, frustrated at not being able to provide the support and care I know people need.

Doulas and birth keepers want to reclaim something that has been in a large part lost in modern maternity care. We’ve lost (in the most part - and yes it’s “not all midwives” we know!) our way of being “with woman (or birthing people)”. I don't want to sit there taking endless notes and pushing people to haver interventions and procedures we know people don't really need.

We’ve also lost a huge body of knowledge - thanks to an industrialised medical complex and a patriarchal system that devalues “women's work” and stigmatises birthing bodies.

Some would argue there’s a blurring of the lines as more and more birth keepers educate themselves in long forgotten practises and reclaim the roots of the work that they do but this is birth work in its purest form - it’s in the home, it’s with women/ family/ birthing people, it’s learnt from a place of humble acceptance and offered up as a tool of service - not a means of diagnosing and fixing what is perhaps not actually broken.

And whilst I’m sure that I’ll get a barrage of comments about how so and so still is “with women” or practices midwifery in the traditional sense my response is simple.

I step into the birth space on a monthly (sometimes more common) basis and this practice that you’re speaking of is not how I am seeing the majority of the people I serve being treated.

Doulas and birth keepers hold time and space, patience, individualised care, continuity of support, relationships of trust and respect, watching and listening and "being with" someone as they birth at the centre of everything they do.

Guest blog …The Wonder of Home Birth and Overcoming Negative Stigma

Jess from @oyster_and_olive_birth_support has written us a beautiful guest blog post about what brought her to birth work.

I myself, was born at home. 1987, New Year's Eve, my parents getting ready to go to a party.

Fast forward 28 years and there I was, in the Midwife Lead Unit of an inner city hospital, birthing my first baby. It was an 'easy' birth, or so I kept hearing. From floor, to shower, to wheelchair - where I was finally given my new baby to hold, for the first time. Wheeled on to a ward in tears and left alone with curtains open "to help make friends", at 3am. My baby was about 2 hours old. My husband and I hadn't said a word to each other when he was sent home. Hate is a strong word but also a strong emotion. I really hated my experience of giving birth in hospital. I discharged myself, against the Midwife's advice, at 8am. I was there for a total of about 9 hours. 

In 2018, 2 years later, I was pregnant with my second daughter. Despite the experience I had in hospital with my first, I ploughed ahead planning a second hospital based birth. In hindsight, this decision makes me really scared. The things we do because of conditioning. Huge decisions we make based on some sort of subliminal or subconscious cultural norm, inherently trodden into us and unquestioned.

I though, was one of the lucky ones. At around 20 weeks pregnant, I met a midwife, Molly, who asked if we would be her guinea-pigs. She was training as a hypnobirthing instructor and needed some live candidates to pass one of her modules. 

In our first session we mapped out our birth preferences. She guided us to write down the experience of birthing our first baby then to put each decision into a pros and cons list. She then held this list up against the new set of preferences and revealed that everything we can put into 'cons', featured again on the new list. She suggested a homebirth which I laughed off with an arrogant, "obviously not". She gently pushed it and talked us through exactly what the homebirth could look like. We sat in our living room as she demonstrated how we could use different pieces of furniture. How the midwives could sit in the kitchen meaning they had a view but I would also feel safe and private. How once I'd given birth, I wasn't resigned to cold tea and toast but had the wealth of my own kitchen, filled with my own favourite things. She explained the benefits of being in your own environment, how it would solve logistical worries about transport and childcare. We picked telly programmes and radio stations. Having everything you need to hand, everyone feeling calm and happy and safe. The more she talked, the more obvious it was that this was the perfect option for us. So much so, I was confused why it hadn't been suggested before.

As I started to tell people that we had decided to have a homebirth, I quickly realised that the general consensus had been the same as mine, before we met Molly. From "you're brave" to "that's dangerous, why would you put your baby at risk when you don't have to". When you are pregnant, you often feel like public property anyway. Where people think it's ok to comment on your size and shape, names you like, what you eat. But wow, I hadn't expected such an onslaught of negative opinion. One I still hear all the time. I went to a pregnancy group recently where a mum, hitting 40 weeks, told another mum, who was about 20 weeks, that "obviously you can't have a homebirth with your first, that would be stupid". The second mum looked terrified and I could see her writing a mental note not to have a homebirth - to cross that off the list. My heart sank.

I talked to my mum, who had 4 babies at home on her bed, about our decision and she was thrilled. I asked her why she hadn't suggested it to me or my sisters when we were pregnant and she simply replied that "it was our choice to make". 

I hear that, and appreciate the sentiment. But, unfortunately, culturally, we haven't caught up. We need to sing this from the rooftops so more people understand home to be such an incredible place to give birth. We need to push that it's safe, in fact often safer than giving birth in hospital. How a clinical, medical environment works against your body when you're giving birth. Empower people to feel strong and confident in themselves and help them make informed decisions, to know their options. But also, just let them know that it isn't messy - because a small part of me believes that to be one of the main reasons why people don't want to do it!

It was what I learnt with Molly that really pushed me into birth work. Knowing that one caring and informed person could completely change my whole outlook on birth was inspiring. Working with her made me feel confident, listened to and excited to give birth.

Now I am a trained Doula, I am making it my mission to help birthing people fully understand all their options and support their decisions. Asking the right questions and encouraging an open-minded approach is at the fore-front of how I work. This is not to say I only support people who want to give birth at home - far from it - but I think it is really important to offer information on all different types of birth because it is impossible to make an informed decision or choice, without all the information in your hands. As your Doula, you, and your birth, are my priority.

You can find Jess here https://www.oysterandolivebirthsupport.com/ and she’s listed on our doula directory as well!

3 lessons about boundaries

We were talking about boundaries. It’s something we do A LOT here at The OBC. When you take our doula training you’ll take time to reflect on your boundaries. You’ll explore the nature of your boundaries in the written part of the course, discuss them in group sessions and in 1-2-1 mentoring sessions as well.

Why are boundaries so important for you as a doula?

Your boundaries are YOUR rules detailing what is appropriate in your relationship with your client and in the scope of your work. This ables us to look after our own needs whilst supporting someone else.

Ensuring that you and your clients are aware of your boundaries enables you to help compartmentalise your work. This prevents work seeping into home life it doesn’t take over every aspect of your life. Your own health, family, hobbies and wellbeing need to always take precedent. Remaining a well rounded individual gives you the foundation to support others long term. Rather than constantly reacting to what’s going on immediately in front of you in the moment. It’s the classic, “You can’t put from an empty cup!”

Here at The Original Birth Connection we’re a bit obsessed with helping our birth workers establish robust boundaries.

So here are 3 lessons about boundaries I’ve learnt after 10 years as a doula

1. You need to have them! It's really important that you understand how the need for boundaries not only supports. It also helps aid a relationship of transparency and trust with your clients. You need to establish your boundaries with on with your clients. There are lots of ways to do this but the key is communication

2. Check in with your boundaries - boundaries evolve and should have an energy of fluidity around them. They don't need to be rigid and unshakeable. By this, I mean that as birth keepers we need to ensure we nurture our self-reflective practice. Continually checking in with ourselves that we're comfortable and authentic in the services that we provide. Discussing your boundaries with peers and mentors, journaling and listening to that little voice in your head. These can be a helpful way to do this.

3. Hold yourself gently - we all get it wrong sometimes. We all find ourselves in a place at some point where our boundaries are tested. Sometimes we simply forget the importance of the boundaries we've created because we have such a strong desire to service a client. Do not beat yourself up. Invite some space and time into your life to reaffirm the importance of your boundaries. Explore how they serve you and your clients and how you can honour them in your future work.

When you take any of The OBC training courses you are supported by experienced doulas. We have a wealth of knowledge and experience to share with you, and you will never be alone! Helping you establish and protect your boundaries and develop your individual scope of practice are what we’re all about!

Who wants to be a millionaire ….

‘I’m guessing not you. And it’s not why you want to be a birth worker any way. You’re a heart centred individual with a passion for supporting birthing people.

Then again we live in a capitalist society and we need to earn to live and support our families. Never has that seemed more important than now in a time of “financial crisis” when we’re seeing the cost of living rise dramatically and people feeling incredibly uncertain about what the future holds.

The insecurity of self employment as a birth worker seems like a huge and terrifying step - and perhaps something that’s holding you back from pursuing your dream to become a doula or birth keeper?

I’m not here to tell you its all going to be fine and just go for it - “charge your worth” - and watch the clients roll in! Having been a birth keeper for the past 10 years I can tell you in absolute certainty this is not how you’re going to find clients and create a steady stream of income.

But you’re not a passive participant when it comes to building your career in birth work. You’re an active individual. You have passion and drive and that’s the first and most important step.

So what can you do - what will it look like being a self employed doula?

Flipping scary sometimes - thats the truth! You will never know where your next client is coming from. But you can take active steps to create momentum. Ask any business or life coach and they will talk about momentum (Tony Robbins favourite topic!)

Create momentum … take active steps towards your goal …. every single day.

So how to go about this?

Step 1 - Figure out who you want to work with and why - they’re your audience - the people you need to reach through the action you take!

Step 2 - Find out where they socialise, what media they consume, etc (chances are they’re you 5/10 years ago - so think back )

Step 3 - Work out what they need - again chances are they were you a few years back - so what did you need?

Step 4 - Create a service that would be truly useful to them - not just an identikit offering that every other birth worker offers. Get comfy with your price.

Step 5 - Talk about your offering and services with everyone who’ll listen. Yes thats in person - speak to local practitioners who work in fields complimentary to those you offer. Network with other birth workers. Hang out where your ideal clients would hang out (in person and online).

Step 6 - Get social media savvy - your clients probably get 99% of their information through social media and google.

Step 7 - Work on your mindset and energy. Yes truly - I know it sounds newfangled but if the intention behind every encounter and social media post and marketing you do is “Oh god I need to earn xyz” or “No one will ever hire me” or “There are so many doulas and I’m just a newbie” then no one will hire you - period!

Step 8 - Celebrate every single win, big and small and build on that momentum!

The truth is never has there been a better time to be in birth work! People know what doulas are - birth keepers may be not quite so deeply embedded in the public consciousness yet - but just you wait! People in the UK are more open to paying for services relating to their pregnancy and birth, and birth workers have woken up to the fact that birth work does not need to be undervalued “women’s work” any longer,

Messing with our birth days

How is it that normal has become abnormal?

What do I mean?

Why is it we now can’t wait for birthing women and people to enter labour when the person and their baby are ready rather than having to artificially end pregnancies?

Even if we ignore the fact that due dates are a mathematical equation that less than 95% of babies adhere to (someone really needs to create a new method of guesstimating a baby’s arrival), it now seems we’re unable to “allow” babies to be carried to term. Midwives are insisting on booking people for inductions and/ or sweeps (which the maternity system fails to see as part and parcel of the induction process). And whilst I understand this is based on guidance - are they not questioning why it is that suddenly so many birthing women and people are unable to go into labour without intervention?

I do not exaggerate when I say that I hear from mothers and pregnant people on a daily basis who are feeling the mounting pressure of induction dates looming over head. Who are being told they risk their baby’s life by going beyond their due date. That their placenta’s will suddenly stop working.

We seem to have forgotten how important the emotional state of the mother or parent(s) is towards the end of pregnancy. Instead filling them full of adrenaline, undermining their confidence and their own innate understanding of how their body works.

It is becoming increasingly difficult to cut out “the noise” towards the end of pregnancy that insists your body doesn’t know how to get your baby out, that your placenta will pack up at 40 weeks exactly - because obviously it has its own internal clock???? - and that you only maternity staff know how and when to deliver your baby.

So what can we do as doulas/ birthkeepers?

Whilst most of us continue to support people who will birth in the “system” this is a tricky balancing act. Whilst some of us are lucky enough to work with women and people who are freebirthing or having wild pregnancies - secure in their own innate birthing wisdom, most will be supporting mothers and parents through the NHS system.

From 36 weeks the pressure begins to mount. Otherwise healthy pregnancies are being routinely subjected to late gestations scans (despite the acknowledged inaccuracies in ultrasound technologies for determining size and abnormalities). This tends to trigger a cascade of events that goes something like this:

“Your baby is too big/ small/ too much amniotic fluid/ not enough amniotic fluid, abdomen is too large/ small” (there are plenty more)

“You must see a consultant who will tell where you’re allowed to give birth and when”

Consultant outlines all the “risks” of being too old, too pregnant, baby too big/small etc and then books you for an induction”

Or you don’t even have a 36 week scan and you go to your 38 week midwife appointment and they “do your induction paperwork” to book you in at 40 weeks for your induction, and your stretch and sweep at 39+5.

All of the above sends mums and parents into a spiral of self doubt and anxiety, and ultimately sabotages any chance they have of giving birth when their baby is ready to be born.

As birthkeepers we need to be really hot on our care and support at this time. Prepping clients in antenatal sessions is key. Explaining that this will probably happen and what this will looks like prepares parents when these bombshells are dropped by maternity services, Discuss why this is happening and what parents can do to counter it is incredibly important. Ensuring they feel knowledgable enough and comfortable enough to say No to anything and everything that is “offered”, that all these things are their choice - even if thats not how its put to them.

I like to save at least 1 antenatal appointment in hand so that when this inevitable time arises I can go and be with my clients. Talk with them about how they’re feeling, what their wishes are for their birth, Reaffirm that they know their body and baby best. Repeat the need for real rest and nourishment. Lean into trust and knowing that generations of birthing women and people have done this before them. It’s at this time that I use touch and movement to cement the idea they have the innate power to birth their babies however they choose (and it may be they choose a route you wouldn’t but that’s their decision).

Know that birth works (more often that not) if we leave it alone. Remember you have a relationship of trust with your client and that you are there to support them make decisions they feel comfortable with. That they have agency in their birth.

And remember - You are the antidote to the system that undermines our trust in our bodies, that fails to listen and treat us as individuals.,and expects us to fail at something we’re fundamentally designed to do and have been doing incredibly successfully for thousands of years.

There’s a doula for everyone

“If doulas were a drug it would be unethical not to use it” Dr John Kendell

I strongly believe this to be true! But what does this mean for those who’s finances don’t afford them a doula?

I was recently chatting with one of The Original Birth Connection Birth Worker Training Programme trainees about this and I thought it would be useful to others to share some thoughts.

Whilst in ancient history doulas were in effect slaves without income, modern doulas, or birth workers, aim to make a living supporting birthing women and people, in order to support themselves and their families.

Charging our worth

Because of this we charge a fee. Now many think that this means that doulas are exclusively used by those who have the means to pay the fee. Fees often aren’t small. Whilst the majority of doulas charge between £800 – £1500, there are birth workers out their charging £3000 a birth. There is nothing wrong with this and this is their prerogative!

What must be taken into account by the prospective client is that a birth worker will often be on call for several weeks. At the beck and call of their client 24/7, they will be with you however long your birth takes (4 hours or 36 hours!). They will provide countless resources to you which often included everything from books to birth pools. They will be with you postnatally and they’re likely to only take on a small number of births within the time frame of a potential estimated due date so as to ensure their availability to you. This is in addition to having to pay our taxes, pay for childcare, eat and pay our bills.

Its incredibly important that doulas charge their worth so that their effort and time, care and experience are rewarded financially in a society that requires work to be recompensed finically so we can all survive. Having a doula can ultimately change the outcome of your birth experience (see above quote!). Though this is no guarantee, its likely that having a birth worker by your side will mean you feel informed and supported in your birth choices, seen and respected.

How can we serve everyone…

However, birth workers should be available to all and they really can be. Many doulas offer a sliding scale of payment dependent on the financial means of the client. Payment plans are relatively standard amongst birth workers as well – with payments often being spread over as much as a year. Many doulas will take vouchers in payment so that family members can purchase their services as gifts, and payment in kind for similar services or goods is not uncommon.

There are a few charities that provide doulas to vulnerable birthing women and people and provide doulas for people in prison. Doulas Without Borders is one close to my heart who I work with.

If you’re considering a doula then please approach several as you may find that one will happily take a reduced fee or only expenses. Most doulas will do one or more births like this a year and often build this into the fee they charge for their paid work. And don’t discount new or inexperienced birth workers who will often charge a lower rate whilst they’re building experience.

Where there is a will there will be a way….