We Go There Podcast

Doulas, Collaboration Over Competition & Why Joy and Grief Walk the Same Line with Amy Silva

Listen Later

This week, Nikki sits down with Amy Silva, a birth doula of seven years, founder of the Collaborative Doula Collective, and a fierce advocate for collaboration over competition in the doula community. After losing her mom to suicide just six months before her first pregnancy, Amy knew she wanted to support women who didn't have that mother figure—or any support system—through one of life's most transformative experiences.

Together, they unpack what it really means to hire a doula, why asking about bias is crucial, and how to prepare for birth scenarios you hope never happen (but need to plan for anyway). Amy shares her journey from the ER trauma room to the birth room, why informed consent isn't practiced enough, and how hard birth experiences shouldn't be worn as badges of honor. This conversation is vulnerable, empowering, and a masterclass in holding space.

Amy shares:

  • Why she became a doula after losing her mom to suicide 6 months before getting pregnant
  • "Birth and death are two sides of the same coin"—doulas need to support both
  • The most important question: What is your doula's bias?
  • Birth preferences vs. birth plans—run through scenarios so you're not blindsided
  • Emergency C-section: who goes in the OR with you—partner or doula?
  • Why doulas sometimes undervalue themselves 
  • "Get comfortable being uncomfortable"—it's okay not to have all the answers
  • The doula scam: a woman faked pregnancies/losses and traumatized 50+ doulas
  • C-sections aren't "the easy way out"—major surgery doesn't make you less than
  • Hard birth experiences as badges of honor = unprocessed trauma seeking validation
  • The Collaborative Doula Collective: 52+ doulas ending competition and supporting each other

    • Ways to Connect with Amy:

    Amy's Insta | Collaborative Doula Conference Insta | Collaborative Doula Collective Insta | Web

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store
    We Go There PodcastBy We Go There Podcast
    • 4.9
    • 4.9
    • 4.9
    • 4.9
    • 4.9

    4.9

    30 ratings

    More shows like We Go There Podcast

    View all
    Well-Fed Women by Noelle Tarr

    Well-Fed Women

    1,360 Listeners

    Evidence Based Birth® by Rebecca Dekker, PhD, RN

    Evidence Based Birth®

    1,031 Listeners

    The Dr. Hyman Show by Dr. Mark Hyman

    The Dr. Hyman Show

    9,221 Listeners

    Dear Dr. Tracy by Cloud10

    Dear Dr. Tracy

    157 Listeners

    HERself by Abby and Amy

    HERself

    1,732 Listeners

    Down to Birth by Cynthia Overgard & Trisha Ludwig

    Down to Birth

    552 Listeners

    Make Fit Simple by Andrea Allen

    Make Fit Simple

    1,504 Listeners

    Good Inside with Dr. Becky by Dr. Becky Kennedy

    Good Inside with Dr. Becky

    4,492 Listeners

    We Can Do Hard Things by Treat Media and Glennon Doyle

    We Can Do Hard Things

    41,528 Listeners

    The Mel Robbins Podcast by Mel Robbins

    The Mel Robbins Podcast

    19,819 Listeners

    After Bedtime with Big Little Feelings by Dear Media and Big Little Feelings

    After Bedtime with Big Little Feelings

    5,535 Listeners

    Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce by Wave

    Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce

    10,166 Listeners

    The Oprah Podcast by Harpo

    The Oprah Podcast

    1,718 Listeners

    unPAUSED with Dr. Mary Claire Haver by Audacy | Mary Claire Haver, MD

    unPAUSED with Dr. Mary Claire Haver

    1,024 Listeners

    Still Talking About It by Still Talking About It

    Still Talking About It

    109 Listeners