Families welcoming a baby through IVF—whether carrying on their own or working with a surrogate—often face unique fears, anxieties, and uncertainties. As doulas, how can we best support them through this deeply personal and emotional journey? In this episode, we dive into the complexities of working with families who have experienced fertility challenges, exploring the concerns they often carry and how we can provide compassionate, informed support. From addressing emotional highs and lows to navigating birth preferences and postpartum expectations, we discuss what doulas need to know to create a reassuring and empowering experience for these families. Join us as we explore the nuances of IVF, surrogacy, and the essential role doulas play in offering guidance, understanding, and unwavering support.

There are many ways of supporting labor clients as a doula. Doulas provide continuous support during labor. But what happens when a doula steps away while their client is still in labor? There is a lot of nuance to the decision-making process behind leaving a birth temporarily and returning later. Sometimes, stepping away might be appropriate, allowing the doula to balance the client's needs with their own. This can be especially true during an induction of labor, where the process may take days. However, some challenges may present themselves when a doula isn’t at the bedside, from the potential gaps in hands-on comfort measures to the lack of immediate informational support. Join us as we share our insights on navigating these situations with professionalism and care, ensuring the client feels supported and empowered, even during temporary absences. This is a must-listen for doulas looking to handle these complex situations with grace and clarity!

Illness is an inevitable part of life, but how do you handle it as a birthworker?

No doubt navigating sickness in the doula world comes with challenges. How do you balance your commitment to clients while prioritizing health and safety? Are you willing to work with clients who are sick, and if so, how can you implement universal precautions to protect yourself and others? It’s equally important to plan for when you’re unwell—whether that means leaning on a trusted backup or stepping away to recover.

Clear contract policies to address illness ensure everyone is on the same page when unexpected situations arise. Join us as we discuss these critical considerations and share valuable insights to help you stay prepared, professional, and protected in your birth work practice.

Season 6 has been one for the books! With over 270,000 downloads to date, we are grateful for your support and participation.

As we close out the year, we’re taking a moment to celebrate this milestone. Thank you for being part of our journey. We also want to invite you to help shape Season 7 by sending us your topic suggestions. Reach out to us on any of our socials with your suggestions. If you've attended a tough birth, worked with a challenging postpartum client or have encountered a topic you'd like to learn more about, drop us your suggestion! 

As we look ahead to 2025, we’re focused on setting you up for success in your doula business. The key takeaway? To get the clients, you have to talk to anyone who reaches out to learn more about you and your business! Answering the phone is at the top of the list—because connection starts with that first conversation. Second on that list is being responsive and following up!

Join us for inspiration and actionable advice to kick off the new year with confidence. Here’s to an even more successful 2025—together!

Doula business myths lurk around every corner.

Do you think you need to be a successful solo doula before starting a doula agency? Believe certification doesn’t matter? Are you wondering if AI can truly capture your authentic business voice? In this episode, we’re tackling some of the biggest myths in the doula industry with none other than ProDoula CEO, business consultant, and author of The Matriarch Rules, Randy Patterson.

We break down misconceptions, such as: You can't make money as a doula. You can't be a doula if you haven't had children. Independent doulas can not compete with doula agencies. They can't access insurance or third-party reimbursement. Certification isn't important or necessary. Doula agencies should wait for clients before building their team, and independent doulas can't provide comprehensive services.

If you’re navigating your path in the doula business world, this episode is packed with insights to help you grow your confidence and business success. Don’t miss this myth-busting conversation!

Understanding breastfeeding challenges is crucial for providing effective support to new parents.

Nipple soreness, cracked or bleeding nipples, and engorgement are common challenges. Inverted nipples and delayed milk production also cause difficulties. Cluster feeding and growth spurts add to the stress. Together, these issues can make the early weeks of breastfeeding overwhelming.

Understanding why these issues happen, how they can impact the breastfeeding journey, and, most importantly, what you can do to help is an essential part of your support. In this episode, we cover practical tips and real talk about when it’s time to call an IBCLC or another breastfeeding expert. 

Join us as we discuss ways to help you navigate these early hurdles and support families with confidence and care.

Decision fatigue surrounding pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period can have a profound impact on expecting and new parents. The mental load of constant decision-making can be exhausting. Doulas play a crucial role in easing the burden of decision fatigue. We provide clients with the tools and resources to make informed and confident choices. This includes breaking down complex information into digestible, easy-to-understand pieces and offering evidence-based options tailored to each client’s unique values and preferences. Doulas can also help streamline the decision-making process by prioritizing what’s most important and guiding clients through each step with reassurance and clarity. These strategies empower clients and help them feel clear-headed and more in control during a time that can feel overwhelming. At the same time, doulas may unintentionally contribute to decision fatigue by overwhelming clients with too much information. Whether you’re a new or seasoned doula, this episode will provide insights on navigating these challenges to create a more supportive and balanced experience for your clients. Tune in and learn how to strike the perfect balance, helping families make informed, confident decisions without feeling overwhelmed.

Virtual doula services emerged very quickly due to the pandemic in 2020. Necessity dictated that families who wanted the support of a doula when hospitals limited visitors receive that support virtually. Now, four years later, some doulas are still trying to build a business solely on virtual support.

Doula support, whether in person or virtually, is beneficial. Virtual support is not optimal. In season one, Episode 18, we discussed virtual support months before COVID hit. Yet today, many of the same drawbacks exist for doulas providing virtual support in 2024. 

Join us as we revisit virtual support following the events of the COVID-19 pandemic, what we learned, and the drawbacks that can exist for doulas, clients, and providers.

Disappointing experiences can arise for both doulas and clients. As doulas, we must recognize how our biases may influence our perception. Furthermore, discussing these experiences with clients can affect how they interpret their birth and postpartum experiences. Therefore, we must process our feelings and biases separately from the doula-client relationship.

Clients often feel disappointed when their birth expectations aren’t met. Sometimes, labor feels different than imagined. Even if a birth goes to plan, disappointment can still occur. The postpartum period may also bring unexpected challenges for new parents, leaving them with unmet expectations.

Join us as we explore navigating disappointing experiences for doulas and clients.

The use of Cytotec, or misoprostol, in obstetrics has a complex history. Initially created to treat gastric ulcers, Cytotec also plays a critical role in reproductive health. It has been used for medical abortions, cervical ripening, and labor induction.

In this episode, we explore Cytotec's journey from its original purpose to its controversial use in childbirth. We’ll break down its benefits and potential risks. Learn more about the off-label use of medications in healthcare and how this is a widely accepted practice. Whether you're a birth worker or just curious, this episode offers key insights into Cytotec’s role in modern obstetrics.