What does it really take to get started in birth work — and stay there?

In this episode, I’m joined by Jen Crawford, life and business coach, parent educator, mentor and doula trainer, with over 15 years’ experience supporting families and shaping skilled, grounded birth workers across Ireland. Between us, we’ve:

• trained and mentored hundreds of birth workers
• supported thousands of families
• built and scaled sustainable birth-work businesses
• and seen far too many brilliant practitioners leave this work unnecessarily due to burnout, lack of support, or unrealistic expectations.

In this honest, grounded and at times possibly controversial conversation, we’re coming together as two of Ireland and Europe’s leading voices in birth work and birth-business to share what we both wish we’d known when we were starting out, and what we now know makes the biggest difference.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why birth work may be a calling, but it still needs to be a viable career
• The foundations every birth worker needs before worrying about visibility or marketing
• Mindset shifts that help you move from passion to sustainability
• Values, boundaries and energy management in emotionally demanding work
• Why “there’s not enough work” is a myth, and what actually matters instead
• The dangers of black-and-white thinking and fear-based narratives in birth work
• Collaboration vs conflict within maternity systems
• How to protect yourself from burnout and stay in this work long-term
• The role of support, community and professional guidance when you’re starting out

This episode is for you if:

• You’re considering training as a doula, lactation consultant, antenatal educator or other birth worker
• You’re newly qualified and wondering “Why is this harder than I thought?”
• You love the work but feel unsure about how to make it sustainable
• You want a values-led, ethical approach to birth work and business
• You’re tired of absolutist advice and want nuance, realism and encouragement

Jen and I both believe that there is plenty of work for everyone and that birth work is really just a fledgling industry with so much more growth potential. We are both hurt by seeing good birth workers quit and this conversation is about changing that, starting from the very beginning.

About Jen Crawford

Jen is a life and business coach, parent educator, mentor and doula trainer with over 15 years’ experience. She has trained and mentored hundreds of doulas, supported thousands of families, and co-founded Ireland’s first national doula agency. In 2026, she continues to lead group doula trainings and coach birth workers across Ireland and internationally.

You can connect with Jen here:

Website: jen-crawford.com

Doula training: @jencrawforddoulawisdom

Coaching: @jencrawfordcoaching

Want to find out what Birth Biz Stage you're at and the right next steps for you to take based on your stage? Then take The Birth Biz Quiz now! 

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