The Pragmatic Doulas

This week The Pragmatic Doulas tackle the article on Dr. Paul Shuen in Toronto Life Magazine and that doctors systemic abuse of ignoring informed consent.  This very heavy topic leads us to examine the lack of checks and balances that led to such a colossal breech of trust.

In the wake of the Midwifery Today's decision to have their conference at a christian venue which openly excludes LGBTQ++ community, The Pragmatic Doulas discuss this decision and they get quite fired up about the whole situation.

This week we discuss the amazing profession of Midwifery

This week we discuss how Doulas are portrayed in the media, social media, on television and in movies.  And we may even have a solution to Hollywood's version of the inept useless Doula that is usually seen bumbling around the labouring character.

This week The Pragmatic Doulas with guest Sam Leeson of BabyREADY discuss retiring from Doula work and how you come to that decision.  Most new doulas think they will do this forever but remember, time passes, body's age and being a doula is very physical work.  

We also hear a birth story from Sam and its a roller coaster, including border crossings and snow storms!

This week Suzanne is in the hot seat and we hear all about who she is a doula, as a mother, as a woman and so much more!!

What is it that new doulas need to know about breastfeeding to support their clients?  This week we discuss breastfeeding and what we know and how we support our clients as doulas.  We also hear a birth story from Nicole and her blog www.GrowingUpRainbow.com

In this weeks episode we talk about how doulas need to support each other and how being a solo doula can be difficult.  We run the gamut of ideas in this topic and as we are mostly sick it does get a little off topic and may not make much sense.  Suzanne is sadly away for this episode having caught the bug herself and just finished doula-ing for a family.  We also hear a birth story from Tara who shared with us her pregnancy loss in episode 21.

In this weeks episode we get to chat with super star author Ann Douglas who has authored many parenting, baby and birth books.  Kim does her best to contain her enthusiasm and not act like a giddy teenager in front of her author idol.  

Ann is with us to discuss her latest book Happy Parents Happy Kids.   The ultimate guide to boosting your enjoyment of parenting while at the same time maximizing the health and happiness of your entire family.

Happy Father's Day.  We talk about the relationships we have had growing up with our dads and how when they shifted when they became grandfathers.  With three of our four fathers having passed in the last few years it gets a little weepy and maybe a little angry.   Our stories revolve around our fathers and our children.  

Kim is also very sick and highly medicated, so if she sounds a little out of it, just know its the medication...