The Pragmatic Doulas

Who do you admire? Who in the birthing world makes you excited by their work, their presence? Who do you fan over? The week The Doulas discuss who they admire, what they admire in a birth worker, and of course so much more. Send us your thoughts and opinions at ThePragmaticDoulas@gmail.com

This week our topic is....never mind, we never actually get to the topic and have just a good old fashioned Doula chin wag.   Send your comments, stories and observations to us at ThePragmaticDoulas@gmail.com

Whats your woo? Do you practice woo? What the heck is woo?  After an impassioned discussion on covid and the current restrictions The Doulas discuss what they call the woo factor.  It can range from crystals to saint medals, from meditation to prayer.  So what's your woo? 

With vaccines being distributed and some hospitals letting doulas back in, you may be looking to shift around your offerings.  Spruce things up and make a change.  This week Kim and Stephanie discuss how they are going to be shifting around their business offerings to keep up with the times.   How are you spring cleaning your business?

This week we discuss our place on indigenous lands and how we came to be where we are today.  How we as birth workers can support marginalized birthing people and how the system needs to be changed to support indigenous folx.   What are you doing to create change and support those who were here first.  Message us at ThePragmaticDoulas@gmail.com

This week we are discussing our latest Book Club book, The Birth House by Ami McKay. 

What's your entrepreneurial style? The Doulas discover theirs is controlled chaos.  But first they discuss feeding support in hospitals is even worse during a pandemic and give their thoughts and ideas on what is happening.  

From Birth Doulas to Death Doulas and everything in between.  This week The Doulas discuss the various types of doulas that have been emerging in the last few years.  Are you a doula beyond birth and postpartum? Let us know what kind and what you do, email us at ThePragmaticDoulas@gmail.com

The Doulas topic this week is the evolution of their doula philosophy and how your thought on birth and support have changed over the years.  It takes us while to get there so hang on until the end.  

This week The Doulas discuss what's lacking in doula trainings these days and where they can improve, including advice on how to find a doula training that works for you.  

This week The Doulas discuss the increasing rise of doula scams, including money scams and fetish calls.  Have you gotten any of these calls? let us know if you have gotten one and how you handled it.  

This week The Doulas discuss their experiences with multiples in birth and postpartum.  What's been your experience? Let us know at ThePragmaticDoulas@gmail.com

Have you ever found yourself at odds with a partner, soon-to-be-grandma, or sister? This week The Doulas discuss a few times they had issues with unsupportive family.   Send your stories to ThePragmaticDoulas@gmail.com

This week The Doulas welcome Carissa Marks and listener Mara Fritsinger to discuss this book club installment The Red Tent.  

Welcome to season 3!!  This week The Doulas discuss how to offer virtual infant feeding support during Covid.  How can we, as doulas, support feeding parents when we aren't physically there with them.  What tools do we have at our disposal? How can our language create the support and visuals that are need to support a feeding parent in need of help?  

Happy New Year.  This week The Doulas discuss how they survive living on-call as a doula.  Its one of the hardest aspects of being a doula and they tell it like it is. 

This week The Doulas discuss Placenta Encapsulation and how to do it safely, Canadian regulations, what's involved and the studies behind it all.    Such a great discussion, especially now with Covid regulations in place.  For more information on Placenta Encapsulation check out: APPA or email Stephanie, our resident placenta expert directly at Steph@TorontoDoulaGroup.com

This week The Doulas discuss what doula trainings seem to be lacking and why these topics are important for doula work.  Topics such as, body feeding, advocacy for clients who are experiencing obstetrical violence/micro or macro aggressions, addressing your own biases and diplomacy in the birthing space.  

This week The Doulas welcome Rebecca Bakker from The Doula Tool Box and Doula Boss Business. We discuss connecting with your community, business tips and the incredibly popular Doula Planner that Rebecca designed to help and support doulas in their business growth.   You can find Rebecca at www.TheDoulaToolBox.com and www.ShopDoulaToolBox.com Remember to rate, review and subscribe and tell a friend.  

Celebrate with us on our 100th episode as we look back at the good times and forward to the future. 

This week The Doulas discuss some big personal health issues in HP corner.  And they discuss the New York Times op ed piece written by the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle on her miscarriage earlier this year.  As usual, there is a run off tangent that occurs.  

This week The Doulas discuss what to do in your first ever interview, and your first prenatal.  And the discussion eventually ends up at a discussion of doulas and bias and eliminating that bias before planning and supporting a birthing person and their family.  

This week, with guest host Carissa Marks Thomson we pull apart and discuss the book The Birth Yard by Mallory Tater.  Did you read it? Did you enjoy it? Let us know at ThePragmaticDoulas@gmail.com

This week The Doulas give their opinions on the recent US Election and discuss what their perfect birth would be like if they could do it all again.

Are you on a sugar high from eating all the half priced candy because Halloween was basically cancelled this year? Then listen to this episode to re-live Halloween a little longer. Don't forget our book club too recording on November 12th, if you want to be a part of it, email us at ThePragmaticDoulas@gmail.com

This week The Doulas explore recent conversations surrounding the word "Doula".  Have the negative origins of the word been watered down by all the good that modern doulas do or have we finally realized that this culturally appropriated word needs to be put to rest so we can embrace a term that truly shows what we are and how we support parents through pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period. 

This week The Doulas discuss imposter syndrome and how we all have it and how to get over it.  As well they discuss birth in the news and Stephanie's post surgery physio.  

In this episode Stephanie's humour is on full display with a fun bag of cookies shaped like penises.  We discuss how Covid is affecting a surrogate family and we get a little political.

This week The Doulas do a big health priorities check in and discuss how they are doing during covid.  Our Book Club Book has also been chosen, The Birth Yard by Mallory Tater.  The discussion will be held on November 17, so let us know if you are reading along and want to join the discussion.  ThePragmaticDoulas@gmail.com

This week we talk to the founder of Hip To Heart Doula Services and Education Jodi Congdon and we talk about social media and self promotion of your doula services.   And at the end we have a special request for the doula community to help support a Toronto Area doula through a medical situation.  We are hoping that you can help this doula get the medical support they need.  We know our listeners are awesome so please consider helping out.   Support For Marions Lyme Treatment Go Fund Me. 

This week The Doulas welcome Christine Crook and Carissa Marks Thomson to their book club for The Pull Of The Stars by Emma Donoghue.  The book follows a nurse/midwife over three days in the "fever room" on labour and delivery in Ireland during the 1918 Flu Pandemic.   There are spoilers so if you haven't read it, do so before you listen.  

This week The Doulas discuss creating a postpartum recovery nest for your clients.  Where their recovery headquarters is going to be to maximize their healing and get to know baby.  

With not a lot of time and no real discernable topic.  The Doulas just blab for 30 minutes and then jet! We'll be back next week with a full length episode and a stimulating topic. (crosses fingers and prays this is true)  

This week The Doulas Discuss professionalism and play a little more off the language we use as doulas.  We also check in on how Suzanne, Stephanie and Kim are doing. And finally, if you are interested in joining us for our book club, shoot us an email.

This week The Doulas discuss what they feel is their best asset that they bring to birth, what they feel makes them a great doula.   Tell us what your Doula Super Power is.  Remember to rate, review and subscribe to us and you can send us emails at thepragmaticdoulas@gmail.com

This episode comes with a warning.  Do not listen while you are eating your lunch.  This week The Doulas describe things that gross them out during birth.  You may not learn anything in this episode but you will definitely laugh, or vomit, or both.

Being a doula these days has seen us venturing into very grey areas of diagnosing and offering clinical advice.  This week The Doulas discuss how they manage offering advice and resources to their clients and avoid offering medical or clinical advice.  Say it with us now..."You should contact your care provider." 

This week The Doulas discuss the use of language in social media, your contracts or on your website and when interacting with potential clients.  You have to remember that what you say can value or devalue someones experience or who they are.  So watch your language! 

If you could go back to before you took your training, would you do anything differently?  Taken a different training? maybe not trained at all and become a cashier at a drug store.  Would you have researched your training organization better and thought about how they would support you and others?  Would you have asked about their equity initiatives and how they support POC?  The Doulas all this and a whole lot more.  

Join The Doulas and guest Carissa Marks Thomson as they discuss The Midwife Of Venice by Roberta Rich.  

This week The Doulas discuss life after Covid and possibly retiring from in hospital births.  As well as the many issues surrounding Covid such as mask wearing and being considerate to those around you.  In short...wear a mask!!!

As our eyes are opened to the various ways in which systems can oppress and hold back various peoples, The Doulas take a look at how our birth work has contributed to the appropriation of tools and traditions from native cultures and how we can do better moving forward.

This week The Doulas discuss a variety of issues that are on their minds.  You name it, they've discussed it.

Systemic racism has been in the forefront of everyones mind lately.  And as caring as the doula world is, we are not immune to the effects of it.  This week the doulas discuss racism and its effects on the doula world in Ontario.  The Pragmatic Doulas will also be re-examining our own biases and making changes to how we do things in the future to make everyone who listens feel safe and heard. 

This week The Doulas talk with founder of Mommy Berries, Pelvic Health Physiotherapist Melissa Dessaulles from Kelowna B.C. With a passion to educate and advocate for proactive, rather than reactive pelvic floor health, Melissa believes that by acknowledging the pelvic floors role in childbirth and providing client-centred rehabilitation, birthing parents can come out of feeling empowered.   This fabulous discussion had us all learning something about our pelvic floor that we did not know.   You can find Melissa on social media here: Instagram: @mommyberrieshealth FaceBook: Mommy Berries Youtube: Mommy Berries Health Website: www.mommyberries.com 

Recorded on June 4, 2020 - This week The Doulas discuss how they are managing in the current world environment and a dream of Stephs leads into a discussion on trusting your instincts in all doula and life situations!!!

Recorded on May 28, 2020 The Doulas discuss what is affecting all of us at this time, racism.  Following the murder of George Floyd, Suzanne, Stephanie and Kim discuss how it affecting them and what can be done by white people to finally put an end to these senseless killings of black people.  

Recorded May 21, 2020, The Doulas discuss how they are doing this week.  The main topic is what we do during a lull in your business and as usual they go off topic and get a little deep and introspective.  Plus wait until the end for a big announcement!!

Recorded on May 14, 2020 The Doulas discuss how they are managing life in a pandemic and discuss birth related books that they love and that inspired them in their doula careers.  Listen all the way to the end for a special announcement about next weeks podcast. 

Recorded on April 7, 2020 Kim, Suzanne and Stephanie discuss their mental health as they enter week 8 of the covid-19 shut down.  They discuss what it looks like, and how they are managing it.

Recorded on April 30, 2020 The Doulas chat with Erin Underwood, a functional movement specialist about the large physical and emotional demands of being a birth worker and how subtle changes and tweaks can help with our longevity in this profession.  A great conversation that will inspire and help you last longer physically in a birth and emotionally in the long run.

In this episode, recorded on April 23, 2020, The Doulas scour through FaceBook and other Social Media to find some questions being asked by Doulas.  If you have a question you want us to answer, let us know.  You can reach us at ThePragmaticDoulas@gmail.com

Recorded on April 16, 2020 Kim and Stephanie discuss being a doula to clients virtually while hospitals have a "one or none" support person rule in place.  Tell us how you are managing clients virtually or if you are actually still being able to doula your clients in person during this global pandemic.  

Recorded on April 9, 2020 The Doulas decide to not discuss too much about Covid-19 as it is beginning to wear a little thin on everyone.  So they discuss their beauty tips and tricks.  Mostly just Suzanne and Stephanie because Kim has gone full shaggy gnarly cave person.

Recorded on April 2, 2020 The Doulas discuss via social distance, a trend of some provinces in Canada limiting or eliminating home births.  As usual we go off topic a couple of times and its clear this is getting to us as we are much less funny than we were a week ago.  Stay In Side!!! So we can get back to normal. 

Recorded on March 26, 2020, this week we tackle Covid-19 and Doulas again.  Some Doulas are declaring themselves essential services based on the essential services list sent out by the Ontario Government.  But what does that mean? As per usual we start off topic and go through how are cleaning and keeping safe in this crazy time.  We also get to hear some great insight from everyone favourite husband Roger! Sit back, and enjoy the ride! 

Recorded on March 19, 2020, The Doulas discuss the situation with Covid-19 and hospital policies regarding visitor and doulas.  We recognize we may say some things that are frustrating and controversial and as this is an ever changing situation, some things may be out dated.  We were less nervous a week ago then we are now, and we are doing our best to stay healthy and safe with our families and we wish the same for you.  

This week The Doulas eventually discuss natural induction, of course that is after their Health Priorities check in and a discussion on Covid-19.  We also hear a listener birth story from an aspiring doula.   Remember to send your stories and comments to us at ThePragmaticDoulas@gmail.com and you can connect with us on Instagram, Twitter and FaceBook. 

During a snow storm The Doulas got together in a zoom meeting and talked about so so many things.  There are rants, there are stories there is really no topic.  So enjoy the ride!!

Two things that don't always mix is medical care providers, such as OBs and Residents, and breastfeeding advice.  Lately The Doulas have been hearing a lot of breastfeeding misinformation being given out by these care providers and others that is making them roll their eyes and get fired up.  And you like it when we get fired up, right?  Share with us your stories of misinformation by emailing us at ThePragmaticDoulas@Gmail.com or follow us on Instagram, Twitter and FaceBook.

This week we have Suzanne back and we have special guests The Dynamic Doulas Of London.  We discuss their wonderful collective of supporting not just their clients but each other.  We also delve into a little bit of Suzanne's adventure.  

Have you every been accused of working outside of your scope of practice by a health care provider but in reality you were not? Kim and Stephanie discuss times when they were and how they handled it.  Suzanne is still missing in action and we are anxious to have her back!  Send us your situations when you have been accused of not staying in your lane but you actually were.  Send your stories to ThePragmaticDoulas@Gmail.com or message us on Instagram @ThePragmaticDoulas or FaceBook. 

This week we are still missing Suzanne who is on an extended vacation with her family.  Kim and Stephanie discuss the variety of inconsistencies in the birth world, from how broken waters are treated, to VBAC protocols and breastfeeding support in postpartum units.  How have inconsistencies affected you in your doula work?

This week, while Suzanne is enjoying some well deserved family time away, Kim and Stephanie discuss how the corona virus can affect you as a doula and how to protect yourself from potentially being barred from attending a hospital birth and how to support your clients if you are, including contract wording and client prep.   We also discuss weird birth practices from the 1500's up to today.  Do you know of any weird birth practices from the past that makes you shake your head and wonder how we survived this long as a species.  Send it to ThePragmaticDoulas@gmail.com

This week Suzanne and Kim hold down the fort while Steph does her doula thing.  We discuss major life changes and things that make our jobs as doulas easier, better, fun... You can send us your doula hacks to ThePragmaticDoulas@gmail.com

This week we discuss the Gen X Midlife Crises and the book "Why We Can't Sleep! Women's New Midlife Crisis" by Ada Calhoun We also delve into Doula Regulation and if it is necessary.  

This week is the first episode of season 2 and we couldn't be happier.  This week we discuss a plethora of things including Doula Training and what your different options are.  

This is the final episode of our first season!! Can you believe it? This week The Doulas discuss what they would like to have planned for 2020 and season two.  Kim tells a story of a recent birth that held two important "firsts" for her.  We also hear a powerful VBAC story.  Remember, you can share your own stories by emailing them to ThePragmaticDoulas@gmail.com

In this weeks episode The Doulas are taking a much needed break with their families.  So please enjoy a selection of stories from The Doulas and their fans, Vera, Debbie and Sam.  We love and appreciate all our fans and listeners, you keep us going with your support.  You're like our very own doulas!!

This week The Doulas look back on the first year of podcasting.  On their 50th episode they remember their favourite episodes, guests and moments.  And they start it all with a gripe about the Arrive Study.  

This week The Doulas discuss premium doula fees for special circumstances such as holidays, personal special days, parking situations.  And there is a particular ranty moment about Toronto traffic and downtown parking.  Don't get us started! 

This week The Doulas discuss how important it is to have an in-person doula community and how to find it or create your own. We also hear a lovely VBAC story.  

This week The Doulas go on a hundred different tangents to discuss what their family, mainly their partners, think about what they do for a living.  Are you feeling supported by your family? Do you appreciate your family and what they do when you have to head out for a birth? Find out what Steph, Suzanne and Kim have been through with their families. 

This week The Doulas discuss the Seth Meyers Netflix special Lobby Baby and precipitous birth and how a doula manages such a birth.  We also hear a VBAC story sent to us.  

This week The Doulas discuss Postpartum Mood Disorders.  They discuss their own personal experience with post birth depression and how they manage clients who are experiencing depression and anxiety after birth.  We also hear a story of birth, empowerment and demanding better from care providers to respect personal decisions during labour and birth. 

This week The Doulas discuss their specialties in their doula work.  Where they feel most comfortable and what part of their doula work brings them joy.  From support of a new family, to cesareans and VBACs and education The Doulas cover it.  They also get a little political in what support should look like for families moving forward.  

What happens when 4 My Favorite Murder fans sit down and discuss breastfeeding? There is definitely some Georgia and Karen channeling.  The Doulas sit down with Toronto IBCLC Taya Griffin to discuss all things breastfeeding, how doulas and IBCLCs work together more.  

This week we get spooky and weird in our Halloween episode. It’s decidedly unbirthy and not very doula like but it is fun none-the-less and you will learn a little more about The Doulas!

We go through so many topics this week including bras, grandparents and the main discussion of The 5 Love Languages and how they pertain to your work as a doula.  

The Doulas get serious this week (not too serious) and discuss supporting pregnant people and families through pregnancy loss.  They look at the role of support both during the birth and in the postpartum period.  And Kim reads her doula story from "Bearing Witness.  Childbirth Stories Told By Doulas." By Dr. Lisa Doran and Lisa Caron. 

This week The Doulas talk about a variety of topics including continuing education to educate you, keep you up to date on everything birth, network and to just fill your cup.  Don't forget to tell us your stories.  

This week The Doulas talk about an event that Suzanne and Kim spoke at that involved OBGYN Residents learning about breastfeeding, Midwives, Doulas and Childbirth Educators.  Then things off on a tangent and they eventually get to the topic of finding balance between doula work and family...or rather harmony.  

In this weeks episode we ramble on a bit about some of the bad shit doulas do that can ruin it for other doulas in their community.   And we hear Kim's experience from the first birth she ever attended as a doula.  

In this weeks episode we discuss the difference of Doula Agencies and Doula Collectives and everything in between.   What would be a better set up for you to join? Or to create for yourself?  We also hear a vomit and car story from friend of the podcast Sam Leeson.  

This week The Doulas discuss doula business marketing tips and fails, what has worked over the years, what has failed over the years and what we are concentrating on now.  Maybe you will learn something and maybe you can share what works for you.  We also hear a birth loss/birth story (we promise) from a friend of Doula Steph.

In this episode Suzanne and Kim (Steph is away doing awesome doula things) discuss the idea that having a heart centered business can still be profitable for you and discuss a FaceBook post by a male doula that kinda rubbed them the wrong way...hilarity ensues and we all have a good laugh while learning something at the same time. 

In this episode we have a little fun and play a word game and tell some stories around "Car", "Vomit" and "Holiday" Trigger warning though, it gets a little graphic and gross. We also hear a wonderful surrogacy story from a listener in Ottawa.   

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...

In this weeks episode we discuss the complementary professions that Doulas work with.  Lactation Consultants, RMTs, Chiropractors and Placenta Encapsulators oh my! We also hear a wonderful birth story from a listener in Texas ya'll!!

Find out more about who we are as people, not just doulas.  We discuss chocolate, travel, television and so much more.  

We sit down with our guests Tanicia Reedon and Debbie Alleyne-Elie.  Two doulas just starting their careers in this crazy birth world.  We talk about who they are, what brought them to this work and how they are navigating this new journey of theirs.  We also hear three very quick birth stories from Debbie.  

We discuss where the money goes, what it costs to be a doula, what we can't live without and things to think about as far as costing out your doula business.  We also hear a birth story from a friend of ours and the podcast.  

We talk about our amazing mothers and their births and their experiences as mothers.  We also hear a first hand birth story about Stephanies mum giving birth read by Steph and a first hand birth story from Kim's mum about the day she gave birth to Kim.  

We discuss inductions and how we manage inductions as doulas.  Lots of stories, lots of tangents.  We also have a wonderful birth story from a listener in Kentucky. 

The original topic is scrapped as Suzanne, Stephanie and Kim discuss a dilemma that arose from a recent birth.  We discuss informed consent and critical thinking.  We also share a listener story about why she became a doula.  #labourdoula #doula #postpartumdoula #birthdoula #informedconsent #criticalthinking #birth #pregnancy #pregnant #childbirtheducation  

Get to know The Pragmatic Doulas better on this episode with a spotlight on Stephanie.  We delve into her childhood and stories abound.  Plus we hear the final birth story from Suzanne and its another great one.   #birth #doula #labourdoula #postpartumdoula #birthdoula 

In this episode Stephanie, Kim and Suzanne discuss their breastfeeding journeys with their kids.  There is a plethora of breastfeeding and bottle feeding experience between them and they discuss it all.  We also hear Suzanne's birth story of her daughter which is touching with a little drama thrown in.   #breastfeeding, #birth #doula #labourdoula #birthdoula #postpartum #postpartumdoula #pregnancy #pregnant

With some incredible donuts in hand, Suzanne, Stephanie and Kim tackle how to stay safe as a doula.  Leaving the house in the middle of the night, traveling to clients homes in unfamiliar neighbourhoods, hospital parking garages.  As usual the conversation will take gigantic turns but its all part of the fun.  We will also hear a home birth story from one of Stephanie's cousins.  So sit back and enjoy the madness that is The Pragmatic Doulas.  #birth #doula #homebirth #safety #donuts #labourdoula #postpartumdoula #birthdoula #pregnancy #pregnant

With some birthday celebrations and a lot of cake, Stephanie, Suzanne and Kim tackle cesarean birth.  As usual the discussion takes a turn and we delve into not being able to support clients who are not inclusive to all, veiled racism from clients and how to be a doula and make money while being true to who you are.  Stephanie tells us her cesarean birth story and its amazing and a little teary.   #birth #labourdoula #cesareanbirth #doula 

In this episode Steph, Suzanne and Kim discuss Postpartum Support and how they manage as postpartum doulas and their business.  Kim tells her final birth story including a midnight run to the hospital after birth and how it led her to become a doula.  #doula #birth #postpartum #labourdoula

Kim, Suzanne and Stephanie discuss volunteering Doula support and their thoughts of Doula support as a luxury or as an essential service.   We also hear a birth story from a home VBAC mom from Kentucky.  

In this episode Steph, Suzanne and Kim discuss how they manage interviews and prenatals with their clients.  And Stephanie discusses her VBAC Home Water birth!  

After snowstorms and back to back births, Kim rants about inconsistencies in care experiences.  Also, Suzanne, Stephanie and Kim discuss the role of doulas and their medical knowledge.  And we end with an incredible home birth story by Suzanne.  

The Pragmatic Doulas open up their doula bags and discuss what they bring to births to support their clients. Kim tells a super boring birth story of her middle son.

In this episode Suz, Steph and Kim chat about vicarious trauma and why some doulas choose to stop attending hospital births. Steph also tells us the story of her daughters birth.

This week Suzanne and Kim discuss and respond to the listener emails and questions they have received and read some great birth stories from listeners.  Sadly Stephanie is absent again but Suz and Kim hold down the fort! 

In this episode we discuss self-care for doulas and everyone as well as a hilarious birth story from Suzanne.  

Suzanne, Stephanie and Kim tackle epidurals and the doula community this week.  Also a bit of a teary birth story by Kim and all with a Christmas hangover.  

In this episode we introduce ourselves and talk about the elusive term called Birth Junkie. Please note there is cursing.