Did you know that delaying the first bath for at least 24 hours after birth can help regulate the baby's body temperature, blood sugar, and even reduce the risk of infection? It also allows for the baby to bond with their parent(s) through skin-to-skin contact, which can promote lactation and overall healthy attachment. This is our new hot topic for our mini series

Delayed Cord Clamping. Letting the cord turn white. Letting the cord stop pulsing. What is the difference between these? Great question, I’d love to answer that for you! As a new doula it can be intimidating to feel like you need an answer for everything. If you haven’t already listened to the episode on whether or not you should already know everything that’s linked below. We’re going to launch into a small series on topics that come up frequently that I have a little spiel on. Today is cords and the clamping of the cords.

Visibility is vital to your business. As doulas we sometimes shy away from talking about our work because we feel like we’re being salesy or sounding desperate. You know what, big brands WANT you to see their stuff literally everywhere. You know that ad for Safelight?? The one that my children sing every time they see a cracked window?? They love that we all know that so well. That we immediately think of them. You want that in your business. You want someone to say “I’m pregnant!” and their friend immediately say “oh my gosh, I am going to send you the name of the BEST doula!”

Doula Consultations are an art form. You have to learn them! You have to practice them! They are not a natural thing that some of us are good at and others are not. Doulas need to show up with a game plan of what they want to know/learn and what they want to share. That takes intentionality and planning!

As a doula, your consultations are your first opportunity to connect with potential clients and establish trust. The better you are at these initial meetings, the more likely you are to build a strong client base and have a successful doula practice.

In the world of birth work, imposter syndrome can be a common feeling among doulas. However, it is important to recognize and overcome this feeling in order to build strong networking connections with other providers. In this episode, we will explore how one doula overcame imposter syndrome and confidently networked with other birth professionals and providers.

There are various ways in which massage can aid in the recovery and well-being of a freshly postpartum person! Including, but not limited to, reducing stress and anxiety, promoting relaxation, easing muscle tension, improving sleep, and boosting milk production. By incorporating postpartum massage into their postpartum care plan, your clients can experience a smoother transition into parenthood and a faster recovery from pregnancy and childbirth.

Doulas should be aware of the multiple ways in which a person can use their placenta after giving birth. From encapsulation to tinctures, there are various options available to those interested in utilizing the potential benefits of this organ. Understanding the different methods and their potential benefits and contraindications can help doulas better support their clients in making informed decisions about their postpartum care.

Doulas play a crucial role in helping expectant parents have a healthy and positive pregnancy experience. One way they can do this is by educating their clients on the benefits of prenatal yoga. Not only can it help with physical discomforts commonly associated with pregnancy, but it can also improve mental and emotional well-being. In this podcast episode, we'll explore why doulas should consider recommending prenatal yoga to their clients and how it can enhance the overall pregnancy journey.

Because doulas are usually in a position of teaching new skills, babywearing is so frequently part of that! Babywearing educators can be valuable partners for doulas, as they can provide in-depth knowledge on the practice of babywearing and its many benefits and safety factors. In this podcast episode, we will explore what doulas should know about the benefits of babywearing educators and how they can work together to support families.

As part of a doula toolkit, understanding the benefits of prenatal massage can be a valuable addition. Prenatal massage has been shown to alleviate a range of pregnancy-related discomforts, including back pain, swelling, and anxiety. It can also improve sleep, boost mood, and promote overall well-being for both the mother and baby. In this podcast episode, we will explore the benefits of prenatal massage in depth, and hear about when/why to refer your clients!

Traditional Moroccan Postpartum Care and the closing of the bones ceremony are just a few of the wonderful things our podcast guest today does in the birth world. Fatima is a birth and postpartum doula who brings her clients a postpartum experience that really encompasses the whole self and not just the survival mentality we often have in the early days after births!

Lactation is one of the many topics that doulas tend to frequently overstep their scope in. Today’s special guest is talking us through when and how to refer to an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). If you’re working with families in the early postpartum hours/days/weeks it’s imperative to have some basic knowledge of lactation in terms of what’s normal and what’s not.

Sleep is a hot topic in the postpartum world, but honestly most doula training is woefully lacking in biological norms for newborns! If we, as doulas are functioning from a place of ignorance if we are recommending sleep strategies that are not supporting of newborn biological norms or, even worse, dangerous for the age we’re working with! Today’s special guest is a sleep coach and my first call and constant referral to my clients.

Doulas often think of Pelvic Floor PT for post-delivery, but there is much more to a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist’s role in a pregnant person’s whole pregnancy as well! There are a wide range of issues treated by a Pelvic Floor PT from muscle pain in the pelvic floor to pelvic pain in the sacrum or hips! The pelvic floor is connected to the whole body, so there are many issues that can impact its health and tone.

Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum require a level of care from a variety of different sources so doulas need to have a solid idea of when and how to refer to different providers. This is especially important when doula clients look to us for answers on who they need to see or what they need to do about a particular issue they are having.

Doulas need a network of providers to refer their clients to. There are many service and medical providers who can and should be included in the pregnancy, birth and postpartum process. It is important for doulas to have a good network not only for their client’s sake but also for themselves!

Doulas do advocate, we talked about that in the last episode which is linked below. But HOW? How do doulas advocate without making decisions for our clients? Or making a birth scenario about us? That’s today’s episode. How do doulas advocate for their clients during a birth? What are some phrases and strategies doulas can use to advocate for their clients?

Doulas are advocates. I will stand firm on this. If you do not see your role as ever advocating for your client then you are probably coming from a very privileged place. If you ever work with clients who are marginalized in our healthcare system you have to be ready and willing to advocate and amplify their voice. You center them, absolutely, you don’t speak for them or decide things for them, but you DO absolutely need to know how to advocate for and with them when needed.

The Doula Biz Blueprint is a group coaching program for doulas to grow and expand in their business now and into the future. It includes one-on-one coaching as well as small group coaching, larger group community and TONS of resources that you have access to forever. This program is designed to get you going and keep you going in your doula business. Whether you’re just barely started or a year down the road, you’re able to grow and expand in this group alongside other doulas.