Doulas Of The Roundtable

We often see questions among doulas about agency interviews. There are a lot of specific questions about what to expect and what questions to ask the agency. Each agency will have specific questions that they feel are important to ask. So, what you may encounter will vary from agency to agency. However, some questions will overlap between businesses. It is common for agencies to want to know what training you have taken. If you haven't yet taken a training, they may point you in the direction of the training they prefer or may have the most need for to utilize you best. Presenting your authentic self in agency interviews is also important. Many agency owners deeply believe in how this prospective doula "feels." It's okay to feel nervous but coming to the table with your authentic self is important for both sides. When looking to join an agency, asking the agency what services are most in demand is a great way to assess if they offer what you want to provide. It will also help you determine what additional edu

There are many benefits to adding placenta services as a part of the services you offer. While there is a benefit to the clients who utilize this service, there are also benefits to those who offer it. Processing the placenta for encapsulation in the client's home brings a wealth of benefits to the client in addition to safety. It also allows the encapsulator to sit down with the client and check on how they are recovering from birth. In addition, they can also check in on the newborn and how they are transitioning to life outside the uterus.  Offering encapsulation as a labor doula allows you to continue your support into the postpartum period. It also allows for those who are also postpartum doulas to introduce the benefits of this type of support to the client. It gives the opportunity to affirm the client in how they are caring for their baby. Encourages them to ask questions and for you to provide necessary or requested resources.  Join is as we discuss the many benefits to clients and birth professional

Learning how to initiate and lead conversations between prospective clients and clients is an essential skill in doula work. Yet at times, doulas often feel unsure about what to ask or how to keep the client conversations going. Beyond the core questions of due date, location of delivery, and basic contact information, what other information a doula feels is important to learn will vary from individual to individual. When thinking of potential client conversations, consider asking questions that allow you to create an organic flow that helps the prospective client visualize what it would be like to have your support. These conversations cultivate a connection, build trust and mutual respect, and facilitate bonding. Join us as we explore the considerations for what to ask and how to keep the conversations rolling.

There are many facets to consider when supporting a client through active labor. This stage of labor is often an opportunity to become more physically active and present in client support. However, it is also important to remember to alternate periods of activity with rest during active labor. When supporting clients through this stage of labor, it is essential to remember to match the mood of the room. As the client becomes more internally focused, conversation and excitement will fade. It is common for conversations to move from sentences to one-word replies. When providing support during this stage, it's also helpful to consider the senses of the laboring person. Sights, sounds, and smells that may have been comforting initially may become a distraction. The type of touch that feels good will often change as well. It is also important to remember that what works or doesn't work in terms of comfort can change throughout labor. So revisiting positions or comfort measures that didn't work previously may bring

A common inquiry in many online doula communities is where to find free samples to give to clients.  While it's likely true that most people love a freebie, are they actually free? Many individuals don't consider the cost of their time in requesting, processing, storing, and handing out freebies. Additionally, many companies that give out products for freebies are multimillion-dollar companies with marketing budgets to promote their product. But the birth professionals are not compensated for their time, recommendation, and efforts. When considering giving out freebies to clients, it's also essential to consider the message that may be sent. Could handing out a sample of lactation tea send the message that it is necessary in order to breastfeed successfully? Or does giving out samples of nipple balm set the expectation that it is necessary? Join us as we discuss the pros and possible cons of handing out freebies to clients.

As birth professionals, education surrounding the perinatal period is an ongoing process. While it is impossible to learn everything about pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, countless opportunities are available to expand your knowledge base. But how do you decide which topics to choose? When thinking about continuing education, think out of the box. Postpartum doulas may benefit from a culinary course to assist with meal prep or to offer postpartum meal planning. Labor doulas may benefit from childbirth education training to deepen their knowledge of pregnancy and birth. Also, consider continuous education that will expand your global knowledge. Courses about trauma-informed care, and working with people who are differently abled, neurodiverse, or a part of the LGBTQIA+ communities may benefit you based on the demographic you serve. Join us as we discuss the various options and considerations for continuous education.

Undoubtedly, social media plays a big role in our lives and how we communicate with the world. Social media platforms have become a big part of marketing products and services. Learning how to navigate social media as a business owner creates unique challenges. One of the challenges is creating and maintaining social media boundaries. As business owners, birth workers must determine how little or how much of their business and lives are shared on social media. On platforms such as Facebook, you can create groups and post to only those groups. This allows friends and family to see the post while preventing clients from seeing it. Some individuals may create separate accounts for personal vs. business use. Others may choose to add clients and colleagues to their personal profiles. Ask yourself if you mind potential clients or the clients you currently serve seeing what you post on your personal profile. From Facebook to Instagram to Tiktok, deciding how and with whom you would like to share your content is an i

When we think about the value of doula work, we must consider two perspectives—the perspective of the doula and the client's perspective. Before a doula can successfully market their services, they must understand their value to potential clients. While the hallmark of doula work is providing support, the doula must sell their service before client support can begin. Many doulas struggle to communicate the monetary value of their services. There is a tendency for doulas to undervalue their services. Many are encouraged to provide services for free either from training organizations or other doulas in their community.  Many doulas set the value of doula work based on their socioeconomic status. It's scary for doulas to price services at a rate they can't afford. Others set the value of their services based on how capable they feel of providing client support. When a doula doesn't know how to sell their services, they often want to give them away.  Join us as we discuss how doulas can value themselves to help p

Supporting early labor is a necessary skill for labor doulas. Yet many doulas may not know how to approach early labor from a mindset of patience vs the instinct to try to move labor along. Early labor can be a time of anxiety and doubt for expecting families. Contractions may come and go, and they often wonder, "Is this labor?" They often look to their doulas for support and advice. The tincture of time is one of the most useful tools for supporting clients through early labor. Yet many doulas recommend activities such as walking, sex, nipple stimulation and may other approaches that risk physically exhausting the client long before active labor begins. We recommend a different approach to our clients. Our approach focuses on rest, relaxation and distraction. The reality is that early labor is a 'diagnosis' made in retrospect. Contractions don't always mean labor. Uterine irritability, dehydration, Braxton-Hicks contractions or even prodromal labor may trigger contractions. Join us as we discuss how we help

One of the more challenging aspects of becoming a doula is navigating doula fees and payments. One of the most common decisions is how to take payment for the services you will provide. There is a tendency for doulas to want to avoid credit card processing fees. They often do this by using peer-to-peer payment options such as Paypal, Venmo or platforms such as Cashapp. Using these payment systems as an individual vs. as a business and with the related processing fees to you is a common but dangerous practice.  Using a personal account for business transactions can result in the account being closed and the funds lost.  In addition to how you will be paid, you must decide the structure for the payments you will receive.  Many doulas do this by charging a retainer fee due at contract signing. Then a determination will need to be made about when the remaining balance will be paid.  Another key point surrounding doula fees and payments is to clearly understand how you allocate your fees. First, consider what perc

Transitional labor is the third phase of the first stage of labor. It is also considered the most challenging phase of labor, especially for those giving birth without pain medication. During the transition phase of labor, contractions occur every 1-2 minutes and last approximately 60-90 seconds. The cervix dilates from 8-10 centimeters. This is the phase of labor where many laboring individuals want to quit. They may express an inability to go on. Or may question their desire to avoid pain medication. This is often the phase of labor where a client may express, "I don't want to do this anymore. I want to go home. I can't do this. Please make it stop."  Physical signs of transition may include shaking, sweating, and feelings of anxiety or panic. As the baby moves lower into the pelvis, some individuals may experience burping or passing gas, rectal pressure, or the urge to bear down.  These signs are often present in those who have received pain medication.  Join us as we discuss how to support clients through

Professionalism has many definitions, and how one exhibits doula professionalism in their doula work will vary. We believe that professionalism means that we embody integrity and accountability, responsibly conduct ourselves, and always present the best versions of ourselves in our work. This means we have solid systems to navigate prospective clients through our hiring process efficiently. From the first contact to signing the contract, individuals seeking our care are learning about what it is like to experience our support. Their interactions will shape their desire for our ongoing support and determine if they feel safe in our presence. Boundaries are also an essential part of professionalism. Boundaries around our time and when we work. This may mean scheduled time off. Or a weekly schedule that gives us time off to focus on family. Boundaries around contracts and money are also essential. Other aspects of professionalism include phone/video call etiquette and our appearance. Join us as we discuss why do

The poverty mindset is common in doula work. According to Alan Weiss: "A poverty mentality is one that influences behaviors consistent with beliefs that money shouldn't be spent, opportunities are limited, any risk at all is dangerous, any success is temporary and non-replicable, and generally remaining in the back of the pack is safest." Many individuals come to birth work believing their work opportunities are limited. The reality is that birth work offers upward mobility or the ability to move up in socioeconomic status. Creating diversity in birth work allows birth workers to move themselves and their families out of poverty. When coupled with codependence, or the need to be needed, along with the historical message that birth workers should self-sacrifice in terms of money and physical efforts, it's no wonder the burnout rate amongst birth workers is so high. The reality is that most birth workers need to make money to make their work sustainable mentally, physically, and financially. Yet the poverty min

As doulas supporting client decisions plays a key role in our care. While there are many approaches to this side of our work, there are also many potential barriers. One of the most prominent barriers is the bias that birth workers bring into their work while supporting client decisions. We see this when doulas say, "I support my client in making informed decisions." Or, "As long as my client is making an informed decision, I support whatever they choose." The reality for most individuals is that decisions are not primarily made on what 'best evidence' or research says. Many individuals will instead make decisions based on what their intuition tells them or based on the opinions of those they trust. Those individuals often include family, friends, providers, and even their doula.  As doulas, we have a powerful influence on our client's decision-making process. This is why doulas must be free from their own biases and able to provide nonjudgmental support.  Join us as we explore the approaches and pitfalls of

When it comes to the ins and outs of how a doula agency works, many myths exist. The truth is, there are many perks to working with a doula agency. For many, the team approach creates a desirable environment where birth workers can find support. Others love being able to focus on the client-facing work and leave the client acquisition process to someone else. Not good at marketing? The agency does that for you. Worried about collecting and tracking client payments? The agency has that covered. Credit card fees, the agency takes care of those too. One of the biggest myths we see surrounding working with an agency is that the agency takes a cut of the doula's fee. The fact is, the agency contracts with the client at a set fee. Then the agency contracts with the independent contractor at a set fee to provide the service. The agency does not take a cut or a percentage of the independent contractor's fee. The independent contractor agrees to the fee they will be paid. After the related business expenses are accoun

As doulas, we often give so much of ourselves as we help families navigate labor and the postpartum period. Yet self-care as a doula is often something that falls along the wayside. We often work with clients at their most vulnerable during one of life's biggest transitions. While our work with one client ends, we often step in to support the next client through similar ups and downs. While this never-ending cycle can leave us feeling energized and empowered, it can also leave doulas feeling emotionally and physically spent. Doula self-care can come in many different forms. While massage and bodywork are common suggestions, music therapy, art therapy, and even rage rooms can be great ways to implement self-care. Join us as we explore the importance of self-care and the many options that exist for birth workers today.

Prelabor rupture of membranes or PROM is defined as the spontaneous rupture of the amniotic sac without contractions for an hour or more after the 37th week of pregnancy.  Premature prelabor rupture of membranes or PPROM, is the spontaneous rupture of membranes without contraction for an hour or more before the 37th week of pregnancy. PROM is experienced by approximately 8% of pregnant individuals. Less than 1% of pregnant individuals will experience PPROM Doulas often blame PROM on a baby in a "bad" position. Leading each other to believe that labor will not begin if the baby's position is not "corrected." However, data demonstrate that 95% of individuals who experience PROM will go into labor on their own within 72 hours. What doulas do not discuss is the hormonal triggers for PROM. At term, the fetal membranes and the pregnant person's body release prostaglandins.  These prostaglandins break down the cells of the amniotic sac, leading to the rupture of membranes. They also break down the cellular matrix of

Stripping membranes or membrane sweep is a common intervention performed in the final weeks of pregnancy. While this may seem like a simple intervention, it is important for clients to understand what they may experience. Stripping of the amniotic membranes stimulates the production of oxytocin and prostaglandins. This intervention serves two purposes. The first is to try to hasten the ripening of the cervix. The second is to try and stimulate the onset of labor.  While this procedure may be uncomfortable or painful when performed, the goal is to stimulate cervical change and contractions in the time that follows. As a result, pregnant individuals often experience spotting, bleeding, and contractions. The contractions experienced after sweeping the membranes can last just a few hours or, for others, days.  Join us as we discuss the process of stripping membranes and how we can support clients through the experience that follows.

Once again, we have come to the end of another fantastic season. We are honored to share yet another year with you, talking about the work we love. We can feel the love and passion that you have for the topics that we talk about. Your feedback and the number of listeners we have show us every day how much you value Doulas of the Roundtable. This past year has brought us many interesting and exciting conversations. We look back at our favorite episodes from Season Four along with your most consumed episodes. Catch a sneak peek into Season 5 as we talk about kicking off a new season and a new year with our 100th episode! We look forward to the new year and kicking off our 100th episode with a splash!

Few birth workers enter the profession thinking that they are starting a business. However, many soon realize that understanding business means finding business resources tailored specifically to our unique work. A wise person once said, "Do not take advice from someone who isn't where you want to be in your business." That person is our good friend and business mentor, Randy Patterson. Randy is the founder and CEO of ProDoula, a successful doula agency owner and business mentor to countless doulas and doula agencies. In this episode, we take a deep dive into the resources available to doulas and other birth workers to help guide them on their path to success. As agency owners, these are tools that we have invested in and utilize regularly. Join us as we discuss the resources that we have found to be immensely helpful to doulas and birth workers.