#37 | Birth Belongs to Women and the Future of Doula Work

 Sign up for the Pain Free Birth Doula Mastermind HERE https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/doula-certification-waitlist 

Welcome back to the Pain Free Birth Podcast!

In this episode we’re meeting two doulas, Jessica Grant and Kallie Caton, the founders of the “Birth Belongs to Women” movement. We discuss why birth does, indeed, belong to women, and how the medical system and current social/political movements are unfairly marginalizing women and doulas who believe birth belongs to women. We discuss many of the contemporary debates around being a doula and how Mamas like you can best prepare to work with doulas in today’s climate.

CHAPTERS

00:38 - The origin story of the Birth Belongs to Women movement, and the state of the Doula and medical birthing industries

07:26 - How birth should be (and why the birthing industry system is rigged)

13:13 - Why the phrase “birth belongs to women” is so resonant for some and polarizing to others in today’s social climate

15:37 - “Inclusivity” in birthing

17:33 - Birth Belongs to Women is not anti-trans at all, it is pro-women. Karen’s thoughts on forced gender-inclusive language.

22:53 - Doulas should stay true to themselves regardless of social or political pressure

25:50 - Many women have felt silenced or unable to speak their mind

27:36 - Restoring the sacredness to the experience and tradition of birthing

32:48 - Doula v Birth Worker and how centralized certification regimes effect the Doula tradition

36:53 - Is it possible for doulas to do good work within the hospital system?

38:51 - The doula is not the “rescuer” - and avoiding unfair dynamics between mothers and doulas

40:29 - What women getting pregnant now most need to understand

42:07 - Advice for women who want a doula but still need to give birth in a hospital

46:25 - Doula burnout and creating sustainable work for birthing professionals without “turning it into a business”

53:00 - The true calling and passion of Doulas to serve mothers

55:05 - The “scope” of a doula’s work, and allowing the mother to have room for her own spiritual journey

56:25 - Healthy boundaries in doula work and why clients sometimes need to be turned down

1:00:10 - The future of the doula space

1:05:45 - Why there’s so much fear and dogma in the medical birthing system

CONNECT WITH BIRTH BELONGS TO WOMEN:

Connect with Kallie here: instagram.com/kalliecaton
Connect with Jessica here: instagram.com/jessiesvibe

CONNECT WITH KAREN:

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@painfreebirthwithkarenwelton

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/painfreebirth

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/painfreebirth/

Spotify Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5zEiKMIHFewZeVdzfBSEMS

Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/pain-free-birth/id1696179731

Website - https://painfreebirth.com/

Email List https://pain-free-birth.mykajabi.com/website-opt-in

Learn more about Birth Belongs to Women → https://www.birthbelongstowomen.com/