By Sophie Brigstocke This week we saw, yet again, that racism is alive and well in the world. Many of us watched or heard of the senseless killing of a man at the hands of another. It was shocking and deeply upsetting. It was also not an isolated incident. How does this relate to doulas and maternity? Sadly, far…
Duped as a Digital Doula
Nikki Barrow describes her experience with a fake doula ‘client’ who made up a traumatic birth and baby loss. Some subjects within this post may be triggering – related to mental health and baby loss. WORKING WITH CLIENTS ONLINE, ARE YOU REALLY READY? AND ARE YOU SAFE? Due to the Covid19 pandemic it’s now become…
Montgomery & birth rights: what doulas should know
By Emma Ashworth What is Montgomery and how does it relate to birth rights? ‘Montgomery’ is critical to understanding our birth rights. It refers to a legal case, formally known as ‘Montgomery V Lanarkshire’, where Montgomery is Mrs Nadine Montgomery, and Lanarkshire is the Lanarkshire Health Board in Scotland. The case was brought after Mrs…
Birth and consent: the basics!
By Emma Ashworth Your baby… Your body… Your decisions! When we’re pregnant we are offered so many tests and checks, we’re poked and prodded and our bellies are listened to. We’re even told to “leave our dignity at the door”. But did you know that you have the absolute right to decide what happens to…
5 important things that might be stopping you getting more doula bookings
You’ve completed your Doula Course and your fabulous doula business is up and running! You’ve got yourself a fancy logo, lovely leaflets, a website and a Nurturing Birth Directory link. You’ve set up your Facebook page, registered your business with Google to get your SEO started and you tell all your friends and family about…
Video interview with Polly Hand, chiropractor
Sophie chats to chiropractor and Nurturing Birth doula, Polly Hand, about her work with pregnant women, babies and families, especially when it comes to breech or malpositioned babies. She discusses how she uses the Webster Technique amongst others to help babies move into an optimal position. Polly works with pregnant women and people to help…