Sometimes it seems to me that much of the world has firmly grasped the wrong end of the stick about doulas. I suppose us humans have quite a propensity to over-complicate and over-think things but in reality, this doula thing isn't so weird when you look at us in the same light as you Continue Reading
Why Doulas Matter: the book is born! (well, nearly)
So, some of you will know I've been writing a little book. It'll be little in size and word count - just 40,000-odd rambling words about what it has meant to me to be doula and what I have learned about how doulas make a difference. It's a little peek behind the scenes of our rather obsessive, crazy Continue Reading
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
The debilitating symptoms of PTSD are often mistaken for postnatal depression. Milli Hill investigates the causes of this trauma and what needs to be done to raise awareness and provide support for the parents Continue Reading
Because…by Maddie McMahon
Because birth isn’t like extracting a rotten tooth. Chemically, emotionally, it’s more like making love. Because when babies are born in fear and trauma, mothers are broken. Because women need to be treated with respect and love and be given choices. Because black mothers are more likely to die Continue Reading
Feminism and Birth, By Evony Lynch of Mamacafe
There’s a movement happening. #feministbirth. Birthworkers across the UK are joining forces to declare their feminism and what it means to them in their work with women. But what does it mean? Feminist come in all shapes and sizes and this one loves everyone – menincluded. I have two fab sons who Continue Reading
‘It’s not RAPE rape’, By Amity Reed
A flurry of reports on birth rape have prompted a backlash against women who use the term to describe their assault experiences. Amity Reed responds Amity Reed, 30 September 2010 Birth rape is not rape because: the intent was not likely malicious; you solicited the services of the midwife or doctor Continue Reading
Not a happy birthday
Threatened, intimidated, bullied, violated: this is hospital birth as many mothers experience it. Amity Reed reports on the little-recognised crime of birth rape Amity Reed, March 2008 When Lynsey* went into hospital to have her baby, she expected to leave a mother. After many hours of difficult Continue Reading
A Woman’s Wish List, by The Noble Savage
The first of a few articles by the wonderful Noble Savage, ex-Doula, Student Midwife and all round good egg. Give women absolute rights over their bodies and reproductive choices. This means allowing women as young as 25 to be sterilised if they do not wish to have children; granting Continue Reading
Books, Links and Resources
Reading, researching, learning and sharing.... I'll be adding in titles of books that may be useful here and links to their websites, if possible. The Food of Love' and 'Bump', by Kate Evans http://www.thefoodoflove.org/ Weblinks Breastfeeding Links Coping with Continue Reading
Why Just One Day?
This post is dedicated to all the amazing doulas I know who 'mother the mother', to every breastfeeding support worker I know and to every single mother I have ever supported - you are all incredible. One day? One day of the year we get. Just one. One day to appreciate, to thank, to hug to our Continue Reading