#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.CHAPTERS00:38 - The origin story of the Birth Belongs to Women movement, and the state of the Doula and medical birthing industries07:26 - 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 climate15:37 - “Inclusivity” in birthing17:33 - 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 pressure25:50 - Many women have felt silenced or unable to speak their mind27:36 - Restoring the sacredness to the experience and tradition of birthing32:48 - Doula v Birth Worker and how centralized certification regimes effect the Doula tradition36:53 - 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 doulas40:29 - What women getting pregnant now most need to understand42:07 - Advice for women who want a doula but still need to give birth in a hospital46:25 - 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 mothers55:05 - The “scope” of a doula’s work, and allowing the mother to have room for her own spiritual journey56:25 - Healthy boundaries in doula work and why clients sometimes need to be turned down1:00:10 - The future of the doula space1:05:45 - Why there’s so much fear and dogma in the medical birthing systemCONNECT WITH BIRTH BELONGS TO WOMEN:Connect with Kallie here: instagram.com/kalliecatonConnect with Jessica here: instagram.com/jessiesvibeCONNECT 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/