Doulas of the Roundtable

For doulas, fetal positioning and pelvic anatomy are topics most training programs introduce but don't fully explore. You were likely taught the four pelvic types. Did you know that classification system is almost a hundred years old and modern research tells us pelvic shape doesn't work that way. The pelvis has three distinct planes. The baby navigates all three through seven specific movements....

Most conversations about unassisted birth focus on the family's autonomy and the right to choose. This episode looks at the doula's side of that conversation. A doula who says yes to supporting an unassisted birth is making an autonomous choice too. And most of them are saying yes without understanding the potential legal, professional, and personal consequences that may come with it. There is no...

A doula business plan is something most doulas never think to create. Many assume it's for bigger businesses, investors, or bank loans. Truth is, it isn't. A business plan is the document that tells you whether your pricing makes sense, if the right clients can find you, and if what you're building will last. Without one, most doulas are making decisions without a solid business foundation to buil...

The phrases "Trust your body" and "Trust birth" are embedded in doula language and doula culture. Most of us have never stopped to question them. In this episode we look at how these phrases, used without knowing a client's history, can cause real harm.  The research on chronic conditions before and during pregnancy, birth trauma rates, and the connection between rising comorbidities and cesarean...

Why do cesarean rates keep rising and what does that actually mean for the families you support? We have to start by breaking down the cesarean rate conversation the birth world has been getting wrong. From the origins of the WHO 15% figure what it actually said, what it was designed to measure, and why we've been misapplying it for 40 years. We also need to understand to the difference between to...

Every doula has left a birth or ended a postpartum shift questioning whether their doula skills were actually effective. Nothing went wrong. The client was okay. But something wasn't received the way you intended and you couldn't stop thinking about it on the drive home. Most doulas push that feeling down and move on to the next client. Some spiral into self-criticism. Neither option builds skill...

Knowing how to get doula clients is one of the first real questions after training ends. And most new doulas are getting the same answer. Network with other doulas. Reach out to providers. Wait. That advice is well-intentioned. Most doula training does not effectively prepare you for what comes after it. How do the families who need you actually find you? Becoming a doula and building a doula busi...

The cascade of interventions is often taught like interventions are a row of dominoes. Pitocin leads to epidural. Epidural leads to cesarean. Once the first one is tipped, the rest will inevitably follow. That might sound logical at first. But it can also quietly teach fear and shape bias in the way doulas support clients. This conversation takes a hard look at this belief, the message it sends, a...

Supporting induction means knowing how to support what is actually happening. Many clients are scheduled without clear information about why, how induction begins, what options remain, or how long it may take. Then ripening takes a day or two, the plan changes, and disappointment builds because the expectation was unrealistic. This conversation puts induction back where it belongs: informed consen...

Doula tools can help, but they don't keep you grounded. A big birth bag can turn into a crutch when labor gets loud, space gets tight, and you feel pressure to find an immediate solution. Some doulas over-offer, over-talk, and reach for tools too fast. Then a client shushes them, moves their hands away, or rejects a comfort measure, and it feels personal. It isn't. It's feedback. Good support adju...

Core doula skills shape the whole room, not your bag of tricks. You do not build strong support by collecting more tools. You build it through presence, attunement, communication, and timing, in real time, with real clients. These skills show up when things feel tense. When plans change. When your client looks at you for answers you cannot give. When the room speeds up and you feel your own nervou...

Professional Identity shapes how clients experience you, especially when things get hard. It shows up under pressure. In the room. In the moments you do not get to rehearse. This conversation is not about branding or personality. It is about how you practice. In this episode, we talk through: Why skill alone does not create trust How stress reveals your default way of working Four common practice...

Confidence grows through action, not intention. Did you know that confidence as a process? You do not wake up with it. You build it by doing the work, taking a step of faith, and sometimes missing the mark. Confidence forms through experience, reflection, and repetition. It develops when you act, before you feel certain. Mistakes strengthen your judgment, and real growth happens when you keep show...

Readiness Is Not a Feeling In this episode, we talk about readiness and why waiting to feel confident keeps so many doulas stuck. Readiness is not a feeling. It is an action. We break down why readiness is built through experience, not certainty, and why fear does not mean you are unprepared. You'll hear why mentorship alone does not create confidence, how real growth happens through doing, and wh...

Doulas of the Roundtable wraps up season seven with a look back and a clear look ahead. In this episode, you hear our top ten most listened to episodes of all time and why these conversations continue to matter to doulas at every stage of practice. We also share an important update about the podcast. Eva will be stepping away from the show. We want to take a moment and honor Eva's voice, insight,...

Enjoy one of our most popular episodes to date.  What do you wish you knew before becoming a doula? This is a question that we see frequently from those considering birth work or those who have just entered the field. Working with growing families is the part of the work that most have at least a loose idea about. But when I think about what I wish I knew it's the practicalities that many often fa...

Many doulas feel pressure to bring a large bag of tools to each birth or postpartum shift. This pressure often leads to checklists and expectations. As a result, doulas may focus on doing instead of connection. This shift can weaken the attunement and emotional connection that shape strong doula support. True anticipation of client needs does not come from tools. Instead, it grows from presence an...

Informed consent is one of the most essential and often misunderstood aspects of pregnancy and birth care. To help unpack this important topic, we are joined by Hillary, better known as The Pregnancy Nurse®.* Hillary brings nearly two decades of experience as a labor and delivery nurse and has been supporting families in clinical settings since 1997. She has guided thousands of birthing parents in...

Supporting family and friends as a doula can be both rewarding and complex. The personal connection you share makes it easy to overstep boundaries, give unsolicited advice, or slip out of your professional role. Maintaining the balance between being a loved one and being a doula requires awareness, restraint, and compassion. It means stepping back from the more intimate role you usually play and i...

Doula work often takes us on unexpected paths, and Eva's journey is a perfect example of how growth and change can come full circle. Eva began her career as an independent contractor, supporting families through labor and postpartum. Over time, she became a doula trainer, sharing her knowledge and experience with others entering the profession. Eventually, she joined Angela as a business partner a...

Philanthropy and doula work are deeply connected. When your business is financially sustainable, you gain the freedom to give back in meaningful ways. Charging your worth does more than cover your expenses. It creates space to support your community through acts both big and small. Whether organizing diaper drives, quietly helping families in need, or donating resources to local organizations, a t...

It is common for partners to have different opinions about pregnancy, birth, or parenting. These differences can create tension, especially when decisions need to be made. As doulas, we play a vital role in navigating these situations with professionalism and care. It is important that we equip ourselves with strategies to support both individuals without taking sides. We can more effectively help...

Meal planning and preparation services can enhance the doula support options you provide to clients. However, doulas must consider regulations, logistics, and business implications before jumping in. Understanding the difference between meal planning and meal preparation is essential. Each service offers unique benefits for families. It is critical to understand the local cottage food laws and reg...

A dedicated office space for a doula business can bring professionalism, visibility, and a central hub for meetings and classes. It can also come with significant costs and added responsibilities. Understanding the pros and cons is essential before making the investment. Calculating the potential return on investment provides a clear picture of whether it is a worthwhile investment. It is importan...

Working with clients who hold status, whether they are medical providers, influencers, politicians, or public figures, can present unique opportunities and challenges for doulas. Supporting high-visibility clients while maintaining the same standards of care, boundaries, and intent you offer every other family may not come as easily as you think. While there are potential benefits of these connect...