The Doulaverse

I have learnt so much about myself, my capacities, my weaknesses, my strengths and about life in general from my doula work. In this episode I share just three things; staying the course, boundaries and going beyond what you ever thought was possible. Listen in to find out more. If you would like to engage in this magical incredible journey of doula work, then my doula training starts in 8 days –...

There are of course many things a doula does, so don’t be going thinking that these are the only five! This podcast came about as a result of five Insta reels I did during the last week on five of the ten things a doula “does”. Of course in the little reels you are limited to just 90 seconds, so you don’t get the opportunity to go into things in more depth; enter this podcast. So for a juicy versi...

In this episode I discuss who might be interested in becoming a doula, and I talk about my Comprehensive Doula Training Course in general and then with Emma Fitzsimons who did the Doula Training with me this year about her experiences doing the course as a pregnant person and effectively doula ing her self through it! Come and listen to the great chat! For more information on this year’s comprehen...

If you’ve been booked for a routine induction (or if you have requested one), consider why you are doing this. Is it because you want to ensure that your baby stays healthy and well, or is it because you want to reduce your risk of c section or is it because you are simply tired of being pregnant and you just want to meet your baby! Research shows routine induction of labour at 39 weeks offers no...

In this episode of the Doula Verse I look at the thoughts feeling and options when we have had a previous c section and then find ourselves pregnant again. It can be a tricky time and support is needed from the start to enable people to follow their hearts and make the best decision for them. Listen in to discover your options and what to do to find the best caregiver and experience for you on thi...

​Interpersonal racism shows up in biases for and against others based on race or ethnicity minority .status In contrast, institutional racism is embedded into the structures of our maternity care system. Institutional racism leads people of different races to have different outcomes from the majority. Listen in to find out why and how and what we can do to change things If you would like to suppor...

​Yesterday a judge in Ireland ruled that a  woman who lacked capacity because she had a delusional disorder; a vulnerable person,  could be forcefully sedated and have a forced c section against her will under General Anesthesia and would include intubation and a recovery in the ICU. The judge noted there was currently no risk to her life. The court reportage cited lack of attendance at...

​If you are Rh-negative, your red blood cells do not have a marker called Rh factor on them. Rh-positive blood does have this marker. If your blood mixes with Rh-positive blood, your immune system will react to the Rh factor by making antibodies to destroy it. This immune system response is called Rh sensitization. Rh sensitization can occur during pregnancy if you are Rh-negative and pregnant wit...

What you need to know 1. First time labours are about  23 hours. Second time labours are less than half that. 2. Most fast labours are in multipara mothers 3. Look for signs of labour progression; changes in position, changes in frequency of surges, change in demeanor, a latent “not sure ” phase can sometimes quickly develop into transition. If the waters have released with contractions then...

How often have we heard of people being told that they “failed to progress” because their labour was slow or stalled? How often do we hear of people being induced or augmented in our maternity services? We have been groomed as a society to believe in labour kicking along at a certain pace, that all labours whether first or second plus are the same and follow the same patterns and have the same bas...

No one can ever fully control birth, not the cosy APP promising you a candlelit waterbirth or the obstetrician who thinks that they have intervened early enough to mitigate every risk imaginable. Birth will always have unknowns and part of the work of preparation is to acknowledge that. One of the most important things we can do is get to know and trust ourselves as part of our preparation. Commun...

“I d like to have as natural a birth as possible”. This is how many pregnant first time mothers start their conversation with me. Then they go on to tell me that they are booked into a care pathway that has FTP induction rates of over 45% and similar FTP cesarean rates. More than likely they are booked in semi private because they have some health insurance or because their GP suggested it. It’s h...

This Podcast Episode is part 2 of two podcasts focusing on making a postnatal plan and was originally recorded as an Insta Live Episode on January 5th 2023. Your postnatal plan is as important as your birthing plan or preferences, if not more so! Your plan needs to focus on yourself, your baby and your other family members and cover issues such as your physical, emotional and mental well being aft...

This Podcast Episode is part 1 of two podcasts focusing on making a postnatal plan and was originally recorded as an Insta Live Episode on January 5th 2023. Your postnatal plan is as important as your birthing plan or preferences, if not more so! Your plan needs to focus on yourself, your baby and your other family members and cover issues such as your physical, emotional and mental well being aft...

What happens after you have a baby in those first hours days and weeks? This podcast was originally recorded as an Insta Live on January 4th 2003 and in it I talk about those first hours in hospital; who takes care of you, what happens and what procedures and interventions you might be offered. Then those first days in hospital how and from whom you get your care and what you are entitled to, and...

What is the postnatal period? It is 42 days following a live birth, a loss an abortion, an ectopic pregnancy or a stillbirth. However, most people find that it lasts a lot longer than 6 weeks. In fact some people find themselves still in the “postnatal” when expecting another baby! What happens? Our bodies, minds, emotions and more change. And it’s hard! We change because we are healing from one o...

Induction rates in Ireland and in many industrialized countries are soaring with many maternity units and hospitals having induction rates of over 45 – 50% for first time mothers. During the Christmas period these rates rise further to support administrative rostering in the maternity services. It would be a breath of fresh air if people were told that they were being offered induction due to staf...

his episode of the Doulaverse looks at the topic of Vaginal Birth After Caesarean Section and also of HBAC Home Birth After Caesarean Section. Both are available in Ireland, and both are vital to stop the incredible rise in our c birth rates and with that the rise in complications and issues associated with repeat c birth. I look at some of the figures firstly which I hope are not too confusing! T...

In this episode I start my journey with C birth. Not a lot of people know this but I was born by C birth! That makes me the ONLY person in my entire family line that was born by C birth and in fact was born in hospital. My mum and my dad and all my children were born at home. It's a heavy burden to carry! Like many people, my mother didn't plan a C birth but she was told during her labour that one...

Our induction rates are now heading towards 60% for first time parents with second time parents not far behind. What is medical induction of labour? What are the indications? What are the risks? How can you negotiate induction on your own terms? What part does your “due date” play in making you an induction candidate?. If induction is the right for you how is it done? Listen in to find out.

This podcast looks at why people choose homebirth, and why its a valid safe choice for many women and pregnant people. I also look at the three pathways to homebirth care in Ireland and what you get in terms of one to one care in each one.

Choices in our maternity care services. Are there any choices? Do you know what they are? Listen in to find out more. Want to support people in their choices? If so maybe Doula Training is for you?