Doula School Canada

Tag: postpartum doula

  • Respecting All Life: Reflections on International Holocaust Remembrance Day and National Day of Remembrance and Action Against Islamophobia

    Respecting All Life: Reflections on International Holocaust Remembrance Day and National Day of Remembrance and Action Against Islamophobia

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1706563078413{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]That horrible day in 2017 when for no reason other than hate a 6 Muslim Canadians were killed at a Mosque in Quebec is still haunting. In a society that claims to love peace, equality, and freedom, the level of hate that spawned this horrific attack should never have been able to arise. What’s almost as haunting is that in the intervening 7 years, we’ve learned very little about the thinly veiled hate that is clearly pervasive in this country because we haven’t learned how to have an ongoing, brave discussion about it.

    This year, Holocaust Remembrance Day (Jan. 25) and National Day of Action Against Islamophobia fall as a very deadly conflict in Israel-Palestine has raged on for over 100 days. While Jewish and Muslim Canadians are no more complicit in the conflict than any other Canadians, they have been forced to endure an unprecedented increase in hate-motivated attacks against them. I wish I was more surprised.

    We’re too polite to talk about hate until people are getting killed, and by then it’s too late. We hold the guilty party accountable when the van attack and similar crimes happen, but we don’t hear the call to examine the society that created the van attack.

    As birthworkers, we see and snuggle many brand-new babies. Every single one is special and they all deserve to grow up and live the lives they create for themselves based on the values that were cultivated in childhood. The presence of hate in the world makes this right impossible to realize for all children, so hate must be eradicated.

    To our Israeli, Jewish, Muslim, and Palestinian alumni and audience, we know this has been an unbearably distressing last few months within your communities here in Canada and internationally. As birthworkers in your communities, you have had to process your own feelings while supporting birthers in your community who are under incredible strain. We know that extreme stress can contribute to complicated pregnancies and challenging outcomes. We see the vital work you are doing in your communities at this time and we are continuing to extend our compassion and support.

    As doulas, we will continue to shine a light on hate in the healthcare system, institutions, communities, and ourselves. Only when hate is diligently brought out into the open and swept away can we have communities where all life is truly respected and it is safe for all children to grow. 

    If you are looking for guidance on how you can support your community and access support for yourself at this difficult time, please visit our blog post “Our Hearts Are With You” from November 10, 2023. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”534490″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1706554746991{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Keira Grant (she/her) Inclusion and Engagement Lead – Racialized Communities

    Keira brings a wealth of experience to the Online Community Moderator role. She is a Queer, Black woman with a twenty-year track record in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) education, projects, and community building initiatives.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Facilitating Accountability

    Facilitating Accountability

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1706107261056{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]As birth workers, we often see things or hear things from our clients that should not have happened. It could be an ultrasound tech sharing an interpretation that is later contradicted by their primary care provider, causing the patient confusion and anxiety. It could be membrane sweeps, AROMs, or episiotomies performed without the client’s consent. Or nurses disclosing information to family members while the client is unconscious, leaving the patient to receive a broken telephone story from their family later. 

     

    These incidents range from irritations to serious breaches of practice standards, and things are more likely to “just go wrong” for systemically marginalized people. Clients are usually at a loss as to how to seek accountability or believe they can do nothing to address the harm they’ve experienced. 

     

    Some may be aware of complaints processes that exist, but concerns about outcomes on either end of the spectrum – nothing will happen, or the worker will get fired – are often a deterrent. And of course, our clients who have just had babies or experienced a loss may simply not have the time and energy to engage with a complaints process.

     

    In truth, there are far more opportunities to address what happened than most people think. Speaking up can lead to many positive outcomes, including a faster return to well-being for the client, and learning and improved practice on the part of the care provider. The processes focus on restorative justice, learning, and growth, rather than punishing the provider.  There is an understanding that the vast majority of workers in the healthcare system care about people and want to help. The options outlined below are suitable depending on the context and seriousness of what happened.

     

    Speaking with the Care provider directly

    For my clients who decide to speak up about their experience, this is usually the option they go with. This is especially true of midwifery clients who have an ongoing relationship with their care provider. 

     

    We can support clients in this process by clarifying the concerns and rehearsing the conversation to make sure key points are captured and that the client feels empowered to self-advocate. 

     

    I’ve seen improved treatment relationships and greater client well-being arise from these conversations. Especially in the case of complex births, creating a safe environment to debrief the experience with the provider is essential. Debriefing a traumatic birth with the care provider is a protective factor against birth trauma.

     

    Engaging the Care Team

    If multiple people are involved in a client’s care, sometimes a care provider with whom the client has a positive relationship can be a liaison between them and a provider with whom the client is having challenges. For example, in the case of the oversharing ultrasound tech mentioned above, it might be appropriate for the midwife or OB’s clinic to reach out to the ultrasound clinic to let them know about the impact this had on a client. This leverages the clinics’ mutually supportive relationship that should incorporate giving and receiving constructive feedback. 

     

    Patient Relations and other “in-house” processes

    Talking with the provider directly isn’t always the right option. This is especially likely to be true in a dynamic where the client felt intimidated or belittled by the provider, such as a discriminatory incident. Our debriefs with clients can explore their level of comfort with the various options.

     

    Depending on the setting in which the care took place, there is usually an internal process for raising concerns. For example, most hospitals have a patient relations department that can work with you to resolve issues. There is often a mechanism for the hospital to anonymize information raised with the provider. Staff within patient relations will investigate the complaint and decide on the best way to address it. This could include seeking an apology from the care provider, supporting them to learn from what happened, or more serious action depending on the nature of the complaint.

     

    Regulatory Body

    Suppose a client has a serious concern about someone involved in their care who is a member of a regulated health profession. In that case, they have the option of filing a complaint with the care provider’s regulatory body. In Ontario, these regulatory bodies are called “Colleges”. They may be called “Boards” or “Associations” in other places.  If you’re unsure of the system where you live, I recommend searching for “regulated health profession [your province/state]” and finding out more about health professional regulation where you live, especially for the professions providing perinatal healthcare, such as nursing, midwifery, medicine, pharmacy, and diagnostic imaging.  

     

    Professional regulatory bodies fulfill a range of functions including setting educational requirements, registering members, setting professional standards, and investigating complaints and reports. 

     

    Anyone can go to the College with a complaint about one of their members. When health professionals work in settings where they have oversight, such as a hospital or clinic, management is legally required to report certain types of information to the regulator. It’s one of the reasons why it’s always best to take the complaint somewhere internal first. 

     

    A range of things can happen, such as a letter with recommendations, reflection exercises and activities to support professional development, and a meeting with an expert in an area where more learning is needed. In some instances, the regulator may take no action. In some situations, the College can pursue an internal prosecution of the member. Again, a range of outcomes is possible, including having their license to practice their profession removed. This outcome is very infrequent.

     

    Complaints Commissioner, Ombudsman, etc.

    Provinces in Canada have arms-length government bodies that ensure the quality of public services such as healthcare. In Ontario, complaints regarding healthcare can be taken to the patient ombudsman. In Quebec, complaints can be made with the Complaints Commissioner. This 2022 case study explored the advocacy potential of many individuals accessing this complaints process. In 2019, “Obstetric violence” became a focus of media attention in Quebec due to a series of articles published in La Presse about experiences during childbirth, including inappropriate comments, procedures performed without consent, and being separated from babies. In the weeks following these publications, the Complaints Commissioner received an influx of complaints that spoke to a systemic pattern. The Commissioner is well placed to liaise with government policymakers and she produced a report with recommendations aimed at improving perinatal care. This led to several outcomes, including workshops for service providers on communication, information sharing, and consent.

     

    “It’s me, hi! I’m the problem. It’s me”

    Transparency with our clients about accountability includes making sure they know what their options are if they have concerns about us! Keeping the lines of communication open so they feel comfortable coming to us with concerns is ideal. If a client has a concern about a certified doula or perinatal educator that can’t be worked out, the client can go to their certification organization. In Ontario, If clients have concerns about how their personal information was used or shared, they can file a complaint with the privacy commissioner.

     

    Seeking accountability has the potential to be healing and empowering for clients, while providing a learning opportunity for the client. When working with diverse humans at a sensitive time, hearing critical feedback compassionately and receptively is integral to our ability to grow in our practice. It may not always feel great in the moment, but if we reflect honestly on constructive feedback, it can be a wonderful catalyst for deepening our practice.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”534490″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1706107304539{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Keira Grant (she/her) Inclusion and Engagement Lead – Racialized Communities

    Keira brings a wealth of experience to the Online Community Moderator role. She is a Queer, Black woman with a twenty-year track record in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) education, projects, and community building initiatives.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Where Can My Doula Career Take Me?

    Where Can My Doula Career Take Me?

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1694438520551{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]As unregulated health care professionals, a doula’s role involves advocacy, education, counselling, collaboration and negotiation to provide physical, emotional and informational support to individuals and families across the full spectrum of their reproductive choices. This role relies on a comprehensive set of skills and knowledge. With the foundation of your doula experience and education you can choose to grow your career path in many different directions. 

    So let’s talk about some career options that complement each other. 

    Lactation Consultant or IBCLC 

    These are two different avenues of support. 

    A Lactation Consultant/ Educator works with families from preconception through the stage of weaning offering education, encouragement, counseling, an experienced point of view, and fostering confidence, and a commitment to body feeding. Lactation Educators can be found working in a variety of settings to offer their services to families. Families can find them working as public health educators, WIC peer counselors, hospital/community educators, pediatric support professionals, and in private practice as educators. You can find certifications online for these programs. 

    An International board-certified lactation consultants (IBCLC) is an allied healthcare professional who specializes in caring for bodyfeeding parents. They’re qualified to treat common nursing problems along with more serious conditions such as mastitis and clogged milk ducts. Lactation consultants most often support parents in how to increase milk supply, find the best nursing position, and manage breastfeeding pain. IBCLCs are held to strict standards. To be accredited, they must complete 90 hours of training, 300 to 1,000 hours of clinical experience, and extensive health sciences coursework. An accredited lactation consultant must also recertify every five years and continue their education.

    Prenatal Fitness Instructor

    As a Prenatal & Postnatal Fitness Instructor, you can help educate and train clients in all stages of pregnancy – before, during, and after – about what is safe for them and, conversely, what should be avoided to help protect the health of both the gestational parent and baby. Furthermore, fitness training is a fun way to meet new clients and get to know them in a positive environment. Prenatal fitness certifications are available both online and in-person. Take a look in your area to see what works best.

    Perinatal Counsellor

    Perinatal counselling provides emotional support and treatment for individuals (and couples) who are having a difficult time adjusting to pregnancy and parenthood, who are experiencing a perinatal mood or anxiety problem, or who are experiencing both. Some of this work can naturally overlap with a client’s pregnancy and birth journey. If you really enjoy the counseling and support side of birth work you may want to become a psychotherapist or mental health professional. You can find certification courses through college or university or through private vocational training schools. 

    Birth Photographer

    If you have a creative eye, you can capture the moments of birth for clients on camera. A few of our alumni have combined their creativity with a love of birth. You can either work solely as a Birth Photographer, documenting the pregnancy journey and birth. Or you can have photography as an additional service available through your doula work. It depends what you’re comfortable with and how you’d like to structure your business. Each client is different and you’ll want to work with them to understand what their goals are and what kind of pictures they’re looking for. The great thing about this career path is a relatively low barrier to entry. If you already have a love of photography and a camera you can get started. Alternatively, there are a variety of photography courses available both online and in person.

    Midwife

    A healthcare professional that assists with the labour and delivery of a new baby. Midwifes are experts in low risk pregnancy and birth, providing care to patients and delivering the baby. In the case where there are concerns or complications, a midwife can transfer care to a physician if needed. A midwife is different from a doula, in that they are a trained medical professional who can deliver a baby. A doula is trained to provide physical, emotional, and informational support to clients. However, a doula is not a medical professional. A question we see a lot at Doula School is does a client benefit from having a midwife AND a doula – the answer is yes! They both provide very important services to clients, and many people find it helpful to have both. Training to be a midwife typically takes between 3 and 4 years, depending on the program and its requirements.

    Labour & Delivery Nurse

    They work as main points of support for OBGYNs, monitoring of patient vitals, administering medication, and establishing communication with expectant parents. Once a baby is born, the L&D Nurse acts as an informational resource to parents, to monitor neonatal vitals, to ensure the birthing person isn’t experiencing postpartum complications. Nursing degrees can vary depending on where you are located, however they typically take 3-4 years.

    Whatever path you decide to take, know you have a foundation of knowledge that will help carry you through. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • The Magic of Postpartum Support

    The Magic of Postpartum Support

    [vc_row][vc_column][mk_padding_divider][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1679838820005{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]You’ve given birth and become a parent but it can feel like there is no time for recovery. The focus shifts almost entirely to your baby and your own needs can get sidelined. It’s exciting but also overwhelming and exhausting, both physically and emotionally. And just when new parents are at their most vulnerable, their babies take centre stage.

    There are a lot of things about the postpartum period that you can’t control: how feeding will go, how your baby sleeps, your hormone fluctuations, etc. But you CAN prepare a great support system and a postpartum doula is an important part of that. Having access to a postpartum doula relieves a lot of stress so you can focus on the important business of bonding with your baby. If you haven’t worked with a doula before, it can be pretty hard to grasp what it is exactly that doulas do. And while birth doulas have been gaining in popularity, postpartum doulas are still a mystery to most expecting parents.

    So what magic does a postpartum doula offer?

    A postpartum doula helps you build community. The saying, “It takes a village” is true, a postpartum doula will help you rally family, friends and neighbours to feed you and your family nutritious food, supply solicited (and unsolicited) advice, and take care of older siblings. If support is in short supply they will work with you to find the places in the community that you can lean into to build your new postpartum community.

    A postpartum doula helps build your confidence. Whether it be in feeding, or newborn care, when you have someone there to affirm that your choices are actually right on track, you start to believe in and trust yourself and your observations about your baby.

    A postpartum doula supports your whole family. Partners who have doulas learn skills earlier and are more able to take on care of their infant alone earlier. Grandparents who have doulas around learn to care for new parents in a gentle and supportive way, able to use their instincts and experience in a way that supports their choice. Siblings gain another supportive adult to tend to their needs and help them bond with the baby and have time with their parents one on one.

    A postpartum doula is well-versed in normal newborn behaviour and appearance, and normal postpartum healing. They can’t diagnose medical issues or mental health issues, but they can point out things that don’t seem normal to them so that parents can get an opinion from the appropriate professional.

    A postpartum doula can help parents interpret those newborn cries—and the reflexes, body language, and other sounds that accompany newborn life! This is hugely empowering to parents who desperately want to know what is going on in that new little person.

    A postpartum doula knows the importance of postpartum planning and will help you sort through what you need, the support you have and will need to have and how to navigate those early weeks and months with the new baby. ( check out our postpartum planning guide below)

    A postpartum doula can work with you during the day or overnight. Some postpartum doulas offer one or the other and others offer a mix of both.

    A postpartum doula is trained to recognize the difference between the typical “baby blues” and something more serious, like postpartum depression or anxiety. They can observe the new parent’s behaviour and determine if there may be a cause for concern, and as an impartial, objective third party they can provide a sounding board for her when they are ready to share their feelings.

    A postpartum doula understands the need for the family’s care to be well-rounded; it is important that both their physical AND emotional needs are met. This vigilance truly is the first line of defence against postpartum mental health issues.

    The postpartum period is a time of great transition, a time when people become parents, where they get to know themselves and their baby in this beautiful and challenging time. A primary goal of a doula is to meet a pregnant or postpartum person where they’re at. To find what is most important and most needed for you and your family.

    Want your postpartum period to be calmer, do you want to feel more confident, bond more deeply with your baby? Hire a postpartum doula today![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][mk_padding_divider][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1679838899311{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Our postpartum wellness plan is all about creating the space for you and your family to discuss and plan for the transition that is parenthood. To gather your commulity and bond with your baby.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_btn title=”Download the Postpartum Wellness Plan here ” color=”turquoise” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fstefanie-techops.wisdmlabs.net%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F03%2Fpostpartum-care-plan.pdf|target:_blank”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Interested in becoming a doula? What is holding you back?

    Interested in becoming a doula? What is holding you back?

    [vc_row][vc_column][mk_padding_divider][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1678112925784{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]There are a lot of myths and misconceptions out there about doula work. You have to be “crunchy”, have your own children, your too young or too old. I am here to tell you not a single one of those things is relevant to doula work.

    I began my doula journey well before I had kids when I was working a full-time job and was looking for something to reignite my passion. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do but I wanted to do something with babies.

    So I signed up for a training course, drove 3 hours to take it, stayed in a sketchy motel and left feeling equal parts inspired and overwhelmed. Taking on something new is scary. Fear is one of life’s biggest paralyzers. All of us are afraid of failing, afraid of change, and transitions to something new often feel impossible.

    My journey to birth work was not speedy. I took my time. Took in the learning, and made small changes, it took me almost 5 years to dive into birthwork full-time. Deciding to take a course you are passionate about is the beginning, it’s a step forward, not a deep dive.

    Often a barrier to taking that step is the fear of not knowing how to do it. Worrying about not knowing how to do it is a waste of time. Instead, learn how to. Set up an informational interview with other doulas in your area. Ask how they got started and if they have any tips for going forward. If you align with their values and style ask if they are willing to be your mentor.

    Also, get to know your training organization. Set up a consultation with the training program you are interested in. Ask all the questions. In fact, check a few out and go with the one that you feel most inspired by.

    When I signed up for the doula course at first I was not sure I could afford it but in reality, with a little planning, I made it work. If you are questioning whether you can afford it. Ask yourself: When will you have enough money? Even if you win the lottery, will that be enough money for you to follow your dreams? What changes can you make to your income to set a little aside to take the course? Is there a grant you can access or funding? Do you have a family member or friend who will support your dream with a loan or gift? Nothing is impossible with a little ingenuity.

    Lastly, time. It’s on everyone’s minds. How will you make the time? We all have incredibly busy lives and are exhausted and overwhelmed. However, making time for something you love means making the time, even if it starts with 15 minutes a day it’s the first step. Remind yourself that if you’re busy now, you’ll probably continue to be busy later, so set aside time for your dreams today.

    So my potential doula. What is holding you back?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][mk_padding_divider][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1678113462893{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]About the author.

    Sondra is the Program Coordinator for DTC and a mother of 2, a full-time doula and a counsellor. She has a passion for teaching new doulas how to build a life and business that works best for them. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Supporting Disabled Parents

    Supporting Disabled Parents

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1754426425616{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Welcoming a new person into your home and the world is always an emotional and life-changing experience with so much joy, but also many challenges and adjustments. Imagine navigating all of the usual challenges, when additionally you can’t hear your baby’s cries, see if they are too hot or too cold, or don’t have the mobility to do diaper changes or easily lift your baby.

    This is a reality for many new parents, and it’s a reality we don’t see reflected in popular culture or in services and support for new parents. Disabled people are rarely depicted in parenting roles, despite the fact that 1 in 8 birthing people identifies as having a disability. One of the features of ableism is that disabled people are infantilized and not seen as sexual beings. As a result of these stereotypical and inaccurate beliefs, disabled people are assumed to not be parents. 

    Additionally, until well into the 20th century, disabled people existed in a climate of eugenics, where many disabled people were unnecessarily advised not to reproduce and in some instances, sterilized against their will.

    Even today, many disabled people report that they are discouraged from childbearing, and given inaccurate or misleading information about the impact of their disability on their fertility or ability to child bear. 

    There is a growing body of research that shows that perinatal care providers are woefully uninformed or misinformed about the needs of disabled pregnant people. Just finding a clinic with an accessible exam room and other disability accommodations can be challenging and severely limit provider choice. Physicians and midwives are not trained on the needs of disabled patients and they themselves report that they feel insecure providing care to disabled patients. 

    For parents who need assistance with newborn care, funded options are limited. In Ontario, there is a program called the Nurturing Assistance program. This program provides access to a support worker who can provide neonatal care under the parent’s direction, while the parent is present and involved in care. Support like this empowers parents to bond with their newborn while receiving assistance on their terms with the tasks that their disability limits them from performing. 

    While Nurturing Assistance is an excellent resource, there are many challenges with the current program. Firstly, only individuals who meet the criteria for the self-directed funding program are eligible for nurturing assistance. This means people who do not need a support person for their own activities of daily living, but who do need assistance with newborn care are not eligible for funding. As a result, only a small proportion of disabled parents in Ontario can receive support from this program. 

    Further, the support is usually provided by Personal Support Workers, often through agencies where the disabled parent is already receiving support. Personal Support Workers do not receive training on neonatal care and are often unwilling to accept such assignments or struggle to provide adequate support.

    Disabled parents who do not qualify for the Nurturing Assistance program must pay for a support person out of pocket if this accommodation is needed. 

    Whether the support person is paid out of pocket or through public funding for the rare families who qualify, support from a postpartum doula is an excellent way for disabled parents to receive nurturing assistance. More disabled parents need to be aware that trained support from postpartum doulas is available, and that funding from the Nurturing Assistance program can be used to hire doulas. Doulas need to be competent and comfortable providing support to disabled parents. They are key members of the parenting community who can truly benefit from the skills we bring to the table.

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