So what the heck is a radical doula anyway? Good question. The answer to which is much of the reason I decided to start this blog. If you want to know more about how I started using the term, read this post.
But on to the more pressing issue at hand: what the hell am I talking about? Here are a few reasons why I identify as radical doula:
1) I’m a doula who is pro-choice. Thanks to Lynn Paltrow at NAPW, I realized that not everyone in the birth community agrees with me on this. Read more about the connections here and here.
2) I’m a doula who is queer, and identifies as gender non-conforming or genderqueer. The birth world is dominated by women, many of whom don’t share my beliefs about gender construction and who use essentializing language when talking about birth and gender. I try to push those boundaries, and also think about how queer parents are affected by these issues in different ways.
3) I’m a doula and I’m Latina. My parents are Cuban immigrants, and being part of an immigrant community in the US is important to me. I also try to use my bilingualism and cultural competency to work with Latina women and think about how their needs might be different. The birth activist world is often dominated by white women, and women of color and low-income women often have the least amount of access to alternative birth options. This needs to change, and I want to highlight the work of those who are trying to broaden access to alternative birth beyond those with privilege.
What I have come to realize is that this collection of politics/identities/ideas is kind of a surprising thing for other people who identify with some of these and not others. For example: some queer people and gender non-conforming folks might think its odd that I choose to work with women in labor (many of whom are straight and very female-identified). Other doulas would take issue with the fact that I am also an abortion rights advocate–quite a number of them are staunchly anti-choice. Same for the abortion advocates, many of them think birth activists are all earth-mama midwives who are super against them if they want an epidural. And the contradictions go on.
So came the impetus to begin this blog, as a space to bring many of these issues together, highlighting the connections and the contradictions.
Being a radical doula is also about wanting to expand doula services to women of many backgrounds. Unfortunately today the majority of women who receive doula care are women with resources, support and education about birth options. I call myself a radical doula because I want to dedicate my time to working with women who might not have access to these services otherwise. How do I think radical doulas can do this? By providing their services at a low cost or free (through volunteer programs) and also reaching out to immigrant communities, young women, women of color and incarcerated women. You can check out my Radical Doula Profiles page to see how other doulas are doing this.
These definitions will continue to evolve, as this blog and my ideas do. Maybe this will be a yearly exercise, to reflect the changing philosophy behind radical doula. Thanks for being part of this ride with me! Special thanks to all you doulas, midwives and birth activists who also identify with radical doula. The best part of having this blog has been connecting with you all, and I hope that more of you will email me (radicaldoula@gmail.com) so I can share your stories as well.
March 25, 2007 at 2:04 pm |
I am so happy you put this up! I too am a radical doula/midwife in training. I work in a county hospital in the midwest with all-low-income mothers, 99% of whom are of color. Latina, East African, West African, incarcerated mothers, addicts and well, all the other low-income moms of color who are deemed difficult, at risk, and less than, for more reasons than any of us can or should count. Though I work with some other amazing doulas I am frequently ( read:always) the only woman of color ( I am African American) in the room, let alone the bi, pro-choice woman in the room. I have one child and another on the way and as my journey of motherhood and birth professional continues I find my self though personally further from the place in my life where I might need to utilize my choice to terminate a pregnancy, more deeply pro-choice than ever before in my life, the idea that anyone would have to embark on this journey from government coercion, makes me dizzy with outrage. More deeply though I find that the link between the anti-choice anti-birth trends so insulting. For me the deep intuitive understanding of the conciousness of my baby as he approaches his birth clarifies for me that only women understand the choices they make, that they HAVE to make and to remove this from them in any aspect of their reproductive lives seems to fly in the face the precious gifts of sentience and spirit and the amazing power which we have.
Now I am not saying this to knock you but I was a doula before I had children and the experience of pregnancy and birth for me was a humbling one which gave me great insight I never would have had otherwise. For me it has completely changed my experience of birth support. ( I can share my birth story in another forum), but I have much more respect and room in my life for others experiences ad contributions to the “struggle” everywhere.
Keep up the great posts and thanks for putting it out there!
April 20, 2007 at 5:38 pm |
Hi, I love the site; and I love what you’re saying here…mostly.
I just want to caution you about putting people in a box that you yourself are trying to avoid,
you wrote:
Being a radical doula is also about wanting to work with a very particular group of birthing women–not the yuppie upper-middle class moms who think that having a midwife and a doula is trendy–but the women who really need the support.
And I completely respect your desire to work with women who need your services the most. I am a doula who does lots of volunteer work with women of every lovely shade. I am currently working pro bono with a wonderful mommy who just immigrated from the Philippians. But I find it condescending the way you assume that white upper/middle class women only hire doulas and midwives to be trendy. These women seek mother-friendly aternity care for the same reason all women do; because they have educate
Why would you draw lines to seperate yourself from any woman who is essencially ust like you…trying to protect her reproductive freedome and do what is in the best interest of her baby.
April 20, 2007 at 5:46 pm |
Oooops! My toddler just hit “submit” before I was ready! I’m still not used to his reach! Eeek, now you can see how bad my spelling is!
Anyway, I wanted to say, “These women seek mother-friendly maternity care for the same reason all women do; because they have educated themselves and have made a choice about what is in the best interest of their health and the health of their children.
Why would you draw lines to separate yourself from any woman who is essentially just like you…trying to protect her reproductive freedom and do what is right for her birth and her baby.
I agree that more needs to be done so that EVERY woman has the same opportunities for childbirth education, support, and other services. But can’t we do it in a way that unites us as women, not divides us by race and class.
April 25, 2007 at 8:03 pm |
Thanks for the comments Rebecca. I agree with much of what you say–and really just seek to push the doula community to make efforts to extend their care to different communities. In an ideal world, ALL women would have the support they need. But the reality is that resources are limited, and I for one want to try and give that support to women who lack it in many areas of their lives.
You’re right, its not just about race and class, but unfortunately due to the institutional and structural racism in our society, those two things can have an HUGE impact on women’s access to services, particularly when it comes to “luxuries” like midwifery and doula care.
July 30, 2007 at 9:44 pm |
So wrong that midwifery and doula services are seen as luxuries — when, in fact, they are much less expensive than “traditional” prenatal care, with its epidurals, inductions, c-sections, three-day postpartum hospitalizations, etc.
Our insurance plan doesn’t have *any* midwives “in network”, and they’re going to be hearing a lot from me when my wife is pregnant again (hopefully in a few months).
August 2, 2007 at 2:03 pm |
I came across your blog through Google and when I read this post I was so moved. I’m studying to become a doula and lactation consultant and I intend to work with women who struggle with drug and alcohol addiction, woman who are incarcerated, young single mothers and women who are or have been in abusive relationships simply because I see a greater need in these women. I feel my efforts can best be used to aid women such as these rather than women who might have more intact support systems. I have seen firsthand how these women can fall between the cracks and their children fall with them. I know that when I am done training and begin to gain experience I will be providing them with the care and support they need to feel empowered and capable.
Much of what you said resonates with me… I’ll be proud to some day consider myself a radical doula!
February 24, 2008 at 10:47 pm |
Stumbled to your site.
I have felt drawn to become a midwife for a while, but I haven’t felt secure about my identities and goals. I am glad to know that there are “D: None of the above” in this field. Might just be the push I need.
March 4, 2008 at 4:19 pm |
Howdy,
Just wanted to say hey, stumbled across your blog today and clicked around and found this post. I have been kicking around the idea of studying to be a doula or midwife for a while now, and I kind of wondered if there were other lesbians out there working in the field….I suppose there would have to be but having never met one, I had to wonder.
Great blog, thanks!
March 5, 2008 at 1:19 am |
Very nice blog, I’m actually with my wife in the hospital now waiting for induction to take hold, wishing I’d found your site sooner. I am very for having a doula for our second child.
March 29, 2008 at 10:37 am |
[...] Perez, author of the Radical Doula Blog and contributor to Jessica Valenti’s Blog, Feministing lead a discussion about starting out [...]
May 4, 2008 at 10:21 pm |
Yea for queer, radical doulas! My partner gave birth at home with 2 awesome midwives on April 9th and I’m always glad to meet someone else spreading the word about how empowering and positive birth can be…
May 30, 2008 at 4:55 pm |
[...] Radical doula??? [...]
June 18, 2008 at 3:55 pm |
I love your blog! Keep the honesty coming. I’m down to motivate for a movement in the birthing world.
June 22, 2008 at 6:15 pm |
[...] You Doula? While at work riding the 3 p.m. Internet wave, I came across a fantastic blog, Radical Doula. As is my habit from 3-4 p.m., I promiscuously hop from blog to blog unwilling to commit to any in [...]
November 10, 2008 at 3:57 pm |
Many blessings Radical Doula ! ! !
I have been a doula for over two decades and have always been a “radical” voice within the birthing community. So much so, that I struggle with whether or not I should “shift” my perspective.
Try as I might, I always comeback to the “root of the thing”, which is the definition of radical, after all .
Accurate, evidence based information and practices tempered with the ability to
hold the space for individual beliefs has been paramount in my work.
The issues you speak of have always been apart of the philosophy I am compelled to abide by.
Some years ago I spearheaded a leaderless, cooperative group that was going to be referred to as “The Radical Doula Group ” – what else – but knew that I did not want to create a sharp division between the doulas. The Metropolitan Doula Group had just been formed and I envisioned working toward edifying the doula community not breaking it apart yet always found myself the “black sheep” amongst them.
As we continued to think out the idea of a radical doula group, we realized the issues we wanted to bring to the fore were not only birth related topics.
The idea then became broader in its scope.
Now having decided birth would not be the only issue, I felt comfortable launching plans for the group to move forward.
One of our first meetings concerned itself with “Fertility Awareness” and “Menstrual Extraction”, others were “Sex and Sexuality” others planned were Body Image, Healing Abuse/Molestation, Death and Dying.
We spoke of death doulas and abortion doulas, I had experienced providing support during both events and saw the use in providing support such as this.
Our group was known as the “Coalition Upholding Natural Teachings” aka CUNT.
As you can see, what you are moving towards resonates deeply with me.
Work such as you are embarking upon is of great importance and inspires me not to struggle against myself in that which soulfully moves me to uphold.
Mid-comment I contacted another of the core “CUNT” members, who by the way has a very similar doula ” bio” to yours !
I shall , indeed, look forward the unfolding of this endeavor.
Peace, Playful Mischief & Joyful Chaos To You ;o)
November 17, 2008 at 1:04 am |
these discussions are so great — thank you!
Radical Doula, Rebecca and Graveflower, you give me so much confidence in setting high goals for my own path as a doula, and maybe-one-day-midwife.
December 30, 2008 at 8:55 pm |
I love the things you are posting, both here and over at feministing. When I became pregnant I immediately began looking for a midwife and/or doula, whom sadly it seems in my state are dying arts. Also found that NEITHER insurance plan I am covered under will foot even a portion of the bill, making midwifery truly a luxury for me, as you have noted. And maybe I’m just not finding the right sites, but seriously, most pregnancy/birthing sites are annoying and frivolous IMHO. But here, I’m finding useful, thought-provoking issues. I need all the support I can get, as being a pregnant, pro-choice, gay-affirming, anti-war voice in a military town is not the easiest road.
thanks.
January 11, 2009 at 5:27 pm |
Wow! So glad to have found your blog and be sharing the doula community with your boldness and commitment to pushing class, racial, and gender boundaries. Anything dividing us must dissolve. I really enjoyed the posts, and constructive feedback. Great feedback! This is what it is all about, Woman coming together to talk about our health and rights. I wanted to invite you to check out a blog I am going to be heading up a “holistic hood” column in. I am a multiracial doula, herbal practitioner, and mama, so ALot! of pertinent issues will be discussed.
http://blkgrl.com/blog/
Namaste ~ keep shining sisters.
April 7, 2009 at 12:47 am |
Hi Radical Doula -
I am just getting into doulaing, and I have been disappointed with the overall lack of understanding of laboring and birthing as an issue of social justice (in the birthing community of Southern CA). Everything you wrote above, and some of the comments here really resonate with my beliefs. I would love to meet with other like minded birth community folks in Southern Calfornia or perhaps longer term, meeting up at a conference. Please email me if you think this is something you or your colleagues would be interested in. toijeancarter@gmail.com
thanks so much for the blog.
April 8, 2009 at 12:15 am |
I had the blessing of a free doula for my first birthing experience. As it did not follow my *birth plan* HAH her attendance and assistance was greatly appreciated. She was *re-upping* her certification, plus doing some training- therefore I was free… she helped me save myself from an unneeded *emergency* c-section… she also helped my husband learn to trust in himself- he was an awesome birth partner for our second grrl…
April 15, 2009 at 9:45 pm |
Thank you, Miriam! Your words have transformed my fear into hope and, hopefully, action. I am a woman-centered women’s reproductive rights activist. I am pro-choice, have had an abortion, and volunteered as an abortion patient advocate. Now, I am in the process of adopting my first child and training to become a volunteer birth doula. I hope to study midwifery in the future as well.
I have kept most of what is seemingly conflicting inside and not shared my midwifery/doula plans with my pro-choice friends and vice versa. I have allowed fear of the conflict to silence my wholeness, but you are not silent and for that I thank you.
Also, as a woman of color, I am so proud and happy to find that there are other Radical Doulas out there. Perhaps, our community will grow. With each one of us, we do. Thank you for all that you have written. Keep it up.
Katiti
April 20, 2009 at 9:41 am |
[...] Radical doula??? [...]
November 16, 2009 at 9:16 pm |
You’re amazing! Keep spreading your positive love and the nay-sayers will come around eventually (begging for you to take them in LOL)!
Blessings
Jessica Eleven
January 7, 2010 at 12:45 pm |
Dear Radical Doula,
I thank you so much for all you have written, and inspired others to write. I am particularly impressed with your well taken and well articulated response to the other Rebecca–such grace and maturity, which is good for me to remember is still radical. Thanks for putting this honesty and energy out into the world.
January 24, 2010 at 10:25 pm |
Having just ‘discovered’ your site I am totally in awe and inspired by you as a fellow Doula. Here in NZ midwives are predominantly our Lead Maternity Carers, working autonomously. This leaves little room for Doulas but there are gaps in the system where I can see that I will be of use. I consider myself to be an anti-doula Doula – I support both breast/bottle feeding, I cater for women who have homebirths, hospital birth or c-sections, if they want drugs then they can gosh darned well have them. Having given birth twice myself it’s no walk in the park going through 4 days of labour and to me, it’s the womans choice – and I’m there to support that.
Keep up the great work!
January 25, 2010 at 10:17 am |
Thanks so much blossomingbabesdoula! I really appreciate the kind words.
I hear what you are saying about your doula work–but I don’t think that’s anti-doula! Doula’s are meant to support women in figuring out what kind of birth THEY want, and then making sure they have that. It doesn’t include judgements or ideology about what a good birth looks like. Keep it up!
February 3, 2010 at 1:36 pm |
Hi Miriam,
I am too a radical feminist doula living in South America. I work with women of all social strata and also see how they are discriminated, not only and always for skin color, but definetely for what they can financially offer. I am starting a community doula program and I hope to involve as many women of all ages. Ideally becoming a doula will teach us all to gain our commmunity back. I`d love to keep in touch with you and learn more about your work.
All the best,
Morella