Finally I can talk about this project, which has been in the works for what feels like years!
I decided that since it’s been five years of running this blog, I’m ready to take my work to the next level. Enter: The Radical Doula Guide.
Month: February 2012
Five years of Radical Doula
Yesterday was my fifth anniversary of starting this blog, and writing the post, “a new blog is born…” I’m still embarrassed that I used a birth pun, but well, there you have it. I had so little idea what this site would become when I started it in 2007–I had so little idea what a blog was even.
The inspiration came from a conference that Lynn Paltrow and the National Advocates for Pregnant Women hosted in 2007, which brought together birth activists (doulas, midwives, consumers) and pro-choice advocates. It was groundbreaking for me and my career, and deserves credit for much of what I do now.
During that conference I introduced myself as a “radical doula.” Through that gathering I also met a few women who had small feminist blogs, as well as Jessica Valenti from Feministing. That led to a guestpost at Feministing about being a radical doula. The comments on that post inspired me to start this blog.
472 posts and 914 comments later, I feel so much gratitude for everyone who has contributed to making this community what it is. The many many readers, commenters, people who email me to say they like what I do. The 33 (!) doulas in my radical doula profile series.
I didn’t start this blog because I wanted a career as a writer or public speaker (although I’m beyond psyched that that is what occurred). I started this blog because I felt alone in the doula world. I felt alienated in the birth activist community because of my identity and my politics.
Today what I am grateful for is that I no longer feel alone. I actually feel surrounded, both online and off, with people who have a similar passion for doula work and birth activism, and have the politics to bring alongside it.
So thank you, sincerely. We’re an amazing community.
I’m using my anniversary year to get some Radical Doula related projects going that have been neglected for a long time, so stay tuned. Later this week I’ll be launching a really exciting first step.
If you want the details first, you can join my email list.
Join my email list
A new way for you to stay in touch with my work, on and off Radical Doula. I’m launching an email list, which I will use to sparingly update folks about my work–recent articles, blog posts I want to highlight, and events. I’ll email no more than twice a month, and promise not to sell, rent or otherwise share your email.
If you’re interested, you can sign up here. I’ve got some exciting new projects in the works. Trust me, you want to be in the loop!
Note: This is distinct from the tool in the sidebar of Radical Doula that allows you to sign up for every new blog post to be emailed to you. Both are great, just different!
Updated doula trainings and volunteer programs pages
These resources are in constant development and improvement! Thanks to everyone who has emailed with new program and training links.
I updated the Doula Trainings page recently, added a few new programs and improved the formatting. This page is just meant as a one stop quick overview of the doula training programs out there, so soon to be doulas can start their research. If you know of trainings I haven’t included, email me! Also if you have experience with one of the programs listed, and want to talk about your experience in a guest post, I’d love that. Email me.
The Volunteer Programs page is meant as a resource for doulas looking for volunteer opportunities. A few people emailed me to say they themselves offer low-fee or volunteer doula services, which is awesome, but this page is meant for volunteer programs that doulas can join in order to provide volunteer doula services.
Thanks to everyone for their help in maintaining these resources!
Aboriginal Doula Training offered in British Columbia
Via facebook, information about an Aboriginal Doula Training in British Columbia this May.
I’m always on the look out for new doula trainings, and this one also hits a theme I think is so important–training members of marginalized communities to provide doula care to those in their own communities.
Doulas, by the way, are not a modern invention. The term “doula” used in the way we do certainly is, but the practice of trained people supporting folks during labor certainly is not. Perhaps I’m repeating myself, but before birth was the domain of doctors and hospitals, most people gave birth in their communities, with the help of family and trained support people, midwives, healers, etc.
Native and First Nations communities have experienced extreme violence in the form of genocide on behalf of North American governments, colonizers and people. This history shows up in the horrific rates of violence, maternal and fetal mortality, substance abuse, among other things. Raeanne Madison wrote about the importance of doula care in Native communities in this guest post, so I’m glad to see it being promoted (and funded) by Canadian institutions.
There was a 2010 report about the impact of doula care in First Nations communities in BC. There is even a “Aboriginal Doula Advisory Committee.” I am excited by the power of the doula model of care to allow community members to serve one another. You don’t have to be an outsider to be a doula–in fact, being a member of the community likely makes your work as a doula a thousand times better. This sums it up pretty well:
“For First Nations families, doulas have the potential to make positive contributions to situations where women are birthing away from their home communities,” NAHO said. “They can act as communicators and advocates for the birthing family, and can facilitate incorporating traditional practices into the childbirth process, if the family desires this.”
The deadline to apply for the training is February 24. All costs are covered by the program. Details here.
For a list of doula trainings, check out my resource page.
Video: Bianca Laureano on being an abortion doula
Vodpod videos no longer available.
Bianca made this video blog about being an abortion with the NYC based Doula project. She’s awesome, and her experience very much mirrors mine. Also, her earrings rock.
Radical Doula Profiles: Karla Pippa
This is a series highlighting folks who identify as Radical Doulas. Are you interested in being part of the series? Email me.
Karla Pippa is an NYC based DONA intl trained doula. Previous to this, she spent the last 8 years working all over the country in the non profit world. As a campaign director, she empowered activists and organizers to find the inner strength and will to run intense environmental, human rights, and electoral campaigns. She brings her skills of coaching, motivation and understanding into her doula work and offers low-cost services to her community.
Contact Karla via email, doulapippa@gmail.com or at her website.
RD: What inspired you to become a doula?
KP: While I was running political campaigns across the country, I made sure to take time to attend both of my sister’s births. Watching (in awe), being with and supporting my sister during that challenging moment in her life reminded me of what it was like to work with an activist who just committed to turning out 100 people to vote in their neighborhood – overwhelmed, feeling moments of doubt but totally capable and powerful – they just needed to tap into that. What had always inspired me to do my political work was the ability to work with activists to push beyond their comfort zone and to be there to remind them that they are part of a community of people that want them to succeed and are ready to support them. I feel very much the same way about being a doula.
RD: Why do you identify with the term radical doula?
KP: When I tell people about my career transition most are surprised by what a “different path” I have chosen. But I dont see it that way. Much like in my work with organizers and activists, I look forward to bringing the same skills of motivation, coaching, advocacy, warmth and compassion to my doula work in order to help women feel supported and realize their inner strength in the birthing process. I want to be there when doubt and fear are confronted!
Why it’s time for us to reclaim “values”
I just got off the phone with a reporter working on an article about religion and spirituality in connection to home birth. Our conversation got me going, particularly when she told me of the Christian midwife who said that she doesn’t think pro-choice people should be doulas or midwives. That it’s a contradiction to work with birth and hold pro-choice beliefs. It makes my blood boil.
People often assume that radical politics go hand in hand with atheism, or a rejection of religious beliefs. The Religious Right in this country has furthered that idea by claiming the realm of religion, of God, of spirituality even, as their own. They promote the idea that being religious means certain things about your political beliefs and actions.
My doula work is about providing non-judgemental support to a person during pregnancy. Period. Just like I don’t bring my judgements about how the birth should happen, what tools should be used, or even how or when the pregnancy should happen, I don’t bring my judgements about the choices the pregnant person makes about their pregnancy.
I know that many of you who identify as radical doulas bring a sense of spirituality to your work, and I want us to claim that. I want us to reject the idea that radical politics (which, by the way, in an ideal world wouldn’t be so damn radical) are inherently atheist, or anti-religion, or anti-spiritual. Inherent in that rejection is that we get to claim, rightfully, that a belief in God or some sort of higher power doesn’t go hand in hand with anti-choice views. Anyone who studies the Bible, the Old Testament, knows that the beliefs that the Religious Right holds up as so clear, so self-evident, are not. It’s all about interpretation.
I want us to talk about values. I hold dearly the fact that my VALUES as a doula are based in the principle of non-judgmental support. My values are that I don’t know what is best for anyone but myself, and as a doula I serve folks during pregnancy by remembering that, always, and simply searching for the best way to validate and support someone’s experience.
I wholeheartedly reject the idea that family values are based in principles of hatred, discrimination, non-acceptance and judgement. Those are the anti-choice, anti-sex, anti-woman and anti-gay family values are being promoted in the US.
I’ve got my own version of family values—helping people build the families they want to create, however they define family, in the most loving and supportive environment possible. My family values include empowering every family member to make decisions about what’s best for them—whether those decisions are about how to dress, when and how to begin romantic relationships, how to be sexual, what to do when they are pregnant, what pronouns to use, damn even what food to eat every day. Again, I don’t know what’s best for anyone but myself. My values center on creating an environment where everyone can make the absolute best, educated and supported decisions about their lives.
Don’t get me wrong, I have a shit ton of opinions. I’m a blogger! But my opinions stop where your choices begin. I can express them from here til kingdom come, but YOU know what’s best for you. Period.
I’m sick of the left being painted as rational or logical but values-less. That’s complete and total bullshit. I’ve got an incredible set of values right here, and I think you do too. We just need to start talking about them.
Homebirth Ryan Gosling
If you’ve been following the tumblr meme of sites that use photos of Ryan Gosling with “Hey girl” sayings, it’s excitably reached the birth activist world.
Homebirth Ryan Gosling shows us all sorts of approving statements about homebirth from America’s heart throb. One part poking fun at the birth activist community and one part legitimate support for homebirth, it’s worth checking out.
Radical Doula 