This is a series highlighting folks who identify as Radical Doulas. Are you interested in being part of the series? Go here to provide your responses to the profile questions and I’ll include you!

About Christina: Christina’s intuitive sense and passion to be of service to her community have led her to working with families. With a background in education, Christina has worked with children and families as a preschool teacher, a Montessori TA and as lead teacher of a K-2 classroom. Here, Christina began to understand how important awareness and emotional intelligence are to our human experience. She approaches her care with intuitive guidance, openness and patience. She came to Asheville, North Carolina ten years ago and is driven by the Spanish words for birth, “Dal la Luz” which means to give light. She hopes to bring light to each birthing person and their experience. Email: sagecaredoula@gmail.com

What inspired you to become a doula?
While entertaining becoming a labor and delivery nurse, I found out what a doula was. I intuitively knew that the emotional and physical support were going to be the best way for me to present for the birthing family. After my training, I knew that I had made the best choice for myself and all of the families that I will be of service to.

Why do you identify with the term radical doula?
Social justice work and supporting marginalized communities is a passion for Christina. She is also a trained doula for individuals who are survivors of sexual abuse. It is her hope to bring this compassionate care to all families.

What is your doula philosophy and how does it fit into your broader political beliefs?
Christina has turned dreams into reality by building an off grid tiny house and living intimately with the land. Radical and sustainable living is in essence a huge part of who Christina is in this world. Identifying as a queer woman of color, is a key component to her personal and political politics. These experiences helped Christina gain an admiration and respect for the primal aspects of self, advocating for marginalized communities and the importance of understanding and applying information. It is her hope to honor the intuitive part of the birthing process while also supporting families in making informed choices.

What is your favorite thing about being a doula?
I view being a doula as a privilege. It is amazing to be able to support birthing individuals through such a transformative part of their lives. Being present and witnessing the entire process is the best part of it all.

If you could change one thing about the experience of pregnancy and birth, what would it be?
To be able to support birthing people all over the country and not be limited to the specific area where I reside.

This is a series highlighting folks who identify as Radical Doulas. Are you interested in being part of the series? Go here to provide your responses to the profile questions and I’ll include you!

About Qiddist Ashe: Qiddist is a liberatory educator, a facilitator, a birth, postpartum and full spectrum doula, and a practitioner of herbal ancestral wisdom. She believes that we all have the capacity to become our own healers, and is passionate about making holistic, ancestral and evidence-based care especially available to Black communities and other communities of color. She currently serves the Chicagoland area with sliding-scale full spectrum doula services, including birth, postpartum, placenta encapsulation, abortion support, herbalism, reproductive wellness and more. You can reach her through her website.

What inspired you to become a doula?
My great grandmother was a midwife and medicine woman, and although I never met her, I believe her wisdom and dedication to supporting birthers has been a part of me since I was a child. As I grew up witnessing the racial disparities in our medical model and how Black folx are consistently underserved in our current system, I became motivated to offer care that affirms people’s autonomy and guides them to reclaim their own lineages of power and innate wisdom.

Why do you identify with the term radical doula?
In the words of Angela Davis, “radical simply means ‘grasping things’ at the roots.'” I identify with the term “radical doula” because my practice is centered on uncovering our own power, wisdom and knowledge about our health and our bodies that have been covered up by oppressive systems. I am a radical doula because I center marginalized bodies (Black, queer, trans, fat, disabled, etc.) and THEIR needs and wants, whether that fits within or outside our existing medical systems.

What is your doula philosophy and how does it fit into your broader political beliefs?
I am committed to providing deeply relational support that both honors ancestral wisdom and uses evidence-based practices, and to especially make this vital support culturally responsive and accessible to Black communities as an important part our collective healing. I incorporate practices from across the African diaspora that bring opportunities to claim your own healing power, and provide informational, emotional, physical and spiritual care that holds the sacred space of your unique journey. In the realm of birth, I believe everyone should be allowed to birth in their own power regardless of where or how they birth, and I affirm all choices to do so even if they are outside the medical paradigm.

What is your favorite thing about being a doula?
What I love most about being a doula is getting to hold supportive and sacred space for people in such a transformative journey in their lives. Wherever they are at in the process, it brings me true joy to be able to nourish people in body, mind and spirit through touch, information, herbs, emotional support or just pure presence. In the words of Octavia Butler, “Kindness eases change.”

If you could change one thing about the experience of pregnancy and birth, what would it be?
My vision is for all birthers to truly believe in their innate power and birthing wisdom, and to have the supportive care of their choice to birth with autonomy and intuition regardless of access and identity.

This is a series highlighting folks who identify as Radical Doulas. Are you interested in being part of the series? Go here to provide your responses to the profile questions and I’ll include you!

About Linda Bennett: I am a retired Direct-Entry Midwife (21 years of a birth center and home birth practice, serving diverse families). Currently I assist in the training of Doulas and accept just a few Doula clients each year. This allows me to provide deeply personal support tailored to your needs. It also allows me to accept “Last Minute” clients. I think families should be supported when their plans for their births change to include Doula support even if it is only a few months before baby is “due.” (or even last minute) I have a special interest in supporting VBACs. If families plan on birthing in the hospital but want to stay home as long as possible I offer Monitrice services as well as Doula support. Monitrice while out of the hospital and Doula when under the direct care of your midwife or doctor. I sub-specialize in high-risk and other challenging circumstances and am a full-spectrum Doula. My pronouns are she/her, or they/their. Contact: Text or call 503-841-3167, email lbennett649@yahoo.com.

Geographic Location: Mid-Willamette Valley (Oregon) north to include Vancouver Washington

What inspired you to become a doula?
Becoming a family has been the most challenging and amazing experience of my life. To lend my experience and expertise to new families as they start their journeys, and as their families expand, adds to my appreciation for the warmth, love, resiliency, and importance of family.

Why do you identify with the term radical doula?
A defining characteristic of my life has been to challenge expectations by asking the hard questions such as “Why?” and “Why not?” I prefer logic to tradition, evidence to “accepted practice,” and support self-determinism, even if I would not do it that same way. I am continually surprised when others label this as “radical.” Now I embrace that label.

What is your doula philosophy and how does it fit into your broader political beliefs?
Doula Philosophy: Our bodies are made to work if we don’t get in the way of and even facilitate their physiology. Birth happens on all of the planes of our existence i.e. physical and biologic, personal and emotional, social, and even in the broadest scheme of things, the spiritual. Identification of the social forces that have shaped our understanding of ourselves and our relationships with each other are political. The individuals and institutions that have asserted control over that understanding and personal agency are political. The colonization of others’ bodies because of their reproductive powers is the source of Patriarchy and the model for other colonizations. Racism and lack of Social Justice and Reproductive Justice kills. Justice should be the norm and not have to be fought for while in labor or while giving birth.

What is your favorite thing about being a doula?
When the members of the family mesh in support of these new lives, when the universe spins on its axis as this new family is created, are my favorite aspects of being there in support.

If you could change one thing about the experience of pregnancy and birth, what would it be?
Too many drugs are used to ease the interventions that may not have been needed if the principles of physiologic birth had been implemented. Oh… and there is still too little actual “Informed” plus “Consent.” I have seen and facilitated true Informed Consent, and it is powerful, even in the most challenging circumstances.

This is a series highlighting folks who identify as Radical Doulas. Are you interested in being part of the series? Go here to provide your responses to the profile questions and I’ll include you!

Jenna Brown (they/them/theirs) is a queer doula and radical educator, and the founder of Love Over Fear Wellness & Birth in Philadelphia, PA. As someone who has never shied away from vulnerability, Jenna shares the most intimate parts of their life willingly in the hopes that others will connect and feel less isolated. They have always felt called to something BIG, but it wasn’t until finding full-spectrum doula work in 2016 that their passions for social justice, trauma, somatics, philosophy, and meaningful self-work came together in brilliant harmony. Jenna is passionate about bringing the doula model of care to people and families experiencing transformations of all kinds – conception, pregnancy, birth, loss, abortion, postpartum, social/medical transitions, and more!

Jenna is a trans non-binary person, and sees their queer identity and its related experiences as strengths in their work. You see, Jenna is practiced in transition. They live in the space between who they were before, and who they are becoming. They lean into the discomfort of deeply understanding every nook and cranny of their own sense of self. They are familiar with the experience of isolation, even in moments when they are not alone. They relate to the feeling of existing outside of the “norm” in a world where the “norm” is an illusion.

You can learn more at loveoverfearwellness.com or by following @loveoverfearwellness on Instagram or Facebook.

What inspired you to become a doula?
I was inspired to become a doula in large part due to The Radical Doula Guide. I do not think that I would have felt at home in this work and identity without a resource like it, to show me that doula work could be part of my non-binary life. As my friends and community members began having children, and I started hearing for the first time about the state of perinatal care in the US, I was driven to take action. I felt that the skills and strengths I had developed would be a perfect fit for the work, and I have found so much continued growth since taking on the role of “doula.”

Why do you identify with the term radical doula?
I refer to myself as a “queer doula & radical educator,” to clarify how I approach doula work. There are so many misconceptions about what a doula is and does, and also so many diverse ways that people approach their work as a doula. I identify with the term “radical” because I believe the fundamental nature of what I do is politically-charged, in response to a need for massive reform, and at its root, connected to a return to intuition. I don’t think that someone needs to be a rebel in order to work with me, but I do think they need to be willing to identify and ask for what they need – and in our culture, that simplicity is radical.

What is your doula philosophy and how does it fit into your broader political beliefs?
I talk a lot about “radical self-awareness,” and bodily autonomy in both my professional work and my personal life. Radical self-awareness is part somatics, part emotional intelligent, and part social location. It is the practice of tapping into ones lived experience in their body. It is the practice of identifying ones emotional experience. It is the awareness of how ones identity, privilege, and/or circumstance impact the way in which they navigate the world around them.

Bodily autonomy is the capacity to exercise self-determination and basic human rights when it comes to existing within a body. This means choosing language that is in alignment with ones identity and experience. This means practicing informed consent when it comes to agency over ones body. This means giving oneself permission to say, “yes,” and to say, “no.”

These principles inform my belief that we are all subjective beings having dynamic experiences. That subjectivity makes for a lot of messiness when it comes to relating to one another, in particular in political spaces. I think that the awareness of social location is a large piece of what informs my broader political beliefs, especially as a privileged white person navigating my role in dismantling oppressive systems and forces.

What is your favorite thing about being a doula?
My favorite thing about being a doula is watching someone transform. Witnessing the moment or moments in which they realize what they want/need, create space for it, and live it. It is not something that I create for them, but it is something I feel honored to be a small part of.

If you could change one thing about the experience of pregnancy and birth, what would it be?
Pregnancy and birth are incredibly personal. The experience is different for every single pregnant and birthing person. If I could change one thing about the experience of pregnancy and birth, it would be one big thing – I wish that the systems in place (care systems, but also social systems) left space for people to define that experience for themselves… that they didn’t project onto them, or make assumptions about them, but rather asked, “how is this for you?”

About Shelton Livingston LM, CPM: I am a Licensed Midwife and doula in Marin County, CA. Ive been attending births now for 20 years as a midwife, doula and mother. Sheltonrain@gmail.com. 415-300-7329

What inspired you to become a doula?
By chance I was invited to a home birth at age 16. I had previously attended the birth of my brother in the hospital and noticed the extreme difference in care. These experiences woke me up to the realization that birth is a natural event that has been happening since the beginning of humanity and people need to be treated with respect during birth. The birth EXPERIENCE is a huge part of the outcome, I recognized that and started attending more and more births.

Why do you identify with the term radical doula?
I am committed to changing the birth practices in our culture. If it happens one family at a time, so be it.

What is your doula philosophy and how does it fit into your broader political beliefs?
I believe that how we birth reflects how we live as a society and culture and its important to help families birth in safe and respectful ways. I believe that personal autonomy and freedom are a birthright, this should not be undermined during birth. Informed consent is key and the power dynamics we are all used to should be eliminated during birth rather than inflated.

What is your favorite thing about being a doula?
It doesn’t feel like work. I love that i just enjoy my time and I love seeing the babies grow up too.

If you could change one thing about the experience of pregnancy and birth, what would it be?
Oooh, hmm. I suppose that I would change the way people go into it. Demystify. I wish birth wasn’t so removed from most peoples lives so that they could go into it having more confidence and knowledge instead of a 9 month crash course the first time.

What inspired you to become a doula?
I have always been intrigued by birth. From the as far back as I can remember I wanted to be an Obstetrician but after 12 years of school I was done. I joined the military and while on a deployment I came across midwife training which lead to me finding out about doulas. I really loved the idea that I get to be at the birth and not just the delivery. As son as I returned from my deployment I got trained as a doula.

Why do you identify with the term radical doula?
After taking my most recent doula training my mind was expanded to the physiological side of birth and to all the things happening behind the scenes. I was blown away by the fact that we were interrupting the physiological processes. We were not only interrupting a birthing woman but we were actually doing her harm by poking, prodding and managing her. I realized that millions of women birth before without doctors medical interventions and have birth great nations. I truly understand how important it is to run away from the medical community and let a woman birth without interruption. I never want another woman to have her power taken away or to hinder her climb up the mountain to get her baby.

What is your doula philosophy and how does it fit into your broader political beliefs?
I believe that woman should be unhindered and unbothered during birth. Our bodies are extremely intelligent and know exactly how to bring a baby earthside. If left alone a woman transforms into someone so much more powerful. As a doula I am there to hold that sacred space as you take this intense journey to get your baby. I truly believe that the world would be a better place if we left women alone to tap into that maternal power. It transforms you as a woman. We have to stop hindering woman. Woman are birthing generations and we do not want to interrupt that process. I am here to advocate for women to control their own bodies!

What is your favorite thing about being a doula?
Just watching women find their rhythm. It is amazing to see how a woman just naturally follow her body or naturally flows into positions to comfort and progress her labor. Sometimes I just sit back in awe.

If you could change one thing about the experience of pregnancy and birth, what would it be?
That a woman NEVER lose her power in birth and that dads truly understand how important they are in birth. I feel like a women is never more powerful than when she has to reach into the depths of her soul and pull all her power inside to bring forth her baby. Birth is truly transformational for women and we have to stop taking their power during birth. We also have to empower men with the knowledge that while a woman is in the trenches of labor and going to the mountain they are supposed to be there when she finally comes back hearthside with her baby.

About Amber: Hi! I’m Amber with Moon Mama Yoga and Birth Services in Mesa, Arizona! You can find me on facebook, on my website and on instagram. I have a studio in downtown called The Arizona Doulas Yoga and Education center located at 134 W. Pepper Place, Mesa AZ 85201. We have prenatal yoga classes, mommy and me, birth education, trainings, workshops, and more!

What inspired you to become a doula?
The births of my own two children inspired me to become a doula. It all started with prenatal yoga when I was pregnant with my daughter 10 years ago. I took a yoga class at a studio in Gilbert and sobbed through the entire hour and a half! I realized that I wasn’t connected at all with my baby inside nor the miraculous transformation my body and mind were going through. I also knew that I wasn’t the only expectant parent to feel this way and I couldn’t deny the pull to help others connect with body, baby, and breath. My journey started with becoming a Certified Yoga Teacher in 2010, then the Prenatal Yoga Teacher certification along with the Birth Doula training in 2015. I had two extraordinary births (one unmedicated hospital birth, one home birth) and I knew all families could have their most ideal birth, not just me! After my experiences, I felt I could help dismantle the belief that birth was scary, painful, medical, one family at a time. Thus tilting the tipping point into a place of birth empowerment for ALL involved.

Why do you identify with the term radical doula?
Since I started working as a doula, I have found that in my conservative state of Arizona, I absolutely AM radical. I have joined various doula groups only to leave because of the non-inclusive nature of them. The god fearing, dogma enriched, judgmental way of doula-ing churned my stomach and I knew I was in the wrong place with these groups. Being a doula isn’t linear for me, it is all inclusive, it is spaghetti, it intertwines with all walks of life. A doula meets her client where they are at, not the other way around. We have VERY LITTLE support here in AZ (and especially the east valley) when it comes to anything but the classic “Mom+Dad=baby” scenario. We are completely ignoring a large portion of our community. One that needs our support the most.

What is your doula philosophy and how does it fit into your broader political beliefs?
I draw from Hypnobirthing- deep breaths, calm mind, incredible birth. I believe that women have an innate power to birth and that throughout history that power has been taken from us, we have been convinced as birthing women that we don’t know what we are doing. I tap into ancient practices and intuition to empower my birthing families. Fears, terrors, rage, all kinds of emotions come up as we dismantle these debilitating historical and systemic beliefs. I hold my families and work through these so my clients can birth freely. We used to birth this way, but over time things have shifted. I believe in oder to tip the scales once again, birthing families need doulas (and awesome support circles) to regain their confidence, believe in their power, and voice their rights– no matter who they are, what they look like, whom/what they associate with, or what their spiritual beliefs are. We are all human. And we all have rights.

What is your favorite thing about being a doula?
My favorite thing is witnessing total and complete transformation. It rattles my bones every time. And I love it.

If you could change one thing about the experience of pregnancy and birth, what would it be?
That all families would be represented, supported, loved, and truly cared for throughout their experience.

This is a series highlighting folks who identify as Radical Doulas. Are you interested in being part of the series? Go here to provide your responses to the profile questions and I’ll include you!

About Savannah Taylor: I am a Birth Doula from Austin, Texas. Birth work is a true passion of mine, and I feel like it is a form of service and a form of activism. I have a degree in political science from Southwestern University. I am a mother myself, to a darling baby girl. Her birth is what inspired me to become a doula, and through my work, I hope to empower birthing persons from all walks of life through their journey into parenthood. Contact: savannahtaylordoula@gmail.com,  Facebook at Savannah Taylor, Birth Doula, Instagram at @savannataylordoula

What inspired you to become a doula?
I was inspired to become a doula by my own experience with birth. I was induced for high blood pressure at 38 weeks, and my induction led to a high intervention birth, all the way from pitocin to an episiotomy. Although it was the happiest day of my life, I do not think I was prepared for the emotional and spiritual effects birth would have on me as a mother and as a person. I decided to become a doula so I could hold the hands of others and to hopefully change the culture around birth as a whole. However you give birth, it will fundamentally deconstruct and reconstruct your entire being, and as a doula, I want to be there to support people in this time.

Why do you identify with the term radical doula?
Birth is inherently radical. It is spontaneous, it is pain, it is love, it is bloody, it is long, it is hard, and it creates change. Every birth changes the universe, and as a doula, it is my job to empower that radical nature of birth.

What is your doula philosophy and how does it fit into your broader political beliefs?
I believe that parenthood is a political act. You are the president of your baby’s world for the first few years. You teach them how to treat others and how to treat the world. As a doula, I want to empower all birthing persons to feel secure and strong enough with themselves and their ability to make a change in this world through parenting.

What is your favorite thing about being a doula?
There is absolutely nothing like watching the beginning of someone’s life, be that the life of the baby or the life of the parent. Being there at that moment of birth is truly a cosmic blessing.

If you could change one thing about the experience of pregnancy and birth, what would it be?
I would probably change the societal culture around the way women and non-binary birthing persons are treated in general. I think that as a culture, we do not respect motherhood and we do not value the work that is done during pregnancy and birth. I would like to see paid parental leave for up to a year, insurance coverage for doulas, midwives, and lactation consultants, more breastfeeding support, and expanded mental health services for pregnant and postpartum individuals.