toRaise Questions Doula Podcast

Happy New Year! The ladies are on a much-deserved break but didn't want you all to go without. Here's a ToRaise Flashback in which Sarah and Thérèse talk about the challenges and joys of a doula's on-call existence. Enjoy! 

Direct download: ToRaise_FLASHBACK_33.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 10:19am EDT

Thérèse and Melanie discuss one of the most common challenges of a doula, when do you go be with your client in labor? Is it ok to come and then go? How do you know? Is there a formula for this ongoing circumstance? By discussing 2 births that Melaine recently attended, examples are shown as to how you can perhaps have more clarity on this somewhat mysterious predicament.

Direct download: ToRaise_66.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:25pm EDT

Thérèse and Melanie answer a listener's question in regard to episiotomies vs tears, is it better to be cut by a PCP or to allow the body to tear on its own? Which heals better?

Direct download: ToRaise_65_-_12215_12.20_AM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:31am EDT

Thérèse and Melanie welcome Jennie Jospeh, LM, CPM of Commonsense Childbirth based in Orlando FL to discuss racial dispartities in maternal healthcare. Jennie has been working tirelessly to provide access to care to pregnant women, with a focus on the African American population, in hopes of reducing the infant mortality rate by reducing premature births and the number of low birth wieight babies being born. She shares with the listeners her understanding of the situation and her ideas and solutions to help change this life and death situation of so many babies and mothers. www.commonsensechildbirth.org

Direct download: ToRaise_64final.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:51am EDT

Thérèse and Melanie talk about the importance of speaking with your client, both the pregnant woman and her partner about what they have been told about their birth, what their perspectives and beliefs are.and how the culture at large can impact these constructs.

Direct download: ToRaise_63final.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:55pm EDT

Thérèse and Melanie welcome Sarah from Texas to discuss a client who has had 2 cesareans after two labors, a planned cesarean and now is attempting a VBAC.

Direct download: ToRaise_62final.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:01pm EDT

Thérèse and Melanie talk about how to discuss and help sort out who, if anyone their client wants to invite to their birth. If someone is invited, what conversations can take place to help make this is a good experience for all. What if someone assumes they are invited, how is this negotiated.

Direct download: ToRaise_61final.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:54pm EDT

Thérèse and Melanie discuss whether it is appropiate for children to attend a birth. If a parent wants a child to participate, how do they best prepare that child so the birth will be the best experience for all.

Direct download: ToRaise_60final.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:08pm EDT

Thérèse and Melanie invite two partners/husbands into the studio to discuss the role of supporting an active doula. What does it take? What are the downsides of this role? What have they learned along the way? What have they found works and doesn't work. An excelelnt and honest look of the impact of this work on personal relationships

Direct download: ToRaise_59FINAL.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:02pm EDT

Thérèse and Melanie discuss a whether having a child is a prequisite to being a doula? What if you become pregnant , should you continue offering services while pregnant and if so, when do you take a pause? When do you return? Can you take your baby with you to a birth?

Direct download: ToRaise58.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:00pm EDT

Thérèse and Melanie talk to physical therapist Lynn Shulte-Leech about how to help women understand the importance of knowing the state of their pelvic floor muscles in order for them to have the possibility of a smoother labor, birth and postpartum. Visit www.intuitivehandpt.com to learn more.

Direct download: ToRaise57.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:13pm EDT

Thérèse and Melanie discuss a listener's question who is working with a client where there is no partner involved. Her mother will be there for the delivery and in the interview the client shared that they have a pretty tense relationship. 

Direct download: ToRaise56.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:50pm EDT

Thérèse and Sarah talk to artist and author Susan Singer about her book, Birth Affirmations and what a powerful and useful tool affirmations and visualizations can have on a person's pregnancy, birth and into the postpartum. Susan's book is available at www.BirthAffirmationsBook.com, receive a 10% discount by entering toLabor when checking out.

Direct download: ToRaise55.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:25pm EDT

Sarah Juliusson from www.thewebsitedoula.com joins Thérèse and Sarah in discussing how important the homepage of your website is for your birth businesses and the e-book she has created to help you know all that you need to know.  

Direct download: ToRaise54.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:30am EDT

Thérèse and Melanie discuss what a doula would do if she meets a client for the first time in labor (volunteer program, on call doula or L&D nurse/doula). What are the best questions/discussions to have if you meet them early on in labor or in an induction? What about if they are in transition? 

Direct download: ToRaise53.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:01pm EDT

Thérèse and Melanie discuss the important topic of how a doula negotiates the conversation with their client about their care provider's reputation both statistically and anecdotally as well as, the facility that they plan to birth in. Is it your role? What is your responsibility? 

Direct download: ToRaise52.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:42pm EDT

Thérèse and Melanie talk with a listener from Idaho, Heather,  who is looking for examples of how to help a mom when she is floundering in the intensity of transition. How do you have a "take charge" attitide in order to calm her, give her support, and help her move forward?

Direct download: ToRaise51.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:36pm EDT

Thérèse and Melanie talk with two toLabor Certified Professional Doulas about boundary lines with clients, how they support one another for births as well as being one another's doula for emotional support.

Direct download: ToRaise50.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

Thérèse and Melanie answer a question from a listener in Isarel who wonders about the importance of having a mulititude of skils to offer your client or is emotional support the most important? What percent of doula work is emotional and psychological support? What percent is based on
knowledge of the ins and outs of pregnancy and labor, and implementation of physical supports?

Direct download: ToRaise49final.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:46pm EDT

Thérèse and Melanie answer a question from a listener in Isarel who wonders about the importance of having a mulititude of skils to offer your client or is emotional support the most important? What percent of doula work is emotional and psychological support? What percent is based on
knowledge of the ins and outs of pregnancy and labor, and implementation of physical supports?

Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

Thérèse and Melanie discuss what the role of a doula is from the time from the birth of the baby until the baby's first latch.

Direct download: ToRaise48.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

Thérèse and Melanie focus on the important role a doula plays in helping to create a more realsitic and smoother pathway for their client's breastfeeding experience in the prenatal period.

Direct download: ToRaise47.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:30pm EDT

Thérèse and Melanie talk about what to do when you are excited to begin the work of being a doula but you areun sure where to find clients and how. They also discuss their thoughts on how to conduct your interview appointment---where, who, what to bring, how long, etc. Good listen for experienced doulas as well.

Direct download: ToRaise46.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

Thérèse and Melanie talk to women's childbirth advocate Cristen Pascucci (Improving Birth and Birth Monopoly) and professional photographer/doula Lindsay Askins (Spot of Serendipity) are driving from San Francisco to Philadelphia, stopping along the way to meet and photograph the women of America who have experienced and witnessed traumatic birth and obstetric violence.

http://www.exposingthesilenceproject.com/

Direct download: ToRaise45.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

Thérèse and Sarah welcome Melanie Headley, the new co-host of the podcast, and the three women talk about doula burnout, how to re-energize, and how to know when it's time to walk away.

Direct download: ToRaise44.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:02pm EDT

Violet, an experienced birth attendant calls to talk to Therese and Sarah about a client who has trouble relaxing into labor and how best to support her.

Direct download: ToRaise43.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am EDT

Thérèse talks to Sarah about her view of birth as a human right and a civil right, and the role of birth workers in supporting those rights.

Direct download: ToRaise42.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00am EDT

Direct download: Episode_41.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:51pm EDT

Therese takes a question about setting up a virtual doula practice, and Sarah and Therese talk about working with hospitalists.

Direct download: Episode_40.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:09am EDT

Therese and Sarah talk to Anne from Baltimore, who is still working to process a difficult birth from several months ago that involved a number of interventions and a very long pushing stage. Anne talks to Therese about her role in what was a fairly traumatic experience for her client.

Direct download: Episode_39.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:28am EDT

Sarah and Therese talk about how water can be used effectively in a labor for pain relief and even labor augmentation.

Direct download: Episode_38_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:37pm EDT

Therese and Sarah go over some of the items and tools that might be useful to take to a birth at a home or a birthing center and prioritize those items that are most useful.

Direct download: Episode_38.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:48pm EDT

Sarah and Therese talk about helping clients face the potential for loss in birth.  

Direct download: Episode_36.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:53pm EDT

Therese and Sarah talk about working with a backup, financial arrangements with other doulas, and situations you may face that would necessitate a backup.

Direct download: Episode_35.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:11pm EDT

Jenny from Michigan joins Therese and Sarah to talk about supporting type A moms who have a hard time letting go and surrendering to labor.

Direct download: Episode_34.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:53pm EDT

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