Ep 136: Interview with The Lamaze Doula and The Birth Impact founder, LaToya Murray-Johnson (part1) (rebroadcast)

Welcome to part 1 of a 2 part series we shared back in 2021, but this interview with LaToya is timeless.
 
As a self-described “Christian, doula, wife, mother, certified birth nerd” LaToya Murray-Johnson the owner of DoulaviewLLC and founder of The Birth Impact is sharing what it means to be a doula and what it’s like working with her.  She loves being the catalyst that sets mom on the path of success when it comes to their birth.  She considers herself a birth servant and someone who helps educate women about birth to dispel some of the misconceptions that are rampant in society.  By educating women and helping them understand their values and formulate their birth plan, she is able to help break down those misconceptions, and ultimately build back up the knowledge of the normal physiology of birth.
 
Be sure to check out Part 2 of our interview here! 

Transcript

Unknown 0:04

Hello Hello friends, you are listening to the aligned birth podcast, Dr. Shannon here today, and it means that it is interview day and I say this every time but it's one of my most favorite, favorite days because I absolutely love connecting with birth workers in the birth community and birth world, because I think we're all super awesome and so today I have the pleasure of speaking with Latoya, Marie Johnson, and she describes herself, this is in her words from one of your social media platforms, which will go into all of her goodness there but she describes herself in her words, a Christian doula wife, mother, certified birth nerd and I think that sums up pretty well she's amazing, fantastic and I actually found her on social media. I've mentioned before, I have this love hate relationship with social media, but I find such amazing people and I love her so much because she shares so much of the normal physiological aspects of birth and the information she puts out is overwhelming and fantastic so she's a woman certified childbirth educator donor certified doula and owner of doula view, LLC. She serves families births of all types in the metro Atlanta area provides Postpartum Support lactation support we're going to go into all the things that she provides today, but this is going to be a two part interview because she has so much goodness to share with that split it up, so first part we're going to dive into what is a doula what did it like working to Toya, and all of the goodness there as what a doula can offer for labor and birth and postpartum, but she also is the creator of the birth impact community and it's a grassroots effort about impacting negative birth culture through a sisterhood of birth workers and

Unknown 1:46

birth enthusiasts. So

Unknown 1:47

part two is going to be the sustainability of doula work and how she manages it so I am so excited to have Latoya on

Unknown 1:54

the show today.

Unknown 1:57

Thank you for having me. You're awesome, and that was a great intro.

Unknown 2:02

I know I asked the toy I asked everybody I'm interview like guesstimate intro, that's okay. She didn't sit when I was like you know what I got this,

Unknown 2:08

I got this because she's got so many good things out there I could just roll with it. Well I think that's one thing too, people are like,

Unknown 2:17

oh I don't know I just do this, I'm like no, you be very proud because you you do so, So much so, yeah.

Unknown 2:25

I'm so excited to have you. Thank you. I'm excited to be here and you're awesome too. I mean your energy was just so contagious. When I appreciate your presence but thank you for this. So you wanted to talk about what a doula is what we do. And the impact and how what it looks like when you hire one. Yeah, that's very good because even my clients, some of the guys especially the dads. They leave the experience. Knowing that a doula is very important in the outcome of a birth, but when they're asked, they're like, Well you know what I don't know but you need one. Yes. I love it. Oh, so I like to think, honestly, I like to think of a doula as a birth servant, it is someone who serves the woman in labor and birth, someone who educates and, honestly, is, whatever that birthing mom needs during that time in her life. It is a great honor to be allowed in this space, honestly, people who start out as strangers, you know, it's a very sacred space and it's something that will stay with your clients for the rest of their lives. So I, being that I'm almost certified that is education is my heart because planting seeds of education and knowledge can really change the trajectory of someone's outcome in any area of their lives, it really helps to empower to give you a foundation of confidence, you know, to where you can't, you're less likely to be taken advantage of. You have a higher a higher chance of success at whatever it is you set yourself out to do. I mean, look at you, you know, education is to me, so. So, I love being the catalyst, sometimes that sets people on that path of success with their birth or helps them solidify what values and identify what values they, and what I guess goals they desire for their birth experience because you got to be honest, we are not necessarily conditioned to believe that we have power over a lot of the decisions when it comes to pregnancy and childbirth.

Unknown 4:45

Amen. I don't know about you, yeah.

Unknown 4:48

No,

Unknown 4:49

I mean, and it starts, Rachel I've talked about this before, I think it really starts to with like the media, you know, what do you see in the movies, and so you grow up with that and if you don't know, I love the normal physiological aspect of birth, you don't know that you're just like, oh I'm supposed to lay on my back and scream in the hospital.

Unknown 5:07

Exactly. I mean birth is normal. You mean my body can do this and like um, you know I like to make it so relative. If we can only make birth as normal and natural as poop. Yeah, seriously, like Yes, that's what we're missing and you got to think you got to be able to break down the generations of of MIS education that we receive from our ancestors from our mothers and our aunts, you got to think about the stories that we inherit. I went to hell and back with you. You think you're gonna be able to handle those contractions the telecoms you'll be asking for the epidural so quick. This is what we inherit, and let's go before we had hospital worse when everyone was born at home. What did women do in the neighborhoods in the villages, when, when Mrs Johnson down the street went into labor, all the women in the neighborhood knew what to do, you get the food you get the kids you handle the husband. I helped with the birth go get the midwife and women rallied around that person. I like I have chills thinking of that because that's so beautiful. Then what did that provide to girls, young girls, or young women coming up, they didn't question their abilities, they grew up with seeing it, they knew it, it wasn't about whether or not you could do it, it was what we did as women. It was even though what's miraculous, even though it's wonderful and it's powerful and it's just beautiful. It's also as natural as me going to the bathroom. No. Mind blown. Mind blown. Yeah. So that is one of the things that I like to bring down to earth for my clients first and foremost, we need to get the educational once you understand how normal and natural it is first, because you know that slogan that they say birth is not a medical event that occasionally happens now truly. It is a natural function that occasionally needs medical attention. We need to let the mindset that is the truth. So, I bring that we have sessions we have some doulas have about two or three sessions with their clients that helps educate and establish their values formulate a birth plan or outline and teach them what it is that you can do possibly in birth position changes and getting the game plan when do you call when do you truly need to go to the hospital. This honestly Nick's away at that. Oh, as soon as I have a contraction I need to run to the hospital and fly through every red light and you know what I mean. That movie idea that we have, so you break down that culture that we've been misled to believe. And then you build it back up, what is it that you desire for your birth, and then let's plan A, plan B and Plan C it, because at the end of the day it's not saying that pregnancy is not unpredictable, it is. So the idea is to have the most satisfying outcome, period, no matter what being informed and not being blindsided being seen. Hi my name is Latoya and not, not client for three to a patient 432 That, that 39 year old mother of three. My name is Latoya, and this is a unique child, a unique pregnancy a unique birth, see me. But you have to be empowered educated and confident to be able to do that. And then on top of that having a doula. You don't have to think about what positions. It helps with the commute the communication between dad or the partner or the support in the moment, because at the end of the day. Another thing people don't realize is doulas are not there to take the place of your support, your family member, your husband, your partner. We're there to enhance the experience, enhance the communication, I find that most dads all they need to know is the game plan what comfort measures do I have to do at this time. Is this one of those contractions where I don't need to talk to her, you know. Yeah,

Unknown 9:24

I mean that's, that's perfect. And that, gosh, you've said so many amazing things because you're there, you aren't replacing, and I am speaking from someone who does wish that I had had a doula and that is why I always talk to my moms about it because I can I see and feel and experience what it was like without and then knowing and saying hey, it could have been maybe this this and this. And so it, I mean the ultimate thing I'm getting is that you are helping to release fear. Oh, I love you for saying that I, I wrote that note down when you were talking, you're releasing fear because we have knowledge and we have someone on our side and we have support and we are being seen, we can we can release fear when we're being heard. So you i Your bad you are helping release the fear.

Unknown 10:16

Yeah, so, I mean how, how many decisions can be made out of fear during birth. How many decisions can be manipulated or handled by, and I'm not demonizing medical staff but it happens, you know what I mean, how, how many decisions can be, you know, intimidated or manipulated due to doubt, led by fear. You know, I mean, you know, encouraged, encouraged inductions, you know, women feeling they don't have the power, whether they can move their body or not. I can't get out of this bed in their right mind is a grown woman. In any other situation that can be told, don't you get up from the bed no you can't use the bathroom. I did just leave my house where I was losing using the bathroom, really, what did I, you know, I mean, we don't we're conditioned not we're conditioned not to ask questions, and it's funny you said, I mean that is my biggest thing. Education feeding, feeding your fears, information is what starves them, well yeah, information starve your fears and I always use that was the acronym fear. False Evidence Appearing Real. Yep, I had a professor that said that one day, he never left me. Because that's true, what evidence, be that fear errors what evidence do you have that's causing that fear, where did it come from this another thing that I do with my clients, identifying the root of their fear. Is it just because it's unknown. Is it because you've been conditioned to feel you can't do it. Well, why do you feel ill equipped, do you feel an educated, one let's solve that problem and kill that fear as much as possible, you're human, you're going to have some, but you don't need to make, you need to know how to hold space for yourself, analyze whether it is fear, and whether or whether it's something that's a necessity. And that's okay and once you figured it out. You make the decision for yourself informed decision. The thing is we talk about informed consent. But we don't realize that there is informed refusal, as well. I get all the information needed, and still not agree with you, and guess what, that's okay because I'm the one that has to live this life.

Unknown 12:49

Yeah, you're the one that's dealing, you're the one that's birthing, and you're going to have this experience for the rest of your life.

Unknown 12:56

Right. So, that power, that in confidence back into my clients, if it's not there already. And, in helping their, their support if they have it, especially with this common situation now, if they have that in they're able to take it and that's another thing we got to talk about virtual, but we're helping them be confident and and aligned with that birthing woman with her philosophy and where she's arrived, you know with wanting certain things for her birth so it just makes a big difference. And there's a lot of statistics that don't trickle down realistic evidence based stuff that doesn't trickle down to women in the birth community through the hospitals, it just doesn't, I don't know where it why it doesn't mean V back stats, you know, did you know, you got me talking about dispersion and I don't know if I'll be able to stop. I mean, I will interrupt me too, so don't girl. No, but even VBACs statistics passionate birth after cesarean. Did you know that a woman who is wanting a VBAC, has a higher success rate than a first time that generally birthing mother who's never had a C section before any other birth a VBAC mother has a higher chance of success. And why is that because it's a natural normal bodily function, I guess. Same. She has the same success rate and she was gonna have another group,

Unknown 14:32

I Yeah, well I was wondering too, if there's something to it where it's like, Oh, well I went through that I'm not going through that again, I'm gonna do everything I can to have this VBAC, you know, I wonder too if it's the mom saying, You know what, because that's what happened to me I was like, I'm gonna go through that again. So I'm going to do this, and there's, you know they come into their own in their own empowerment, maybe

Unknown 14:54

that's like, I mean Well, I can add that to second time on this period. I mean you did I that's what I love to tell my clients, I love my repeat clients because at first, you get all of the newness of that mother that's unsure and wants to prep for everything and wants all of the cute little clothes and everything. Yeah, he's so particular about knowing and preparing for everything, and then you have that second time mom who is not so much worried about that stroller, not so much worried about the crib, but she's like I tell you what, I'm not gonna do, we're not about to go to the hospital. I'm absolutely ready. And if we're going at all, you know that woman that might have been a little hesitant about birth center or home birth is like you know what, no this is not how I need you to give me the name of every available midwife right now so I can interview them, you know, there usually is a beautiful confidence as well as a second time around so I think that might play a part too but yeah so, so the people who find that out, VBAC mamas. You have a higher chance of success. So why are we, why are we told as soon as we get a C section yeah this is you, you probably will need to repeat C section we don't want to risk it. Why don't we ask what those risks are, what does that look like, you know, why can't I I've been, I'm gonna just go down a rabbit hole real quick with one claim everything I share I'm at liberty to, she was she thinking out of me back, and we labored at home, she knew that was one thing she didn't do before labor as long as possible, that to the hospital, eight centimeters. Everything from the hospital on, she, she got to 10 centimeters dilated but the baby wouldn't descend the baby wouldn't come down, everything was pretty much happening with the same as the C section and pregnant she had pregnancy she had before, and the wonderful nurse there everyone started kind of eminent hon, you know like, I'm starting to look like you know we might need to start thinking about something C section, you know, I'm the only one it seems in the room, starting to get antsy like, obviously, we need to do something different than what we did last time, and I wasn't with her previously but I was like if this is the same thing that's happened, she knew she wanted to epidural, there's nothing wrong if you decide to get on, it's just deciding, putting it at a space that keeps you Low risk, low risk of your labor stopping low, all of that so she didn't. She had the epidural so she was limited, pretty much the bed. And I'm looking at her and we waited until everyone left. And I said Well, obviously, we need to put pressure on this little one. We need to get you in a position that's going to put pressure on that parent. And on that little one. So we asked the nurse you know, we got to get her in a different position. And then I said well I'm sorry we don't do that here that she's already had an epidural we can't move her. So the thing is we're headed towards C section we got to pull out all stops right now. Why aren't we able to move, even in the bed. I said we need to put pressure she's like well I'm not the one that makes the decision on that. And I said okay, I mean, I asked my clients because you know it's out of a doula scope to necessarily talk on behalf of our clients right sometimes, you know, they are incoherent and I'm able to do it but I asked her, I asked my clients do let's take notes in front of the nurse, I said, Would you like to speak to the deciding factor on why and why not why. It's okay or not okay to change positions do you have questions, and she said yeah, get whoever is in charge in here. And she got the anesthesiologist nurse in, and we asked if she could move positions, well we don't do that it's too high risk, it's too much of a risk. So in my mind you know I'm like okay for you. Yeah, he's about to go in for a C section. So, so, brain that acronym brain what are the benefits, what are the risks, what are the alternatives. What is your intuition telling you is this right. And what if you don't do anything. What if you don't listen, you know, So asking all of those questions what are the next step. So, I asked, I said, Would you like to know what the risks are, you know and why you can't move up into a position to put pressure on baby, to encourage, you know, little one to descend, She said yes, I would like to know. Yeah. Oh, the anesthesiologist knows, like the room goes quiet, and he's like, Well, we don't want you to fall out of the bed

Unknown 19:43

cause.

Unknown 19:45

So you're telling me. I'm sorry. You're telling my client. Yes, that was her husband I wanted and her doula on her other her risk of falling off this bed is greater than you take him or her in that or and cutting her open again. That's what you're saying. And her husband by this time was fuming like are you kidding me, and he thought about that, because legally that doesn't make any sense, you know, and it shows who you're trying to protect, unfortunately. So he said, You know what I think we can, I guess we can do a different position. I was like okay that's all I need for you, and he went on his way and the nurse came in and I showed her one of the pictures on my Facebook. We're gonna get her in this position. Okay, she's like, oh okay cuz this is new to her, You know what I mean yes, and I got we got her in a squatting position we lowered the bottom of the bed you know kept her on the back but lowered it she was in a squatting position to, you know, a minute or two later, the next contraction or two. She was crowning. And the nurse said she's crying and she wants to go get the doctor. But this is the training we're training blocks logic I appreciate training, but as soon as the baby's head started crying, she said, now we got to flip you over so we can you can push. Now, since I understand the liability and in how doctors prefer, but what sense does that make for this mother. You know, so we got her crowding and everything but long story short, even though it's already long. This the I guess the CO impact of this is encouraged this birthing couple. For the next time and just bait the magenta even encourage their community, but that nurse now has a seed planted that there is another way. That is what leads into the birth impact my friend, but, but that is something that I, being a part of that transition, that would have turned out differently than someone who, who was familiar in in intimate with the knowledge of birth, able to look at that mother and say okay, I, we appreciate and we would they have their space, but you hired me because I am on a different path and I hold a different space, and you deserve both period, which is why doulas should be in the hospital right now with their clients. Yeah because women deserve, both in the World Health Organization and Aycock both acknowledge the impact that doulas can have on birth. Every birthing woman deserves that. Oh,

Unknown 22:35

my gosh. And that story. Yeah, that's not, I'm sure you do and that's that's but, like, I can relate to that, you know, and I know people listening are gonna be like, oh gosh, You know either know someone I've been through that like that touches that touches everyone. And and that's why Rachel and I are always so you know, it's so important how you birth the how you feel about that birth because if that mom, it changes the script, it flips the script, it changes it for generations to come. Most definitely, you know, so I love I love, love, the impact that you have and I love everything that you have on social media I do want to touch on that a little bit because you have a very big following in both rounds so like on Facebook and Instagram I feel like that's where I see most I think I found you on Instagram first, and you're always sharing pictures that get that explicit content blockage. And I'm like, bring it girl because dads you're sharing your physiological birth, you know, so I always see and I'm like, oh, what's always shared something that can't be seen. So, tell me more about that and what you share your where you find it in because you're just, you are planting so many seeds with that.

Unknown 23:54

Yeah and it's beautiful and it really and you know how you notice that something is needed and it just takes off and you don't stop. It's like, I know what I needed as a mom and a new mom at that I, we need to see the roundness of birth, honestly, a lot of women. We're not even taught to take care of our bodies correctly, we're not taught about maintaining pH, we're not talking. I mean, we inherit, you know, mis education, and we need to see the reality of what birth is because, until recently, I mean, recent generations. It was a taboo topic. Yeah, all you inherited was those nightmare stories or if you were blessed to have one of the mamas that went against the grain. You may have been, you know, educated, for her generation but not this, you know. So, when I posted first you can find me on Facebook as a Lumos doula I'm currently going through a rebranding, but since every page I have eventually kind of gets uncovered as you're saying that's happened to you, probably twice, three times just counting. But, you know, right now you can find me as the Lumos doula on Facebook. I also have the birth impact and we'll talk about that, and on Instagram, I am dual view my business dual view LLC. So that's my business day because I desire to change the way my clients view birth, one birth at a time changing the way they see themselves, their family and their support through the lens. the lens of birthing through the lens of dual view because at the end of the day, you will view your husband, your partner whoever was in that room with you, you will view them differently after they support you or don't support you in birth. It's something that even if you you push down, it will still be there, it will change the way you, you trust, or it will enhance the relationship. So, posting those, you know, and I have awesome clients so such awesome clients that one started out as people that follow me on Facebook, so they value the visuals, they value seeing what a mucus plug looks like and I'm like, the birth community is my people if you can tolerate and handle the page, the pages that I have, you are my people, if you can appreciate it. Like seriously, and honestly you know how when you are part and I do see it as a movement when you are part of the movement you really have to push against the grain because people aren't used to it. You know what I mean they aren't used to seeing of a giant of being bloody and having a big come out of it but they're not used to seeing that and not sexualizing it. Yeah, no yeah they're not used to seeing breast feeding. Yeah breastfeeding and for a child like what else are you, this is to sustain life. Seriously, there is no other more important. Use for breath. I know men enjoy it people enjoy it but at the end of the day, they are for babies, and to sustain the next generation, and they do miraculous work with what they produce. I mean if you look into the science of it, it is. It's mind boggling. You know, if you If so, just sharing glimpses of that to people who don't normally or don't have an avenue or don't know they mean avenue to receive that education. My heart is, is for all women but especially for those inner city teen moms, Those young moms that don't know what they're getting into when they if they do get pregnant or don't even know what their bodies are capable of, you know what I mean. Because I find on one end, it helps to prepare you if you do find yourself. Pregnant expected or unexpected. It helps you to navigate that, you know, unknown terrain. But then on top of that, if you know what wonders, your body can do, I mean, it helps you value yourself more. It really does empower you to believe that you have value that look not only can I bring forth life but dude my boobs do this and I can get. And it's real and it's, it's simple for us because it's the way we were built, but when you dig into it, it really adds value to who we are as women. It really is a beautiful, powerful wonderful thing to be written referenced, you know, continue learning, the more you learn about what you are capable of what you are innately born to do, the more you'll value yourself and many other areas. So, and then an empowered woman what empowers other women. It makes you a value to those around you. It just it contagious thing like, it's so contagious.

Unknown 28:53

Yes. So at the end of the day you either become something that can uplift the next person, or you become a cancer. We have to make a decision. And sometimes, unbeknownst to us through lack of education and information. We passed down. Negative cancerous, ideologies, you know, and sometimes it comes from our mothers so we that should show you how unintentional it is, you know, so, you know just shedding light on that beautiful attractive picture always works, but not that hard to make birth look beautiful, it really isn't. Most of my pictures are taken with my cell phone.

Unknown 29:35

I love it. I love that.

Unknown 29:39

There's so amazing. Oh yeah, and then, you know, so I just I'm really passionate like love it birth is something that I have been studying Shannon since I was 15, if not before, I, it was my hobby. I had this weird quirk about me, my mom always knew this was going to be industry in some way shape or form that I was going to be in. I was 15 years old, remember blockbuster. Yeah, this thing in my house, you know, never go into the toys room because you never know what she's watching for somebody else that would mean something different, but for me, I would be in there and a woman in labor.

Unknown 30:18

Oh, my guess,

Unknown 30:21

that was, that was me so

Unknown 30:25

I want to touch, I want to go deeper with that but I want to do more of how you got into that birth world. In part two of our interview because you mentioned the virtual birth support so I know you want to go back and talk a little bit about that. So, what does that look like

Unknown 30:43

now in the birthing world, you know what if there was one silver lining that say COVID brought to this world with people connecting more virtually. It helped them to enhance my confidence in an ability in my ability to reach, and Lord have mercy. Once that happened. So, I, I started to reach out to some of my clients virtually because you know, people were a little antsy at first about you coming to their house if you don't have to write off you know maybe we just do work cool, and I was okay how does this look because I'm very touchy feely hands on sometimes, you know, and, and I would start to help them virtually and what I realize is, first off, my first session is pretty much childbirth education which can be done, you know, if needed, virtually I teach virtually anyway so I said well if I'm doing this virtually for my clients, why can't I reach at least those who need childbirth education and want that support. And then I had someone who followed me they said do you do virtual doula support everything into myself what in the world won't even look like. So I tested it out with her especially I said okay, this would be my first time but whatever it is that you need from me. I will try to give to you, you know, even through a screen. Yeah, and Shannon when I tell you oh my gosh, my mind was so blown. I went through everything that I would normally do as much as possible with the normal client we did all of the childbirth education I helped her formulate her birth plan. I went over her fears I encouraged her. I was that voice of reason I was that pocket pregnancy girlfriend when certain things arose, and when it came to her. Oh gosh, I probably won't go, try not to cry here when it came to her birth. I was in her ear the whole time. She didn't, it wasn't a visual thing she needed me in her mind, she needed me when those questions arose from the nurse that she didn't know how to answer, or she didn't know what questions to ask. She even needed me to explain certain things maybe translate for her husband. But her main thing was, I know this is not his area, and since you're not here with us. I need to know that you're here, you're here with me. I need, I need you to help me get through this. And when I tell you, I was there with the pushes, I was there in between, and she would call me like if she needed to rest if she was resting, but when she David okay we're about to push, you know, and they said when they come back in I'm going to start trying so I'm being a little things like okay well remember we talked down in your bottom just like to be. Don't waste your energy relay everything let everything go in between contractions. And while I was still in that space, and I blew my mind Shannon, after we did our postpartum visit together, our video together. She said, I couldn't have done it without you. And I was like what, wait. What are you talking about, you did a thing. And she said, You don't understand how grounded. You were like my lighthouse, when I felt like I was about to lose control. And I couldn't see my way. She's I couldn't have done it. And I was like, Oh my gosh, so why can't, if I can do it and I think she was in Tennessee or Kentucky or something like that. And I said, Well, why is it that we can't do this for women everywhere. If they have internet, why can't they have the support. Then I started helping people in Cyprus, Greece, Italy and South Africa. It just took off. And, I mean, I was like a gasoline fuse waiting to blow. Anyway, and COVID with the match. Yeah. And now, you can't put it on it so I just, and I've been encouraging other jewelers to do the same virtual support is a beautiful thing and if I could say anything to your your followers. Encourage moms who feel they cannot afford to build their birth team. Encourage the support around them, if they have it, to bless them with it through baby showers. These make such meaningful gifts, A midwife or doula her chiropractor massage therapists postpartum Lactation Support postpartum doula support, it shows that you're looking at her, not just the baby. And we in this generation especially are not used to that. know that yeah

Unknown 35:42

Oh, I love seeing how doulas were able to adapt in this in this time period and what's going on in the world so I love hearing that, although it Yeah, it was, it may have been different, but look at that impact we can still have, you know, and then it broaden that for you, I mean I got chills listening to that, that's, that's wonderful, and I do love talking about those those gifting of those things because again, you know clothes are cute, and the stroller strollers great, but it really is, when we look at birth and how we approach birth and how we want mom to feel that's going to impact mom and baby, and so that gift can impact generations.

Unknown 36:29

Yep. If mom is that 100 Then baby will be fine. Let's take care of mom or mom will take care of baby. You're not I'm saying, let's do that. Let's show her that we see her. Honestly, if we start doing that more and make it a culture, you'll start seeing postpartum depression drop. I,

Unknown 36:49

you know postpartum. I love pregnancy, birth and working, you know, with women during that but I tell you what, and I think I've said in episodes before I do love that postpartum time, because yeah I get to see baby too but it's that checking in with mom. Again, you are in a new and different and forever changed in such a beautiful way.

Unknown 37:09

And you got to listen to mom and still vulnerable. So, unsure of yourself in trying to navigate not having sleep, your body has changed, what is the dynamic of your relationship. When will you be able to be intimate again will you be able to be intimate. Will you want to know know, and how do you balance, are you going back to work. How are you dealing with that. Do you feel guilty that separation, what's going on with you Jay you me. Yes, exactly, what do you need,

Unknown 37:46

and I know that you offer a wealth of resources to and it's one of my favorite things to have too because you can listen in and say, Okay, I got someone here for this, you know, and I think you being that doula it's just that touch point for mom, you know, and whether they had a midwife that could be another touch point for mom, Rachel's talked about this several times all those little touch points and kind of feeding that information into mom to help her because even in labor. It's overwhelming. It's hard to be like okay well what was the position I could try it like that's where the doulas really can help come in and be like hey, remember listen to that inner voice tapping, you may not be able to hear now listen, well that's the same thing I think in the postpartum Well I heard or I know someone that does this, you probably know, here's your here's your touch point oh research this, and even,

Unknown 38:31

even when you don't know what to do. Having that educated support that informed experience support, I remember, you know, being in the hospital with clients looking at the body mechanics of my client and saying okay well you just need to lift this thing up just a little bit, and then the head pops out, in, I mean, it's, that's all and you know and we're, you know, the medical staff may not be comfortable with that person because you haven't had that intimate stuff they might see that you need to lift that leg up or it would be ideal. It hasn't one of these wonderful midwives that I love working with with providence. Carson. She's awesome. So I remember doing a birth of her mom was birthing standing up, and I was looking at the body mechanics and cop person was just really trying to accommodate mom, and how she felt she needed to birth, but the outlet was the pelvic I was just a little too narrow. And I was like you know the finger said that like needs to be a little higher so I'm I'm yelling at people do we have a story here. They brought in a tool and I put it in front of her and I said okay how do you just move your leg up and she's like, look, I have a head coming out I can't move. That's what her body mechanics were telling me, so I, I lifted her last just a little bit I put her leg up on the very low stool, but it was just enough to open that pelvic outlet and that head came right on down and Carson was like thank you, but I didn't because I needed that little, that little postnatal support. Yeah, so let's just stay here doulas are not visitors, they are essential parts of the birth team. So, yes, it's another example of, of why. But yeah, I absolutely I love, I love what I do I love what what this work brings to the birth space, I love the birth community, I love chiropractor's like honestly I love showing my clients, what they can have in their birth, especially Sunday night in court, it opens up a whole new world for them all, many different possibilities so I love birth and booziest that share my media on social media, and they, they get it to their birth communities, and they believe in that because they don't realize maybe they don't realize that those seeds planted, they make such an impact they have a ripple effect no matter no matter how small. So,

Transcribed by https://otter.ai