Doulas of the Roundtable

Why do cesarean rates keep rising and what does that actually mean for the families you support? We have to start by breaking down the cesarean rate conversation the birth world has been getting wrong. From the origins of the WHO 15% figure what it actually said, what it was designed to measure, and why we've been misapplying it for 40 years. We also need to understand to the difference between total cesarean rates, primary cesarean rates, and the NTSV rate that matters most for hospital comparison. Without underdstanding these numbers we can not have accurate and honest coversations with clients about what they mean. Whether your client is working toward an unmedicated birth or scheduling a cesarean by choice, this episode is for you. Bodily autonomy doesn't require our approval and our clients deserve better than our unexamined assumptions.

Knowing how to get doula clients is one of the first real questions after training ends. And most new doulas are getting the same answer. Network with other doulas. Reach out to providers. Wait. That advice is well-intentioned. Most doula training does not effectively prepare you for what comes after it. How do the families who need you actually find you? Becoming a doula and building a doula business are not the same thing. That distinction does not get enough honest airtime. This conversation gives it some. It is also a conversation about visibility, money, and the parts of building a doula business that feel uncomfortable but cannot be avoided. Join me for an honest conversation about what building a business actually takes and how to get doula clients.

Supporting induction means knowing how to support what is actually happening. Many clients are scheduled without clear information about why, how induction begins, what options remain, or how long it may take. Then ripening takes a day or two, the plan changes, and disappointment builds because the expectation was unrealistic. This conversation puts induction back where it belongs: informed consent, realistic expectations, and support that adjusts without losing advocacy. Bishop score, cervical ripening, provider language, and accurate information shape how prepared a client is before induction begins. As doulas, we need to understand what these mean, how they shape expectations, and why support matters more when plans shift. Join us as we talk about leaving old messaging behind and supporting induction with more skill and less bias.

Core doula skills shape the whole room, not your bag of tricks. You do not build strong support by collecting more tools. You build it through presence, attunement, communication, and timing, in real time, with real clients. These skills show up when things feel tense. When plans change. When your client looks at you for answers you cannot give. When the room speeds up and you feel your own nervous system kick up. They grow through experience, reflection, and repetition. You notice what you do when you feel unsure. You practice staying grounded. You say less, listen more, and choose your moments. Over time, you stop scrambling and start leading with calm. This conversation gives you a simple way to remember the four doula pillars, PACT, and how to use them in birth and postpartum. It also gives you a small, realistic practice plan so you can train one skill at a time instead of trying to fix everything at once. This episode is for doulas who want to feel more confident, support clearer decision-making, and help keep your cliens grounded in the moments that matter most.

Confidence grows through action, not intention. Did you know that confidence as a process? You do not wake up with it. You build it by doing the work, taking a step of faith, and sometimes missing the mark. Confidence forms through experience, reflection, and repetition. It develops when you act, before you feel certain. Mistakes strengthen your judgment, and real growth happens when you keep showing up even after things do not go as planned. Waiting to feel confident keeps you stuck. Moving forward creates the confidence you are looking for. This conversation is for doulas who want to trust themselves more, take meaningful action, and grow into their work through practice rather than perfection.

Doulas of the Roundtable wraps up season seven with a look back and a clear look ahead. In this episode, you hear our top ten most listened to episodes of all time and why these conversations continue to matter to doulas at every stage of practice. We also share an important update about the podcast. Eva will be stepping away from the show. We want to take a moment and honor Eva's voice, insight, and role in shaping the podcast into what it is today! Moving forward, Angela will continue as the solo host of Doulas of the Roundtable. The focus remains the same. Honest conversations. Evidence based discussion. Real talk about the work, the business, and the responsibility doulas carry. If you have listened from the beginning or joined recently, this episode brings closure, clarity, and direction for what comes next. Thank you for being part of this community and for helping this podcast grow season after season.

Many doulas feel pressure to bring a large bag of tools to each birth or postpartum shift. This pressure often leads to checklists and expectations. As a result, doulas may focus on doing instead of connection. This shift can weaken the attunement and emotional connection that shape strong doula support. True anticipation of client needs does not come from tools. Instead, it grows from presence and awareness. Doulas can watch body language, listen to tone, and notice small shifts in comfort. These skills help clients feel seen and supported rather than managed. Rigid expectations can also create stress for doulas. When the goal becomes using everything in your bag, you may miss the client's actual needs. Every client experience is different. Every coping style is unique. Responding in the moment matters more than any object you carry. This approach strengthens emotional safety and builds trust. It also helps doulas stay grounded, flexible, and connected throughout the entire experience. Join us for a thoughtful discussion on anticipating client needs with intention, presence, and professionalism while keeping relationship-based care at the center.

Supporting family and friends as a doula can be both rewarding and complex. The personal connection you share makes it easy to overstep boundaries, give unsolicited advice, or slip out of your professional role. Maintaining the balance between being a loved one and being a doula requires awareness, restraint, and compassion. It means stepping back from the more intimate role you usually play and intentionally working within the doula's scope of practice. In this episode, we talk about how to navigate these blurred lines while honoring the unique journey of the people closest to us. Just as we do with our clients, we must offer care, support, and guidance without judgment or assumption. Join us for a thoughtful conversation on how to serve with integrity, maintain boundaries, and show up professionally when supporting those you love.

Philanthropy and doula work are deeply connected. When your business is financially sustainable, you gain the freedom to give back in meaningful ways. Charging your worth does more than cover your expenses. It creates space to support your community through acts both big and small. Whether organizing diaper drives, quietly helping families in need, or donating resources to local organizations, a thriving business gives you the ability to make a lasting impact. Giving back should not come at the expense of your livelihood. By valuing your services and setting fair rates, you create stability for yourself while opening the door to generosity. Join us as we explore how sustainable business practices empower doulas to serve their clients, support their communities, and expand their influence beyond the birth room.

Meal planning and preparation services can enhance the doula support options you provide to clients. However, doulas must consider regulations, logistics, and business implications before jumping in. Understanding the difference between meal planning and meal preparation is essential. Each service offers unique benefits for families. It is critical to understand the local cottage food laws and regulations in your community. These rules directly affect how and where meals can be prepared. It is also important to weigh the pros and cons of preparing meals in a client's home versus preparing them in your own when legality is not a factor in this decision. Tax implications, such as transaction privilege tax, are another factor to consider. These details can significantly impact the pricing and profitability of the meal services you offer. Join us for a practical conversation that explores opportunities, responsibilities, and business realities when offering meal planning and prep services.

Working with clients who hold status, whether they are medical providers, influencers, politicians, or public figures, can present unique opportunities and challenges for doulas. Supporting high-visibility clients while maintaining the same standards of care, boundaries, and intent you offer every other family may not come as easily as you think. While there are potential benefits of these connections, there can also be stumbling blocks. It can be tempting to hope for public praise or referrals from influencers, but doulas must not bank on that exposure or let it influence their role. Confidentiality is non-negotiable, and these clients deserve the same privacy, respect, and space to be vulnerable without fear of judgment. Join us for a candid and professional conversation about supporting clients with influence, while staying grounded in ethics, integrity, and the heart of doula work.

Doula work can be incredibly rewarding, but it won't be the right fit for everyone. In this episode, we talk openly about why someone shouldn't become a doula. Birth work requires a specific mindset, skills, and responsibilities. Being judgmental, struggling to hold space, or expecting birth work to be all about personal fulfillment can create harm. Becoming a doula means running a doula business, and passion alone isn't enough if you're not prepared to market, manage, and sustain a professional practice. This honest conversation takes a raw and real look at what it takes to be a doula. It is essential to preserve the integrity of the profession and support future doulas in entering the work with clarity and intention. If you or someone you know is considering becoming a doula, this is a must-listen episode.

As doulas, when it comes to communication, what we say and how it's heard are not always the same. Words shape how clients feel, respond, and make decisions. Asking questions that begin with "why" can unintentionally sound like judgment, even when your intent is neutral or supportive. Doulas often believe that it's our job to make sure clients are making informed choices. In truth, our responsibility is to our clients, not for them. It is not our role or responsibility to decide what a client wants or needs to know. But doulas often offer information without asking what the client wants to know or inquiring in a non-judgmental way how they came to a decision, especially surrounding topics like induction or elective cesareans. This episode unpacks the critical difference between what we mean and how our words are interpreted. If you want to strengthen your communication, reduce misunderstandings, and support clients with more clarity and compassion.