June 2024 Newsletter
Posted on:
June 21, 2024 |
At ProDoula, we encourage our members to gain a deep understanding of the complex, multifaceted issues the LGBTQIA+ community face during pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period.
Members of the LGBTQIA+ community are no strangers to their relationships and identities not being recognized or respected in day to day life. As professional doulas, it is our obligation to be aware of the ways parents-to-be within this community are affected in birthing spaces.
From internal struggles like gender dysphoria to external invalidation like a partner or spouse being mistaken for a friend or sibling, it is paramount that we have an understanding of what our clients may experience.
Here are 3 ProDoula tips to supporting LGBTQIA+ folx:
Educate yourself.
It is not enough to call yourself a “safe space”. In many instances education is necessary and unlearning must be considered. Being a safe space for LGBTQIA+ clients is not achieved by simply willing it to be. ProDoula’s Cultural Competence resource as well as the Doula Learning Channel’s module, Inclusive Language for Birth Professionals are great places to start!
Encourage your clients to express their needs to their care teams clearly.
Birthing individuals have the right to communicate with their providers about correct pronoun usage, addressing them by the name they want to be called if it differs from their legal name, respecting their partner’s identity, and other important factors relating to their autonomy. Encouraging your clients to have these conversations prenatally, during triage, and by requesting that they be documented in their medical charts, can make all the difference during their experience.
Be aware of your assumptions.
As doulas, we know that there is no one way to labor or give birth. When supporting clients in the LGBTQIA+ community, it’s important to learn as much as you can about the possible obstacles these clients may face. This also means understanding that not every queer person will experience the same thing. Attunement is our superpower!
(Authored by ProDoula Trainer and Proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, Sarah Divito)
🌈 SALE ALERT! 20% OFF 🌈
INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE FOR BIRTH PROFESSIONALS
That’s right! For the entire month of June the Doula Learning Channel is offering 20% savings on this online learning module in celebration of Pride month!
Inclusive Language for Birth Professionals
Purchase and download today for just $16! Price is marked down, no code necessary.
83 BIRTH WORKERS COMPLETED PRODOULA CERTIFICATION IN MAY 2024!
Certified Postpartum & Infant Care Doula: 40
✰ Certified Elite Postpartum & Infant Care Doulas: 1 ✰
Certified Advanced Postpartum Support Specialist: 7
Certified Infant Feeding Educator: 3
Certified Postpartum Placenta Specialist: 4
Certified Labor Doula: 25 Certified
Childbirth Educator: 3
PRODOULAS MAKING A DIFFERENCE!
Kristin Revere of Gold Coast Doulas is making a difference in her community (and beyond!) with the launch of Supported: Your Guide to Birth and Baby.
We received our copy at the ProDoula office and are so proud of the hard work and dedication it took to create this book for expectant parents.
Supported: Your Guide to Birth and Baby is an all-encompassing guide to help growing families plan a positive labor, birth and postpartum experience.
This is an excellent resource for expectant families. It even comes in a kindle version! Grab your copy of Supported: Your Guide to Birth and Baby today!
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT PRODOULA
“I wanted to share my sincere and enthusiastic testimonial regarding the exceptional Doula Training class I recently had the privilege of attending. Our trainer, Haley, went above and beyond to create a safe and comfortable space for all of us to connect, learn, and grow. The sense of community that developed among the participants was extraordinary, and it was clear that our trainer played a crucial role in building these connections. I formed bonds with fellow doulas that I know will last a lifetime, and I couldn’t be more grateful for that. This ProDoula Training experience has left me feeling not only knowledgeable but also inspired and confident about my path as a doula.” – Ray Anne (Rachel) Barker
Labor Doula Training – Educator, Haley Jasmin (Pictured above) – Michigan
FEATURED BLOG POST
The Emotional Journey of Expectant Fathers
WHAT WE ARE WATCHING
ProDoula CEO, Randy Patterson, and ProDoula Director of Research & Development, Angela Horn talk about why birth professionals need VBAC specific training.
Doulas of the Roundtable Podcast
Episode 136 : Navigating the Unexpected
As doulas, we must be prepared to navigate the unexpected and help our clients do the same. When facing these unexpected circumstances, our clients must make swift judgment calls.
These situations often don’t allow for thorough deliberation. The environment and context will significantly influence the resources available.
Join Eva and Angela as share and discuss various unexpected situations and how they’ve navigated them with their clients.
