Pain in Labour Is Not Just Physical
Why nervous system regulation changes everything for doulas One of the most misunderstood aspects of labour is pain. Not because pain isn’t real, but because it’s rarely just physical. What most people don’t understand about pain in labour is how fear exponentially increases it. When the nervous system perceives threat, pain does not rise in a linear way. It multiplies. Muscles tighten, breath shortens, hormones shift, and suddenly the body is no longer working with labour
What is a Holistic Reproductive Practitioner and How Does It Differ from Conventional Doula Training?
For many years, I taught a conventional birth doula course through a mainstream doula training organization. I loved the experience, but I often found myself holding back. As a reflexologist first, my desire was always to work with women during pregnancy and birth, which led me to become a doula. Along the way, I discovered the power of fertility support as more clients came to me for reflexology to address infertility. But I didn’t stop there. Many of my clients had energeti
Why I Wrote This Article on Holistic Doulas in Modern Birth Care
Pregnancy and birth today involve more information, more testing, and more medical options than ever before. While access to care has expanded, I see many families feeling quietly overwhelmed, unsure how to navigate the system in a way that actually aligns with their values, nervous systems, and lived experiences. I wrote this article for BRAINZ Magazine because I believe holistic doulas are needed now more than ever, not because modern maternity care is failing, but becaus
Navigating Tough Hospital Births: A Doula's Story
Being a doula is one of the most rewarding and transformative careers, but it’s not without its challenges. There was one birth in...
How to Build Positive Relationships with Hospital Staff as a Doula
Being a doula means walking into different birth environments, often alongside hospital staff who may not know you or fully understand...
Limiting belief: It's important for doulas to have given birth before becoming a doula
The idea that a having experience being pregnant or giving birth, or giving birth vaginally is a prerequisite to being a good birth doula is very common among aspiring or new doulas. This is a powerful limiting belief that I really want to address. How many fabulous potential doulas never get into birth work because they think they are not enough because of the way their life has unfolded, either intentionally or unintentionally? As an experienced veteran doula, I can empathi
