(Recorded in the fall of 2021, released in Jan 2022) Ajira and Keelia wrap up the season by sharing what they've been up to, and recommending their favorite birth/reproductive justice-related podcasts and resources. If you want to follow along on Ajira's or Keelia's personal journeys or learn more about their offerings, you can find Ajira @ajira on…

Eri Guajardo Johnson (she/they) and Micaela McHenry (or Mickey, she/her/ella) share the inspiring story of what it was like for them to support a fellow Indigenous person through their empowering birth experience. With Eri as birth consultant for survivors of trauma, and Micaela in the doula role, the two worked together and witnessed the healing p…

Often the support we provide as birthworkers is only part of the picture. Most of the time our clients need support from the healthcare system, not just from their designated support person. In this episode, Ari Stoeffler (they/them) shares three short stories about the ways they've provided individual support and systemic support in abortion care,…

From body fluid spills to cringey moments with clients, Ajira and Keelia share several short stories about funny happenings in the birth room from their own and other birthworkers' experiences. A huge thank you, again, to everyone who submitted a short story. You can follow the Doula Stories podcast on Facebook @DoulaStoriesPodcast or on Instagram …

Divya Kumar (she/her) shares about providing support to a group of new parents in the lead up and aftermath of the 2016 presidential election. After noticing that the group shared fears around raising children during a tumultuous political season, Divya created a space where the families could support each other with those concerns alongside asking…

When Cherie's birth photography client asked if Cherie would be the third layer of backup doula support, she agreed--how likely is it that the third backup doula needs to be called in, really? Sure enough, though, Cherie ended up unexpectedly supporting her client as both doula and photographer, facing questions that are all too familiar for doulas…

Hana Grace Lehmann (she/they) was going to support her close friend Annalise (she/her) through her pregnancy and birth. Annalise was set to have an unmedicated birth at the hospital, but when she reached forty weeks, COVID-19 hit, and shelter-in-place began. With Annalise now looking at different birthing options, Hana faced the possibility of prov…

Sam (they/them) had been a full-time doula for years. Then COVID hit, and they now faced having to provide virtual support for the first time in their career to a client with a long history of trauma. What originally was going to be in-person support for a birth at a birth center quickly became an exercise in adapting to rapidly changing circumstan…

Amadoma Bediako had been a birthworker in New York City since the 70's, but she still felt a little intimidated when another doula asked her to be the doula at their home birth. If you'd like to connect with Amadoma, or if you're interested in attending any of Amadoma's trainings, you can learn more by emailing her at doulatraining@gmail.com Sevonn…

Hana Grace Lehmann (she/they) shares her story about supporting Lily (she/her) through the birth of her firstborn. The deck seemed stacked against Lily from the start. Even though Lily wanted an unmedicated birth, everyone in her family had given birth by cesarean, and Hana knew that Lily’s doctor had a very high cesarean rate. When Hana got the ca…

Ajira and Keelia introduce themselves, and explain why this podcast is needed. They also introduce storytelling as a tool in our continued education as doulas, and its value in sustaining and supporting birthworkers. The book mentioned in the episode is The Doulas: Radical Care for Pregnant People by Mary Mahoney and Lauren Mitchell. You can follow…

Braxton and Hicks walk into a bar. Nothing happens. Ajira and Keelia are here with funny-ish jokes and stories from doulas to share with you. Subscribe to hear about what happens in the birth room from the doula’s perspective, and to hear helpful tips along the way. Follow Doula Stories on Instagram @doulastories, or check out their website: doulas…