STAY READY so you don’t have to GET ready!
Staying prepared as a birthworker/doula is incredibly helpful in ensuring smooth transitions and optimal support for our clients as well as ourselves.
Look, we already know that birthworkers play a pivotal role in guiding expectant parents through the transformative journey of childbirth. We are there to offer emotional, physical, and informational support during this vulnerable time. Cultivating a practice of readiness is essential to making this work sustainable for ourselves and to ensuring that our clients receive the best care possible. In this blog post, let’s talk about the significance of being prepared and put together some practical tips for us to remain in a constant state of readiness as birthworkers.
Embrace the Role of a Birthworker
Most of the time, our work is not confined to set hours or strict schedules. Birth can happen at any time, day or night, and as such, we must be prepared to respond promptly to our clients' needs. Recognizing the sacred nature of birth, we commit to the unknowable mysteries by being available when our clients are in need of our support and acknowledge the privilege we have in assisting parents during such a profound life event. Whether we’re supporting clients prenatally, for any pregnancy conclusion or in postpartum, our clarity around this commitment is vital in guiding the boundaries that support our availability.
Cultivate Flexibility and Adaptability
Birthwork is inherently unpredictable, and plans can change in an instant. Part of our role involves being adaptable and flexible, able to embrace the unexpected and think on our feet. Cultivating a mindset that embraces change will help us stay calm and composed during challenging situations. Getting to know our tender spots - the issues, phrases and scenarios that can activate us as well as how we can ground ourselves in moments of stress, will help us stay present so we can choose how we want to respond at any time.
Develop Strong Communication Skills
Effective communication is at the heart of birthwork. We must be excellent listeners, understanding our clients' desires and concerns, and asking questions when we (or they) are unsure. Furthermore, we must be skilled in providing clear and concise information to our clients so they have the information they need to make a choice about what’s best for them and their families. It’s helpful to remember also that communication is about more than what is said, and trust our intuition to guide us in better supporting ourselves and our clients.
Build a Strong Support Network
It can be easy to fall into working in isolation. Especially when things get challenging or overwhelming. But that’s when you need support even more! As caregivers, it is imperative that we build a community of fellow birthworkers to make space for the reciprical exchange of knowledge, support, and resources. Having a backup system in place ensures that if we are unavailable, our clients can still receive the necessary support during their transitions and transformations. It also allows for us to offer ourselves the rest, love and care we deserve.
Create a Practice of Physical and Emotional Self-Care
Birthwork is emotionally demanding, and long hours can take a toll on the body and mind. To remain ready for our clients, we must prioritize self-care. And I’m talking beyond the typical self-soothing we see portrayed on social media as self-care. While the bubble baths, chocolate and wine are pleasurable additions that we deserve to enjoy as we deign to, we need a crucial foundation of moving our bodies, eating nourishing foods, and getting sufficient rest to maintain our physical well-being as well as engaging in activities that promote emotional and mental balance, such as meditation or counseling, so we are better able to manage the mental, physical and emotional intensity of our work effectively.
Hone your Organizational Skills and Preparedness
This is where knowing yourself, and being willing to to keep learning about yourself as you change and grow is key. Understanding what you need and what best supports you to have what you need will go a long way in ensuring that you are meticulous and organized in your schedule and whatever materials you need to offer support. Keeping all necessary items in a readily accessible and well-organized manner ensures that you can respond promptly and efficiently to client calls. From essential tools to emotional support materials for yourself and for your clients, having everything ready beforehand prevents unnecessary stress during critical moments.
Continue Education and Development
Staying ready as a birthworker also involves a commitment to continuous learning. Medical knowledge and best practices are constantly evolving, making it imperative for birthworkers to stay updated with the latest research, techniques, and guidelines. Attending workshops, seminars, and conferences is essential for maintaining professional competence and enhancing the level of care we can provide to our clients.
Being a birthworker is both a rewarding and demanding role. To provide the highest level of support to our clients, it is helpful to commit to staying ready so we don’t have to get ready!
By embracing our role, fostering a self-care practice to meet our own needs, cultivating a supportive community and committing to continual education, we can maintain our readiness and ensure smooth transitions when called to assist our clients at whatever stage of their reproductive experience they’re in.
Staying ready isn't just about having the right tools at hand; it's about cultivating a mindset of compassion, understanding, and unwavering commitment to offering ourselves the care and support we need in order to show up for community the way we choose to.
If you’re ready to answer the call - ENROLL NOW in one of our self-paced foundational birthwork training courses that are evidence based, trauma informed, and justice rooted:
Access all materials virtually, receive virtual group mentoring, access to our private Facebook group, and a listing on our birthworkers directory. Courses are closed captioned, payment plans/pay later options available.