induce: verb – To succeed in persuading or leading (someone) to do something. “the pickets induced many workers to stay away”.
Of course, the definition we usually use in maternity care is: bring about or give rise to. “none of these measures induced a change of policy” We typically use it in the context of artificially bringing about the beginning of labour. Thing is, it seems to me the first definition is as valid as the second right now. I think many, many doulas and midwives would agree that every day, in every way, women are being induced to be induced.
The persuasion comes in many forms: Much better to pop it out before it gets too big, eh? So much nicer to know the day your baby will be born. We can make a plan and know where we stand If you’re anxious, we can start the process for you if you like I’ll just pop your name on the induction list and get that all booked in for you Just to be on the safe side, eh? We have to err on the side of caution We need to get your baby out now (often followed by a 5 day wait due to short staffing and huge parental anxiety)
During other conversations, the shadows start creeping in: You are high risk You wouldn’t want anything to happen We don’t do that here It’s hospital policy Your placenta will fail We have to We need to I’m just going to Relax, just relax
We are told we are too old and too young, too fat and too thin, too diabetic. Our mental health is blamed, or told that its because it’s our first baby or our 4th. The baby is too small and too big, we have too much water and not enough. We will never give birth on our own. We will bleed to death. We can’t have babies vaginally. There’s no choice here you are going to have to be induced.
And if we say we would prefer not to be induced? “I’m afraid that is not possible I’m not authorized to allow that Did the consultant give you permission? Does your husband think this is a good idea? Tell your wife to be sensible Do you want your baby to die? I’m afraid I will have to refer you to Social Services We have a legal obligation to…. Listen, this is not a prison. Of course you can go home anytime. But are you going to come back in two days with a dead fetus inside you and say I didn’t warn you?”* And when a mother has been induced to be induced, she is booked in with a smile and not told… Not told about the wards, bursting at the seams Not told about the noise and lack of sleep Not told about the hospital being closed so their induction is paused Not told about the lack of staff so their induction is paused Not told about Delivery Suite being full, so their induction is paused Paused Paused Paused…
Not told that despite the ’emergency’ that requires their baby to be immediately evicted, the process could take a long time, or not work at all. Not told that they may be left to labour alone on a ward without their partner. Not told about the lack of space, the heat, the terrible food, the shared toilet and showering facilities. Not told what happens, in what order and why. Not told that sometimes it happens too quickly; the womb overstimulated in a white heat of pain. Not told that often it doesn’t happen at all. Not told about the 4-hourly vaginal exams, the drips, the monitoring belts, the coming and going, the changing of shifts.
Induction is a choice. An item on the menu. Choose according to your circumstances, preferences and instincts. Choose based on information that is as factual as possible. Choose based on the pros and cons. Choose knowing the actual chances of various things happening (absolute not relative risk). Choose knowing your care is being individualised to you. Choose knowing that you are not being processed on a one-side-fits-all conveyor belt. Choose knowing no one has a crystal ball. Choose after conversations with people who are not crippled with fear. Choose trusting yourself and your caregivers. Choose having been given time and physical space and privacy. Choose in the knowledge that you are the expert in your own baby.
Most of all, choose freely, without manipulation, coercion, blackmail, cul de sacs, fait accomplis, fearmongering, dead baby cards, well meaning platitudes, patronising exchanges, mansplaining, blinding with science, a sense of obligation to your caregiver, fear of being punished, or fear of having your children removed. Because babies are not rhubarb. Most of the time, they do not require forcing in the dark.
*all real quotes from our clients
Author: Maddie McMahon
Click on this box to find out more about Maddie or visit her website here: www.maddiemcmahon.com
I had the seeds of an idea when I first started my birth work journey. I love what I do but struggled with the idea that good evidence based birth education was only available to those that could afford it. I want everyone to be able to access the right information in the hope they have the birth they choose.
The seed was watered by the wonderful Maddie who believed in my idea and gave me the confidence to actualise it.
I was lucky as I was offered a church hall rent free from Constance (a trustee of the toddler group that I volunteer at ) so my overheads are zero and I knew I could make it work. My vision for the group is to create a judgement free village of people who come together to learn and support each other. Who will hopefully become each other’s support network for many years to come. It’s small at present but building week by week. We discuss all aspects of birth and postpartum in an easy informal way and have a WhatsApp group for chats inbetween sessions. The joy I get from this group is second to none. I leave after each session absolutely glowing with unity and love. The support I get from Maddie and Constance lifts me and seeing the parents mould together to form their tribe is just beautiful.
Find out more about Norfolk Doula Caz Sayles by clicking on her image to be taken to her profile page.
We’re Here! A Practical Guide to Becoming an LGBTQ+ Parent
Norfolk-based doula and IBCLC B.J. Woodstein is also a university lecturer, translator and writer. Her two newest books might be of interest to other doulas and health professionals and to our clients. Both books can be ordered from libraries or purchased.
The first, The Portrayal of Breastfeeding in Literature, is a study of how breastfeeding is depicted in literature for adults and in children’s literature. In this book, B.J. compares English-language to Swedish-language literature and finds that – what a shock! – English-language lit tends to be quite negative about breastfeeding, suggesting that it is disgusting or wrong or problematic. On the other hand, Swedish-language books feature breastfeeding as a normal part of life. Not coincidentally, breastfeeding rates are much higher in Sweden than in English-speaking countries. This book is available at: ANTHEM PRESS.
B.J.’s other new book is We’re Here! A Practical Guide to Becoming an LGBTQ+ Parent. This book is aimed at both LGBTQ+ people and the professionals who work with them. It leads people through all the options there are for LGBTQ+ folks when it comes to family-building, giving birth, infant-feeding and more. There are many personal stories from LGBTQ+ people and health professionals, as well as lots of practical tips and information. It can be purchased through: PRAECLARUS PRESS.
B.J. is really excited about her books, which are both unique contributions to their respective fields. She can be contacted through her website: https://www.bjwoodstein.com/
I hold space for leaps of faith tears fears hopes sadness laughter joy surprises confusion doubt evolution disbelief dreams delight & going with the flow
I am witness Space holder Sanctuary guardian Gatekeeper Hand holder Deep listener Comfort bringer Body whisperer Doing nothinger Counselor Dreamweaver Sympathiser Mirror Seer Alchemist Seeker of truth En-courager Go-between Time traveller Reminder Restorer of ritual Believer
Sometimes I sit on my hands And sometimes they are busy busy serving With love Tending Stroking Wiping Carrying Holding Squeezing Making Showing Supporting
I witness you give birth to your new self To your baby To everything you’ve been waiting for The setting sun on yesterday and the dawn of a new day
I share little stories To let you know YOU ARE NOT ALONE
I bring love I bring hope I bring loving touch And I weep with you When they steal your power And overwhelm us all Closing in like an iron fist
I weep with you I stand with you I howl with you I fight for you In whatever small ways I can I love and care for you
Love is what I will bring to you when I support you. I want to walk through this part of your parenting journey with you, wrapping you in a warm blanket of care and nurture. I will listen to your hopes and fears and together we will find ways to create a clear path to feeling confident, in control and connected. Pregnancy, birth and parenting information is overwhelming but I will help you navigate this by acting as your google filter and by guiding you to balanced information.
I will always support you in your choices without judgement, holding your hand throughout. As we get to know each other, I will be able to tailor my services to the individual needs of your unique family. A doula is an emotional support, a calming presence, and a bringer of compassion and smiles. Practically I will bring my knowledge of labour, birth, hypnobirthing and biomechanics. I also have a lending library, birthing pool, birthing stool, birthing balls and rebozos for you to use.
How I can support you:
Hypnobirthing – I teach group and private classes.
Bespoke antenatal education and birth preparation.
Pregnancy Doula – individually tailored doula support throughout pregnancy until your birthing day.
Birth Doula
Creative Journalling group sessions (maternal journal)
A little bit about me:
I live in in a little village in the Norfolk Broads with my amazing teenage sweetheart turned husband and three sons.
After my motherhood journey began I became acutely aware that so much in life begins with how we experience birth and the start of human life. I started my birth keeper work by training as a hypnobirthing teacher and then began consuming as much as I could about the birthing and parenthood world. Eventually, after years adoring my work as a school teacher, I made the jump to fully self-employed life. And here I am.
Some fun facts:
I’m happiest with a scuba tank attached to me, drifting along the bottom of the ocean.
I cannot cook. Seriously, my baking is actually dangerous.
I home educate our tiny humans.
I founded and run Home Birth Norfolk peer support group and I am the founder of Norfolk Doulas.
As an activist I am on the steering group of a national grassroots campaign group March With Midwives.
Devotional development – I am dedicated to attending many continuing professional development courses every year.
If you would like some more information about my training, qualifications, experience and client testimonials please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
My commitment to continuing professional development includes having done the following courses: Biomechanics for birth to advanced level; LGBTQ+ inclusion; Cultural competence and safety; Human rights for childbirth and many many more.
If you are confined to the house right now, get in touch if you feel you could do with some emotional and informational support. Being pregnant of a new parent at the moment is particularly challenging – getting some extra support and having that on tap at the touch of a phone or computer might help just a little bit and stop you feeling isolated.
~~~~~~~~~~ I suspect you’ve been reading quite a few of these and hopefully some stuff on this website about what doulas do. So you’ll know by now that choosing a doula is about making a short list, having some chats on the phone, some face to face meetings and then going with your gut instinct. I do the same – I love to work with people I feel an affinity for. Doula support is a relationship and I want you to feel you are being supported by someone who really cares, who won’t mind being woken up in the middle of the night – in fact, someone who relishes it. Yes, doulas really are that weird!
I have worked and love working with a wide variety of families. Whatever shape, identity, colour or size of your family makes no difference to me – I care that you experience joy and fulfillment as you step into parenthood.
Part of my role as a doula, is to be there to offer you support, encouragement, information and practical help. Because becoming a mother or primary parent, or having another baby, is a time of transition. All transitions in life are times when most of us enjoy and benefit from someone to listen, to bounce ideas off and to build our self-esteem. I feel huge love and pride in my clients, but I am detached enough not to feel compelled to tell you what I think you ought to do.
My trust is in your ability to make the right choices for you and your baby.
The passion and fulfilment that comes from being a doula stems from the huge satisfaction I get from accompanying parents in their journey – guiding them through the maze of pregnancy and childbirth and supporting them through the transition to parenthood. It truely is an honour to walk with parents during this time. The services I offer are uniquely tailored to the individual family, as are the costs, so please contact me for details.
It is the little things that make a difference, so ask for what you need and I’ll do my best to help you reach your goals.
Doula Course with Paramana Doula December 2003
On going training with Doula UK ie regular Study Days/weekends.
I run a Doula Preparation Course and enjoy guiding women through their first steps to becoming a doula
I am a Mentor for Doula UK
I am a Breastfeeding Counsellor and founder member of the charity Cambridge Breastfeeding Alliance.
I help run a local Birth Choices group and was instrumental in setting up our local VBAC Support group.
I have supported both first time mothers and those having subsequent children. My clients have opted for both hospital, Birth Centre and homebirths. Some have chosen to have vaginal births after caesareans. I have also supported women having caesareans, and been present in theatre. I have also supported many people labouring and birthing in water, both at home and in hospital.I have worked with a number of parents having twins and more.
I have supported women through many choices in childbirth from elective c-sections to all-natural lotus births and the normal birth of twins – my prime concern is that families feel supported in their informed decisions and have as fulfilling and positive experience of their child’s birthday as possible.
I don’t offer related services such as complementary therapies but can signpost you to those that can.
I also offer an antenatal ‘Preparing the way for Feeding My Baby’ session. This is just for you (and your partner) in your own home and is tailored to your individual needs and concerns.
I’m mother to 2 wonderful young people (born 2000 and 2003)and stepmum to one wonderful, all-grown-up person. I love reading and swimming out in the wild. I am plotting to live by the sea. I can’t think of anything more important than the way we give birth and nurture our children.
Hello, my name is Becky and I live in central Cambridge with my husband, James. Three of our five children still live at home with us, My youngest child was born at the Rosie in 2009.
The older two have now flown the nest and started families of their own; I have two wonderful grandchildren. In my personal experiences through pregnancy and motherhood I discovered that being supported and nurtured empowered me to make choices that were right for me and my family, whether that be highly medicalised, or home birth, both of which I have had. I find women and babies, birth and pregnancy awe inspiring and believe it is the most wonderful thing to bring a new little person into the world. I have had the joy of supporting many women and their partners to navigate this exciting and sometimes bewildering experience in their family’s lives both as a doula and in my birth preparation classes, I have also worked outside the home in Sex and Relationship Education and supporting young people within the Education system. I love my allotment and spend any spare time that I have there; which is not a lot!
Birth Doula
I am a Recognised Birth Doula. I trained with Developing Doulas in 2013. I work in Cambridgeshire, Huntingdon and Norfolk. I have a real passion for supporting women and their families. What is most important to me is that you feel confident informed and nurtured through the process of planning your birth, the birth itself, and that special time after your baby has arrived. I have supported many different types of families, and their very individual births, including home-births, births after caesarean, hypnobirths and water-births.My philosophy is that if a woman experiences a quiet, calm and nurturing environment, she is most likely to feel positive about her experience however the baby is born. I have supported medicalised births, including caesarian, induction of labour as well as many births when the mother needed no medical intervention at all. I have found that when parents have access to evidenced based information they make choices that feel right for them. The calming presence of having your own doula alongside you, who you know and trust, gives reassurance and support to you and your partner however you choose to birth.
What I do?
As a doula, I am able to accompany you (and your partner) through the process of preparing for birth, and support you during labour and birth. I can also support you in the first weeks after birth and will visit once or twice, once the baby is born. I can draw on my knowledge and experience, to provide you with emotional support and physical comfort measures. If the need arises I can help you communicate with your midwife and medical care team to ensure that you have all the information you need to make informed decisions during pregnancy, labour, birth and the early days of parenting.I can make suggestions for planning and preparing for your birth including emotional and physical health throughout your pregnancy, writing a birth plan, helping you create a nurturing, bonding environment for those early days with your new baby. I always provide two full antenatal sessions tailored to meet your needs, and can also help you to prepare any older children for the arrival of your new baby. I am happy to accompany you to any hospital appointments, and am available throughout your pregnancy for phone calls/texts/visits should the need arise. Throughout the on-call period (usually 38 to 42 weeks) you can call me 24 hours a day.
Continuous Personal Development
I am a member of Cambridgeshire Doulas. I co-run Cambridge Birth Choices, a free drop in group that provides emotional support and practical suggestions for pregnant women in Cambridgeshire. I am experienced in supporting, VBAC, Water-birth, Hypnobirth, Caesarian, Active birth, and have attended many training sessions and Workshops on Attachment, Rebozo, Birthing for Blokes, Pregnancy Massage, Water-birth, Hypnobirthing, closing the bones, active birth, birth rights, Breastfeeding, early parenting, my training is ongoing and I aim to stay updated and current in my knowledge and practice.
My Doula services
A package of Doula and independent midwife support (as part of Cambridge midwives) Private hypnobirthing classes. BirthLight active birth BirthSense birth preparation. Impromptu birth doula service. On occasion I have been called upon by women who suddenly require the support of a doula, either during or just before labour begins. This can be for a variety of reasons. Even though we have not built the antenatal relationship, I have experienced instant rapport with these women and been able to positively support them through their labour and birth. If you require this service please phone, 07852347001 Every woman has the right to feel safe, relaxed and nurtured, to choose how and where she gives birth and every family deserves to thoroughly enjoy their babymoon.
Testimonials:
Becky supported me to have the home birth I always dreamed of, I wish every woman could have Becky’s support during pregnancy and birth.
She was absolutely invaluable from the moment we met her; from emotional support for both me and my husband, to helping me make my own informed choices and looking at ALL my birth options.
Becky brought amazing positive, calming vibes to the birth of my baby. I found that I couldn’t help but relax every time I looked to Becky for support during my labour, she was a rock and I could never thank her enough for the love and care I received from her. I feel strongly that every woman having a baby should have a Doula to offer knowledge care, support and love and I personally couldn’t imagine being pregnant and giving birth again without Becky being there.
Dear Becky, You were our rock, our confidante, our perfect doula. Thank you, thank you, thank you. “Thank you so much. Your commitment and dedication to helping us have the birth we wanted was remarkable. Attending appointments, researching new topics, connecting us up with other professionals, your wealth of knowledge, your positive, enthusiastic, kind encouragement…. You were the perfect doula for our perfectly imperfect birth.”
I trained to be a doula because I had a doula myself for my second birth, and that made all the difference between me feeling impotent and done-to, as I had the first time around, and empowered and strong the second time. I want to help you find the strength and power within you and I want to support you so you can meet your pregnancy, birth, feeding, and parenting goals.
I believe that loving, encouraging, and informed support really matters, so I will offer you evidence-based information, a warm and friendly listening ear, and an attention to detail that means that I will focus on your needs and desires. My main aim is to help you meet your goals and to give you the emotional and practical support you need to do this.
I have extensive experience with both antenatal and postnatal support because I am a trained peer supporter through Pregnancy Sickness Support and also a trained breastfeeding counsellor on the National Breastfeeding Helpline. I have a particular passion for breastfeeding and have myself been a breastfeeding mother for six years and counting now.
Some of the relevant training I have taken includes:
a doula course;
a breastfeeding peer support module;
a breastfeeding counsellor course;
a three-step rewind course;
a perinatal mental health course;
negotiation skills;
assertiveness training;
counselling skills;
stress management skills;
safeguarding for children and safeguarding for adults;
courses in anatomy, physiology, genetics, and other science subjects.
Feel free to ask for my CV if you would like to know more.
Beside my volunteer roles, I work as an academic in literature and translation at the University of East Anglia. Outside of work, I love spending time with my family, reading, walking, and swimming. I am originally from Chicago, in the US, and now I live in Norwich with my wife and our two children and two cats.
I am a mentored doula, which means I am supported by a more experienced doula, and this in turn is beneficial to you since you in a sense get two doulas for the price of one.
Please see more about me on my website: bjwoodstein.com, or email me to find out more or to have an obligation-free discussion about your needs and plans.
I’m the mother of two wonderful young adults. I relax by singing, dancing and walking in nature and beside the sea.
I became a doula over 20 years ago because, due to wonderful help from others, I had life changing and empowering birth experiences. I wanted to be part of the movement to return birth to the mother; where it belongs and is safest. I enjoy working with women and their partners to help them achieve their hopes and dreams but also to ensure that whatever happens, during birth, they are heard and respected. I have found from many years experience that couples benefit, during labour, from the presence of an extra person answerable only to them. I do not and could not replace a woman`s partner, my role is to nurture and support the birthing woman and her partner. Over the years I have attended courses led by Michel Odent, Ina May Gaskin, Penny Simkin, Jean Sutton, Janet Balaskas, Sheila Kitzinger, Mary Cronk, Suzanne Colson, Gail Tully and Heather Allen. One of the reasons I love this work is that you never stop learning. I have supported a large number of home and hospital births. These include VBAC, HBAC, active breech births and water births. .I have experience with hypnobirthing, spinning babies and rebozo. I am the co-founder of the Norwich Birth Group. I have many years experience as a maternity service user representative working in a voluntary capacity to improve local maternity services.
As a mother of five, experienced doula and homebirth campainer (I am the founder of Birthplace Matters, which successfully campaigned to have the homebirth service restored in Kings Lynn), I know first-hand what a difference it makes to receive loving, continuous support from a birth partner who really believes in you!
My role as your doula encompasses different kinds of support…
Psychological : helping you to build a positive birthing mindset
Emotional – listening to you and exploring questions, feelings, fears if you wish to share them
Practical – sometimes taking on practical things that need doing to free you up to focus on more important things
Physical – being hands-on in labour if you need or want to be massaged, or held, or leaned on
Caring – being a loving, unflustered and positive person you can depend on
Confidence boosting – helping you to draw on your own intuition and strengths
As your doula, I try to do everything in my power to help the magic flow whatever setting you birth in, no matter how things unfold.
I have trained with Nurturing Birth, Birthing From Within and also Developing Doulas, and believe experience is the best teacher of all. I am always keen to learn new skills and make new friends around the globe – sharing knowledge and growing gives me a real buzz.
Sometimes I am asked back to be a doula for a second time, and am still involved in the lives of many families I have worked with as those babies turn into toddlers and then school-aged boys and girls and it is always a lovely thing to witness a family’s evolution!
If you are interested to know more about what you can expect when you hire me as your doula… please look at my website: http://www.gowiththeflowdoula.co.uk/
I’m the mother of two wonderful young adults. I relax by singing, dancing and walking in nature and beside the sea.
