At the beginning of the 20th century, male Obstetricians dubbed the traditional ‘granny midwives’ in the US dirty and ignorant in order to wrestle control over maternity care and make huge profits. In a breathtakingly Patriarchal and racist move (over half the traditional midwives were Black and their wisdom derived from the traditions protected and … Read more
Photo by Jason Leung on Unsplash “There is more than one kind of freedom,” said Aunt Lydia. “Freedom to and freedom from. In the days of anarchy, it was freedom to. Now you are being given freedom from. Don’t underrate it.”― Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid’s Tale I’ve been watching season 5 of The Handmaid’s Tale again recently, … Read more
Photo by John Cameron on Unsplash Developing Doulas Course Facilitator, Katie Fryer-Olliffe, shares a deeply personal reflection on her journey into doula work, the importance of community over competition, and how she embraces activism rooted in connection, care, and integrity. Shortly after having my first child in 2007, I began exploring different careers that might … Read more
The world is in a sorry state. Violence, death and destruction bombard us whenever we switch on the television. Unkindness seems to be everywhere. Worry – about money, our health, or loved ones is rife. It’s easy to feel downhearted and it’s hard to see our clients struggling. So it is important that we care … Read more
As we step into June, DD Companion Sam Reynolds reflects on her month of May and what this time of year means to her, professionally and personally. May ‘Spring is often more about foundational growth – inner growth, inner seeds being planted, our roots. Before we burst out, into the outside world, into the much … Read more
A blog by Emma Ashworth, Birth Activist and DD Specialist Companion. You can book sessions with Emma to pick her brain on all things human rights in childbirth or for support with specific situations your clients’ rights are not being respected. NHS care prides itself on being evidence based – right? Yet, how often, in … Read more
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