EP 58: Doula Care with Grace Swartzendruber

Summary: In this episode we interview Grace Swartzendruber, a full spectrum doula, about doula care. We cover what a doula is, what they do, why someone would hire a doula, the benefits of a doula, and how a doula can be a valuable member of the birth team. <br> <br> Interview Questions: <br> <br> 1. Can you start off by explaining to our listeners what is a doula, what types of training they go through, and what services they provide?<br> 2. What are some of the reasons that a pregnant person might hire a doula?<br> 3. What are some common misconceptions about doulas that you have heard, particularly from OB/Gyn clinicians?<br> 4. We are all about evidence and I know there has been some research on the benefit of doulas in birth. Can you please share with our listeners the evidence surrounding the impact the doulas? <br> 5. How can doulas be seen as part of member of the birth team?<br> 6. We are also all about communication in this podcast so we want to ask two specific questions about communication related to doulas. First, how can provider appropriately respond to a patient who wants a doula. <br> 7. Second, can you share some tips on how clinicians can improve their communication with a doula during the labor, delivery, and post-partum period?<br> 8. We have a growing number of listeners who do not identify as In your opinion what makes a “good” doula?<br> 9. What do you see as the future of doula services?<br> 10. Where can our listeners go to learn more about doulas and even find one in their community?<br>