This week I wanted to highlight one of my favorite Facebook video series’ called Romper’s Doula Diaries. I found this page sometime last year and waited for months for a new season, but it was 100% worth it. You can watch their episodes via Facebook or Youtube (Season 1 and Season 2) and they’re usually about 9 -10 minutes long. Romper’s Doula Diaries tells various stories about doulas, their clients, the work doulas do and the impact that they have. It gives an outlook on the various ways doulas can impact the prenatal, birth and postpartum period for new parents and also reminds us of the different needs that a client may have. To give y’all a little taste of what the series is about, keep reading to see my five favorites that have been released so far!
After a very frustrating first birth experience, this Deaf mother wanted a change. Will the help of two Deaf doulas give the quality communication and birth experience she wants and deserves?
Giving Birth While Deaf
This has been my absolute favorite episode so far because I feel like it touched on such a forgotten population and important topic. This episode follows a deaf couple during their birthing journey and the two deaf doulas that assist them in having the birth experience they desire. As a doula, my goal is to help those in the marginalized communities within birth and those that are differently-abled are often overlooked when it comes to activism and social justice. This episode really provided an insight on what it’s like to be differently-abled and to interact with the medical community and I think it’s an important watch for, not just doulas, but any medical professional.
Content Advisory: This video addresses sensitive topics surrounding infant loss that some viewers might find disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised.** This mom has rejected societal and medical pressures and chosen to carry her baby to term despite the baby's fatal condition.
2. My Baby Saved Me
This can be a difficult watch for some but I think it’s one of Romper’s best episodes. It follows a woman who has recently discovered that her baby has a fatal medical condition that may lead to stillbirth or death soon after birth. The story looks at how the pregnancy and birth experience helped change this mother’s life for the better. I loved this episode a lot because I think it showed a side of birth that doulas often don’t like to talk about - what happens when the birth outcome is not positive. I also loved how supportive and helpful the nurses and doctors were in this episode. Even though this wasn’t the focus it was refreshing to see as, not just a doula, but as a nurse, future midwife, and hopefully future mother. This video helps remind us of the compassion needed to be effective as someone that works within the birth community AND shows us the immense strength of this mother that made the decision she felt was best for her and her family. A definite must-watch for anyone interested in birth or medicine.
Watch as this doula helps a mother reclaim the birth she felt robbed of with her first child. After experiencing a traumatic C-Section, her doula advocates for a vaginal delivery with her second child.
3. Natural Birth Seemed Impossible
This video follows a story of a VBAC, or a vaginal birth after c-section, which is something many women in America struggle with. The cesarean rate in the US is super high (I’m talking 31.9% ) when compared to other developed countries and an increased number of cesareans causes increased chances of health risks for parents. Many women want to have a vaginal birth after cesarean in order to increase their chances for a healthy birth, healthy baby and better health outcomes. This episode is super special because it gives a raw and honest look at what this experience can be like for women, especially black women that are faced with their own battle against health disparities. This episode was a wonderful way to highlight both of those difficulties and I’m really glad the episode was made.
Christine reunites with one of her dearest clients for the birth of their second baby on Episode 4 of Doula Diaries.
4. Doulas Are For Dads, Too
Often times when we talk about birth we forget that the partners of birthing people are just as important! This episode shows how much support the family may need when adjusting to a new baby in the home. I loved how honest this dad was about the type of support he needed and how informative the doula was on ways that she could provide support. I would definitely suggest watching this if you’re interested in becoming a postpartum or full spectrum doula or if you’re wonderinf on how to better understand your partner after the birth of your baby!
Watch what happens when this brave doula's client doesn't make it to the birthing center in episode 1 of Romper's docuseries, Doula Diaries!
Romper's Doula Diaries returns with new stories of doulas helping clients make the right choices for their birth. On this episode, a first-time mom wants to have a home birth, but is she ready? Brittany and Aaron both come from military backgrounds and are determined to welcome their baby into the world in the comfort of their own home.
5. Not Making it to the Birthing Center & Choosing A Home Birth
I chose both of these videos because they show the different sides of a home birth - planned and unplanned. During doula training one of the biggest questions we asked was “What do you do if you don’t make it to the hospital???” and the doula in Not Making it to the Birthing Center illustrated that perfectly. She stayed cool, calm and collected and was helpful in so many ways. An unplanned home birth can throw a wrench in anyone’s plans but the family and doula worked to make the best out of the situation. In Choosing A Home Birth, the young couple is so honest and transparent about the joys and struggles of a home birth. I also love watching black couples use options that often aren’t seen as available to our demographic. I’d suggest watching these two videos if you’re interested in what it may be like to give birth at home.
I hope you all enjoyed these videos and I encourage you to follow Romper’s Doula Diaries to keep up with all of their episodes! I’ll be back next Monday with more doula news, feel free to comment any suggestions or thoughts about this week’s post!