Traci Doula Traci Weafer

Welcome to the Doula Blog

Doulas Do Not Have “Scope”

The word “scope” is a controversial word in birthwork. At times, it has also been used to reprimand doulas. The confusion has largely come from doula organizations using the word “scope” as their perspective of how the doula of that organization should practice. While one organization says that their doula “scope” cannot use essential oils, another organization says they can. However, doulas do not have a “scope of practice.”  A scope of practice regulates a set of standards under a license. Doulas are not licensed or regulated. This is explained by Hermine Hayes Klien (youtube video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJ6ngb4ng4I. Doulas do not

Read More

MIDWIFERY VS. MEDICAL MODELS OF CARE

As a doula, one of the very first questions I ask my clients is what is their belief system around birth? What are their birth experiences? What do they know about their own birth? I want to understand their perception of birth in their birth culture. What the majority of families describe is a hands-off, family-centered, low intervention, natural feeling of care. They talk about wanting to be seen as a normal person who’s having a baby and not a medical condition. ​ When I’ve asked childbearing women to describe the midwifery model of care, I hear words such as: Mom-focused Low

Read More

DOULA, WHY YOU SHOULD STOP TELLING CLIENTS TO SWITCH PROVIDERS

How many times have you heard — or even said yourself —  “just switch providers,” after someone has a difficult prenatal appointment? This response makes a lot of sense on the surface when your client is clearly mismatched with their provider, their goals and choices are not being supported, or they are not being treated respectfully. You know that if a pregnant person is meeting resistance around their preferences in their prenatal appointments, it is likely going to continue into the birthing space. You want to protect them and do everything possible to help your clients have empowering, beautiful, and

Read More

DOULA ADVOCACY ATTITUDE VS BELIEF (AND WHY YOU NEED TO CARE)

Advocacy in the doula world is an ever-evolving conversation. Do you believe that advocacy is part of your role as a doula? What does that look like when you’re faced with busy care providers that are rushing through options and not really hearing what your client wants or needs? Or when your client comes back from a prenatal appointment not feeling heard or understood. Maybe you know that advocacy is important as a doula, but you just don’t know where to start or how to apply this idea in real life.  What if I told you the key to becoming a

Read More

HOW TO FIND YOUR PERFECT DOULA MATCH

You’ve seen the evidence and know you want doula support for your pregnancy and birth. So you hop online and do a quick search for doulas in your area – should be simple right? The short answer is no, depending on your local birth community. You might be facing a long list of doulas with stark differences in support style, beliefs, and skills.  How do you narrow down your search and find a doula that aligns with your birthing goals? The key starts with you. Taking the time to understand your beliefs about birth, explore what your ideal birth would

Read More

DOULA: WHERE ARE YOU IN THE CYCLE OF NARCISSISTIC ABUSE?

*Disclaimer: My position on certification is that it is not inherently bad, toxic, or harmful. The purpose and role of certification is to continue your education and growth as you serve your families and communities as a doula. Certification is NOT the gatekeeper of your worthiness and professionalism as a doula.* Douladom is waking up to the toxicity in the Doula Training Industrial Complex (TIC). Maybe you are realizing some of your training was problematic, incomplete, or even oppressive. I believe douladom as a whole is caught in a cycle of abuse with training organizations that mirrors the Narcissistic Abuse

Read More

IMPLICIT BIAS AND WHY SHOULD YOU CARE AS A DOULA

What would you do if you found out that your own biases and beliefs about birth were disempowering the clients you are serving? Chances are you started your important work as a doula after your own birthing experiences. And maybe that experience was a powerful, amazing birth that you believe all pregnant people deserve. More likely though, it was a birth that didn’t go as planned and you might even feel you need to protect your clients from their providers and the birthing system as a whole.  What if I told you that – positive or negative – your birth

Read More

HOW TO BECOME A DOULA

I’ve been a Doula in Alabama for many years, working, serving my community, and watching the birth climate change. That’s what we refer to as an Anchor Doula. As an Anchor in my community, I receive messages and emails on a weekly basis asking the same question: “How can I become a Doula?” The first thing you need to know is that Doulas are not nationally regulated in any state. A person wanting to serve or help birthing families does NOT have to obtain certification to do so. While it’s not mandatory, I highly encourage a formal education process that

Read More

END-OF-YEAR REVIEW

2017 has been a fantastic year, but I couldn’t have done it without my amazing parents.  Here are some of the highlights of my year! 25 Natural childbirth Classes 5 Evidence Based Birth (R)  Workshops 2 Breastfeeding Classes  I’ve had to honor of serving 18 birthing families… 9 boys 8 girls 2 who are still cooking 1 set of twins!!  One birth in particular stands out, a twin birth that was simply amazing! Here are a bit of what Melissa had to say: “I swear all of our chats leading up to birth made me so mentally strong to voice

Read More

ADVOCACY AND THE DOULA

by Traci Weafer I’ve been active in doula work for 20 years and presently doing more mentoring. I find it very important to pass down the knowledge to keep this work alive.  Two very interesting topics have continuously come up in talking with Doulas. Speaking on behalf of clients A doula cannot/should not speak to medical staff  I hear on almost a weekly basis how confused a doula might be because it’s a rocky line when supporting a mom’s wishes or communicating goals. Let’s look at some of the top Doula certifying agencies on what their codes of conduct/ethics look

Read More

Doulas Do Not Have “Scope”

The word “scope” is a controversial word in birthwork. At times, it has also been used to reprimand doulas. The confusion has largely come from doula organizations using the word “scope” as their perspective of how the doula of that organization should practice. While one organization says that their doula “scope” cannot use essential oils, another organization says they can. However, doulas do not have a “scope of practice.”  A scope of practice regulates a set of standards under a license. Doulas are not licensed or regulated. This is explained by Hermine Hayes Klien (youtube video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJ6ngb4ng4I. Doulas do not

Read More

MIDWIFERY VS. MEDICAL MODELS OF CARE

As a doula, one of the very first questions I ask my clients is what is their belief system around birth? What are their birth experiences? What do they know about their own birth? I want to understand their perception of birth in their birth culture. What the majority of families describe is a hands-off, family-centered, low intervention, natural feeling of care. They talk about wanting to be seen as a normal person who’s having a baby and not a medical condition. ​ When I’ve asked childbearing women to describe the midwifery model of care, I hear words such as: Mom-focused Low

Read More

HEAR TRACI ON THE “BIRTH MONOPOLY” PODCAST

Traci was recently featured on the “Birth Monopoly” podcast! In episode 11, Traci joined host Cristen Pascucci to discuss providing moms with information to make their own choices about their birth experiences. Traci talks about her unique role as an advocate and educator.

Read More
traci weafer doula childbirth class

Traci Weafer

Childbirth Educator, Mentor, Advocate, Parent

CATEGORIES

ARE YOU A DAD OR PARTNER?

SIGN UP FOR THE EMAIL LIST

LET’S CONNECT ON SOCIAL!