Navigating Birth, Burnout, and Being Queer in Midwifery with Katie Shannon

Today on The Birth Geeks, we dove into the inspiring journey of Shanay Rocker, a fashion-industry pro turned Berlin-based doula. From her adventures moving from Australia to New York and finally Berlin, Shanay shared how motherhood transformed her life and led her to birth work. We explored what it’s really like to give birth and be a doula in Germany, the power of supportive communities, and building resilience as a parent and entrepreneur. Sinead’s story is proof that growth, adaptability, and following your passion can open doors you never imagined—wherever you are in the world.

On this episode of The Birth Geeks, we sit down with Katie Shannon, a certified nurse midwife and entrepreneurial powerhouse. Katie takes us through her inspiring journey from grad school to running her own successful home birth practice in the DC metro area. She shares lessons on building a business, finding balance, overcoming burnout, and the importance of partnering with the right people. Katie gives us a behind-the-scenes look at serving diverse clients and navigating licensing challenges, proving that with passion and dedication, you can create a thriving, meaningful business that truly supports families. Don't miss these insights on resilience, growth, and redefining care.

Welcome to another episode of The Birth Geeks! In today’s conversation, host Dr. Hillary Melchiors sits down with Jen Chandlee, an experienced postpartum doula trainer, educator, and advocate. Not only was Jen Hillary’s own postpartum doula trainer, but she brings a wealth of knowledge from decades spent supporting families in diverse regions of the U.S., including Wilmington and Asheville, North Carolina. Together, they dive into how postpartum doula support has evolved, the increasing demand for it, and the important differences between birth and postpartum doula care. Jen shares heartfelt stories from her trainings—like the different moving traditions of welcoming new birthing people—and discusses the importance of cultural ritual in the postpartum period versus what many parents in the U.S. experience today (hello, grocery store runs instead of crowns and songs). The episode explores how virtual doula training breaks down barriers and brings global perspectives together, how the “crunchy parent” stereotype and consumer culture collide in parenting, and why overnight postpartum work—and its perception—may deserve a second look. Jen and Hillary also talk about the effects of perimenopause on doulas, the need for boundaries and self-care, plus the financial and policy challenges facing today’s doula workforce. With warmth and honesty, Jen and Hillary unpack the reality of postpartum care, the critical need for recognition and support for new parents, and what it really means to be a lifeguard for families in the early weeks. Whether you’re a doula, a parent, or just passionate about birth work, this episode is full of wisdom, humor, and some well-deserved tiara talk. Grab your tea, put on your imaginary crown, and enjoy this inspiring conversation!

In 2018, Amanda Chandler became the first licenced black Certified Professional Midwife in the state of Indiana, and in 2020 the first in Kentucky. Amanda is a trailblazer, nature lover, and birth geek extraordinaire. In this episode we talk about how closing rural hospitals' OB units impacts her work as a community midwife, her path to midwifery, career trajectory, challenging state policies, and so much more. I could think of no better way to celebrate Black Maternal Health Week than celebrating with the brilliant Amanda Chandler CPM. 

When Spela completed her PhD in Biomedicine, she did not expect doula work to be her destiny. After years in this field and studying multiple specialized pathways, she knows in her heart that doulas make a difference not only for our clients, but also within communities. Through our conversation you will not only hear Spela's passion for birth work, but also some amazing stories about working as a doula in the country of Slovenia! Spela's leadership in her country, within the European Doula Network, and in the broader doula community worldwide is remarkable, and she's incredibly fun to chat with too. This conversation will leave you inspired! 

What does doula work look like in Istanbul? In this episode, we talk to doula and translator Ayşegül Boz Baltacı about her work both in Turkey and in the European Doula Network. Ayşegül is a connector and an incredible advocate for families and doulas around the world. Shortly after we talked for this interview, a Turkish law banned all non-medical support for birthing parents, essentially closing public hospital doors to birth doulas entirely. Ayşegül Boz Baltacı is an outstanding leader in her community and for doulas everywhere, and her perspective really broadened my understanding of doulas as cultural brokers in multiple spaces. We hope you enjoy our conversation about her journey and goals as a doula. 

Welcome to another insightful episode of "The Birth Geeks"! Today, Dr. Hillary Melchiors sits down with Ania Freitas, a passionate doula originally from Madeira, Portugal, now based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Join us as Ania shares her journey from helping her sister in Northern Ireland, discovering her calling as a doula, and navigating different cultural landscapes. We'll dive into Ania's unique experiences in the doula field, her role with Doula UK, and her contributions to the European Doula Network (EDN). She discusses the welcoming yet complex landscape of doula work in Northern Ireland, the historic and cultural attitudes towards postnatal care, and her multilingual proficiency that enriches her practice. Discover the fascinating cultural nuances, the importance of postnatal support, and even some light-hearted moments, like Ania's fondness for Portuguese breakfasts. Whether you're a birth professional, an expectant parent, or just curious about the world of doulas, this episode offers a blend of professional insights and personal stories you won't want to miss. Tune in now!

Welcome back to another exciting episode of The Birth Geeks! Today, hosts Dr. Robin Elise Weiss and Dr. Hillary Melchiors are joined by the insightful Darcy Sauers, a seasoned doula and business expert, for a deep dive into the intricacies of running a successful birth-related business. In this episode, we'll explore strategic blogging to attract local clients, the critical role of consistent thank-you campaigns, and the importance of tracking referral sources to make evidence-based business decisions. Darcy and our hosts will share valuable tips on managing data efficiently without feeling overwhelmed and discuss the vital aspect of treating doula work as a business to avoid burnout. We'll also delve into the power of search engine optimization (SEO) for local searches and maintaining control over your digital assets, given the limitations and risks of relying solely on social media platforms. Plus, we'll touch on creative content strategies, social media analytics, and Darcy's passion for making marketing analytics accessible and less intimidating. To wrap it up, we venture into the lighter side with fun "Would You Rather?" questions and share a touch of personal connection and excitement about future conferences. This episode is packed with insights to help you harness analytics, connect more meaningfully with your audience, and sustain a long-term, thriving practice. So tune in and get ready to geek out on all things birth and business!

Welcome back to another insightful episode of The Birth Geeks! Today, we're thrilled to be joined by Elizabeth Mosley, an exceptional birth doula and advocate committed to systemic change in birth care. Our host, Dr. Hillary Melchiors, delves deep into the intricacies of trauma-informed care, the importance of culturally congruent support, and the ongoing challenges in doula certification and reimbursement with Elizabeth Mosley. From exploring models of doula care and the impacts of volunteer advocacy to navigating the complexities of state and national policies—this episode is packed with valuable insights. We even touch on some lighter topics like regional dialects and the joys of pet companionship. Whether you're a seasoned birth worker or new to the field, this conversation offers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. So grab your headphones, settle in, and let's geek out on all things birth!   Comprehensive Sequence of Topics Covered in The Episode: Trauma-Informed Care & Models Systemic Change vs. Individual Blame Local versus National Data Nonprofit Organization Challenges Full-Spectrum Doula Work Doula Certification and Reimbursement Issues Culturally Congruent Care Impact of Stress and Structural Violence Reimbursement Challenges Recognition of Refugee and Immigrant Doula Challenges Political Advocacy Living Experiences and Work Settings Advantages of Doula Care Research Methodologies Systemic Issues in Healthcare   Links "I want…to serve those communities…[but] my price tag is…not what they can afford": The community-engaged Georgia doula study New Effort to Examine Doula Care Programs in Medicaid to Advance Racial Equity Embrace Refugee Birth Support Healthy Mothers, Health Babies: Georgia

Join Dr. Hillary Melchiors as she dives deep into the enriching journey of Debbie Mitchell, an integral part of the European Doula Network. Debbie shares her insightful experiences and the remarkable collaboration between organizations like DONA, ICEA, and Red Mundial de Doulas that brought the "doula corner" to the FIGO Conference in Paris. The discussion shines a light on the enormous impact that collective efforts can have in the fields of obstetrics and gynecology. European doula shares her journey, influenced by a friend, and completed training in Slovenia. Faced challenges in establishing her practice amidst language and cultural differences. Discussed involvement with the European Doula Network (EDN) and the importance of networking and support. Emphasized sociocracy and consensus in EDN decision-making and the diversity of doula practices across Europe. Noted the need for simplified language for better communication and inclusivity. Highlighted growth in conference attendance and financial accessibility concerns. Mentioned collaborative efforts among doula organizations and traditions like the "doula song." Importance of volunteer leadership, local engagement, and shared responsibilities within EDN. Reflected on the significance of relationships, communication, and cultural nuances in the doula profession. Closed with appreciation for community connection and an invitation for doulas to share experiences. Links Mentioned: European Doula Network DONA International ICEA Red Mundial de Doulas