We share so many great resources at Doula Circle (6pm-8pm PST on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Tuesday of every month) that I’m starting a new series where I’ll share some of what we talked about and what was shared with you. Hoping it inspires you to join us sometime!
So, we talked about a lot yesterday. A LOT. As we always do, really, but we started off strong with some updates about what’s going on in the collective:
MediCal Doula Benefit went into effect here in California at the start of this year. It’s been quite intense to process. We are grateful that folks on MediCal will be able to access doula support that’s covered by their insurance and therefore at no additional cost. We are also very conscious of how systems are going to system and between state regulations and requirements and the requirements from health plans, there’s a lot more unpaid labor expected of birthworkers and for community birthworkers in particular that’s an undue burden and something that may prevent some birthworkers from participating. There are folks who are offering support for birthworkers in this process, and as we get names and details, we’ll definitely be sharing them.
Our SRJ Doula Program has been reinstated thanks to some leveraging of AB732 and a new contract with the Alameda County Public Health Department. We will be having a member training for doulas joining our SRJ branch before we have an orientation with the ACSO then resuming services, hopefully next month. We have heard from folks that they are interested in learning more about offering doula support to incarcerated community members, so we are additionally exploring creating a training or workshop we can offer to the community.
Coming Home to Self: Capacity Building for Femmes is our first skillshare of the year. Offered by two of our very own Roots - Ajira and Jewel. This offering is an exploration of how we can uproot our conditioning around serving everyone at the cost of our own wellbeing and disrupting productivity culture in general. Register now to join us on 2/12/23.
If you’re interested in learning more about anything shared here, please check back here on the blog every week, sign up for our email list to be kept in the loop or send us an email: rootsoflaborbc@gmail.com
Other topics that came up:
Jargon we explored: IUGR
Abbreviation for Intrauterine Growth Restriction, also sometimes called fetal growth restriction or FGR.
This is a condition in which a fetus does not grow at the expected or typical rate during pregnancy. This can have various causes including but not limited to placenta abnormalities, high blood pressure in the birthing person, illness or substance use.
Learn more.
Mead recipe
Someone shared one but I didn't write it all down in time, so I found this one online. Listen, all kinds of things come up in doula circle. If you're curious about fermenting some honey into an age old beverage, try this one out!
Our checkout prompt:
How do we connect with or offer ourselves pleasure or rest? Particularly when we are weary?
Responses ranged from: taking a nap, drinking tea, plant medicine, self-pleasure, sex, reading, journaling, movement, breathwork
What about you?
For some self love inspiration, here's a video that was shared:
So, we talked about a lot yesterday. A LOT. As we always do, really, but we started off strong with some updates about what’s going on in the collective:
MediCal Doula Benefit went into effect here in California at the start of this year. It’s been quite intense to process. We are grateful that folks on MediCal will be able to access doula support that’s covered by their insurance and therefore at no additional cost. We are also very conscious of how systems are going to system and between state regulations and requirements and the requirements from health plans, there’s a lot more unpaid labor expected of birthworkers and for community birthworkers in particular that’s an undue burden and something that may prevent some birthworkers from participating. There are folks who are offering support for birthworkers in this process, and as we get names and details, we’ll definitely be sharing them.
Our SRJ Doula Program has been reinstated thanks to some leveraging of AB732 and a new contract with the Alameda County Public Health Department. We will be having a member training for doulas joining our SRJ branch before we have an orientation with the ACSO then resuming services, hopefully next month. We have heard from folks that they are interested in learning more about offering doula support to incarcerated community members, so we are additionally exploring creating a training or workshop we can offer to the community.
Coming Home to Self: Capacity Building for Femmes is our first skillshare of the year. Offered by two of our very own Roots - Ajira and Jewel. This offering is an exploration of how we can uproot our conditioning around serving everyone at the cost of our own wellbeing and disrupting productivity culture in general. Register now to join us on 2/12/23.
If you’re interested in learning more about anything shared here, please check back here on the blog every week, sign up for our email list to be kept in the loop or send us an email: rootsoflaborbc@gmail.com
Other topics that came up:
Jargon we explored: IUGR
Abbreviation for Intrauterine Growth Restriction, also sometimes called fetal growth restriction or FGR.
This is a condition in which a fetus does not grow at the expected or typical rate during pregnancy. This can have various causes including but not limited to placenta abnormalities, high blood pressure in the birthing person, illness or substance use.
Learn more.
Mead recipe
Someone shared one but I didn't write it all down in time, so I found this one online. Listen, all kinds of things come up in doula circle. If you're curious about fermenting some honey into an age old beverage, try this one out!
Our checkout prompt:
How do we connect with or offer ourselves pleasure or rest? Particularly when we are weary?
Responses ranged from: taking a nap, drinking tea, plant medicine, self-pleasure, sex, reading, journaling, movement, breathwork
What about you?
For some self love inspiration, here's a video that was shared:
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