Episode 146 - Doulas Can’t Protect You from the System, But They Can Help Protect You from Yourself

04/06/25 • 26 min

In this powerful episode of The Ultimate Birth Partner Podcast, we dive into a topic that may challenge how you think about birth support: the role of a doula or birthkeeper. While many believe our job is to shield you from the medical system, the truth is more complex.

My role isn’t to control external factors or guarantee a specific birth outcome. Instead, it’s to help you overcome self-doubt, navigate fears, and trust your body. Together, we’ll work to build the resilience, mindset, and advocacy skills you need to stay grounded in your values - no matter what comes your way.

Listen in as I share real-life insights, why birth preparation requires more than a plan, and how your inner work can be the foundation for a truly empowered birth experience.

In this episode, we’ll cover:

The true role of a birthkeeper or doula
Why self-trust is the ultimate protection
Navigating the system vs. navigating yourself
How to stay aligned with your birth values

🎧 Ready to take control of your birth experience? Tune in now to learn how inner strength and preparation can make all the difference.

✨ Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review. Every share helps more women feel empowered for their birth journey.

Here is the BLOG post that accompanies this episode

And another Blog post about Doulas

If you love the podcast and would like to support it, then please use the link to 'buy me a coffee' - https://bmc.link/sallyannberesford
If you would like to buy a copy of either of the books that accompany this podcast please go to your online bookseller or visit Amazon:-
Labour of Love - The Ultimate Guide to Being a Birth Partner - click here:-https://bit.ly/Labouroflove
The Art of Giving Birth - Five Key Physiological Principles - https://amzn.to/3EGh9df
Pregnancy Journal for 'The Art of Giving Birth'
- Black and White version https://amzn.to/3CvJXmO
Pregnancy Journal for 'The Art of Giving Birth'
- Colour version https://amzn.to/3GknbPF
You can find all my classes and courses on my website - www.sallyannberesford.co.uk

Follow me on Instagram @theultimatebirthpartner
Book a 1-2-1 session with Sallyann - https://linktr.ee/SallyannBeresford

Please remember that the information shared with you in this episode is solely based on my own personal experiences as a doula and the private opinions of my guests, based on their own experiences. Any recommendations made may not be suitable for ...

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Listen in as I share real-life insights, why birth preparation requires more than a plan, and how your inner work can be the foundation for a truly empowered birth experience.

In this episode, we’ll cover:

The true role of a birthkeeper or doula
Why self-trust is the ultimate protection
Navigating the system vs. navigating yourself
How to stay aligned with your birth values

🎧 Ready to take control of your birth experience? Tune in now to learn how inner strength and preparation can make all the difference.

✨ Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review. Every share helps more women feel empowered for their birth journey.

Here is the BLOG post that accompanies this episode

And another Blog post about Doulas

Follow me on Instagram @theultimatebirthpartner
Book a 1-2-1 session with Sallyann - https://linktr.ee/SallyannBeresford

Previous Episode

Episode 145 - The Power of a Full Body Yes - How to Make Decisions with Confidence and Clarity

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In this episode, I explore the concept of the 'Full-Body Yes' and its profound impact on decision-making, particularly in the context of childbirth.

Key topics include:

Understanding the Full-Body Yes: Recognising when your entire being - mind, body, and spirit - is in complete alignment with a decision, leading to a deep sense of certainty and peace.

The Role of Intuition in Childbirth: Emphasising the importance of trusting one's instincts during pregnancy and labor, and how the Full-Body Yes can guide expectant mothers toward choices that resonate with their true desires.

Practical Steps to Cultivate the Full-Body Yes:

Mindfulness Practices: Engaging in activities that promote present-moment awareness to attune to your inner signals.
Body Awareness Exercises: Learning to listen to physical sensations as indicators of alignment or misalignment with decisions.
Reflective Journaling: Writing to explore and clarify your values, desires, and feelings about various choices.

Overcoming External Pressures: Strategies to maintain personal integrity and confidence in your choices amidst societal expectations and external opinions.

Call to Action:

Reflect on your current decision-making processes. How can embracing the Full-Body Yes transform your approach to choices in childbirth and beyond?

Resources Mentioned:

Follow me on Instagram @theultimatebirthpartner
Book a 1-2-1 session with Sallyann - https://linktr.ee/SallyannBeresford

Next Episode

Episode 147 - The First Moments of Life – How Your Body Supports Your Baby’s Transition to the World

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In today’s episode, I am sharing the incredible biological design of birth and how your body naturally prepares your baby for life outside the womb. Modern maternity care often disrupts this process, but when we understand how nature intended birth to unfold, we can make informed choices to protect it.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How your microbiome shifts in pregnancy to prepare the birth canal for your baby
Why your baby’s first exposure to bacteria is essential for lifelong immunity
The truth about delayed cord clamping and why your baby needs their full blood volume
How the length of the umbilical cord ensures immediate skin-to-skin contact
The incredible hormonal dance that unfolds after birth - and why separation can disrupt it
Simple ways to protect this perfect design from unnecessary interventions

Many modern birth practices - like routine early cord clamping, unnecessary C-sections, and immediate baby separation - are based on outdated protocols that don’t support physiological birth. In this episode, I’ll help you understand what your body already knows how to do and how you can advocate for your baby’s best start in life.

Resources & Links:

Discover Your North Star – My course on mental, emotional, and spiritual birth preparation. Click here to learn more!

Read the BLOG post that accompanies this episode

📲 Follow me on Instagram for more birth wisdom: @theultimatebirthpartner

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend and leave a review - it helps more women learn to trust the wisdom of their bodies. ❤️

Follow me on Instagram @theultimatebirthpartner
Book a 1-2-1 session with Sallyann - https://linktr.ee/SallyannBeresford