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Many people still may not be clear about the role of a doula in prenatal, birth, and postpartum support. On today\u2019s show, we\u2019re focusing specifically on how a doula can help with trauma for the mother and reduce overall risks during the entire pregnancy and birth process.\n\xa0\nCourtney Butts is a Licensed Master Social Worker and Certified BEST Doula in Dallas, TX. After the birth of her son, Courtney knew she wanted to serve in support to families as a doula and childbirth educator. This work has allowed her to merge two passions: working with trauma survivors and her love of all things pregnancy and postpartum. She also provides therapy focused on maternal mental health.\n\xa0\nAlexis Edwards is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified BEST Doula, and owner of Birth 360, a private practice in Austin, TX, that provides prenatal and postnatal therapy and doula support. She is a survivor of sexual assault and an advocate for healing through birth. Her own traumatic births and journey to motherhood inspired her to become a doula with a holistic, trauma-informed practice that incorporates not only birth and postpartum support, but also recognizes the link between birth and maternal mental health.\n\xa0\nThese two women came together in January 2018 to co-create a trauma-informed support training for birth and postpartum professionals that they teach across the US. As mental health professionals and birth workers with a background of serving survivors, they bring a unique perspective on how to better support women carrying trauma through the childbearing years.\n\xa0\nShow Highlights:\n\xa0\n\nThe role of a doula in birth and postpartum: a non-medical professional who provides non-judgmental support and information to improve physical, emotional, and mental health\n\nHow they want to provide information for their clients to be able to speak up with control and empowerment in the birthing process\n\nMost doulas are passionate about advocating and educating outside of birthing spaces, all to help moms have better outcomes\n\nHow doulas help in trauma that may show up in the birthing process\n\nHow some women navigate past trauma AND new traumas in the birthing space\n\nHow they look for triggers and teach grounding techniques\n\nBalancing the boundary between the doula and therapist roles and how they hold safe space for clients in both roles\n\nHaving conversations about potential triggers, like certain types of touch\n\nThe information that Alexis and Courtney want medical professionals to have to bring better outcomes for moms\n\nThe need for education, like in understanding the maternal mortality rates for black women in the US\n\nSupporting moms to be heard and seen, even before the birthing process\n\nHow doulas support trauma recovery\n\nAs a doula, being in tune with the client\u2019s needs and understanding their birth plan wishes\n\nThe Polyvagal Theory---referring to the vagus nerve, the longest in the human body\n\nHow we interpret and respond to threats: fight, flight, or freeze\n\nHow the work of medical professionals should come from a trauma-informed lens\n\nHow Alexis and Courtney deal with clients with trauma and offer support\n\nThe focus on grounding and finding a safe space\n\nHow Alexis and Courtney\u2019s training gives tools and techniques that doulas can use\n\nHow their training helps in specific ways\n\nHow doulas can improve outcomes: decreases in C-sections, pitocin, and pain relief meds, and an overall increase in vaginal births\n\n\xa0\n\xa0Resources:\n\xa0\nCourtney: @courtneybuttsdoula\xa0(Instagram and Facebook)\nwww.courtneybutts.com\n\xa0\nAlexis: @birth360atx\xa0(Instagram and Facebook)\nwww.birth360.net