Centering Doula Care on LGBTQ+ Families
In my doula practice I specialize in supporting LGBTQ+ families through pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. As a lesbian woman, I know how amazing it feels to work with people who can understand and relate to the queer experience. So much of the birth industry is targeted towards cis-gendered, heterosexual couples. I serve queer parents because they deserve to have their unique emotional and physical needs taken in to account.
As a queer doula, I bring my identity into every interaction I have, and I know that my clients do too. At every step of the way, my client’s identities are impacting their pregnancy, birth, and post-birth recovery. It is vital that I acknowledge these differences and structure my care to give my clients the support they deserve.
Some of the specific concerns I address with my queer-identifying clients include:
Gender dysphoria experienced by non-binary and trans-masculine parents from both the physical changes they are undergoing through pregnancy and postpartum, and the different ways they are viewed by the world as birthing parents.
Lesbian partners being dismissed or mis-gendered because their presence is unexpected.
The distinct needs of gay parents supporting a surrogate and navigating the surrogate / intended parents’ relationship.
Bisexual parents in heterosexual-passing relationships feeling their queer identity further diminished in an industry that doesn’t always have time to actually get to know you.
Dealing with the onslaught of questions about how the children of 2SLGBTQIA+ parents were really conceived.
If you are a queer-identifying parent or parent-to-be, I’d love to support you as you grow your family! It would be my honor to care for you during this monumental transition period as you bring your baby (or babies!) into this world.
