The Doula Dispensary

Siobhan Smith & Kicki Hansard
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The Doula Dispensary is your monthly doula podcast, prescribing a regular dose of birthy chat, postnatal realities, real-life dilemmas, and behind-the-scenes talk from two experienced doulas. Siobhan and Kicki are back with honest conversations about life as a working doula, woman, and mother, a bit like popping round to your mates for a cuppa and a proper chat. You can follow Siobhan and Kicki on social media: @siobhan_thebirthdoula@kicki.hansard @birthblissacademyFind a doula www.thedouladirectory.comBecome a doula www.birthblissdoulacourses.co.uk

  1. Episode #2S5: In memory of Dr Michel Odent

    SEP 25

    Episode #2S5: In memory of Dr Michel Odent

    Send us a text The Doula Dispensary is your monthly doula podcast, prescribing a regular dose of birthy chat, postnatal realities, real-life dilemmas, and behind-the-scenes talk from two experienced doulas. Siobhan and Kicki are back with honest conversations about life as a working doula, woman, and mother, a bit like popping round to your mates for a cuppa and a proper chat. In this month’s episode: We share a very special conversation with the late Dr Michel Odent, recorded back in July 2019. Michel was a true pioneer in the world of birth, a French obstetrician, author, and thinker who transformed how we understand and support women during pregnancy, labour, and the postnatal period. This conversation is our way of honouring Michel’s incredible legacy and the lasting impact he’s had on doulas, midwives, and families worldwide. Pop the kettle on and have a listen. You can follow Siobhan and Kicki on social media @siobhan_thebirthdoula @kickihansard @birthblissacademy Find a doula: @_thedouladirectory_ Support the show

    1h 8m
  2. Episode #1S5: When Doulas Turn on Each Other Online: Kindness, Criticism & Speaking Up

    AUG 21

    Episode #1S5: When Doulas Turn on Each Other Online: Kindness, Criticism & Speaking Up

    Send us a text The Doula Dispensary is your monthly doula podcast, prescribing a regular dose of birthy chat, postnatal realities, real-life dilemmas, and behind-the-scenes talk from two experienced doulas. Siobhan and Kicki are back with honest conversations about life as a working doula, woman, and mother, a bit like popping round to your mates for a cuppa and a proper chat. In this month’s episode: A Doula Dilemma about what to do when a fellow doula publicly criticises something you’ve posted online about birth or postnatal work.A listener question on how to speak up in doula groups without feeling like you’re going to get jumped on.This month’s Doula Dose reflects on why doulas can be unkind to each other online, and how we can shift the culture towards more care, curiosity, and mutual respect. Pop the kettle on and have a listen. You can follow Siobhan and Kicki on social media @siobhan_thebirthdoula @kickihansard @birthblissacademy Support the show

    40 min
  3. Episode #4S4: A dilemma about client birthing outside of guidelines and the current NHS Stats

    10/24/2024

    Episode #4S4: A dilemma about client birthing outside of guidelines and the current NHS Stats

    Send us a text The Doula Dispensary is a monthly podcast, prescribing a monthly dose of all things doula. Siobhan and Kicki bring you a show which is a bit like sitting down with your mates for a cup of tea... So put the kettle on, sit down and enjoy listening to familiar issues as a working doula, woman, and mother.   This month's doula dilemma discusses a situation where a doula is with a client whose birth plan is outside of guidelines.  There's a question from a listener about how to maintain a good balance between family life and work as a doula. The Doula Dose discusses the current statistics coming out from the different NHS trusts. There is, of course, also a lot of general chit-chat about life.    You can follow Siobhan and Kicki on social media - @siobhan_thebirthdoula @kickihansard @birthblissacademy Support the show

    47 min
  4. Episode #3S4: A dilemma about birth plan being overlooked and a tribute to Penny Simkin

    05/09/2024

    Episode #3S4: A dilemma about birth plan being overlooked and a tribute to Penny Simkin

    Send us a text The Doula Dispensary is a monthly podcast, prescribing a monthly dose of all things doula. Siobhan and Kicki bring you a show which is a bit like sitting down with your mates for a cup of tea... So put the kettle on, sit down and enjoy listening to familiar issues as a working doula, woman, and mother.   This month's doula dilemma discusses a situation where a doula is with a client whose birth plan is not being respected.  There's a question from a listener about the easiest way to maintain a social media account as a doula. The Doula Dose pays tribute to the Mother of the doula movement, Penny Simkin. There is, of course, also a lot of general chit-chat about life.    You can follow Siobhan and Kicki on social media - @siobhan_thebirthdoula @kickihansard @birthblissacademy Support the show

    42 min
  5. Episode #2S4: A dilemma about volunteering and a question about backup and shared care

    02/22/2024

    Episode #2S4: A dilemma about volunteering and a question about backup and shared care

    Send us a text The Doula Dispensary is a monthly podcast, prescribing a monthly dose of all things doula. Siobhan and Kicki bring you a show which is a bit like sitting down with your mates for a cup of tea... So put the kettle on, sit down and enjoy listening to familiar issues as a working doula, woman, and mother.   This month's doula dilemma discusses a situation where a doula is a breastfeeding volunteer in the NHS and wants to continue their support.  There's a question from a listener about when to use a backup doula or when to do shared care. The Doula Dose is about ZEST midwives. There is, of course, also a lot of general chit-chat about life.    You can follow Siobhan and Kicki on social media - @siobhan_thebirthdoula @kickihansard @birthblissacademy Support the show

    52 min
  6. Episode #1S4: A dilemma about an anxious client and a question about the doula value

    01/18/2024

    Episode #1S4: A dilemma about an anxious client and a question about the doula value

    Send us a text The Doula Dispensary is a monthly podcast, prescribing a monthly dose of all things doula. Siobhan and Kicki bring you a show which is a bit like sitting down with your mates for a cup of tea... So put the kettle on, sit down and enjoy listening to familiar issues as a working doula, woman, and mother.   This month's doula dilemma discusses a situation when a birth client is getting more and more anxious the nearer the baby's due date.  There's a question from a listener about how to explain to the client's partner about the specific benefits of the doula. The Doula Dose is about some negative articles in the news about doulas. There is, of course, also a lot of general chit-chat about life.    You can follow Siobhan and Kicki on social media - @siobhan_thebirthdoula @kickihansard @birthblissacademy Support the show

    35 min
  7. Episode #6S3: A dilemma about postnatal doula challenges and a dose about advocacy

    12/21/2023

    Episode #6S3: A dilemma about postnatal doula challenges and a dose about advocacy

    Send us a text The Doula Dispensary is a monthly podcast, prescribing a monthly dose of all thing’s doula. Siobhan and Kicki bring you a show which is a bit like sitting down with your mates for a cup of tea... So put the kettle on, sit down and enjoy listening to familiar issues as a working doula, woman, and mother.   This month's doula dilemma discusses a situation when a postnatal doula client seems to go against many of the guidelines with regards to caring for her baby.  There's a question from a listener about how to get more clients. The Doula Dose is about advocacy and ideas for doulas to make sure their clients are making informed choices. There is, of course, also a lot of general chit-chat about life.    You can follow Siobhan and Kicki on social media -  @siobhan_thebirthdoula @kicki.hansard @birthblissacademy Support the show

    50 min
  8. Episode #5S3: Interview with Nathan Riley OB-GYN *Trigger Warning - baby loss*

    11/23/2023

    Episode #5S3: Interview with Nathan Riley OB-GYN *Trigger Warning - baby loss*

    Send us a text The Doula Dispensary is a monthly podcast, prescribing a monthly dose of all thing’s doula. Siobhan and Kicki bring you a show which is a bit like sitting down with your mates for a cup of tea... So put the kettle on, sit down and enjoy listening to familiar issues as a working doula, woman, and mother.   This month's episode is an interview with Nathan Riley by Kicki and they talk about the challenges for women giving birth in hospitals and we talk about ways that doulas can prepare their clients well. Trigger Warning: This episode discusses baby loss and disabilities.    You can follow Siobhan and Kicki on social media @siobhan_thebirthdoula @oxytocingoddess @birthblissacademy Nathan Riley can be found here: Beloved Holistics @nathanrileyobgyn @bornfreemethod Support the show

    37 min
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5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

The Doula Dispensary is your monthly doula podcast, prescribing a regular dose of birthy chat, postnatal realities, real-life dilemmas, and behind-the-scenes talk from two experienced doulas. Siobhan and Kicki are back with honest conversations about life as a working doula, woman, and mother, a bit like popping round to your mates for a cuppa and a proper chat. You can follow Siobhan and Kicki on social media: @siobhan_thebirthdoula@kicki.hansard @birthblissacademyFind a doula www.thedouladirectory.comBecome a doula www.birthblissdoulacourses.co.uk

Information

  • Creator
    Siobhan Smith & Kicki Hansard
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    63
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Doula Dispensary
  • Show Website
    The Doula Dispensary