An Argument for the Intuitive Doula: Healing The Wounded Feminine
The need for a doula present during birth has become increasingly urgent. And should be required for all people of color attempting a birth experience inside of the patriarchal hospital systems.
But let me backup because we need to be clear on how we got here, needing a doula or advocate to ensure. A doula is a trained professional who provides emotional, physical, and informational support to individuals and couples before, during, and after childbirth. The word "doula" comes from ancient Greek and means "a woman who serves." Doulas offer continuous emotional support to expectant parents. They provide reassurance, encouragement, and comfort, helping parents navigate the emotional challenges that can arise during pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period.
Patriarchy has historically influenced and continues to impact childbirth in various ways, affecting the experiences and choices of individuals giving birth. In patriarchal societies, the medical profession, which historically has been dominated by men, has gained significant authority over childbirth. This has led to the medicalization of birth, where routine interventions and medical procedures are often employed, sometimes unnecessarily, leading to a more controlled but less natural birthing process. Medical interventions can include inductions, epidurals, episiotomies, and cesarean sections, impacting the experience of childbirth for women.
The medicalization of birth has cut off a mother's access and right to birth her child in the ways that feel most natural to her. All too often, medical interventions are dangerous and unnecessary and paralyze a mother emotionally and physically, leading to birth trauma. The trauma experienced at birth then begins to disconnect the mother and baby, creating pain points on the birth sides of the birth struggle. Birth trauma, the psychological and emotional distress created by a traumatic childbirth experience, is indifferent, as it affects both birthing individuals and their partners and can manifest in various ways. All of this plays a part in The Wounded Feminine archetype.
The Wounded Feminine Archetype
The Wounded Feminine was created as medical systems stripped birthing mothers away from their right of choice and the ancestral knowledge of the birth ritual by introducing male-led hospital systems. The institution of the hospital has left women with limited control over their birthing experiences, which generates a power imbalance that can lead to feelings of disempowerment and loss of bodily autonomy during childbirth. Here lies the need for the doula, specifically in marginalized communities where the patriarchal society has imposed a distinguished privileged population and underrepresented populations where the marginalized are subjected to harmful stereotypes that can lead to stigmatization and judgment, influencing how women are treated and supported during labor and delivery.
Not to mention, patriarchal societies perpetuate economic and social inequalities, impacting access to quality healthcare services. Socioeconomic disparities affect the level of care and support a woman receives during pregnancy and childbirth, leading to differences in birthing experiences based on class and race.
Black women in many countries, but mainly in the United States, experience higher rates of maternal mortality and morbidity compared to white women. The United States has a troubling history of misusing black women in childbirth, dating back to slavery and continuing into the present day. As a black woman from the Deep South, I have heard stories passed down through the generations of the atrocities black women have faced, from forced medical experimentation, sterilization, and, more importantly, a disregard for pain and discomfort. My own childbirth experiences were unnecessarily complex at times solely because practitioners were not listening to me, but also handled in a way that did not respect my age and education level, and gaslighting by the white nurses seemed like business as usual, even with a black OBGYN. At times, I felt it critical to suppress my emotions, discomfort, and disrespect to survive the experience.
These disparities are multifaceted and can be influenced by socioeconomic factors, implicit bias, and systemic racism within the healthcare system. Doulas can help bridge the gap in care by providing continuous support, advocating for the mother's needs, and ensuring her concerns are addressed, potentially reducing the impact of these disparities.
In 2017, Serena Williams, the renowned tennis champion, gave birth to her daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. Serena's birth experience was well-documented because she openly shared her journey, highlighting the complications she faced during and after childbirth. Serena's childbirth narrative is a haunting lesson for marginalized communities about never escaping racial stereotypes even when you have attained high success and affluence. Serena Williams' experience highlighted the importance of black maternal healthcare, especially for women who are at risk for certain complications. She has since been vocal about the need for improved healthcare and awareness regarding childbirth-related complications, advocating for other women who face similar challenges.
Intuitive doulas can act as advocates, ensuring that the voices of black women are heard and respected during childbirth. Black doulas and non-BIPOC doulas who are culturally competent and aware of the unique challenges faced by black women can provide emotional support that is sensitive to their cultural background. This understanding can be crucial in fostering trust between the doula and the mother, leading to a more positive birth experience.
Why the Intuitive Doula?
Doulas with intuitive abilities are often empathetic to the emotional needs of expectant parents. They can provide a deep sense of emotional support and understanding, helping individuals and couples navigate the complex and sometimes overwhelming emotions that come with pregnancy and childbirth. Their intuitive insights can create a strong bond and trust between the doula and the parents, leading to a more positive birthing experience.
Doulas with intuitive abilities may have a unique way of communicating and understanding their clients' unspoken needs. They can pick up on subtle cues and emotions, allowing them to provide tailored and personalized support. This enhanced communication can be invaluable during labor and delivery, ensuring that the doula can effectively advocate for the parents' wishes and preferences even when verbal communication might be challenging.
More importantly, the intuitive doula reintroduces the wisdom and ritualistic aspect of the birth experience. An intuitive doula can reintroduce wisdom and ritual to the birth experience by fostering trust, honoring individual beliefs, incorporating intuitive practices, creating sacred spaces, and encouraging intuitive decision-making. These approaches help the birthing person reconnect with ancient wisdom and traditions, fostering a more meaningful and transformative birth experience.
Intuitive doulas are attuned to the individual beliefs and traditions of the birthing person. They take the time to understand the cultural, spiritual, and personal rituals that are significant to the individual and incorporate these elements into the birth experience. This intuitive honoring of traditions and acknowledging any ancestors present can bring a sense of grounding, continuity, and empowerment to the birthing process and begin to recover the wounded feminine in many of us as we claim the designation of mother.
Intuitive doulas are a critical aspect of the birth initiation as they use intuitive guidance and energy work, such as Reiki or the Akashic Records, to offer spiritual messages of encouragement to promote relaxation, balance, and a positive energy flow during labor. These practices align with many ancient rituals that focus on the flow of energy and the mind-body connection. By incorporating intuitive spiritual practices, the doula can reintroduce ancient wisdom that emphasizes the spiritual and energetic aspects of childbirth.
Healing the Wounded Feminine
The archetype of the "wounded feminine" refers to the psychological, emotional, and spiritual wounds experienced by women due to societal expectations, gender roles, and patriarchal structures. A spiritual archetype is a universal symbol, pattern, or prototype that represents a particular aspect of human spirituality, personal development, or the collective unconscious. Archetypes are deeply ingrained in human culture, psychology, and spirituality and are often recurring themes or motifs found in mythology, religion, literature, and art. These archetypes serve as symbols or templates that can help individuals understand and connect with various aspects of their inner selves and the broader spiritual or metaphysical realm.
Healing the Wounded Feminine will not be an easy feat, and the nature and mysticism of birth and pregnancy itself are up against colonization, patriarchy, and capitalistic ideals. Many aspects of The Feminine itself are lost, never to be recovered. Reclaiming the birth experience is a powerful and empowering process that allows women to take control of their childbirth journey. We only forge ahead honoring our deepest desires for the introducing new life in the world by understanding what our role in our child's life will be, identifying necessary sources of support, and educating ourselves on the many ways the childbirth experience has been stolen from The Feminine that lives inside everyone that is to become a mother.
Practicing self-advocacy and not allowing the system of patriarchy to rule the decision-making in your birth experience is critical. This can only be accomplished with the increasingly important role of the Intuitive Doula. By partnering with someone aligned with your wishes and your outlook on the birth experience, you will indeed receive childbirth education, invaluable resources, empathic emotional support, and guidance as you embrace the unpredictable nature of the birth experience.
Reclaiming the birth experience is about asserting your autonomy, making informed choices, and feeling empowered and supported throughout the journey. It's a deeply personal and individual process, and there is no one "right" way to give birth—only what feels right and empowering for you.
If you are a newly expectant mother and would like more information on what the intuitive doula experience could be like for you, schedule some time with me here–let's see if the road to an empowering birth experience is a road we should travel together!