When I introduce myself to people, the question I hear most often is “What’s a birth control doula?” The word doula was used in ancient Greece to mean “servant woman.” The current definition has a closer meaning to “a person who serves women.” Birth control doula is a term coined by Emily Varnam (co-founder of The Fifth Vital Sign). A birth control doula provides emotional and educational support for people as they choose or transition between birth control options.
It’s crucial to have support in our communities, especially surrounding traditionally taboo topics like menstruation, birth control, and sex. In my personal experience and in the stories of the people I have served, we are up against coercion, dismissing of pain, and misinformation. It’s critical that we know our rights, that we know how our bodies work, and that we have the information to make us experts on our own bodies. Everyone is entitled to this.
It’s crucial to have support in our communities, especially surrounding traditionally taboo topics like menstruation, birth control, and sex. In my personal experience and in the stories of the people I have served, we are up against coercion, dismissing of pain, and misinformation. It’s critical that we know our rights, that we know how our bodies work, and that we have the information to make us experts on our own bodies. Everyone is entitled to this.
“It’s critical that we know our rights, that we know how our bodies work, and that we have the information to make us experts on our own bodies. Everyone is entitled to this.”
As a birth control doula, I work with uterus owners of all ages who need guidance with birth control options (including natural choices, hormonal choices, and barrier methods), have period problems, or need instruction and support with charting their menstrual cycles. This support might include talking one on one about concerns and priorities, accompanying people to meet with their healthcare providers, providing individual fertility awareness lessons, and menstrual chart interpretation.
A crucial component of birth control doula work is fostering community. This means providing inclusive spaces for people to learn about reproductive health and connect with each other. Learning about alternative menstrual care products, barrier methods, and hormone healthy lifestyle choices in group workshops is community building.
Reproductive health is deeply personal, but our decisions surrounding it don’t have to be completely private or isolating. We don’t make the best choices when we are alone or lacking information. People will make the best choices when they are informed and supported. Our culture is in need of change. My mission is to empower people with accessible information about their bodies so that they can make the best choices for their own health. I’m excited to bring this work to life both in my community and in an online forum.
If you are interested in working with me, you can contact me at [email protected]
A crucial component of birth control doula work is fostering community. This means providing inclusive spaces for people to learn about reproductive health and connect with each other. Learning about alternative menstrual care products, barrier methods, and hormone healthy lifestyle choices in group workshops is community building.
Reproductive health is deeply personal, but our decisions surrounding it don’t have to be completely private or isolating. We don’t make the best choices when we are alone or lacking information. People will make the best choices when they are informed and supported. Our culture is in need of change. My mission is to empower people with accessible information about their bodies so that they can make the best choices for their own health. I’m excited to bring this work to life both in my community and in an online forum.
If you are interested in working with me, you can contact me at [email protected]
| Michele Drake (pronouns: she/her) is a reproductive health educator and advocate with a special interest in supporting women in their contraceptive choices. After witnessing many of her friends and family struggle to find their ideal contraceptive method, balance their hormones, or achieve pregnancy, she was inspired to empower people with knowledge about their own bodies so that they may make informed choices about their health. Michele offers group classes in reproductive health, basic menstrual charting and achieving hormonal balance. She also offers individual coaching and support for contraception. |  |
