EBB 285 - Creating a Sustainable Career in Birth Work with Jessica Diggs, Midwife, Doula Mentor, and Co-Founder of Centered.

On this episode of the EBB Podcast, I interview Jessica Diggs, midwife, doula mentor and co-founder of Centered about creating a sustainable career in birth work.

 

Jessica is a licensed midwife working in a solo practice in Los Angeles. Jessica supports people and families through holistic gynecological care, home birth services, and conception support. Jessica has a skill and love for making childbirth and reproductive education digestible and accessible for all people. She is the co-founder of Centered, a curated community for doulas and she is the former lead educator and curriculum developer at Doula Training International.  

 

Jessica and I discuss not only her career path from doula to midwife but dive deep into a discussion about making birth work sustainable in the long run. Jessica shares a multitude of tips for our audience in avoiding burnout, setting boundaries to better serve yourself and your clients, as well as finding your joy and purpose in birth work outside just attending births. With over 10 years in the field and a thriving career, Jessica practices what she preaches and has a passion for teaching others not only about how to be a doula at a birth, but a doula making a living wage and sustainable career path.

 

Content Warning: Black maternal and Black infant death, Postpartum death, systemic racism

 

Resources: 

 

Learn about Jessica’s work, including how to join Centered here: 

 

Follow Jessica’s work: 

• Instagram @jessicadiggs and @joincentered 
• Substack: Midwifery is More 

Find the book The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker here 

 

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com.

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Want to get involved at EBB? 

• Check out our Professional Membership (including scholarship options) here 
• Find an EBB Instructor here 
• Click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class.