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Doula wellbeing
Vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue
When you witness hard births, your body and mind may carry some of that weight.
Burnout and trauma definitions
Vicarious trauma
Changes in how you feel or see the world after witnessing or hearing about trauma.
Secondary traumatic stress
Stress symptoms that can come from being close to someone else's trauma.
Compassion fatigue
Feeling worn down after giving care again and again.
Why doulas may feel it
Doulas often hold fear, pain, joy, grief, and conflict in the same room. You may also see racism, disrespect, loss, or medical stress. Caring deeply can have a cost.
Needing support does not make you less skilled. It means the work touches you because you are human.
Ways to get support
Debrief with care
Talk with a trusted peer without sharing private client details.
Use professional help
A licensed therapist can help you carry hard memories safely.
Build rest into the work
Plan off-call time before your body forces it.
Know your limits
Taking fewer families for a season can be a wise choice.
Research deep dive
Burnout, compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress, and vicarious trauma can affect doula work.
Read the research and support options