Billie Harrigan is a Traditional Birth Companion. Billie has been serving birthing families for almost 40 years. She is the author of the world’s first research-based and accredited certification course for becoming a trauma-informed perinatal professional. She has authored and edited continuing education for maternity providers and allied birth professionals in advanced topics and has taught birth professionals and parents internationally. Billie is the Owner and Director of Birth Trauma Ontario, which provides education and training for maternity providers and allied birth professionals in trauma-informed care, as well as providing information and support for parents and loved ones that are dealing with birth-related trauma or birthing after trauma.
DISCLAIMER:
Trigger warning: loss, stillbirth and poor birth outcomes are discussed in this podcast
We have many friends in the birthing community, nurses, midwives, doulas, and we see a lot of incredible care.
Please don't be discouraged by this episode. But have a fire lit inside of you that NOW is the time to lean into your intuition and learn about your options for birth.
Our biggest advice to anyone who is newly pregnant, is to do your homework. Don’t wait until your second birth to take control. Learn about the hospital funnels, and what’s on the menu for the choices you are making.
In our experience there can be so much good in the birth world as well, but the power remains in your hands. Better care is available the more empowered you are in your autonomy and choice. Billie sees a clientele of people who have experienced birth trauma and/or who want to birth outside of OHIP covered birth.
Birth trauma is experienced by 1 out of 4 people experiencing birth and this is not ok, we are working to change this. Billie is such an interesting, passionate human and we loved hearing from her experience what is happening in the obstetric system.
