In the birth world, we talk a lot about "presence." It’s that quiet, steady energy a doula brings into a birthing room. It’s the way we anticipate a need before a word is spoken, the way we hold space for a family’s deepest fears, and the way our hands provide comfort when words aren't enough.
But lately, the world feels a little louder and a lot more automated. We are living in a digital age where Artificial Intelligence (AI) can write emails, generate images, and even answer medical questions in seconds. As a network of doulas, we’ve been reflecting on what this means for us. How do we navigate this high-tech world without losing the "high-touch" soul of our work? How do we use digital tools without compromising our integrity or the safety of the families we serve?
The Human Essence of Birth Work
Birth is one of the most raw, human experiences there is. It’s physical, emotional, and deeply spiritual. It’s rooted in centuries of cultural heritage and passed-down wisdom. While a computer can process data, it cannot "witness." It doesn’t have the intuition to know when a laboring person needs a sip of water or a silent hand to hold.
As we grow our businesses and look for ways to be more efficient, it’s tempting to lean on AI to do the heavy lifting. But as a network of doulas, we believe that some things must remain strictly human. The connection we build with our clients is built on trust, and trust requires a real person on the other side of the screen or the bedside.
Insights from Evidence-Based Birth® (EBB)
We aren’t the only ones thinking about this. Our friends at Evidence-Based Birth® (EBB) recently tackled this topic in a way that really resonated with our values. In EBB Podcast Episode 394 (ebbirth.com/394), Rebecca Dekker dives deep into the ethical minefield of generative AI in the birth space.
EBB has made a clear "EBB Promise": they do not use generative AI in their Signature Articles or for their customer service. Why? Because they believe in human-only support. When you are looking for evidence-based information to make a life-altering decision about your birth, you deserve to know that a human expert, with a heart and a moral compass, vetted that information.
The Risks We Can’t Ignore
As doulas, part of our job is protecting the birthing environment. That protection extends to the information environment as well. The rise of AI brings several risks that we need to be aware of:
- Misinformation: AI models are known to "hallucinate." They can confidently present false information as fact. In birth work, where safety is paramount, misinformation can have real-world consequences.
- Bias: AI is trained on data from the internet, which is unfortunately full of systemic bias. This can lead to AI generating advice or content that reinforces racial, gender, or cultural stereotypes, the very things we are working to dismantle.
- Environmental Impact: Training and running large AI models requires a massive amount of energy and water. As people who value the Earth and the future of the babies we welcome, the environmental cost is a serious ethical consideration.
- Intellectual Property Theft: Generative AI often scrapes the work of artists, writers, and birth workers without their consent or compensation. Supporting tools that "steal" human creativity feels out of alignment with our commitment to community and respect.
Our Newcomer Superpowers and the "Slow-Care" Approach
Many of us in this network are newcomers to Canada. We bring with us what we like to call "newcomer superpowers", resilience, adaptability, and a deep connection to our cultural heritage. These strengths allow us to see through the hype of new technology and stay grounded in what truly matters.
In the Latino way of care, we value the "slow-care" approach. This means taking the time to truly listen, to build a relationship, and to honor the traditions that have supported families for generations. Whether it’s the warmth of a Cuarentena or the rhythmic support of traditional shawl sifting (often used for pelvic vibration and comfort), these practices are rooted in human-to-human transmission. They cannot be replicated by an algorithm.
As a network of doulas, we bridge this cultural wisdom with modern, evidence-based care. We use technology to connect with each other and to reach more families, but we filter every tool through our Latin-rooted identity. If a tool saves us time but costs us our integrity or our connection to our clients, it’s not a tool we want to use.
Navigating the Digital World as a Professional Doula
So, how do we handle this in our daily businesses? Here are a few ways we can navigate the digital age with our integrity intact:
- Be Transparent: If you use AI to help organize your thoughts or generate a social media caption, be honest about it. But when it comes to client education and support, let your own voice and expertise shine through.
- Prioritize Human Interaction: Use digital tools to handle the "boring" stuff, like scheduling or bookkeeping, so that you have more time for human interaction. Don't let a bot replace your initial consultation or your postpartum check-ins.
- Fact-Check Everything: Never take an AI-generated fact at face value. Always cross-reference with trusted sources like EBB or peer-reviewed journals.
- Respect Autonomy: Just as we support a family’s right to make informed choices about their birth, we should support their right to know how their data is being used. Be mindful of the privacy policies of the digital tools you use.
Building a Movement for Culturally Aligned Care
Our goal is to build a movement where doulas are valued not just for the information they provide, but for their presence and their wisdom. We are more than just "information dispensers." We are community builders.
When we choose human connection over digital convenience, we are making a statement. We are saying that the sacred space of birth deserves the highest level of integrity. We are saying that our newcomer superpowers and our cultural heritage are more valuable than any piece of software.
As a network of doulas, we are committed to supporting one another as we navigate these changes. We are here to help you grow your business in a way that feels authentic, sustainable, and deeply respectful of the families you serve.
Let’s Connect and Grow Together
Are you looking to align your practice with these values? Do you want to be part of a community that celebrates your cultural roots and supports your professional growth? We’d love to have you.
- Partner with us: If you are an organization or a fellow birth worker looking to collaborate, please fill out our Partnership Form.
- Stay Inspired: Connect with us on Instagram @mama_doula_canada for daily reflections and community support.
- Explore More: Check out our Amazon Lists for product recommendations that support a slow-care approach, or visit our Pinterest for freebies and resources.
- Portuguese Speakers: Don’t miss our "Ser Doula no Canadá" webinar or our exclusive Shadowing Program.
Summary / Resumo / Resumen
English:
In this post, we explore the balance between digital tools and human connection in birth work. We discuss the importance of integrity, the risks of AI (misinformation, bias, and environmental impact) as highlighted by Evidence-Based Birth®, and how our cultural heritage and newcomer superpowers guide us toward a "slow-care" approach. As a network of doulas, we prioritize human presence above all.
Português:
Neste post, exploramos o equilíbrio entre ferramentas digitais e a conexão humana no trabalho de doula. Discutimos a importância da integridade, os riscos da IA (desinformação, viés e impacto ambiental) destacados pela Evidence-Based Birth®, e como nossa herança cultural e superpoderes de recém-chegados nos guiam para uma abordagem de "cuidado lento" (slow-care). Como uma rede de doulas, priorizamos a presença humana acima de tudo.
Español:
En este post, exploramos el equilibrio entre las herramientas digitales y la conexión humana en el trabajo de parto. Discutimos la importancia de la integridad, los riesgos de la IA (desinformación, sesgo e impacto ambiental) destacados por Evidence-Based Birth®, y cómo nuestra herencia cultural y superpoderes de recién llegados nos guían hacia un enfoque de "cuidado lento" (slow-care). Como red de doulas, priorizamos la presencia humana por encima de todo.