Episode 26 When Survivors Navigate the Hospital System with Rachael Rose

My guest today is a testament to the value of good support and investing in yourself. To hear a strong woman articulate her trauma, to see and hear that she is not broken and is using her experiences as a conduit for others’ growth – well, that’s just my happy place. I will never tire of this privilege – what it means to receive these stories and have people trust me with them. Rachael Rose is a full spectrum Dynamo doula hell-bent on bringing down toxic birth culture and supporting women to reconnect to their resilience and strength. Rachael is such a calm, sunny presence. I know this is a big topic, but you’ll walk away from this conversation feeling expanded rather than contracted. We talk about what happens when a birthing person ticks that box and says “yes. I’ve had experience of sexual abuse”, and, in Rachael’s case what happens when it’s never spoken about again. What can we be doing to better serve people and give them choices, make them the expert in what they need to feel safe. Sexual abuse, assault, molestation or whatever language we put to it must exist within a spectrum. It must never be about getting into comparisons and expecting people to qualify “does this count?”. It’s not a cognitive experience, it’s a bodily one. Sometimes it’s not until you are a much older, or go through pregnancy and birth that you begin to think about some of the experiences you’ve had as a child. Applying the label of ‘sexual abuse’ is complex. Rachael and I will talk about the impact of the abuse she experienced, but not go into detail as we are mindful of re-traumatisation. We talk about navigating all the bodily things - vaginal exams, stretch and sweeps, catheters, suppositories, language that is used, positions the body is put in. Having hands-on from other people when you’re learning to breastfeed. And then some of the anxieties that happen postpartum. Those intrusive thoughts that happen that are totally normal but no one ever wants to talk about. As I’ve said before, the goal needs to be establishing safety, not getting the information. You are more powerful than you know. If birthworkers and the people they serve remember that they are powerful, then we will change the world. Resources for the video version of this podcast: https://youtu.be/YlrPPbmpLcs My Mini birth trauma training October round starts Thursday October 24 Link to secure your spot: https://doctorerin.as.me/ Link to details about the event https://business.facebook.com/events/558792318262055/?event_time_id=558792324928721 I have over a decade of experience working with survivors of sexual abuse and assault. If you want therapy or coaching around birth, trauma and managing burnout, reach out http://doctorerin.com.au/ Insta: @doctorerinbowe Rachael’s website http://rachaelrose.com.au/ Insta: @the_rachael_rose The Body Keeps the Score – Bessel van der Kolk Lotus Fire – she’ll be on an upcoming episode 😊 https://www.thelotusfire.com/contact/