Pregnancy & Postnatal Entrepreneurs Collective

Charging and pricing are some of the most loaded topics in the birth worker business — and in this panel episode of the Pregnancy and Postnatal Entrepreneurs Collective, we're finally talking about it out loud, no holds barred. Niamh is joined by three birth workers at different stages of their business journeys: Natalie Abouchai (Natnat Your Doula), Emma Fitzsimons (The Marathon Doula), and Audrey McEntee (Hug and Hold Doula Support) for a raw, honest conversation about what it really takes to build a sustainable birth business, why birth workers and doulas keep undercharging, and what the industry needs to change to make this work financially viable long-term. Whether you're a doula, IBCLC, antenatal educator, or any kind of birth worker trying to figure out what to charge — this one's for you. In this episode: How each guest decided what to charge when they started out — and what they'd do differently The burnout that comes directly from undercharging in your doula business (and why it's not just about the money) Emma on female altruism being weaponised against birth workers — and why our industry keeps absorbing it Why "it's a calling" might be the most damaging phrase in birth worker marketing Natalie's moment: the client who said, post-birth, "I can't believe you were so cheap" The pricing visibility debate — should your doula rates be on your website or saved for the discovery call? The societal double standard: €250 for a 15-minute consultant appointment vs. €170 for an hour-and-a-half lactation home visit What happens to the whole doula/IBCLC pricing landscape when experienced birth workers encourage newcomers to work for free Why building a sustainable birth business means pricing like you need to actually live This is the birthworker business conversation that usually only happens in private. It deserves to be out in the open. About the guests: Natalie Abuce — Natnat Your Doula Natalie is a woman-centred birth doula supporting women through pregnancy, birth, and the maternity system with confidence and informed choice. Based in the southeast and southwest of England, she's passionate about reminding women that their voice matters, their instincts matter, and they deserve to birth feeling powerful, heard, and respected. 🌐 www.natnatyourdoula.co.uk | 📧 natnatyourdoula@gmail.com | @natnatyourdoula (all socials) Emma Fitzsimons — The Marathon Doula Emma is a Birth and Postpartum Doula and Fitness Instructor based in Cavan and Meath. Drawing on her own experiences with maternity services, she qualified as a doula in 2023 and brings over a decade of fitness instruction alongside a deeply personal understanding of what women need in birth and postpartum. She also brings the perspective of 15 years as a single mum. 📱 @emmathemarathondoula on Instagram Audrey McEntee — Hug and Hold Postpartum Doula Support Audrey is a postpartum doula, maternity night nanny, newborn care specialist, and International Certified Infant Massage Instructor based in Ireland. Founder of Hug and Hold Doula Support, she specialises in supporting families through those precious and sometimes overwhelming early days — creating calm, answering questions, and holding space so parents can thrive (not just survive) postpartum. 🌐 hugandholddoula.com | 📧 audreymcentee@gmail.com | @hugandholddoulasupport on Instagram Working alone in clients' homes comes with risks most birth workers aren't prepared for. Niamh created this free guide to share the 8 safety protocols she learned over two decade of home visits (first in social care services, then in birth work) from what to ask on your intake form to positioning yourself for safety. It takes 2 minutes to read and might be the one thing that matters. Download free: yourbirthbiz.com/safet Get the Easy Content Creation - Summer Edition training Connect with Me  Instagram Facebook Linked In

The school summer holidays are a pressure point that self-employed birthworkers rarely talk about openly — but if you're a doula, IBCLC, antenatal educator or postpartum worker with your own kids at home, your capacity changes for eight weeks and your business needs a plan for that. In this episode Niamh shares her own framework for getting through summer without burning out or dropping the ball — and without trying to hustle, launch, or "maximise" anything. This is about survival with your business, health and family intact, not productivity for its own sake. She covers: How to figure out your "minimum viable summer" — the baseline income, client numbers and one non-negotiable marketing activity you need to keep ticking over Why summer is the wrong time to launch, start something new, or add offers How to map your actual working hours around childcare, camps and family support before the summer starts Sorting childcare for client-facing work versus the deep-focus time you need to work on your business Setting boundaries with older kids who are home during work hours (including Niamh's "office door open or closed" system) Why batching and time-blocking matter even more when your time is short Managing client expectations and communicating your summer availability to your community The guilt that comes with self-employed parenting — and why running at 60% capacity over summer doesn't make you a bad business owner or a bad parent If you want help getting your content sorted before summer hits, Niamh mentions her workshop on batching eight weeks of social media content in three hours — link in the show notes. Get the Easy Content Creation - Summer Edition training Connect with Me  Instagram Facebook Linked In

Bron Watson on burnout, cancer, and why self-care has to come before the sales funnel What happens when you do everything right in business — the funnels, the followers, the retreats, the courses — and it still costs you everything? That's exactly what happened to Bron Watson. Nurse, educator, entrepreneur, and mother of five, Bron built a thriving online business from the ground up. But behind the success, her cup was running empty. In 2017, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Five years later, an incurable blood cancer. In this episode, Bron and I talk about what those diagnoses forced her to face — and what she wishes she'd known before building a business that nearly broke her. We cover: Why high-achieving caregivers are especially vulnerable to burnout The moment Bron realised her business had become a sabre-tooth tiger she couldn't get off What self-care actually means (hint: it's not serums and massages) Why filling your cup isn't selfish — it's the foundation of sustainable work How birth workers and perinatal professionals can protect themselves before adversity forces them to stop This one is for every birth worker, doula, lactation consultant, and perinatal professional who gives everything to their clients and has nothing left for themselves. About Bron Watson Bron Watson is a nurse, educator, entrepreneur, and founder of The Serenity Project — a space where science meets soul for people living through cancer and navigating uncertainty. Connect with Bron: Website | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn Connect with Me  Instagram Facebook Linked In

Self-employment isn't natural. That's the thread running through this week's episode — and once you see it, you can't unsee it. In this honest, story-led conversation, Niamh shares the part of her own story she doesn't usually tell on the podcast. The unplanned pregnancy in her early 30s. The friendship group that fell away. The antenatal class her now-husband signed her up for because he could see how lonely she was. The breastfeeding group that gave her her closest friends 13 years on. And the baby link group she set up when nobody else in the room would put their hand up. From there, the episode traces how the same lesson — sometimes you join a community, sometimes you create one, but you don't get to skip community altogether — shaped her entire business as an antenatal educator, lactation consultant and mentor for birth and postpartum professionals. Niamh talks honestly about: The community she had as a new birthworker — and the missing piece that nobody had figured out yet Why she joined a generic, expensive women-in-business membership when she couldn't afford to (and what 30% of it taught her) How history shows us self-employment is a relatively new and structurally lonely way of working Why birthworkers are more isolated in their work than at any point in human history — even with all the communication tools we have Why so many people walk away from birthwork within a year of training (and what keeps the ones who stay) The role of "someone a little further along" — at the breastfeeding group, in business, in life This is the most personal episode of the podcast so far. And the one that explains, more clearly than anything else has, why the work Niamh does the way she does it. Doors are opening this summer to Your Birth Biz Besties — a membership wiht coaching, community and support built specifically for birth and postpartum professionals. Waitlist members hear first and get the best price. Join the waitlist at yourbirthbiz.com/membershipwaitlist  Are you ready to be a Birth Biz Bestie? Doors are now open. But not for long. https://yourbirthbiz.com/themembership-flash-sale Connect with Me  Instagram Facebook Linked In

From PhD chemist to birth alchemist - Tina-Marie Bruton on burnout, late autism identification, identity and finding her power in being herself. What happens when everything you built your identity around stops fitting? In this episode Niamh Cassidy is joined by Tina-Marie Bruton, antenatal educator, birth and postpartum doula, pregnancy Relax Stretch & Breathe instructor and founder of The Birth Alchemist for one of the most honest and moving conversations this podcast has had. Tina-Marie is also one of Niamh's longest-standing clients. She was part of Niamh's very first coaching programme, went on to join The NEST group coaching programme, and continues to be supported inside the Your Birth Biz Besties membership. So this isn't just a guest episode it's a conversation between two people who have walked a significant part of this journey together. Tina-Marie spent 12 years in the pharmaceutical industry, earned a PhD in chemistry, and built what looked like a very successful career. Then burnout hit. Her blood pressure went through the roof. She was at risk of heart attack or stroke. And everything she thought she knew about herself (and who she was supposed to be) started to come undone. What emerged from that chrysalis was something she hadn't expected. A later-in-life autism and ADHD identification. A complete identity shift. And a birthwork business built entirely on her own terms. This is the story of how she got there. In this episode Niamh and Tina-Marie cover: — Tina-Marie's journey from PhD chemist and pharma trainer to antenatal educator, doula and pregnancy yoga instructor — Why burnout was the turning point — and what it physically cost her before she listened to it — The identity crisis that came with leaving a career she had worked so hard to build — What it felt like to have her entire belief system challenged during antenatal educator training — and why that was both terrifying and transformative — Her later-in-life autism and ADHD identification — and why she uses the language "later in life identified" rather than "late diagnosed" — How understanding her neurology gave her permission to do things her own way — and why that turned out to benefit everyone she works with — The word "should" — and how recognising it as someone else's expectations changed everything — The chrysalis metaphor — what it means to become mush before you reform into something new — The weaving metaphor — how the threads of her life were always pointing here, even when she couldn't see it — What she would tell anyone who is still dipping their toe into something and wondering whether to take the leap — Why she believes we can do anything when we are properly supported If you're at the beginning of your own journey and wondering what's possible this episode is a really good place to start.  About Tina-Marie: Tina-Marie Bruton is an antenatal educator with Antenatal Ireland, birth and postpartum doula, birth reflections facilitator, and pregnancy Relax Stretch & Breathe instructor based in Cork. She is a later-in-life identified AuDHD mum to two neurodivergent kids and founder of The Birth Alchemist. Find her on Instagram @the_birth_alchemist and at antenatalireland.ie for upcoming workshops. Links mentioned: 🌸 Tina-Marie on Instagram: @the_birth_alchemist  🌸 Antenatal Ireland workshops: antenatalireland.ie  🌸 Cuidiu — National Parent Support Charity: cuidiu.ie Doors are opening this summer to Your Birth Biz Besties — a membership wiht coaching, community and support built specifically for birth and postpartum professionals. Waitlist members hear first and get the best price. Join the waitlist at yourbirthbiz.com/membershipwaitlist  Are you ready to be a Birth Biz Bestie? get yourself a spot on the waitlist for when doors open! It's happening soon.... https://yourbirthbiz.com/membershipwaitlist  Connect with Me  Instagram Facebook Linked In

What Actually Makes a Business Work — with Louise O'Brien  Two business owners get honest about mentorship, investment, structure and building a business that actually works  What does it actually take to build a business that works — and keeps working? In this episode Niamh Cassidy sits down with Louise O'Brien, women's wellness coach and business mentor at Badass Coaching, for a genuinely honest conversation between two business owners about what makes the difference. Not the polished version. The real one. Louise closed her physical gym, started from scratch with €5k in the bank, invested all of it in a business mentor and made it back within two months. Since then she has built a thriving online coaching business that she has runs entirely on her own terms, and grown almost exclusively through referrals.  This episode covers the business decisions, mindset shifts, systems and support structures that actually move a business forward — and why most business owners stay stuck without them. In this episode Niamh and Louise cover: — Why Louise invested her last €5k in a business mentor — and what happened within two months — The difference between working in your business and working on your business — and why getting stuck in one kills growth — Why AI is a useful tool but will never replace the value of a mentor or community who truly gets your work — The GPS analogy for mentorship that will change how you think about getting support in your business — How Louise structured her business to work from Thailand for six weeks while signing eight new clients — without running a single ad — The role of accountability in keeping a self-employed business owner moving forward consistently — Why surrounding yourself with the right people is one of the most powerful business growth strategies available — What Louise would tell any service-based business owner who is just starting out Who this episode is for: This episode is for any self-employed birthworker, doula, lactation consultant, antenatal educator or service-based business owner who: — Is trying to build a business without any real support structure around them — Has wondered whether investing in a business mentor or coaching programme is actually worth it — Wants to build a business that gives them genuine freedom — not just a different kind of busy — Is struggling to find time to work on the business rather than just in it — Needs to hear an honest account from someone who has built something from nothing About Louise: Louise O'Brien is a women's wellness coach and business mentor at Badass Coaching. She works with women all over the world on health, fitness, mindset and business growth. Find her on Instagram @louise_badasscoaching  Doors are opening this summer to Your Birth Biz Besties — a membership wiht coaching, community and support built specifically for birth and postpartum professionals. Waitlist members hear first and get the best price. Join the waitlist at yourbirthbiz.com/membershipwaitlist  Are you ready to be a Birth Biz Bestie? get yourself a spot on the waitlist for when doors open! It's happening soon.... https://yourbirthbiz.com/membershipwaitlist  Connect with Me  Instagram Facebook Linked In

This episode is a little different. Niamh gets personal.. sharing stories not just from her early career in youth justice and youth homelessness in Dublin, but her own pregnancy journey and the loss of her friends because of it. All of this so she can share what she's learned across decades of working with families in crisis and families who were simply left without enough support. And she connects all of it to one big idea: supporting families through pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period might be one of the most powerful things we can do to change the world. In this episode Niamh talks about: What her years working with young men in homelessness taught her about unsupported families Why the modern village has scattered, and what that means for new parents Maslow's hierarchy of needs and why so many new parents never get to flourish A real client story that shows exactly what's at stake when a birthworker shows up Why so many birthworkers are invisible, and the real cost of that invisibility Why charging your worth isn't about money, it's about sustainability and impact Why you are part of the solution to everything that's broken and why the world needs you to keep going  This one is worth sharing with every birthworker you know. Doors are opening this summer to Your Birth Biz Besties — a membership wiht coaching, community and support built specifically for birth and postpartum professionals. Waitlist members hear first and get the best price. Join the waitlist at yourbirthbiz.com/membershipwaitlist  Are you ready to be a Birth Biz Bestie? get yourself a spot on the waitlist for when doors open! It's happening soon.... https://yourbirthbiz.com/membershipwaitlist  Connect with Me  Instagram Facebook Linked In

This episode came straight from you — after asking followers for topic ideas, diversifying income and offers kept coming up. And it's no surprise, because it's also one of the most common conversations happening in coaching calls right now. But here's the thing: this is not a one-size-fits-all answer. The stage your business is at matters enormously — and getting this wrong is one of the most common and costly mistakes birth workers make. In this episode Niamh covers: Why trying to do too much too soon is the number one mistake early-stage birth workers make — and how it leads to confused buyers, divided messaging, and burnout before you've even got started The "10 things on the website" trap — and why a confused buyer doesn't buy When diversifying your offers actually makes sense, and the three green light questions to ask yourself before adding anything new: Do I have the time and capacity? Am I genuinely passionate about this? Does it complement what I already do? How to think about expanding across the pregnancy to postnatal journey to increase the time you spend with existing clients The live-first method: why you should always run a workshop or course live before recording or producing anything — and how Niamh's own back-to-work and breastfeeding workshop is a real example of this in action The passive income myth — why there's no such thing as making money in your sleep without serious ongoing marketing or a significant ad budget What actually sells for birth workers (and what doesn't) Why PDFs, eBooks and resources need to be genuinely high value in a world where so much is available for free — including from AI Key takeaways: If you're early stage: stop, focus, get really good at your one thing and get consistent clients first If you're established: run the capacity, passion and fit questions before adding anything new Test before you invest — run it live, sell the recording, then decide if a full production is worth it Passive income requires either consistent marketing effort or a solid ad budget — factor that in from the start Too many offerings = confused buyers = people leaving your website without booking Have a question or topic you'd like covered? DM Niamh on Instagram. Want to find out what Birth Biz Stage you're at and the right next steps for you to take based on your stage? Then take The Birth Biz Quiz now!  Connect with Me  Instagram Facebook Linked In

Orla Nealis went from pandemic mum with no support to fully booked doula in less than two years from completing her training. Here's what actually got her there. What does it actually look like to build a birthwork business from scratch — with three children under six, no reliable childcare, and no business background? In this episode Niamh is joined by Orla Nealis, a birth and postpartum doula, birth reflections facilitator and antenatal educator in training. Orla's story starts where so many birthworkers' stories start — with a difficult personal experience that ignited her passion for supporting other families. What makes her story even more amazing is how quickly and intentionally she has built her business since then. Sixteen months ago Orla was grateful to book one or two clients a month. Today she's fully booked.  This is an honest, warm and inspiring conversation about what that journey actually looked like (including the hard bits!). In this episode Niamh and Orla cover: — Orla's journey from becoming a mum during the pandemic to training as a breastfeeding counsellor, doula and antenatal educator — and why that experience drove everything — The moment she realised she needed to transition from volunteer to paid work — and how uncomfortable that felt — The money mindset blocks that show up when you start charging for work you've been doing for free — What she actually did that got her clients — and why she says mindset was the biggest game changer, not marketing — How she built her business while pregnant, then with a newborn, then with three children under six — Why she stopped following generic business advice from men and started learning from women who actually understood her reality — The systems she set up during quiet months that are paying off now she's fully booked — Her advice for birthworkers who are earlier in the journey and wondering when it's going to click — Why she had to "think big and be a bit delusional" — and how that drove her forward faster than anything else Who this episode is for: This one is for you if you're a doula, IBCLC, antenatal educator or any other birthworker who: — Is earlier in your business journey and wondering if it's actually possible — Has been doing volunteer or low-paid work and is struggling to make the transition to charging properly — Feels like you're putting in loads of effort and not seeing results yet — Is trying to build a business around a young family and wondering how anyone actually does it — Needs to hear a real, honest story from someone who has recently been exactly where you are About Orla: Orla Nealis is a birth and postpartum doula, birth reflections facilitator and antenatal educator in training based in Ireland. You can find her at takesavillagedoula.ie or on Instagram @takesavillagedoula. Want to find out what Birth Biz Stage you're at and the right next steps for you to take based on your stage? Then take The Birth Biz Quiz now!  Connect with Me  Instagram Facebook Linked In

Why so many brilliant birthworkers struggle to call themselves business owners — and why making that shift changes everything. If you've ever introduced yourself by saying "I do a bit of doula work" or "I run a few classes" — this episode is for you. In Ep 82 of the Pregnancy and Postnatal Entrepreneurs Collective podcast, Niamh Cassidy explores one of the most important and most overlooked conversations in the birthwork business world: the identity shift from birthworker who charges to business owner who does meaningful work. This isn't about becoming a different person or losing the values that brought you into birthwork. It's about understanding why how you see yourself changes everything about how your business behaves — your pricing, your boundaries, your visibility, your income, and ultimately how long you stay in this profession. In this episode Niamh covers: — Why so many qualified, capable birthworkers feel uncomfortable calling themselves business owners — and where that discomfort actually comes from — The three things most of us have absorbed that make this identity hard to claim: our training, our money stories, and the word "entrepreneur" itself — The small moment in a mentoring session that shifted everything for Niamh — and what changed after it — Why being a good business owner is not in conflict with being a good birthworker — it's what allows you to keep being one — The four things Niamh consistently sees in birthworkers who have made this shift: how they talk about their work, how they price, how they protect their time, and how they invest in their growth — Why the statistic that the average working life of a doula is just two years is not inevitable — and what actually changes it — One small, practical thing to do this week that costs nothing and starts the shift immediately Key quote from this episode: "Your ability to earn well from this work is what keeps you available to the families who need you." This episode follows on from Ep 81 — Why Birthworkers Quit (And What Actually Keeps Them Going) — and is the second in a series Niamh is running on what actually makes a birthwork business work. If you haven't listened to Ep 81 yet, start there first. Who this episode is for: This episode will resonate if you are a doula, IBCLC, lactation consultant, antenatal educator, hypnobirthing instructor, postnatal doula or any other birth or postpartum professional who: — Finds it hard to talk about your business confidently — Undercharges or over-delivers because charging properly feels wrong — Treats your business time as the last priority — Struggles to invest in business support even though you'd happily invest in clinical training — Has ever wondered if running a business is really "for someone like you" Want to find out what Birth Biz Stage you're at and the right next steps for you to take based on your stage? Then take The Birth Biz Quiz now!  Connect with Me  Instagram Facebook Linked In

The business side of birthwork is harder than it should be — and it's not your fault. Here's why, and what actually helps. Something I hear all the time from birthworkers is that the business side of things feels so much harder than it should. And I feel that — because I've lived it. In this episode I'm having an honest conversation about why so many passionate, qualified birthworkers end up quitting the profession — not because they stop caring, but because the business side grinds them down. Including the story that really lit a fire in me recently: a client told me she's the only one still practicing out of the 18 people she trained with. Every single one of the others quit because they couldn't get the business off the ground. That's not a talent problem. That's a support and direction problem. And it's one we can fix. In this episode I cover: — Why your training prepared you brilliantly for the work — but not for running a business — The four reasons generic business advice doesn't fit birthwork (ethics, emotional labour, on-call reality, community dynamic) — Why not wanting to follow pushy advice isn't weakness — it's integrity — The three things that actually move a birthwork business forward: clarity over volume, consistency over perfection, and the support that changes everything — Why doing more is rarely the answer — and what is This is the first in a series of episodes I'm doing on this topic over the coming weeks, so if it resonates, make sure you're following or subscribed so you don't miss what's coming. Links mentioned: 🌸 The Birth Biz Quiz — find out what stage your business is in and get your next best steps: yourbirthbiz.com/quiz 📱 Come say hi on Instagram: @yourbirthbiz Want to find out what Birth Biz Stage you're at and the right next steps for you to take based on your stage? Then take The Birth Biz Quiz now!  Connect with Me  Instagram Facebook Linked In

If marketing your birth work business feels overwhelming, confusing, or like something you should be doing but don’t actually enjoy… this episode is going to be a bit of a reset. In this conversation, I’m joined by Charlie Cleary, a marketing simplification strategist who helps women build businesses that actually work for their lives — not ones that leave them burnt out or glued to the algorithm. We talk about what’s really going on when marketing feels hard, why so many women struggle with pricing and visibility, and how to create a marketing approach that feels aligned, sustainable and actually works. Because the truth is — it’s not that you’re bad at marketing. It’s that you’ve probably been trying to do too much, in ways that don’t suit you. In this episode, we cover: Why marketing feels so overwhelming (especially for birth workers) The problem with “should-based” business advice Why doing less can actually grow your business faster The link between pricing, confidence and visibility How your mindset impacts your marketing (more than any strategy) Why women often undercharge — and how to start shifting that The importance of putting more money into the hands of women How to choose marketing strategies that suit your energy and lifestyle What to do if you hate social media (yes, really) How to repurpose your content instead of constantly creating more Why storytelling is one of the most powerful marketing tools you have Key Takeaway: You don’t need to be on every platform.  You don’t need a complicated strategy.  And you definitely don’t need to burn yourself out trying to grow your business. You need a way of marketing that feels good, fits your life, and allows you to show up consistently — as yourself. A Few Lines That Might Stick With You: “You’re not bad at marketing — you’re just doing too much.” “The safest job you can have is one you’re in control of.” “If you don’t feel confident in your prices, you won’t sell them.” “Tell your story — it can never be wrong.”  Connect with Charlie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlie-clarey-marketing-consultant/ https://www.instagram.com/charlieclareyconsulting/ Want to find out what Birth Biz Stage you're at and the right next steps for you to take based on your stage? Then take The Birth Biz Quiz now!  Connect with Me  Instagram Facebook Linked In

If you spend any time on business Instagram or TikTok right now, you’ve probably seen a flood of posts about what works in business in 2026. Stop posting educational content. Use custom AI tools for everything. Say something controversial to grow faster. But much of this advice is coming from people who are selling to coaches, creators, and influencers not people working in healthcare-adjacent professions like birth work. In this episode, Niamh Cassidy (IBCLC, antenatal educator and business coach for birth workers) unpacks three pieces of popular business advice currently circulating online and explains why birth workers should think twice before following it. Because strategies that grow quickly online can sometimes damage credibility and trust, and in birth work, trust is everything. In This EpisodeNiamh discusses: Why the advice to “stop posting educational content” doesn’t make sense for birth workers How educational posts build trust, authority and credibility with expectant and new parents Why parents actively search for evidence-based information about birth, breastfeeding and newborn care The growing trend of custom AI tools and AI-generated advice in business Why relying on someone else’s AI tool can dilute your voice and professional judgement Practical ways birth workers can use AI as a tool without outsourcing their expertise The rise of controversial or polarising content designed purely to drive engagement Why “hot takes” and debate-driven content can undermine credibility in a trust-based profession How viral reach is not the same as attracting aligned clients Why sustainable growth for birth workers comes from consistency, clarity and trust What Actually Works for Birth WorkersInstead of chasing online trends designed for influencers, Niamh shares three principles that support sustainable, ethical business growth in birth work: 1. Trust grows birth businesses Families choose birth professionals they feel safe with. Clear, grounded, evidence-aware communication builds that trust. 2. Consistency matters more than going viral Showing up regularly with useful information is far more effective than chasing occasional viral posts. 3. Strategy should match your stage of business The advice that works for someone with a fully booked practice may not be right for someone just starting out. Want to find out what Birth Biz Stage you're at and the right next steps for you to take based on your stage? Then take The Birth Biz Quiz now!  Connect with Me  Instagram Facebook Linked In

Over the past while I’ve been hearing the same thing from birth workers again and again: “Things feel quieter.” Fewer enquiries. Fewer bookings. Calendars that suddenly feel lighter than they did a few months ago. Doulas, lactation consultants, antenatal educators and other birth professionals have been reaching out asking if I’m seeing the same thing. And the honest answer is… yes. I’ve noticed it too. Normally when business slows down, we reach for the obvious explanation: the economy, the cost-of-living crisis, families having less disposable income. Those things may well play a part. But in this episode I explore another possibility that I think many of us are experiencing but not always naming out loud. Right now we are living and working through a moment of collective emotional heaviness. We are witnessing war, humanitarian crises and rising violence against immigrants, women and LGBTQ+ people in real time through our phones and social media feeds. For empathetic, care-centred professionals like birth workers, that emotional weight doesn’t just stay in the background. It can affect our energy, motivation and creativity. And when our energy shifts, it naturally changes how we show up in our businesses. In this episode that I just had to make I talk about the possible connection between global events, emotional burnout and quieter bookings, and why this may be affecting birth workers across the world right now. Most importantly, we talk about the importance of community, solidarity and supporting each other through times like this. Because birth work has always been rooted in community. And in difficult moments, community matters more than ever. In This Episode We Explore Why many birth workers are noticing slower bookings right now The natural ups and downs of running a birth work business Why the economy might not be the only explanation How global events and collective trauma can affect our energy and visibility The emotional impact of constantly witnessing suffering in the world Why empathetic care professionals often carry this weight deeply Reflections around International Women’s Day and women’s rights globally Why community and connection with other birth workers is so important right now Ways we can support one another while continuing to support the families who need us A Reminder for Birth Workers If your business feels quieter right now, or your energy has been lower than usual, you are not alone. Most of us are navigating the emotional weight of the world while continuing to care for families in our communities right now.  This episode is an invitation to reflect, to reconnect with the bigger picture of the work we do, and to remember that none of us are meant to do this work in isolation. Community, solidarity and mutual support have always been at the heart of birth work and they are just as essential for sustaining our businesses as they are for supporting the families we serve. If this episode resonated with you, I’d genuinely love to hear your thoughts. You can connect with me on Instagram or learn more about my work supporting doulas, lactation consultants and antenatal educators to grow sustainable businesses through Your Birth Biz. And if you know another birt Want to find out what Birth Biz Stage you're at and the right next steps for you to take based on your stage? Then take The Birth Biz Quiz now!  Connect with Me Instagram Facebook Linked In

If your income goes up and down each month and you’ve ever felt stressed, guilty, or unsure about your money this episode is going to hit you right in the feels.  I’m joined by financial coaches and business partners Shana and Vanessa (aka the Budget Besties), who help women create simple, realistic budgeting systems that actually work in real life... not the restrictive, spreadsheet-heavy versions most of us have been taught to dread. Together we unpack how to manage money confidently even when your income isn’t predictable, and why budgeting doesn’t have to mean cutting out everything you enjoy. We chat about: why so many women avoid looking at their finances (and how to change that) the simple budget structure anyone can set up in under an hour how to pay yourself consistently from a business with fluctuating income separating business and personal finances in a way that actually makes sense why “not tracking every transaction” might be the system that finally works for you how to remove guilt around spending money on yourself the mindset shift that helps you feel like a real business owner, not just someone with a hobby that sometimes pays This conversation is especially helpful for birth workers, freelancers, and anyone self-employed whose income changes from month to month. If you’ve ever worried about slow seasons, irregular payments, or feeling like money disappears as soon as it arrives, you’ll walk away with practical strategies you can implement straight away. Resources & Links Listen to Shana & Vanessa’s podcast: Financial Coaching for Women Learn more about their budgeting system: budgetbesties.com/niamh Loved this episode? Take a screenshot, share it on Instagram, and tag me so I can hear your biggest takeaway. Your messages genuinely make my day and help more people find the show. Want to find out what Birth Biz Stage you're at and the right next steps for you to take based on your stage? Then take The Birth Biz Quiz now!  Connect with Me Instagram Facebook Linked In

Do we really all have the same 24 hours? Discover how time, capacity, and life seasons affect business growth — especially for busy birth workers and parents.  Do we really all have the same 24 hours in a day? Technically yes. But in real life — with caring responsibilities, client work, family life, emotional labour, and everything else on your plate — time does not feel equal. In this honest and grounding episode, Niamh unpacks the myth behind the popular phrase and shares a more realistic, compassionate way to think about productivity, growth, and success as a birth worker or service-based business owner. This conversation explores why comparing your pace to someone else’s rarely tells the full story, how your current life season impacts your business capacity, and why slower growth doesn’t mean you’re failing — it often means you’re building sustainably. You’ll also hear a powerful reframe: instead of chasing perfect balance, think of your life and work like a pendulum that naturally swings depending on what needs you most. And if you’ve ever felt like your business demands constant attention, Niamh shares a reassuring analogy that will change how you view your growth journey. In this episode, we cover: Why “we all have the same 24 hours” is misleading advice The difference between time equality and capacity equality How caring roles impact business growth (and why that’s normal) Why balance isn’t the goal — and what to aim for instead The pendulum approach to managing work and life seasons How to recognise what stage your business is in right now Why effort still matters — even when life is full A healthier way to measure progress without burnout or comparison Key Takeaway You don’t need more strategies. You need clarity about your real capacity and permission to grow at a pace that fits your life. Continue the conversation: Come join us in the free community and share — what season are you in right now, and where is your pendulum today? Want to find out what Birth Biz Stage you're at and the right next steps for you to take based on your stage? Then take The Birth Biz Quiz now!  Connect with Me Instagram Facebook Linked In

What does it really take to get started in birth work — and stay there? In this episode, I’m joined by Jen Crawford, life and business coach, parent educator, mentor and doula trainer, with over 15 years’ experience supporting families and shaping skilled, grounded birth workers across Ireland. Between us, we’ve: trained and mentored hundreds of birth workers supported thousands of families built and scaled sustainable birth-work businesses and seen far too many brilliant practitioners leave this work unnecessarily due to burnout, lack of support, or unrealistic expectations. In this honest, grounded and at times possibly controversial conversation, we’re coming together as two of Ireland and Europe’s leading voices in birth work and birth-business to share what we both wish we’d known when we were starting out, and what we now know makes the biggest difference. In this episode, we talk about: Why birth work may be a calling, but it still needs to be a viable career The foundations every birth worker needs before worrying about visibility or marketing Mindset shifts that help you move from passion to sustainability Values, boundaries and energy management in emotionally demanding work Why “there’s not enough work” is a myth, and what actually matters instead The dangers of black-and-white thinking and fear-based narratives in birth work Collaboration vs conflict within maternity systems How to protect yourself from burnout and stay in this work long-term The role of support, community and professional guidance when you’re starting out This episode is for you if: You’re considering training as a doula, lactation consultant, antenatal educator or other birth worker You’re newly qualified and wondering “Why is this harder than I thought?” You love the work but feel unsure about how to make it sustainable You want a values-led, ethical approach to birth work and business You’re tired of absolutist advice and want nuance, realism and encouragement Jen and I both believe that there is plenty of work for everyone and that birth work is really just a fledgling industry with so much more growth potential. We are both hurt by seeing good birth workers quit and this conversation is about changing that, starting from the very beginning. About Jen Crawford Jen is a life and business coach, parent educator, mentor and doula trainer with over 15 years’ experience. She has trained and mentored hundreds of doulas, supported thousands of families, and co-founded Ireland’s first national doula agency. In 2026, she continues to lead group doula trainings and coach birth workers across Ireland and internationally. You can connect with Jen here: Website: jen-crawford.com Doula training: @jencrawforddoulawisdom Coaching: @jencrawfordcoaching Want to find out what Birth Biz Stage you're at and the right next steps for you to take based on your stage? Then take The Birth Biz Quiz now!  Connect with Me Instagram Facebook Linked In

Naming your business can feel like one of the biggest, most loaded decisions you’ll ever make, especially when you work in the birth and postpartum space, where identity, values, and care are so closely tied to what we do. In this episode, I’m sharing the full story behind my recent rebrand to Your Birth Biz, why I moved away from The Pregnancy & Postnatal Entrepreneurs Collective, and what the process taught me about fear, confidence, and allowing your business to evolve as you do. I also take you back to the very beginning, to when I was naming my antenatal education business, My Baby Beginnings, and how I deliberately chose a name that could grow with me over time. From there, I explore the common tension between choosing a strong “brand” name versus a more SEO-friendly, descriptive business name...and why there isn’t one right answer. This episode is part personal story, part practical guidance, and part permission slip. Whether you’re naming your business for the first time or wondering if the name you chose no longer fits, this conversation is for you. In this episode, we cover: Why I originally chose the name Pregnancy & Postnatal Entrepreneurs Collective How fear and a desire to “include everyone” can influence business naming The difference between a brand name and an SEO-friendly name (and the pros and cons of each) Practical tips for naming your business when you’re starting out Why your business name is not a lifetime sentence How to recognise when it might be time to rebrand What Your Birth Biz stands for now, and who it’s for This episode is for you if: You’re stuck trying to name your birth or postpartum business You’re worried about choosing the “wrong” name You feel disconnected from your current brand or business name You want to build a business that’s ethical, sustainable, and aligned with your values At its core, this episode is about permission — permission to grow, to change, and to choose what supports you now, not just what felt safe at the beginning. ✨ Explore the new website at yourbirthbiz.com ✨ Join the conversation in the Pregnancy & Postnatal Entrepreneurs Collective discussion group Want to find out what Birth Biz Stage you're at and the right next steps for you to take based on your stage? Then take The Birth Biz Quiz now!  Connect with Me Instagram Facebook Linked In

In this episode, Niamh is joined by Aoife Lennon, perinatal educator, IBCLC, former Home Economics teacher and founder of Bumps & Bainne. Aoife describes herself as a “full-time challenger of the polite nonsense that surrounds birth and breastfeeding” — and this conversation very much lives up to that energy. Aoife shares her journey from nearly 20 years in secondary teaching to building a values-led birth work business, shaped by her own birth experiences, motherhood, and a powerful shift in priorities. We talk honestly about fear, identity, financial risk, mindset work, and what it really takes to step away from a “safe” career and back yourself. This episode goes deep into themes that so many birth workers grapple with but don’t always say out loud:  – feeling called to this work but unsure how to make it sustainable  – the emotional weight of leaving a pensionable job  – the importance of community (or “the village”) in both motherhood and business – why not everyone needs to like you ... and why that’s actually a good thing – leaning into your authentic voice online, even when it feels uncomfortable Aoife also speaks candidly about building her business slowly and steadily, charging her worth, and the role that mindset and peer support have played in helping her stay the course. This is a conversation about courage, feminism, motherhood, and redefining success on your own terms without the hustle-bro nonsense. If you’re a doula, lactation consultant, antenatal educator or birth worker who’s ever thought “there has to be another way”, this episode will land right in your chest. Connect with Aoife: Instagram: @bumps_and_bainne Website: www.bumpsandbainne.ie If this episode resonated with you, send us a DM and let us know what landed. These conversations matter — and you’re not meant to do any of this alone. Want to find out what Birth Biz Stage you're at and the right next steps for you to take based on your stage? Then take The Birth Biz Quiz now!  Connect with Me Instagram Facebook Linked In

In this episode of The Pregnancy & Postnatal Entrepreneurs Collective Podcast, I’m joined by Parnuuna Thornwood, guide and teacher behind Feel Good Rebel, for a calm, grounding conversation about visibility that doesn’t ask you to override yourself to grow your business. What I loved most about this conversation was Parnuuna's tone  - calm, warm, and deeply respectful of the fact that visibility can feel genuinely hard, especially for birth and postpartum professionals. There’s no pushing, no “just get over it”, and no one-size-fits-all strategy. Instead, we explore visibility as something that can be built incrementally, at a pace that feels safe and sustainable. We talk about how many people say “social media just isn’t for me”, and how often that belief is tied not to capability, but to fear, past experiences, or a lack of safety -  both online and in real life. Parnuuna brings a nervous-system-aware lens to visibility, reminding us that if your body feels unsafe, forcing yourself to show up more will only create resistance or burnout. A big part of the conversation centres on why blindly following someone else’s strategy doesn’t work for so many people. While structure and guidance can be helpful, growth rarely comes from copying, instead , it comes from being supported to develop your own way of showing up. This is where coaching becomes so valuable: not to remove fear entirely, but to stop fear from keeping you invisible and stuck. We also name something that often goes unspoken, the reality that there are genuinely unsafe things in the world, and it makes sense that visibility can trigger fear. At the same time, we explore how much energy gets lost worrying about what friends, family, or the imaginary person in the corner might think...the people who were never meant to be your clients in the first place! Instead, this episode invites you to gently shift your focus:  away from posting for posting’s sake,  away from external pressure,  and towards relationship-building, connection, and service. In this episode, we explore: Why visibility feels easier for doulas, lactation consultants, antenatal educators and women in general when it’s calm, gentle and incremental How a lack of safety — not laziness or confidence — often sits under resistance The nervous system’s role in showing up online Why following someone else’s strategy can disconnect you from yourself The difference between fear that needs compassion and fear that needs boundaries Letting go of worries about friends, family, or imagined judgement Why visibility works best when it’s about relationships, not performance It’s a reminder that visibility doesn’t have to be loud, constant or performative — it can be human, relational, and rooted in safety. 🎧 Listen now and explore what visibility could look like when it’s built on trust rather than pressure. Parnuuna has kindly shared a free calming 3 day reset, to boost your sense of confidence, time and energy, you can sign up here: https://feelgoodrebel.kit.com/0d761c0f86  🎧 Download The Birth Workers Business Mindset Toolkit — a free resource with affirmations, guided visualisations, and a supportive guide to help you shift your mindset and grow a sustainable, aligned business. ✨ Perfect for doulas, IBCLCs, antenatal educators and all birthworkers ready to feel more confident, abundant and grounded in their work.  Connect with Me Instagram Facebook Linked In