Microaggressions in the Birth Room: What to Say, What Not to Say, and How to Repair

Doulas enter birth spaces with the intention to support, yet even well-meaning words and actions can unintentionally cause harm. Microaggressions, unexamined comments, and behaviors shaped by bias can erode trust, silence clients, and reinforce power imbalances, especially for Black, Indigenous, immigrant, LGBTQ+, disabled, and religiously marginalized families.

This interactive session helps doulas recognize common microaggressions that occur in the birth space, intake process, and postpartum care, and offers practical, compassionate strategies for responding differently in real time. Participants will practice language shifts, learn how to repair harm when it occurs, and explore how accountability strengthens the doula-client relationship.

Rather than focusing on blame or perfection, this session centers growth, humility, and skill-building so doulas can provide more respectful, culturally responsive care.