Pregnancy & Postnatal Entrepreneurs Collective Podcast

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! 
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This is a republished episode from November 2023 - and there’s a reason it’s back.
It was the most popular guest episode I’ve ever shared on the podcast, and listening back, it’s easy to see why.
In this conversation with Annie Frisbie (IBCLC, private practice owner and educator), we dive into what it really takes to build a sustainable birth work business, one that supports your clients and your life.
Because here’s the reality…
So many birth workers are incredible at the work itself but struggle to make the business work in a way that feels manageable, profitable, and aligned with family life.
This episode is about changing that.
We talk about moving out of the “helper” mindset, setting boundaries without guilt, and creating systems that actually give you your time back so your business doesn’t end up feeling like an exhausting, expensive hobby.
If you want a business that allows you to show up fully for your clients without burning yourself out, this episode is essential listening.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
 Why coming from a volunteer or caregiving background can make business feel harder than it needs to be 
 The mindset shift from “helping” to running a professional, sustainable service
 How to set clear boundaries (without feeling like you’re letting clients down) 
 Why being constantly available can actually increase client anxiety, not reduce it 
 The real cost of undercharging — especially when it comes to your time, family and energy
 How simple systems (booking links, templates, automations) can completely change your workload 
 Why your business needs to pay you consistently, not just “what’s left over” 
 The importance of building a business that supports your life — not one that takes over it 
🔗 Links & Resources
 Annie Frisbie’s website: https://paperlesslactation.com
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! 
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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! 
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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 Episode
Niamh 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 Workers
Instead 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! 
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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 birth w
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 
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