EBB 378 - Embracing the Dual Calling of Doula Work + Midwifery with Chanté Perryman and Elder Charlotte Shilo-Goudeau

Evidence Based Birth®

Rebecca Dekker

Pregnancy, Health & Fitness, Childbirth, Parenting, Birth, Medicine, Kids & Family, Doula, Obstetrician, Midwife

4.6 • 978 Ratings

🗓️ 19 November 2025

⏱️ 53 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Across generations, birth workers have held space for families with skill, love, and deep purpose. In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker talks with Elder Midwife Charlotte Shilo-Goudeau, a licensed Certified Professional Midwife from Louisiana, and Chanté Perryman, Director of Programs at Evidence Based Birth®

, certified doula, and student midwife. Together, they explore what it means to embrace the dual calling of doula work and midwifery and how both roles are acts of service, advocacy, and healing.

Elder Charlotte shares her journey from personal loss to becoming one of only a few Black midwives in Louisiana, carrying forward the wisdom of generations. Chanté reflects on how her experiences as a doula shaped her path into midwifery and her vision for compassionate, individualized care. They remind us that titles may change, but the heart of this work remains the same: being present, being of service, and being called to birth.

(03:46) How Chanté's Birth Experience Inspired Her to Become a Doula

(05:42) Elder Charlotte's Journey from Stillbirth to Midwifery as a Calling

(10:59) How Doula Work Shapes Midwifery Care and Philosophy

(14:34) Serving Underserved Communities as One of Four Black Midwives in Louisiana

(19:01) Shifting from Midwife to Doula During Hospital Transfers

(24:08) Chanté's Perspective on Identity, Service, and Humility in Birth Work

(28:40) Micro vs. Macro Advocacy: Supporting Families and Legislative Change

(37:29) Navigating Hospital Restrictions During the Pandemic

(42:57) Lessons from Midwifery School

(45:30) Advice for Those Considering Doula or Midwifery Paths

Resources

Follow Chanté on Instagram: @babydreamsmc

Connect with Ms. Charlotte: midwifecharlotte.com

Connect with an Evidence Based Birth®

Instructor: directory.evidencebasedbirth.com

Learn more about the National Perinatal Task Force: perinataltaskforce.com

Visit the Commonsense Childbirth School of Midwifery: commonsensemidwifery.org

Check out the Kentucky Birth Coalition: kentuckyhomebirthcoalition.com

Visit the Mercy In Action College of Midwifery: mercycollegeofmidwifery.edu

For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hi everyone. On today's podcast, we're going to talk with Ms. Charlotte, Shilogodeau,
0:04.8	and Chante Perryman about being both a doula and a midwife.
0:12.4	Welcome to the evidence-based birth podcast. My name is Rebecca Decker, and I'm a nurse with my
0:17.4	PhD and the founder of Evidence-Based birth. Join me each week as we work together
0:22.9	to get evidence-based information into the hands of families and professionals around the world.
0:28.8	As a reminder, this information is not medical advice. See eBbirth.com slash disclaimer for more details.
0:38.0	Hi, everyone, and welcome to today's episode of the evidence-based birth podcast.
0:42.8	Today, I am so excited to welcome our two guests, Elder Charlotte Marie Shilogodeau
0:48.0	and Chante Perryman. Miss Charlotte is a licensed certified professional midwife and the founder of Pick Your Own
0:55.6	Burthing Experience, P-Y-O-O-B-E, with Mama Shar's Burthing Service based in Mara Gwyn, Louisiana.
1:02.6	A respected leader in maternal health, she brings more than 40 years of combined personal
1:07.3	and professional experience to her work in midwifery, education, and community care.
1:12.6	Elder Charlotte holds numerous titles and roles, including instructor for community
1:17.3	birth companion doula training in Opelousis, Louisiana, international maternal support instructor
1:23.6	for Babo Mia, Inc. of Canada, an evidence-based birth instructor, certified breastfeeding
1:29.1	specialist, perineatal birth specialist, national perinatal task force ambassador for the Opelousis
1:34.8	branch, maternal health advisor, a NARM preceptor, a certified adult mental health first aid USA
1:41.3	provider, and a mentor with common sense childbirth school of midwifery.
1:46.4	Above all, Ms. Charlotte treasures her roles as a devoted mother and wife. Her academic journey
1:52.5	includes earning various degrees and certifications from LSU and UNAS.U. and Unis, Alexandria,
1:58.4	and in South Louisiana Community College in Lafayette, and the University of
2:02.3	New Orleans. Deeply committed to holistic and culturally literate care, Elder Charlotte continues
	...

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