FAQ
Do I really need a course to teach me how to write my birth story?
Nope. You don’t! All you need is your mind, heart, memory, and a way to record your story. I’m not here to convince you that you need this course—I’m here to convince you that this course can be helpful on the journey of writing a birth story you feel proud of. Sometimes people need help getting started, shaping, or keeping the momentum going. That’s what this course is about!
Is this course only for people who have birthed recently or within the past few years?
It’s for anyone who has birthed or become a parent. It might be easier to write your story if it’s fresher in your mind, but chances are, the material here will help you, no matter if your baby is 15 days or 15 years old.
Is this course only for “good” or experienced writers?
No! You do not have to have any experience or talent as a writer to move through this course and write your story. It’s not about producing “good” writing—this is about producing a story that reflects you and the truth of your birth.
Is this course inclusive of diverse birthing situations, choices, locations, etc?
Of course! There is no one-size-fits-all for birth.
Is this course only for people who had positive birth experiences?
No! Birth trauma and other complicated and/or negative experiences around giving birth are common, especially in the United States. Racism, non-evidence-based care, obstetric violence, overuse of interventions, administrative red tape, insurance issues, lack of options, and more can all contribute to poor birthing experiences, especially for BIPOC people. That’s the reality we live in. I have taken care to ensure this course is trauma-informed and sensitive to people who experienced difficult or traumatic births (although, it’s important to understand that I am not a mental health professional). That said, the course will not ask you to shy away from the difficult parts of your story, if you are willing to tackle them in your writing.
Is this course for people who built their families through adoption or surrogacy?
It can be! While the course is mostly focused on people who personally experienced pregnancy and gave birth, there are prompts and exercises that would be beneficial to help people who became parents through surrogacy or adoption write their stories. Keep in mind, though, that the vast majority of the language and ideas in this course are geared towards people who physically gave birth, so it could feel triggering or difficult to move through the course if you are intending to write about another type of family creation experience.
If you are someone who gave birth and then surrendered a baby to adoption, or acted as a surrogate or gestational carrier, you might still like to use the course. But you should know that it is geared towards people intending to parent, so some of the language may feel strange or triggering.
Is this course appropriate for people who have experienced a stillbirth or other pregnancy loss?
It can be. A stillbirth is a birth. That said, the vast majority of the language and ideas in this course are geared towards people who had live births, so it may feel triggering or difficult to move through the course if you are intending to write about your stillbirth or other loss.
Are you going to spam me with endless emails and annoying offers after I buy this?
No, I won’t. I hate that just as much as you do, seriously! I will probably send occasional emails, especially if I start offering new courses or other services over time. But you definitely won’t be getting numerous spam-y marketing emails. I promise!
What is the course format?
The course is self-paced and asynchronous—work on it when you want! It is also text-based. I know video is most common for online courses these days, but it is my intention that this course is a calm, quiet place to spend time. And in the Age of 1 Zillion Zoom Meetings, where many of us are totally tapped on videos, I think that’s a benefit 🤪
Do you offer a sliding scale or other access for people who can’t afford the course?
I’ve tried to price the course affordably at $33. Twice a year, I’ll offer the course on a “pay what you can” model for a week. If you’d like to be notified of when that is, you can sign up for my email list here.
Can I give this course as a gift?
Yes, you can! Email me at carriemurphydoula@gmail.com and I’ll give you a code to use for a gift recipient.
How long do I have access to this course?
You will have lifetime access!
Is there a money-back guarantee?
Yes! Request your money back within 14 days to receive a full refund, no questions asked.
Does this course give back to the community?
Yes! I donate 15% of proceeds in even numbered months to a BIPOC-led and centered birth cause, group, org, or person. For February, the beneficiary is Chanté Perryman, a doula, childbirth educator, and student midwife in Lexington, KY.
If you’d like to work together on a fundraiser using the course, I’m always happy to hear ideas!