some thoughts from a doula [guest post]
In June I was able to complete a doula training and met some amazing women who share the same passion for birth and all that goes into the before during and after. I'm excited that fellow doula, Peg (moma of 3) agreed to share her doula journey. She is now accepting momas!!
First and foremost, I want to give a huge congratulations to Caren and John at the arrival of their daughter Stella! I first met Caren this summer at toLabor training. I was immediately impressed by her hunger for knowledge about birth. We had a wonderful weekend together experiencing something beyond words. We are forever connected after that weekend. When she asked me to do a guest spot on her blog, I was honored.
Recently, someone asked me why I wanted to become a doula. I found myself speechless (a rarity for those who know me well). How to describe this passion - this calling? For some doulas, it begins when they have an intervention-laden birth and a desire to do things differently the next time is born. For this doula, the decision to have an unmedicated birth was made before I even met my husband. While in college studying nursing, I learned about epidurals and their affects. And from that moment on, the thought of someone sticking a needle into my back, leaving me without the ability to feel my legs, sent shivers down my spine.
Fast forward about 10 years and I'm married and pregnant with #1. I knew that in order to achieve an unmedicated birth I needed to train, just like marathon runners do. So my husband and I took classes in The Bradley Method. I hired a doula and chose a Certified Nurse Midwife who also happened to be a good friend. Being surrounded by this wonderful team allowed me to have an unmedicated birth in a hospital with an epidural rate of about 97%. The birth of my first was truly a transformative event. When I was at the "wall" and thought I could not go any further - I climbed it! And while my husband was a tremendous support, it was the words of my doula that I remember most of all. From that moment on, I was in awe of the power of womankind and understood the importance of the unique support we give one another in labor.
I went on to have two more unmedicated hospital births, each with doula support. The passion to do this work getting a little stronger with each one. I had been working at home raising my daughters since 2005. Frustrated by the nagging outside questions of what I was going to "do" when the girls got in school, I started reflecting on what gave me the most joy. And then the "ah-ha" moment came! "Be A Doula" my Higher Power whispered. For about a year, I resisted the idea out of fear - "What if I'm no good?" "How on earth will I manage childcare?" - until finally my HP whispered again, "This is your calling. Trust Me to handle the details."
Standing on the edge of the cliff - I jumped. I participated in the doula training program, ordered some business cards, joined CADS and made a website. Eventually, my phone started ringing. My first client had her baby in October. She and her husband were an amazing team and I was humbled they invited me along for the ride. They will always have a special place in my heart!
Supporting a couple in the intimate dance of labor, witnessing new life emerge into the world, and being with a woman the moment she becomes a mother is an honor! That, is why I am a doula!
First and foremost, I want to give a huge congratulations to Caren and John at the arrival of their daughter Stella! I first met Caren this summer at toLabor training. I was immediately impressed by her hunger for knowledge about birth. We had a wonderful weekend together experiencing something beyond words. We are forever connected after that weekend. When she asked me to do a guest spot on her blog, I was honored.
Recently, someone asked me why I wanted to become a doula. I found myself speechless (a rarity for those who know me well). How to describe this passion - this calling? For some doulas, it begins when they have an intervention-laden birth and a desire to do things differently the next time is born. For this doula, the decision to have an unmedicated birth was made before I even met my husband. While in college studying nursing, I learned about epidurals and their affects. And from that moment on, the thought of someone sticking a needle into my back, leaving me without the ability to feel my legs, sent shivers down my spine.
Fast forward about 10 years and I'm married and pregnant with #1. I knew that in order to achieve an unmedicated birth I needed to train, just like marathon runners do. So my husband and I took classes in The Bradley Method. I hired a doula and chose a Certified Nurse Midwife who also happened to be a good friend. Being surrounded by this wonderful team allowed me to have an unmedicated birth in a hospital with an epidural rate of about 97%. The birth of my first was truly a transformative event. When I was at the "wall" and thought I could not go any further - I climbed it! And while my husband was a tremendous support, it was the words of my doula that I remember most of all. From that moment on, I was in awe of the power of womankind and understood the importance of the unique support we give one another in labor.
I went on to have two more unmedicated hospital births, each with doula support. The passion to do this work getting a little stronger with each one. I had been working at home raising my daughters since 2005. Frustrated by the nagging outside questions of what I was going to "do" when the girls got in school, I started reflecting on what gave me the most joy. And then the "ah-ha" moment came! "Be A Doula" my Higher Power whispered. For about a year, I resisted the idea out of fear - "What if I'm no good?" "How on earth will I manage childcare?" - until finally my HP whispered again, "This is your calling. Trust Me to handle the details."
Standing on the edge of the cliff - I jumped. I participated in the doula training program, ordered some business cards, joined CADS and made a website. Eventually, my phone started ringing. My first client had her baby in October. She and her husband were an amazing team and I was humbled they invited me along for the ride. They will always have a special place in my heart!
Supporting a couple in the intimate dance of labor, witnessing new life emerge into the world, and being with a woman the moment she becomes a mother is an honor! That, is why I am a doula!
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