My decision to become a doula was a very natural progression of experiences, thoughts, and ideas in my life. I have always had an extreme love for babies. There is something so magical about a newborn baby. From womb to world. New mommies and their way of nurturing as well as their choices in raising their new child has always been very interesting to me.
I had no idea there was such a thing as a doula when I was pregnant with my daughter. I knew I wanted to birth naturally and was very passionate about that, but went into the hospital *completely* naive of things to come. While I did have a natural birth (med-free), it was not without a fight from my doctors. Upon leaving the hospital, I had this nagging feeling of, "that should never have to be the experience women have when giving birth". I felt that women should be educated and be able to make the choices best for them and their baby without someone telling them, without good reason, that those choices are not a possibility. Or worse yet, scaring women into making choices they never intended.
Little did I know, there are women out there helping to educate and advocate for mommas in the birth room. Women who love other women and believe in them. Doulas. One of my favorite words in the entire world.
I can't remember who told me about doulas, but from the moment I understood what they do I knew that was my calling. I knew I wanted to stand beside and stand up for and hold the hands of mommas who have educated themselves and know what they wanted from their birth experience. Women who choose to have their babies at home, women who choose to get an epidural, mommas who choose to have their babies naturally in the hospital, women who need a c-section for medical reasons, mommas who want a vaginal birth after a cesarean, and the list continues to go on. There are many choices in birth. My passion is helping women have the birth they have decided is best for them and their baby, not what someone else says is best.
The fact is, birth is unpredictable. There are times when what we planned doesn't actually happen. What we had hoped doesn't come to fruition. As a doula, it's *so* important to me that in those moments women understand what their choices are and they make the decision that's right for them and their baby. So when it's all said and done, momma and baby are together, she looks back on her birth experience and says "Yeah, I did that! I made those choices. It wasn't exactly how we planned, but it was beautiful and empowering and I did it."
I was trained as a doula in April of 2010 and have attended two births since training (with several more on the horizon). In just those two experiences, my love for birth and my philosophy as a doula has grown leaps and bounds. I love birth. I love mommas and new babies. I love being there for families. I love seeing mommas go inside of themselves and channel a strength they never imagined they had - hence the name of my doula business ;). I love helping husbands be the best support person they can be. I just LOVE being a doula. Could I say "love" any more? It's true. My heart overflows just thinking of the possibilities.
Until next time,
Love wins.
