December 8th, 2010
Does Everyone (really) Deserve a Doula?
What do you think?
It used to be that the word doula described primarily postpartum doula work. Doulas who take care of babies and mamas after birth. These days the definition has been expanded, and birth doulas help mamas (and their partners) during labor and childbirth.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about women who go through pregnancy loss. Miscarriage, abortion, stillborns. Some of these women go through labor and birth, some have other procedures. Many are alone and scared, most experience a variety of deep emotions and need a sympathetic ear. Some doulas are expanding their scope of practice to include women in this category. The support work that we do during labor and birth is very transferable to supporting a woman experiencing a pregnancy loss.
This is a controversial subject, especially in the case of abortion. Some people think that regardless of the loss, we should reach out to assist women who need us. Others feel it is completely out of the scope of what a doula is about – birth. So what do you think?
I’ll tell you what I think. I think EVERY woman deserves a doula.
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November 17th, 2010
Childbirth: pay it forward
As a doula, I give childbirth information to expectant parents. It’s what I feel called to do, and it’s what I’m paid for. Need to know more about natural childbirth? I can help! Having to deal with less than supportive support people? Call me up!
It’s rewarding to help new blossoming families. But one of my best pay it forward moments came from closer at home, just the other day, when my young adult daughter sent me a text.
She’s always been supportive of what I do, but generally uninterested in birth and babies. And since I’m glad she’s waiting before being interested in those things, I’ve never pushed information on her. But then it happened, as if by magic – and hey, maybe that’s what magic is.
“I’m going to have a vertical birth”
Now just try to tell me that isn’t a beautiful moment in a doula’s life. My daughter was watching a documentary (The Business of Being Born, highly recommended if you haven’t already seen it) for a University class. And suddenly what I do seemed interesting! And relevant! And we’ve had some lovely conversations about childbirth.
Whatever you do, whatever your passion – Share a few tidbits about it with those you love. Pay it forward.
Posted in Birth Related, blossoming thoughts, childbirth, Parenting | Comments Off
Tags: birth, childbirth, children, doula, information, kids, mothers, Parenting, passion, pregnancy, pregnant, santa cruz, support
April 4th, 2010
Being a Birth Doula
being a birth doula
is hard.
it’s hard work.
it’s tiring.
it’s emotionally and physically draining.
sometimes when mom wants to quit… i want to quit.
and then, just like for mama when her sweet baby is born,
there is this moment.
this moment when it is all worthwhile.
every painful hour is suddenly forgotten
in the miracle of this moment
when mama looks at me and says,
i couldn’t have done it without you.
being a birth doula
is beautiful and rewarding.
Posted in Birth Related, blossoming thoughts | Comments Off