What first got you interested in becoming a birth doula?
With the birth of my first child, I had what’s considered a “good outcome”. However, I left the hospital feeling violated and confused about what had happened. I saw the difference it can make, with my second and third births, having real support. Talking to other women, I saw what a large need there is for women to have someone by their side, to advocate for them and help them to make sense of the birth process. The more I learn, the more I see the need for a doula, particularly in a hospital setting. There is a huge disconnect between women’s expectations of care, and the information that they have about the birth process, and the outlook of their care providers. Doulas can help bridge that gap. Birth is such a transformative time for women and their families that this seems like the most important work I could be doing right now; I certainly can’t think of anything that I’d rather do.
How long have you been a birth doula? What training have you undergone?
I’ve been working as a birth doula for just a few months now, though I attended the birth of a friend four years ago in what I consider my first doula-ing experience. I trained with ALACE as a doula in 2007, and have been steadily accumulating information and studying on my own since I had my oldest son, in 2004. I began working as a childbirth educator, having trained through ALACE and also through ICEA, in 2010. My children are old enough now that I feel comfortable being on call, so I’m glad to be able to finally get out there and help women at their births!
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| taking a quick rest at a birth! |
What has been your most triumphant moment as a birth doula?
I suppose it’s ongoing. I just feel really lucky to have found a way to help meaningfully help women. The satisfaction that I get from doula work comes in a series of “ah-hah!” moments—for me, and also in seeing those moments happen for mothers that I work with. The triumph comes from realizing how much we are teaching each other. This is what happens when women reach out to each other during the unique time of pregnancy and childbirth!
What has been your most humbling moment as a birth doula?
I am constantly humbled by this work; it’s not easy! I suspect that even much more experienced doulas feel the same way. Every day I am looking up something new, coming up with more satisfying, complete answers for questions that I realize I need more information about.
Is there any birth-related subject about which you are particularly passionate?
I am passionate about justice and compassion for women and their families during childbirth. I am passionate about humane care for human beings, by human beings. My main goal is to help everybody involved to maintain their integrity and humanity through the birth process. I guess that’s a pretty far-reaching goal! There’s magic in birth that gets lost when we—mothers and care providers—try to operate as automatons.
What are some of your favorite resources for new mothers?
Doulas are my favorite resource for new mothers! Other caring people, like fellow mothers, and community in general are the most important resource for new mothers. For specific issues, I like books! I like to read Magda Gerber, who is a great source of wisdom on the topic of infant care. There are great blogs out there—it can be hard to seek people out in real life—and I think the best way to find them is to ask someone who usually has good advice for you, or whose opinion you respect, what they like to read. And then find out who that person has been listening to! If you have a question, track down your local midwife! She will be busy, but she will have a wealth of information.
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