When I was laid off from my job in marketing communications I took that as a swift kick in the pants to start a career doing something I love. I knew I wanted to be able to stay at home and raise my son but I also knew that would need something else to make me feel complete.
Giving birth truly transformed me as a person. I read everything I could get my hands on about birth and knew that this was the road for me. I often have to stop myself from inundating pregnant women with information because I just want them to know.
Fast forward to the summer of 2009 and I was sponsoring a toLabor Labor Doula training in Boulder, CO. Through the training I realized that I had found my place and made the right decision with this career path. But because I was about 31 weeks pregnant with my daughter at the time of the training I knew all I would be up for in the near future would be completing the testing and required reading and the necessary six births would have to wait.
Fast forward again to May 11, 2010 and I feel like I have come full circle with my training and hopes for my new path as a Doula. I attended my first birth! It was a homebirth, her fourth child and it was so amazing to be part of. Humbling really. I hope that I was able to offer that family the support and love they needed because they definitely filled my heart and spirit with the knowledge that I had made the right decision.
I don't want to get too mushy but for a while I felt like I was floundering out there wondering how I was supposed to live my life. Thank you to that wonderful family for letting me have a place at their birth. I look forward to watching that little girl grow.
One down and five more until I am completely certified!!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
My "First" Birth
Posted by Sarah at 2:13 PM
Labels: Life as a Doula
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3 comments:
Hi! I just stumbled upon your blog (actually, NPN posted your potato experiment and I started perusing!) Anyway! I just wanted to encourage you a little on your venture to become a certified doula! I'm pretty new to the whole situation, too. I, crazily did my 3 certifying births (through DONA) in 4 days! I feel the same way you do, humbled every time I set foot in a laboring woman's home or into a labor room at a hospital. It's amazing and empowering! I'm sure at some point losing your career seemed dooming and awful, but isn't it funny how such wonderful things come out of CRAP!? :) Anyway, I hope this encourages you a little - Godspeed, friend!
Sarah @ parentinggodschildren.blogspot.com
@Sarah
Thank you for your kind words! I have one more birth until I am certified. (toLabor requires 6). I had this crazy idea of getting certified when I was 9 months pregnant, so needless to say it has taken me a while. Three births in 4 days - wow you are a rock star. How did get manage that?
What is NPN? I love to hear how people find me, thank you.
I have thought about being a doula. I have eight children through natural birth; two were unattended. (not on purpose..) I have been invited to help in five labors. I would love to read some of the books on the DONA list. I'm not sure if it is time.
I found you while looking for patterns for the baby cocoons. I saw one in tunisian. I made one already in cotton, in an open pattern to accommodate our hot weather for the baby that is due any day.
Thank you for sharing!
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