The Birth Blog

I thought it would be fitting to start my blogging journey with how I found my way to becoming a doula. After having our first child I realized I didn’t know as much about pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period as I thought I did. When my husband and I became pregnant with our second child I did more researching, and reading. I went into my second pregnancy feeling more prepared and empowered. My previous experience with pregnancy was helpful in knowing what was to be expected, of course like they say, “ every pregnancy is different.” I went into labor thinking, “I’ve done this before, I can do this” and then I got there and things went much differently then the first time.

Labor went quite a bit faster, and I tolerated the pain much longer but once it hit, I needed more help then I expected. Luckily for me I had a nurse who was training to be a midwife and spent most of her time with me. The support she gave to help me get through the pain, and the fear was what got me through. She had me doing different positions, different massages and pressure techniques. I felt empowered, like at that moment I had control of my body and what was happening. When I look back at my first birth I realize everything was new and I didn’t know what to expect, which makes me think I would have benefited from a doula even more. The next time around I knew what the protocol was, what happens before active labor starts and what happens after baby is born. When I saw the difference between the two it opened my eyes to how lucky I was to have the nurse that I did that day, and how much I felt that everyone deserves that kind of birth. No matter how prepared someone might feel from all the books and having a professional support person can make all the difference.

I began looking into how I can be apart of helping educating laboring women and their families so that they go in to every labor feeling knowledgeable and empowered. That is how I came across the profession of becoming a doula. After reading countless books, talking with multiple doulas, and experiencing a handful of births I knew this is where I wanted to be.

I want to help with pregnancy and preparing for baby’s arrival, labor- however that may look, and the postpartum period. I am an emotional and physical support for not just the laboring person but everyone involved in baby’s new life. If a planned or emergency cesarean arises I want to be able to be the support that everyone needs, help with caring for baby after a tiring labor, give tips to help get through birth with or without medications and relieve any stress or confusion about breastfeeding. I nursed my first child for 12 months before finding out baby number two was on his way; I am currently still nursing my second child and I have the knowledge to help other families achieve nursing if it fits for them.