My Life As A Doula

 What is a doula?

 The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves" and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth. Postpartum Doulas provide in-home services to families, typically lasting from three weeks to three months, or longer with special circumstances. Some doulas combine the birth and postpartum roles, thereby offering continuity of care throughout the childbearing year. A Baby Loss Doula  serves the mother and family experiencing the death of a baby during pregnancy or soon after birth. The Doula's goal is to provide ongoing physical, emotional, and informational support to the family during and after their time of  loss.

The first time I heard of a doula I was giving tours at HP Regional Hospital for expectant parents. It wasn't unusual to have large groups of expectant parents come through my tours on any one night. However, on that  night I only had two women to escort down the hospital halls. I assumed that the relationship between the two were mother and daughter, but I wasn't sure, so I asked. The younger lady replied "No, this is my doula." Doula??? I had never heard of one before. So instead of me answering all of their questions, I had quite a few of my own. The doula tried her best to educate me within the short time we had with each other.  I had an immediate connection with both of the ladies. I would say it was a divine appointment! At the end of our conversation the doula told me why she was needed so badly to serve this young woman. My ears were peeled back and my heart was open! The young girl had quite a sad, but not uncommon story. Her boyfriend had moved her to this area from Rhode Island against her family's wishes. As a result of this decision, her parents and family had disowned her. Sadly enough, when she became pregnant her boyfriend kicked her out and she was living with strangers. So, there she was,  pregnant ,and felt all alone with no where to turn. She knew that the birth of her baby was something special that she wanted to share with someone that cared. So she found a doula.

That night, I went home,  walked in the door with tears in my eyes and a big smile on my face, and anxiously told Jeremy I had found my calling! He was like "Who? What? When? Where?" I spent the next couple hours being excited over something I knew so little about. All I knew was that God has placed these women in my path to show me His calling, and I was excited! The role fit me perfectly, seeing how I've always loved to serve and encourage women. I was on the breast feeding support team at the hospital, and I love birth! It was so easy to envision myself as a doula. So immediately, the studying, research, and training to become a doula began.

I have been a birth & postpartum doula for about 3 and 1/2 years now and it has been such a blessing in my life. I have thoroughly enjoyed serving others and supporting their births. Since my losses, seeing the miracle of birth has never amazed me so much. I rejoice with those that rejoice and I mourn with those that mourn . I am a doula.

I pray that I can serve families and assist them in having a blessed birth experience. I also pray that I can minister to those who are alone, hurting, or suffering from great loss so that I may be a testimony of the love of Christ.

"I have showed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35