Why would you be a doula?

It’s coming up to my 20th anniversary as a birth doula. I have done many things in my 46 years, but nothing sets my soul on fire as much as being a mother.

I mother my children, but the essence of being a doula is mothering mothers.

I am honoured to be invited into the private inner preparations before birth and I am there to take the call in the night when 'my' families ring to tell me that labour is ramping up and they could do with some extra support. I quietly creep out of my home, leaving my sleeping family, and arrive in the sacred birth space of another family. A family on the cusp of welcoming their newest little family member. I gently place a kind hand on the labouring mums arm and we exchange knowing smiles and we bond afresh.

Over the past 20 years I have supported some of the strongest women I have ever encountered. I am constantly amazed by the grit and determination of a mother who knows what she wants and fights with deep inner strength to get it.

It is a privilege to be a part of their birth team. And, I am only a part. I don’t step on the partners toes or get in the way of the medical team. I don’t make decisions or share personal opinions. I am there to support the family no matter which way their birthing journey goes and I do that with emotional and physical support. I work hard behind the scenes to intuitively create a comfortable and safe birth space for them so they can labour together without interruption. I hold space for them to process decisions and make sure their birth is the right one for them and their baby.

I hold such strong devotion to ‘my’ mums birthing experiences, that I sometimes have to miss family events or cancel plans that I am really looking forward to. Every invitation I receive comes with a “If I’m not called to a birth” clause.

I am a doula because I want to share the valuable knowledge and resources that were passed down to me by wise women. I show women how to take ownership of their decisions in birth, and I teach them about informed consent. When women are respected during the most vulnerable moments of birth, when they feel they had a choice, they are empowered. 🤎