“That’s the thing about birth, we don’t get an itinerary. We have to surrender and let go and it’s in that vulnerability we find the courage and strength we forgot we’ve had since our own birth. The power is already in you.”
– January Harshe
After experiencing the magic of birth with the first of my two children, I was honored to attend one of my best friends labor for their first little one. I was in love and I wanted to learn everything that I could about this amazing profession of being a birth assistant. From my own to that pivotal birth of my friends first, I had found my calling. I have been in awe of the power that we have inside our bodies to do incredible things. Babies are absolute gifts however they are not my mission, my mission is the warrior giving birth. I received my training and certification through Tiny Love Doulas, and through that training and the subsequent births, I learned that being able to come along side and support these powerful mommas through to their goals and to remind them in the middle of this incredible work, what they are doing is amazing and they are strong, capable and have the gifting to do this amazing thing.
Growing up, my mother taught me to believe in taking your health decisions into your own hands. To weigh the possibilities, to look at holistic/herbal approaches with the same weight as medical advice. She taught me that the body wants to heal itself, often in addition to professional medical care. I believe that this mindset is what set me on the path to becoming an empathetic, unbiased doula who continues to search, discover and advocate for the options out there for women and their personal health. The best choices for the doula, midwife, or medical staff should set aside to what is best for birthing person and the baby. No matter how big or small the decisions might be for the mother and/or partner, they should be considered with the utmost importance and not something to be flippantly pushed aside.
On my journey over the past eight years, I have grown deeper into my intuitions. My actions and words within the birth space have become more confident, but also humble with respect and admiration for the incredible people whom I have gotten to serve in the moment of their greatest work. I have been able to help them dig down and find the strength that is inside of them. And, when possible, promote the bonding with their partner into the amazing moment in which they can begin to grow even closer together, through walking their newfound path of becoming parents.
Within the first year of becoming a certified doula, the months following I experienced heavier client loads, which has introduced me to so many wonderful people! And I am thankful to have a family who supports me through my time and logistical care of my children, allowing me to do my best work with these powerful women. I see every labor is an opportunity to love and serve the women of our community better and I know that surrounding myself with experienced and likeminded birth workers will only further my love and adoration for this very special calling.
Birth outcomes and experiences tend to shape who we are as people. Birth certainly cannot be guaranteed to be perfect or smooth, but I do know that if we are able to help mothers process and keep the decision in their own hands, this will lead to stronger mothers, families and communities for future generations to come.
Whenever and however you give birth, your experience impact your emotions, your mind, your body & your spirit for the rest of your life. – Ina May Gaskin
Doula-assisted Birth Statistics
The statistics that go along with having a doula join you for your labor is quite amazing!*
- Average of 25% decrease in the risk of Cesarean; the largest effect was seen with a doula (39% decrease)*
- 8% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth; the largest effect was seen with a doula (15% increase)*
- 10% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief; the type of person providing continuous support did not make a difference
- Shorter labors by 41 minutes on average; there is no data on if the type of person providing continuous support makes a difference
- 38% decrease in the baby’s risk of a low five minute Apgar score; there is no data on if the type of person providing continuous support makes a difference
- 31% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience; mothers’ risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience was reduced with continuous support provided by a doula or someone in their social network (family or friend), but not hospital staff
*Statistics from EvidenceBasedBirth.com