Today I spent most of the morning “doulaing” myself. Every once in a while my back will spasm and cause extreme sciatic pain that can bring me to my knees. I’d pulled every trick out of my doula bag until I eventually found a spot on the floor with tennis balls and worked on some pressure points. This allowed me to relax enough to be able to do some stretches.
While I lay on the floor, I exhaled and thanked God that I didn't have any clients due, and then thought about how His grace has been sufficient even when I have attended births, especially long ones.
A few minutes later a package arrived from the mail man. I was intrigued because the items I were expecting in the mail where larger than what I received.
While I lay on the floor, I exhaled and thanked God that I didn't have any clients due, and then thought about how His grace has been sufficient even when I have attended births, especially long ones.
A few minutes later a package arrived from the mail man. I was intrigued because the items I were expecting in the mail where larger than what I received.
It was a beautiful package thoughtfully put together for me by a former client. More beautiful than the items were her words thanking me and describing to me what I meant to her and her husband during the birth of their sweet little girl in the fall.
This young couple was prepared, made great choices along the way, trusted the process and her body to do what it was designed to do. Their love for each other was so apparent and intense and seeing them work together was beautiful to behold. This mama worked so hard in spite of sleepless nights prior to labor becoming active and welcomed her little girl with such grace and strength.
And as I reflect on their story and read their beautiful words I am encouraged.
I must admit that there are often sleepless nights, replaying birth experiences, trying to see if there was anything I could have done differently or more to support the women who invite me into this sacred space. It is not because the experience is about me. It is because I truly care if I have made some kind of positive difference in their story, if they felt supported, heard, respected and valued.
This young couple was prepared, made great choices along the way, trusted the process and her body to do what it was designed to do. Their love for each other was so apparent and intense and seeing them work together was beautiful to behold. This mama worked so hard in spite of sleepless nights prior to labor becoming active and welcomed her little girl with such grace and strength.
And as I reflect on their story and read their beautiful words I am encouraged.
I must admit that there are often sleepless nights, replaying birth experiences, trying to see if there was anything I could have done differently or more to support the women who invite me into this sacred space. It is not because the experience is about me. It is because I truly care if I have made some kind of positive difference in their story, if they felt supported, heard, respected and valued.
I am content with what I find most of the time and then there are other times where I see that there is still room to grow. It can be common to be hard on yourself because of the nature of our work. We pour our hearts into families only to say goodbye in a few short weeks postpartum. Sometimes friendships emerge out of the close time you have spent together. But it is rare.
It is a labor of love. I believe in the women I work with, I believe that they can do all they set out to do and that what lies within them is an inner strength that meets them at the challenge of becoming and transforming. It’s a hard work sometimes, emotionally and physically but it is a beautiful work indeed.
It is a labor of love. I believe in the women I work with, I believe that they can do all they set out to do and that what lies within them is an inner strength that meets them at the challenge of becoming and transforming. It’s a hard work sometimes, emotionally and physically but it is a beautiful work indeed.
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