One thing I have always enjoyed is the ability to go out and get my eyebrows waxed. As someone who takes their appearance seriously, this is a service I have enjoyed over the years and I have always appreciated a job well done.
It wasn’t always like this. A few years ago, when my children were smaller and money was tighter, I found a small nail salon by my house that also did eyebrow waxing. I am usually really busy but I try to make time for my eyebrows. The salon was never busy when I popped in to get my eyebrows waxed and it became my eyebrow salon of choice the last two years. At my initial visit, I wasn't completely impressed with the appearance of the waxing area, but I’ll be darned if they didn’t get my eyebrows just right.
I made a regular visit not too long ago and realized I was not looking forward to it. In fact, I knew that it would be my last visit. Upon arrival someone yelled across the room asking me what I needed--common but this time it did not sit well with me. I'm a private person and have never liked yelling back at someone, and having to do so this time really irritated me. I was ushered back to the usual waxing area and my sense of uneasiness returned. Making matters worse, the customer service left a lot to be desired. I often times felt invisible as conversations were shot back in forth over me. It's as if I wasn’t there. Of course my eyebrows were in great shape like they’d always been but my thinking about this salon had changed. I used to think, “I shouldn’t complain. They were convenient and always did a great job.”
But this day I decided that I wanted something more.
I wanted a better experience. To not be talked around but to be talked to. To not settle for what was the most convenient or what was the cheapest. I decided that I was worth it. I made the decision to be purposeful and to make plans for the level of service I wanted. If that meant saving up or giving up something else I would do it. If it meant letting go of one standing appointment to make room for this one I would.
Making this decision doesn’t I didn't value the lower cost services I'd received previously. It doesn’t mean I didn’t value the finished results. It didn’t mean I did not appreciate the convenience of being able to walk into the nail salon and have a service done.
It does mean I value how my money is spent no matter how little it was. It means I value how being some place and working with someone makes me feel. I want those helping me to act professionally and to feel valued. If I am going to have an experience whether it be something small like waxing eyebrows, or a life-changing event such as the birth of a child, I am willing to pay for that professionalism instead of sacrificing it on the altar of frugality.
How does this relate to doulas and childbirth?
As in all service-based industries, there are a myriad of offerings and providers. There are budget-friendly ways to welcome your little one into the world. You can also go all-out. You can select something in between. The question remains, what value do you place on professionalism?
What do you look for when deciding who is going to walk through this life-changing experience with you (and your partner)?
There are various levels of service, professionalism and quality that go along with a chosen service provider in ANY industry. It should be a goal to any client to ensure that as they do not necessarily take the first recommendation, first Google hit, or first budget-friendly quote they receive on any service provider offering. Particularly when it comes to healthcare and medical-related services, relationships are paramount.
That is why at A Woman’s Design, we encourage initial consultations and we do not pressure potential clientele into signing with us on the spot. Nor do we discourage one from interviewing other potential service providers in our industry. Our quality, experience, professionalism and knowledge base is among the best you will find when looking for a doula. We understand that we are not for everybody..."And That's OK"
We encourage families to make sure that a proper relationship and the desired level of knowledge and professionalism is what you want to be for your childbirth experience. Whether it is waxing eyebrows, being served a fine meal, or giving birth to your precious miracle, I have learned that I will gladly pay for the level of service I desire.
We encourage you to do the same.
We encourage you to do the same.
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