MY STORY
I got pregnant in the year of 2022, my first born. I knew before I conceived that it was a priority that I hire a doula and that if I could manage, my desire would be to have a unmedicated birth. Up until that point I had only heard from close friends and family terrifying birthing stories. I knew that transcending fear and the pain was possible because I seen it and if having a doula could help me manage the pain with their support and education, I needed one and wasn’t willing to compromise. I did the research, I watched videos, I was open to the process. When I was ready to interview doulas I was looking for a spiritual doula someone who focused on the mind, body, and soul because thats where I was at in my journey. Everything about becoming pregnant, being a womb and creating life in the womb was a spiritual journey. In this process I couldn’t find what I was seeking but I did find a doula I was comfortable with. In the process of looking for a doula it seem like a natural calling, there was a depth that was missing in this doula birth work that I couldn’t find. It was more than just learning a couple comfort measures, It was about knowing my rights, learning to advocate for myself, nutrition, doing what felt good to me, not afraid to use the word “no” and creating a safe space. I did so much research myself, i educated myself and taught myself certain techniques that took me far in my birthing process. So I went on to give birth in November of 2022. I had my desired birth. I labored 20 hours unmedicated, with my partner and doula by my side. I thought I had prepared as best as I could. It wasn’t until after I gave birth I realized I didn’t get the proper support for breastfeeding before I left the Birth Center, this Birth Center was connected to the Hospital so it wasn’t a holistic Center or birth center ran just by traditional midwifes so they still lacked some integrity in the way they handled patients. I didn’t received breastfeeding support and or a breast pump until 24 hours later of my baby being born, my baby was on the tiny side therefore I had a unique experience in getting my baby to latch. So because i didn’t get the support i needed right away I felt like I was failed in ways. They than forced me to give my baby formula before leaving the Center because her sugar was dropping because of the improper latch, I cried tears of hopelessness. Three months postpartum I still struggled in finding my rhythm. Because I was so determined to exclusively breastfeed even after 3 months I continued to educate myself and give myself grace through this very traumatic experience. I knew from that point I was becoming a spiritual led doula. I was 1 month postpartum when I decided to go for training. It was through training and my mentorship I began the process of actually healing through my experience. This experience showed me the type of doula I wanted to be. It showed me how I wanted to bring myself to the table. My goal is to do the work with my client through her pregnancy journey so she doesn’t have to experience, anxiety and depression while trying to heal through her fourth trimester.