I was so excited when I heard that I would have the opportunity to write for Jane.com. I love their site and everything that they offer. On the blog post at jane.com I explained more about what a doula is and how a doula can benefit a mother and her partner during their pregnancy, delivery, and even the postpartum stages.
SO… What is a doula? It was 2014 and I was nearing the end of my pregnancy. I wanting to achieve a Vaginal birth after a prior cesarean that I had had in 2011. I had done a lot of research during my pregnancy but it was’t until my good friend Courtney had her baby that I had heard of a doula. After listening to her story I was really able to understand the importance of having one during the labor process. At 36 weeks 3 days pregnant I walked up to my husband while he was watching ESPN sports and I said “Hey hun what would you think about having a doula?” He said what? ummm? I could tell he was busy watching the game and was probably wondering, What is a doula? I figured I would let him watch the game he was watching and I would revisit the topic at a later date.
Two nights later we went to dinner together just him and I. I asked him again, Can we hire a doula? He said what is a doula? After explaining he said ya maybe…. Then asked why I wanted one. I explained that I wanted the knowledge as well as the experience in birth and would love someone on our side. He wasn’t too sure about it but continued to listen. I kept explaining all of the things I was hoping for and he eventually said No I think Ill be enough I don’t think we need to hire a doula. I said okay and continued planning for my VBAC. My husband went out of town at 38 weeks. AT 38+5 weeks I went into labor and he was in Texas. He arrived late in the evening and I had been in early labor for a few hours but nothing had really started picking up yet. I was really wishing I had someone there to help me know what to do.
I got to the hospital and requested a pro VBAC/natural nurse. She was wonderful and she was also a doula. It was then when I learned a lot more about doulas as we chatted while I labored. Although my labor ended in a repeat c-section she was incredible and I will never forget those 6 hours I had with her.
After that experience I wanted to look more into what a doula does etc. So I googled, What is a doula? I KNEW right then this is what I wanted to be and started my training right away. There are so many amazing doulas out there and I would like to share with you today the blog post that I wrote.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me!
