Welcome and Introduction
I was 18, single, and expecting when the doula concept was first introduced to me. All these years later I don’t even remember her name (let’s call her Sara, for ease here), but the doula I was connected to through my OB-GYN really had a huge impact on my birth experience – and my life.
Sara was a wealth of information and support, connecting me with resources, easing fears, and sharing personal stories. When I was put on bed rest, her support was even more valuable. But what I really remember most about Sara came during the actual labor, when she bent over backward to make my wishes known. Hours and hours of laboring in that hospital had left me feeling weak and scared, but Sara was confident and strong.
While my situation was not the normal doula/mother relationship because Sara had to fill the shoes of the partner as well as the doula, she did exactly what was right for me – taking charge of a chaotic delivery room. Sara took a stressful situation and did what felt impossible! She wrangled my mother, the doctor, the nurses, even the father of the baby and his friend. She really worked magic. (Read more about my birth stories and the lessons I drew from then here.)
Fast forward twelve years to the time baby number four was making her appearance on the scene.
Remembering the impact Sara had on my first birth, I again sought out the assistance of a doula…but with no luck! It was then that I realized a need in my rural community, and many others. While I couldn’t solve the problem for every expectant mother, I did hope I could do the next best thing – provide them with the information, resources, and support so vital to the doula’s role. I envisioned a place where soon-to-be moms could find the answers that cut beyond “What to Expect” and go straight to the heart of what it means to give birth.
With that seed of an idea, I approached my good friend (and Earthy Mama, and super blogger, and and and) Karli to partner with me, and this site was born. We hope you enjoy it.