Hilary: Life Skills

I haven't been a doula for very long, but already, this work has made an enormous impact on my personality. I think seeing the capacity this job has to enrich my life and my self is a large part of what keeps me so driven. Before becoming a doula, I had a hard time expressing love. I kept a lid on it, somehow afraid that feeling too much would make me vulnerable. I think lots of people hold back. It's not something we realize we're doing at first, more of a knee jerk. "Woah, I think I'm feeling love for this person, I'd better keep that to myself because if they don't return the feeling, I'll be crushed!" It wasn't a conscious decision, just a gradual letting go. I noticed it the first time I attended the birth of a woman I'd never met. I had one of those outside looking in moments, in which I noticed myself holding this woman's hand, stroking her hair, and in my heart of hearts I felt nothing but unselfish love. No fear, no doubt, and for the first time it wasn't about what I was doing or how I was doing it, it was just about loving someone, and letting that love flow out of me. I see it in my day to day life in the form of compassion. If I can truly love a woman I've never met before, just because I relate to and understand the process she is undergoing, then really I can feel that love and understanding for anyone. And seeing the positive effect that unleasing that love has on a mother has taught me that to love someone is strength, not vulnerability.

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Judy: Life Skills

I look at life, people etc. with new eyes since I began working in the childbirth area. To have reached such a level of intimacy with a women and her family has been wonderful. To see the woman's body working exactly as it was designed gives me peace. Sometimes the body is birthing in spite of all the interventions stacked against the process. I also love to see the tremendous strength , both physically and emotionally, the birthing experience brings to the woman and her baby. This has helped me be more generous of spirit with my family and friends. I am able to be more patient, understanding. I don't know if it is my age or my work but I realize now more than ever that life is short. I'm trying to be more present in every moment of my day. I also think that death has become more of a friend than something to fear. When I see how perfectly birth works I just know death will work perfectly too. I try to be open to the universe every day. I didn't mean to wax on but these are my feelings...just as I trust a woman's body to birth her baby I trust myself, my instincts, intuitions <3 I'd love to hear what others have to say. :0) Judy

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Life skills.

To start things off, I'd like to talk a little about how working in childbirth affects our lives. Specifically, what skill have you gained through your work that you find yourself applying in other areas of your life? Pick one and be specific, as I'm sure we'll have plenty of opportunities to elaborate on this thought!

A Blog is born!

Hi, and welcome to our blog!  My name is Hilary Westerberg, and I am here to kick this thing off.  My vision for this blog is that it be a place to really express our selves, not just as doulas and childbirth educators, but as women.  Let this blog be our voice and let it reach the farthest corners of the earth!  Occasionally I will come and post a topic of discussion for our members to write about.  You will also find here links to pertinent info, pictures, quotes, announcements, and questions.  Put your feet up, pour yourself a cup of tea, and stay and chat a while!