I first heard about doulas nearly six years ago as I prepared for the birth of my second child. A dear friend of mine was working to become a certified birth doula through DONA (Doulas of North America- www.DONA.org) and was required to attend three births as part of earning her certification. After I heard about the role that a doula played in the birth experience and about the skill and sensitivity that she brought to the birth experience, I was more than thrilled to invite my friend to attend my birth.

Needless to say, it was a day I will never forget. I walked away from the birth of my son feeling strong, confident and reassured that I could face anything that life sent my way. I can still hear the gentle voice of my doula saying, “You can do. You are doing it. “ to this day. I took this message of “I can do it” with me back home as I set out to tackle the challenges and joys of breastfeeding my new baby, mothering my toddler daughter and creating a positive and happy environment for my husband and I.

After experiencing first-hand the benefits that a doula offered, I became interested in entering the profession myself. I am a nurturer by nature and have always felt called to support those whom I loved through the journey of pregnancy, birth and parenting. Becoming a doula felt like a natural progression of who I was already and of the journey that I had started on. I have been serving as a professional birth doula for nearly five years now and am continually amazed and in awe at the strength of mind, body and spirit that lie within each laboring woman.

Some of the more specific ways that I have served as a birth doula are…

*tying a woman's hair back as she is contracting

*spooning ice chips to a woman to cool her down

*holding a cold cloth on a forehead, neck, back or anywhere else that is overheated

*stabilizing a birthing ball with my legs/knees so that the woman is free to move, rock and sway during her contractions

*massaging a neck, back, arm, foot or leg

*getting face-to-face with a woman and telling her that she is safe, that she is not alone and that she is so strong

*having the ability to contort my body to fit in between bed rails, IV poles, monitors and stools in order to be physically close to a woman

*squeezing a woman's hips with all my might to help alleviate back pressure and pain

*gently suggesting position changes to a woman without being irritating or bossy

*being able to support any decision made by a couple about their birth or baby, regardless if it is what I would choose for my own family

*helping to hold food and offer it to a woman bite for bite

*helping a woman learn to cradle and nurse her baby and tell her that she will learn the art of breastfeeding

*taking photos of baby, mother and father

*putting my own needs on hold and remaining with a couple continuously until the birth of their baby

And so many, many more acts of servitude and support!

Several years have passed since the births of my three children, and yet as I recall my feelings surrounding their births, they are as real and vivid today as they were then. Giving birth is one of the most sensitive, sacred and soul-rattling moments that a woman can experience. And being part of other women’s birth experiences as a doula still brings me to that place of awe and wonder.

Today's Post written by Jill

Find Jill everyday at Home Grown Life

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