Well I raise my glass to Heather B. Armstrong! Her words, shared with me by Rebecca Woolf on her Instagram, just rang and rang in my head all day.
Ms. Woolf quotes Ms. Armstrong as saying, "Defensiveness steals your energy and demands that you explain yourself to people who will deliberately and maliciously misinterpret you. It's a waste of time, like screaming into a vacuum."
Feel horrible about what?
That's the crazy part, there is a troll for everything out there. For instance...
You are going to have an epidural? Crazy!
You are going to have an unmedicated birth? Crazy!
You are going to have a planned Cesarean? That's horrible!
You are going to agree to an induction? That's horrible!
You are going to go past your due date? You're crazy!
But instead of feeling defensive, what if we respond securely and respectfully?
Recent Placenta Service Announcement
Recently I posted about a new service offering: Placenta Encapsulation as a Postpartum Placenta Specialist. I wanted to be extremely clear about the standard and reasons why my offerings are structured in a particular way.
(It all comes down to eliminating risk and operating safely while working with a woman's organ.)
There was some backlash - not from clients, but from other women in this field. You are welcome to look through the comments.
Just like some of the decisions I have made in my parenting life were not looked upon fondly, some of my business decision have/will endure the same negative energy.
Regardless of what other doulas think I should do, I want my clients to know I will not sacrifice my safety, or theirs, for my personal convenience or as a reaction of shame.
I support your decisions for your birth and your postpartum period. I hope my stance on placenta service shows my dedication to a woman's safety as she moves through the early transition of life with a newborn.
I took strength from Heather B. Armstrong's words. If you need help to find strength in your labor or postpartum time, perhaps I can help you.
Authored by A Swift Doula