Birth & Parenting, Podcasting & Retreats
  • A. Swift Welcome
  • Podcast
  • Blog
  • Contact

World Doula Week - What You Really want Your Doula to have In Her bag

3/26/2015

1 Comment

 
Picture
In case you didn't know, doulas are magical. 
You are having contractions at home and things start to become uncomfortable.  You are holding on the counter and swaying through contractions.  You can't talk through them anymore, and you take deep breaths to ride out the pressure that comes. Your partner has called the doula, and it's decided she will meet you at the hospital. 

The lights are so bright and there is so much going on.  Your partner is held up with forms and answers questions.  You are trying your best to find the rhythm you had in your kitchen, but here, change your clothes, lets adjust this monitor belt, can you lift your arm for a  blood pressure reading, oh dear, lets re-tape your IV. 

You. Just. Can't. Find. Focus.

And then a knock and there she is.  Your doula has arrived and you breathe a sigh you didn't know you were holding.   

Relief comes because you know your doula will be right where you need her before you know where you need her.  The water appears before you think to ask for it.  Your hips are sore, and with a few touches, she is easing that pain, over and over, contraction after contraction.  She is right there helping you.

There is no fear reflected in her face, no judgement.

Some doulas usually carry a bag with them that have some practical items: lip balm, hair tie,
change for the vending machine.  There might be a massage tool or some mints. 

But your doula will be ready to step into your birth space.  She'll put down her bag and and pull out her...

...Confidence.  Your doula has walked this path before and can help you through it.  She will validate your experience.  She will let you know what you are feeling is normal, help you
navigate each wave and sensation, and guide you through the peaks.  Reminding to rest, helping to comfort, repeating encouragement.

She can help a lost partner, See how I do this, now you try. 

She can suggest adjustments. You look like you would like to grab on to something.  Here let's try this position, you may be more comfortable. 

She will cast out the self conscious.  Let's make some low tones with our voice.  It will help open your body.  Here, I'll do it and feel free to join me. 

But also, in those moments when you start to question if your baby will ever get out of your body, your doula will be right there reassuring you that you ARE getting your baby to come. 

"I can't!" you say.  "But you ARE!" she answers. 

Authored by A Swift Doula
*The bag shown above was made by Ariel Swift.  Click the photo to see more of her projects. 




Picture
Other amazing writers are getting the word out about World Doula Week. Visit the World Doula Week Blog Challenge Blog Hop. 
1 Comment
Zoey R link
12/30/2020 03:18:34 am

Hello matee nice post

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Archives

    October 2018
    September 2017
    May 2017
    August 2016
    January 2016
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    August 2013

    Categories

    All
    Baby
    Babywearing
    Birth
    Birth Annoucement
    Birth Doula
    Books
    Breastfeeding
    Chicago
    Courage
    Dads
    Decisions
    Depression
    Doula
    Due Dates
    Events
    Fathers
    Food
    Get Connected
    Get Out
    Holidays
    Instagram
    Internet
    IVF
    Jill Of All Trades
    Labor
    Legacy
    Lets Talk About It
    Littles
    Magic
    Mommy Wars
    Motherhood
    Mother's
    Not Alone
    Parenting
    Penny Simkin
    Placenta
    Postdate
    Postpartum Doula
    Prodoula
    Real Life
    Sleep
    TLDG
    Todder
    Tools
    Video
    Weaning
    Wee Ones
    Where To Go
    Writing



    RSS Feed

CONTACT

HOME