I am in Logan this week for my DONA doula training. Because I don’t have personal experience with childbirth (I’m not a mom yet), I wanted to educate myself as much as possible, so I’m taking an extensive six-week online course through the Aviva Institute that I really love, but I knew I wanted hands-on experience, too. When I found out about a four-day class that included a Childbirth Education for Doulas, I jumped at the opportunity to participate. I’m studying with the fabulous Dolores Michael who trained with legendary doula Penny Simkin.

It is a long four days full of a lot of information, but I feel like I am taking in so much more knowledge than I do when I just read something in a book. Seeing the model of the female pelvis and the baby sliding through makes so much more sense to me than just reading a diagram, and my next project will definitely be knitting a uterus for use in a similar display; what a great way to demonstrate the changing cervix!

Being around other women who are passionate about birth inspires me. As a single, childless woman, I stand out among my friends in similar positions because of my love for and knowledge of pregnancy, childbirth and babies. I cannot get enough, and people often question how I developed this passion. Who knows why we are gifted with the talents we have? I just know that I could talk about birth for hours and I am so excited to help women through the beautiful journey of labor, and excited for the rest of the class. It is a truly wonderful feeling when you realize you have found a true calling.

I am so enjoying my online doula course through the Aviva Institute. Since I come from a very academic background, I knew I wanted to approach my doula training both through a more traditional course, and through a hands-on, in-person course (which I will participate in, through a DONA trainer, the first week of May). I am learning so much from the Aviva course, and I really enjoy my professor and my classmates.

Last week we had an assignment to help clarify our values as a doula. I thought I wold post my responses to the assignment.

What makes a good birth in your mind?

I believe that a birth is good, or successful, if the parents are satisfied with the birthing experience. I was also going to add, “and if the baby is healthy,” but not all babies are born healthy, and, while this would certainly affect how a woman views her birth, I believe that one can still experience a positive birth even if the child needs additional medical care after delivery.

What are your biases surrounding birth?

I am definitely drawn to natural birthing options, and a positive view of pregnancy and birth overall. I believe it is a natural process that we should learn to trust. As women, our bodies are designed to birth babies, and if we eliminate our fear, we can experience something empowering and transformational. I know I will choose a natural homebirth for myself, and I have many opinions about the danger or overuse of medial interventions, especially caesarean sections, but I have an equally strong belief in every woman choosing what happens to and with her body. So while I have my own personal opinions and ideas for what my birth will hopefully look like, I respect every woman’s right to choose. I don’t think that I really have biases in terms of judging potential clients and friends for the choices they make. What is most important is that a woman is satisfied with her birth; that she gets the opportunity to give birth in the manner she chooses.

How do you think your expectations and biases surrounding birth might effect or limit your potential doula clients?

Because of my strong belief in a woman’s right to choose her own birthing experience, I do not want to limit my clientele to only natural births or only homebirths, even though these are what I would choose for myself. I hope that I am able to build a reputation as a doula who will support you no matter what decisions you make for your birth. I am pretty sure my friends who are currently pregnant don’t even know my own ideas about birth, not because I don’t talk about it all the time, but because I am very careful not to express judgment on another person’s decisions. There is so much information coming at pregnant women from all around about what is best for her and her baby, that I think it is important for her to feel supported whether she chooses a medicated birth or a natural one. She doesn’t need a doula to make her feel bad about her decisions, so I hope to create a supportive environment for all women who choose to work with me. If this means that I work with more women in hospitals than homebirths, that is fine. I hope to help as many women as I can, and since most women still give birth in a hospital, I know this will likely be the case.

My doula training officially began on Monday, with a course through the Aviva Institute. So far it has been incredible. I love hearing the birth stories of my classmates, watching videos about birth and doulas and discussing our extensive reading as well as mentions of doulas in popular culture.

I watched this video today that I think gives an excellent explanation of what a doula can do for you:

Since I made the decision to become a doula, I’ve been overwhelmed by the positive energy my friends and family have given me. Everyone says such kind things about what a good job I’ll do. The boost of confidence is so nice, hearing that those who know me best see what a logical step this is for me to take.

I’m enrolled in an online doula training course that I hope to augment with childbirth classes. Being a full-time student in poetry means I don’t have time to devote myself 100% to doula training, but I know that research and study is the best way for me to learn, which is why I felt an online course would be best for me at this time, especially since I can do it on my own schedule and all the in-person classes for the next six months are at times when I’m too busy.

Now that I’ve made this decision, it seems so natural that I’m going to be a doula. I love babies and mamas and parents and pregnancy. I can’t get enough of mommy blogs and I think about these issues daily. It will be nice to finally do something with that knowledge!

At this point, I am hoping to become certified, even though I know it’s not required. I’m hoping that I can spend the summer working on attending births and getting the requirements down before the semester starts up again, but luckily school is somewhat flexible. Since most women labor for an average of 16 hours, it’s unlikely that attending a 1.5 hour class is going to keep me from being by a woman’s side while she labors. I haven’t worked all the logistics out yet, but I know I am so excited!