A PATH TO BIRTH WORK

I was twenty years old when my oldest was born. I was the second of my friends to have a baby. I don’t think I had any expectations of what parenthood would be like. I wish I could remember what 20 year old me thought was on the horizon.

I read a book. I planned my registry. I signed up for a Lamaze class. This was all I did to prepare for my baby. I didn’t research hospital procedures. I didn’t know that my care provider could potentially not be at my birth. Hell I didn’t even take a tour of the hospital. I didn’t know anything. I just got lucky. His birth was not without issue, but I was lucky in that I felt cared for enough to enter parenthood empowered and with a sense of confidence.

After a few years, we were ready to expand our family. I feel like I did even less to prepare for this baby. I followed my midwife to a new practice. I think I read a different book and that was that. I think that I thought that because I had a good experience the first time, I was good to go. Again, I just got lucky.

I was lead to birth work after these experiences. I recognized the luck I had after speaking with some other new moms. Why was it that they had such horrible experiences? I didn’t have a lot of knowledge, but I knew that birth could look different than what they were being told.

Looking back I wonder, why did I rely on luck? Why didn’t I look into my options? What could I have done to make my births even better? Is there anything I could have done to feel better during my pregnancies? Eventually I became a birth doula and was amazed at all the options and possibilities that were out there all that time. There was so much information I could have tapped into if I just knew where to look. If only I had someone there to guide me.

I had my third/last baby in 2017. All the books I read, the childbirth and breastfeeding classes I took to prepare to be a doula, and even the births I attended were all excellent planning for my future pregnancy and her birth.

I knew who I wanted my care provider to be. I knew what my backup options were if things didn’t go according to plan. I knew what I could try to help my pregnant body feel better. I knew where to go for birth support if I wanted it. I didn’t rely on luck this time and it wasn’t perfect, but it was fantastic.

I had a friend once tell me that sometimes, we are teaching to the next birth. I’ve seen this proven so many times (myself included) & I’ve decided it’s time to change this. It’s time for parents to be to take luck out of the equation.

This is why I am a doula and why offer personalized prep sessions for parents to be. These private sessions can be done at your home (or public location if you prefer) and will last a few hours. This gives us time to talk, look at expectations, and create your preferences to allow for positive birth and postpartum experiences. I’m offering these options even if you’re not planning to hire a doula for your birth, because I truly believe everyone could use someone to guide them. I’m also offering them to folks outside of Richmond, Va because I recognize that folks outside of my area may not have local resources to contact. Please reach out if you have any questions or are ready to book a session.