This job is such an amazing conglomeration of ups and downs. It seems like such an interesting choice for me to pursue, as well--but perhaps it is more accurate to say the job found me when I needed it most. If you want to know more about THAT, ask me. Now, back to the blog....
I would describe myself as shy, though I seem to have little issue meeting with relative strangers and diving into conversations that may or may not pertain to the mother's nether-regions. If I was on a first date, I would be straddling the fine line of being slapped across the face. Alright, so I am being a little silly about that, but, yeah, it's not generally first-meeting conversation for people with your average job... no less someone who would characterize themself as "shy". Still, I meet these mothers, and oftentimes their partners, and I do enjoy the process..... even the process when all of the sudden I find all other conversations in the room have died down and I'm still talking loudly about perineal support in the middle of a Starbucks. =D
People have all different reasons why they choose everything, from the doula that supports them to the cereal they eat for breakfast. (And, if we think of doulas in terms of breakfast cereals, I sort of hope that I'm either Reese's Puffs or Cinnamon Life, but, again.... back to the blog...). In terms of people looking for birth support, it is fascinating to me to see how people choose who they will surround themselves with during their birthing time. Sometimes I have client interviews I feel go so swimmingly, and then they choose another doula for reasons unknown and, often, out of my control.
It is a bit of a rollercoaster ride--the high of making a connection with someone and envisioning yourself supporting them as they welcome a new life into this world; the low of that not coming to fruition, yet still with a sense of satisfaction in the background that this family will have the excellent support of a doula sister. To be sure, this is a strange position to be in.
And when the stars align and you are brought into a family's birth experience, and you leave that family behind, babe snuggled in their arms.... well, that's the best feeling of all, and it makes the rest of the ride worth it in the end.
Looking forward to more exciting trips around the track. Love to my past, present, and future clients--and my doula sisters who are also on the ride with me.
I would describe myself as shy, though I seem to have little issue meeting with relative strangers and diving into conversations that may or may not pertain to the mother's nether-regions. If I was on a first date, I would be straddling the fine line of being slapped across the face. Alright, so I am being a little silly about that, but, yeah, it's not generally first-meeting conversation for people with your average job... no less someone who would characterize themself as "shy". Still, I meet these mothers, and oftentimes their partners, and I do enjoy the process..... even the process when all of the sudden I find all other conversations in the room have died down and I'm still talking loudly about perineal support in the middle of a Starbucks. =D
People have all different reasons why they choose everything, from the doula that supports them to the cereal they eat for breakfast. (And, if we think of doulas in terms of breakfast cereals, I sort of hope that I'm either Reese's Puffs or Cinnamon Life, but, again.... back to the blog...). In terms of people looking for birth support, it is fascinating to me to see how people choose who they will surround themselves with during their birthing time. Sometimes I have client interviews I feel go so swimmingly, and then they choose another doula for reasons unknown and, often, out of my control.
It is a bit of a rollercoaster ride--the high of making a connection with someone and envisioning yourself supporting them as they welcome a new life into this world; the low of that not coming to fruition, yet still with a sense of satisfaction in the background that this family will have the excellent support of a doula sister. To be sure, this is a strange position to be in.
And when the stars align and you are brought into a family's birth experience, and you leave that family behind, babe snuggled in their arms.... well, that's the best feeling of all, and it makes the rest of the ride worth it in the end.
Looking forward to more exciting trips around the track. Love to my past, present, and future clients--and my doula sisters who are also on the ride with me.
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