Why Full Spectrum Doula Work?

So last week I sat in on a seminar on how to support the LGBTQ community during pregnancy. This was something I had been wanting to do for sometime. Not because I am gay but because I support equal rights. I believe that we should love whoever we love and that we are all different and should have equal rights.

Years ago, before really knowing what a doula is, I was doing research on pregnancy and I stumbled upon this blog called the Radical Doula It showed me a different side to supporting people in all steps of pregnancy. It also showed me the need for support in areas that most people don't get support ie. Still births, abortions, adoptions, and surrogacy. All of these different situations need support. They have different challenges that need emotional and sometimes physical support. 

So here I am on this journey to become a birth doula. It's an amazing passion. I get to help people bring life into this world. But my heart felt I needed to do more. But how? I am just starting this journey. I started to network with other local area doulas. I started attending birth network meetings. I also started to form my own "Community" of like-minded doulas. I live in Dallas and sometimes feel like I am a anomaly in the birth community. Most D/FW metroplex doulas are faith based. (please note that I am not against this in the least) For me this does not work. I have my faith but I do not find comfort in a church. I also have ideas outside the norm for where I want to head my doula business.  I want to serve people in need. People that would normally feel ostracized in a society that doesn't understand them. People who feel lost and hopeless. Those are the people I want to help.

I want to provide services to communities that normally couldn't  afford a doula. People who are recovering drug addicts, people who are single, people who are choosing abortion. Because THEY are the ones that could really benefit from have a person who is loving and understanding. Someone who is there supporting them without judgment.

So here I am with my heart on my sleeve trying to research other full service doulas in my area. So far no luck. Until I started networking. I met this really awesome doula who refers herself as the Jewish Doula. She is an orthodox Jew with a passion for full spectrum doula work. We had a very long coffee meeting talking about ways to start a non profit for a full spectrum doula co-op. We went over the needs for this. She was amazing to talk to and really got my brain going. She brought to light and interesting point. Through her work she met may women who had abortions at a clinic because it was cheaper than doing a d&c at a hospital for a still born. All these poor people having to go through this situation alone and scared. No one there to hold their hand or offering a kind smile. What an awful time to be alone.

Then I got an invite to attend the LGBTQ birth meeting. It really open my eyes to the inequality the LGBTQ community experience in the medical profession. You see most people have no idea how ostracized this community feels. Did you know 1 out of every 3 trans people are a parent. Now That's a decent number. So lets take a step back and look at how our society views birth. That birth is for a women and by a women and made between a women and a man. Correct? So how do you think someone from the LGBTQ community feels when they decide to start a family. Simple task like finding a care provider or filling out paperwork in the doctors officer. How about trying to file for a birth certificate. All these scenarios cause the LGBTQ community to feel like they are less than equal. Many of these situations forces them to explain their identity and essentially forces them to "Come out" Then on top of that most providers do not know how to provide quality care. Here is a great video on some of the LGBTQ birth community struggles  So where does a doula come into all of this. One client at a time. 

I am going to continue to learn how to better serve the minority so I can better serve the majority. We are all people with different backgrounds that all deserves quality care. That is what I am working towards. To provide unbiased support to ALL laboring people.   

Thanks for all the support and sorry if this may of seem all over the place! LOL

PEACE and LOVE!!!

Busy Busy Busy!!!

So I know that I have not been here for a while. I kind of hit a writers block. But I have been super busy since my last blog post....

I recently decided to push myself to start my doula business. I mean I started doing doula work already but now I really wanted to get it going. First things first. I signed up for my doula training course through WWW.DONA.ORG. I attended a 3 day labor intensive course. It was amazing all the tip and tricks I learned on how to support moms and family's during labor. The group of girls were so knowledgeable and our instructor was truly an amazing and kind hearted women...

So one step down towards my certification. Now I need to attend 3 birth totaling 17 hours in order to gain my certification. My wonderful instructor emailed me asking me if I was ready to attend births. Of course my reply was ABSOULTY. She went ahead and referred me a sweet momma who was expecting her first child. We decided to meet over coffee and totally hit it off. I was so glad that she chose me to be her birth doula. She was funny and quick witted. It was like we were long lost best friends. She truly prepared herself for birth and was willing to work hard for her baby.

Since then I have gained another client by a referral from a friend. She is a young first time single mom. She is so sweet with a kind heart. We are currently working on her birth plan. I can't wait to help her achieve the birth she so desires. 

I have also been introduced to this amazing network of birth workers. It is a truly invaluable source of information and support. Though this community I have been able to meet with other like minded doulas who really want to focus on servicing women that are at risk. Women from low income families, teen mom's, women shelters, recovering drug addicts that are expecting. These mom's wouldn't normally be able to afford doula care. So we are teaming up and trying to find a way to offer services to them. I think the future might hold starting a non profit to service the DFW area. There is such a need to help women feel connected to their birth. I truly believe it would put them on the right path to being a successful parent. To feel empowered and strong in a time that might make them feel alone and scared!!! 

So tons of work ahead, but all for the better. If you have some suggestions that might help out your birth community please let me know. I love hearing new ideas and having new recourses....