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!!!