Doula Myth Busted

I want to bust a myth that I've seen circulating recently.  


I'm a doula, yes?  Yes.
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I support my clients in however they need, yes?  YES.


But this myth suggests that doula support is only for one type of birth and happens in one one way.  

Fact: My support will look different for every. single. client. I have.


Why?  


Because they are individuals.


Because they have different views and priorities for their birth.


Because they hired me to support them.  Period.  


I've seen again and again the perception that a doula is for natural birth and none other.  More so, it's portrayed as if she doesn't believe in anything else.  The impression is that she scoffs at interventions or cecarean.  That she's not helpful in any other type of birth. That the only place she's comfortable is a natural birth.


::cue buzzer noise:: WRONG.  


Can I be real?  I am there for YOU.  Yes, YOU, regardless of what your birth plan looks like.   


I have witnessed a natural drug free homebirth.  
I have witnessed an induced birth.  
I have witnessed a surgical birth.  
I have witnessed a natural birth, turned intervention birth.  
I have witnessed a standard length birth, a precipitous birth, and a marathon birth.  
I have witnessed a woman transformed into a mother for the first, third, fourth and seventh time.  


I have seen the myriad of birth possibilities in my short time as a doula & you know what?  
                      Each and every one of them was absolutely beautiful.  
                      Each birth had merit.  
                      Each mother was a rock star.  
                      Each birth happened exactly as it needed to and brought that beautiful baby                       earth-side.
                     And for each birth I was able to provide unique support.  


None of the births I have attended have been the same.  They have all been VASTLY different, but they had one thing in common... each of those clients asked me to walk along side them and support them and their spouse as they brought their beautiful baby into the world.  I did so without judgement, without agenda, and with full compassion and understanding of their birth and their wishes.  I supported them.  


I plan to support each of my future clients as they need.  I will see their birth plans through their eyes and adjust my support accordingly: throughout their pregnancy, through their labor and birth, and through their postpartum period.  Birth is not a one-size-fits-all commodity and doula support, while certainly for natural birth, is not one-size either.  


I support birth, in whatever form it comes, and more importantly, I support you. 


I think all my doula colleges would agree.  


#mythbusted
#nonjudgementalsupport
#birthisbirth
#isupportyou