Earth Babies Blog

“Birth is not only about making babies. Birth is about making mothers…strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and know their inner strength.” -Barbara Katz Rothman

The week-end past I attended a birth as a Doula and was once again in awe of women and nature and new life. I love having the opportunity to be present and help in the beauty of birth – not only the birth of a baby and new life but more so the birth of a mother and new love.

“We have a secret in our culture, and it’s not that birth is painful; it’s that women are strong.” -Laura Stavoe Harm

At a wedding, have you ever when the bride walks down the isle turned to look at the groom (it is the best part of a wedding, to see his sharp intake of breath, the wonder and love in his eyes). Well at a birth I do the same, my favourite part at a birth is not seeing that baby being birthed but looking up and watching the fathers wonder, respect, amazement and love for his wife at that very moment that their child enters the world … makes me cry every time.

The whole point of woman-centered birth is the knowledge that a woman is the birth power source. She may need, and deserve, help, but in essence, she always had, currently has, and will have the power. -Heather McCue

It does not matter how a woman looks after a birth they have a glow of achievement, self-respect and pride around them that they alone carried that beautiful child for 9 months and then brought them into the world safely and perfectly. Even exhausted and sore a new mother glows with that inner excitement at what they have achieved – they have done what no-one could do for them – birthed their child. Watching it I always get this warm self-wonder and think “I did THAT!”.

300,000 women will be giving birth with you today. Relax and breathe and do nothing else. Labor is hard work, it hurts and you can do it. – Unknown

When i decided to become a Doula my plan was to do post-natal assisting but not to attend births (I had not wanted to be at my own birth so could not imagine wanting to be at someone elses). To become a Doula though irrespective of how you want to focus your services, you have to attend 3 births – after my first birth my whole focus changed. I am meant to be a Doula, I love it and I am good at it.

Benefits of having a Doula at your Birth
beautifully explained by Mayan Healers Daughters of Ix Chel
* Recognizes birth as a key life experience that the mother will remember all her life…
* Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor…
* Assists the woman and her partner in preparing for and carrying out their plans for the birth…
* Stays by the side of the laboring woman throughout the entire labor…
* Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures, an objective viewpoint and assistance to the woman in getting the information she needs to make good decisions…
* Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and clinical care providers…
* A doula perceives her role as one who nurtures and protects the woman’s memory of her birth experience.

More information on Doulas
Find a Doula

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