I had a funny feeling the same day I stepped into my first doula class. Instantly, I felt that being a postpartum doula was my calling. And now I’m obsessed with it.
Throughout the whole training, I was emotional and crying here. Don’t ask me why but Latham Thomas (my doula instructor) has that effect on people. Her ability to be open and vulnerable is rare.
I’ve always had a weird obsession with nurturing and loving moms. In American society, we always nurture babies, but who really nurtures the mother? I am so happy that I get to fill those shoes.
I know I shouldn’t have favorites but this one mother will always hold a special place in my heart. She allowed me to really experience what it’s like when things get shifted around in your life because of motherhood.
This mother, in particular, allowed me to see the struggles of being a new mom, from breastfeeding challenges to extreme lack of sleep. In American culture, we generally ignore and have a lack of respect for what is called the fourth trimester, i.e. the postpartum period, but that’s when things really get rough for a new mom. I was there for her and this thank you card she sent me means the world to me.
I really do have a special bond of love for each and every one of my doula mom clients. They will forever be family in my heart. I feel so blessed to be doing work that allows me to service mothers.
One of the many reasons I love being a postpartum doula is that it allows me to use all the skills I learned from the mothers and grandmothers of my community, such as cooking special meals that not only fill you up also fill the soul. For example, there is a vegetarian postpartum soup I make which helps to replenish a new mom’s body and provide nutrition for breastfeeding.
