How Birth Work Chose Me

I have always been fascinated by birth. As a teenager, I would watch the few unbanned birth videos available on YouTube, mesmerized by how incredibly strong these women were, how peacefully it all seemed to unfold. 

Looking back, I was lucky to have been unphased by the dramatized Hollywood depictions of birth: rushing into the hospital at the last minute, mom screaming as the baby practically falls out of her the moment they get up the stairs. I knew that birth could be so much more, I could feel it. 

I loved that birth took over a woman and her space, that it made her focused, determined, and eventually, a mother. I knew that with birth, came pain. But for whatever reason, that never scared me. 

For many years, my passion for birth stopped there. I thought the only way I could be a part of that work was to become a nurse or give birth myself, neither of which were on the cards anytime soon. Then I discovered doula work.

The knowledge that I could be there, holding women, helping them throughout this monumental transformation, struck a chord deep inside me. 

The more I learned about our birthing system, about how women are treated at birth, and how they are left to fend for themselves before, during, and after lit a fire in me. I simply could not shake the feeling that I needed to be a part of changing women’s lives. I longed for the connection and intimacy that came with serving the women in my community. 

Once I moved to Alexandra, Virginia, I delved into educating myself. I took the appropriate doula courses, learned about the science of childbirth and the comfort measures needed to guide women through labor. But doula work is so much more than that. 

I analyzed my own birth, the birth of my partner, of my twin sister. I listened to women’s birth stories from 2 years ago and 20 years ago. It feels impossible to overestimate the impact of one’s birth experience. 

Being able to call myself a doula is a privilege. It has opened up my heart and introduced me to a work of advocacy, empathy, and connection.