Two weekends ago I went to Doula Training. West Michigan doesn’t have any DONA training centers, so I headed to The Center for the Childbearing Year in Ann Arbor. Patty Brennan, author of The Doula Business Guide and Whole Family Recipes: For The Childbearing Year and Beyond, was one of the instructors and the facilitator.
Training was pretty intense, they tried to fit as much as possible into three days and I loved every minute of it. 🙂 We watched a few different birth dvds, covered massage and positions, went over the different stages of labor and how you can tell the difference between them, how to pack a birth bag, standards of practice and code of ethics (for DONA certification) and talked about birth itself.
As I was watching the dvds the biggest thing that stood out to me was the beauty and miracle of birth. God created such a intricate process that requires both momma and baby to work together. Momma needs to relax and realize that her body was created for birth. Baby has to turn and rotate his head through the pelvis. Everything is planned out perfectly and nothing is left to chance. My faith was strengthened last weekend, not something I had expected from a childbirth education class.
Two days after I got back, my first client went into labor. I was so nervous on my way there, wondering if I was going to be a help or a nervous wreck and make things worse. I’m so thankful that my client told me the night before that to learn you need hands on experience. She was so understanding and kind about being my first client and experience as a doula.
I walked into the room and all my fears were put to rest. My client was working through some intense contractions and I suddenly knew my purpose in the room.
I was there to minister and serve the momma.
My purpose here on earth is to share God’s love with others and minister and serve those who are around me.
As a doula I get to use the gifts God has given me at a very special time in a woman’s life. A time when she needs much support and care. The gift of children and childbirth is something our culture looks down upon sometimes, but it is a gift that God chose to give to women. How lucky am I to be able to share in that?
I need to make sure that I am also loving others in my day to day life with the same focused intensity. I need to concentrate on loving them in the way they need love, not in the way I think they need love.
Every woman I help labor, each birth I attend is different. It is not my story to write. I am there to support mom in the way that she wants me to support her, whether it is scalp massage or sitting quietly and using words of affirmation.
If you can’t tell, I’m a little excited about this doula thing. 🙂 I expected to learn a lot from each birth and training experience, I but I never thought I would learn spiritual lessons as well as practical ones.
What a sweet post. I like your perspective on serving too. Too often we approach it as “giving stuff to people who aren’t as well off as us” (or some such thing), when it really is a blessing and a joy to experience live with people and to serve them in that way.
I was reading Proverbs the other day and these verses really struck me.
“One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; and another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.” Proverbs 11:24-25
I learned a lot from being a birth coach two different times, I loved that time in my life. I had both of girls with amazing midwives. I was looking into becoming a midwife back then, but was worried about the time away from my little ones. Since moving across country I haven’t looked into the laws around here….maybe I will. I kinda lost touch with that world as my girls got older….now would be the perfect time since they are leaving the nest.
Do it Brandi! 🙂 You won’t regret it. 🙂
I’m constantly surprised at when and where I learn my lessons LOL I think you will be a fantastic doula!
Oh, you will be the greatest doula out there, serving the mommas with such passion and love! What an exciting adventure and amazing way to invest your time!
*I am originally from Grand Rapids. When I heard you say West MI I was immediately excited! Yeah, Michigan!! 🙂
Thanks Sasha! I really want to help women! 🙂
Grand Rapids is pretty cool, I live north of there about an hour or so.
You are embarking on such an exciting pursuit and role. I don’t doubt that there will be many more ways that your faith will be reinforced along the way.
Loved this post, Rebekah!! I know you are going to be an awesome doula! And I’m so exited for you as you start this new journey. I’ve been surprised by the spiritual lessons I’ve learned this past year as God has brought us through some pretty difficult times. But it’s strengthened my faith and my trust in Him as all trials will if you let them and allow God to work through them!!
Thanks Amber! I’m hoping that by doing this I will be able to share Christ with others and serve with His love.
Greetings & Blessings in Christ!
My name is Christine Yageman and I’ve been searching for Christian Faith based Doula training centers in Michigan. I stumbled across your blog when doing a Google search. If you have any helpful information or contacts that I can get in touch with, in this area, I’d be very thankful to hear back from you. This is something important that I’m considering for the near future. I hope your family had an enjoyable summer and that you’ll have a blessed fall and winter season ahead. Take care, and as time permits, I do look forward to hearing back from you. God bless you and yours!