#DoulaTraining

[harmonyhealinghub]

Finding her Calling as a Doula Shaina Tranquilino August 6, 2024

Michelle had always known she was meant to help people, but it wasn't until she stumbled upon an article about doulas that her purpose truly crystallized. The idea of supporting women through the transformative experience of childbirth resonated with her deeply. She enrolled in a training program, immersing herself in the world of birth support. After months of preparation, the day finally arrived for her first real birth. The call came at dawn. A woman named Clara was in labor, and her midwife, aware that this would be Michelle's first experience, reassured her that she had full confidence in her abilities. Michelle's heart raced as she grabbed her bag of essentials and rushed to Clara's home.

When she arrived, Clara was pacing the living room, her partner, Jake, by her side. The midwife, Nancy, greeted Michelle with a warm smile and introduced her to the expecting couple. Clara's face was a mixture of pain and determination, and Jake's eyes were filled with a combination of excitement and fear.

"Hi, Clara. Hi, Jake. I'm Michelle, and I'm here to support you through this. Whatever you need, I'm here," she said, her voice as steady as she could make it.

Clara nodded, gripping Michelle's hand tightly as another contraction took hold. Michelle guided her through breathing exercises, her calm presence a balm to Clara's frayed nerves. Time seemed to blur as the contractions came and went. Michelle's world narrowed to the rhythms of Clara's labor, the ebb and flow of her breaths, the strength and vulnerability in her eyes.

As the hours passed, Clara's labor intensified. She moved between different positions, with Michelle and Jake providing constant support. Michelle wiped Clara's brow, whispered words of encouragement, and held her hand through every surge of pain. She marveled at Clara's strength, the primal power of her body bringing new life into the world.

At one point, Michelle found herself alone with Clara in the dimly lit bedroom. Clara's eyes locked onto hers, a silent plea for reassurance.

"You are doing so amazing, Clara. Your body knows exactly what to do. Just trust it," Michelle whispered.

Clara nodded, tears of pain and gratitude mingling on her cheeks. In that moment, Michelle felt a profound connection, not just to Clara, but to all the women who had ever given birth, to the timeless cycle of life.

Finally, the moment came. Clara, with a fierce determination, pushed one last time, and a cry filled the room. The baby, red and wrinkled, emerged into the world, and Michelle's heart swelled with awe. Clara collapsed back onto the pillows, exhausted but radiant, as the midwife placed the baby on her chest.

Michelle watched, tears streaming down her face, as Clara and Jake gazed at their newborn with wonder and love. She knew, in that instant, that this was her calling. To witness such raw beauty, to support and empower women through one of the most profound experiences of their lives—there was nothing else she wanted to do.

As she stepped outside into the cool morning air, Michelle felt a sense of peace and purpose she had never known before. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a golden glow over the world. She took a deep breath, the crisp air filling her lungs, and smiled. She was a doula, and she had found her place in the world.

[thedoulagroup]

How many happy places do you have? Where are your happy places? One of them should be intensely personal. One of them should be family or friend based. And one of them should be work. If you don’t love what you do, it’s time for a change. And an extra note regarding prenatal classes - your happy place should also be returning for weekly classes and being excited to see what options are available to you. You can’t learn it all in a few hours and free isn’t necessarily better. Quality education will see you through more than one pregnancy. #thedoulagroup #fallregistration #prenatalclass #doulatraining #doulatrainer #bucketsoflove #melissacowl #doulamel (at Old Quebec) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTZjH8tLi-G/?utm_medium=tumblr

[davidfosterwallaceatyahoodotcom]

Hey, I know there's a lot of begging that happens on ye olde brumbl, so please don't feel pressured to do this. I mostly made this to share with people I already know, so I'll add a few details here that those people already know:

I'm in recovery from iatrogenic schizophrenia (long story short, if you put psychiatric drugs in a healthy brain, that brain gets sick, who knew). I've been out of treatment and asymptomatic for six years.

One of the biggest factors in why I was misdiagnosed with mental illness was profound depression and anxiety -- not because of any chemical problems, but because of some very damaging beliefs about womanhood that I was indoctrinated with when I was very young. Feminism was the door that led me to genuine mental health. Nowadays, women's rights, specifically about women's health, have become my life's greatest passion, and I want a chance to work in a field where I can make a difference for women.

My plan to pursue birth care is a direct result of recent attacks on women's bodily autonomy. I want to learn as much as I can about birth care, hopefully leveling up from doula to midwife eventually, so I can offer services to women who are in traumatic pregnancies, who may be forced to carry to term, what have you. Who knows what we might need in the next decade. I just want to be prepared.

I know blupr doesn't have the most fiscally set folks on here so please don't feel pressured to throw anything in the hat. I'm not homeless or trying to escape an abuser, I have insurance, I can afford dog food. I just know that I'd be a great fit for birth care and would very much like to move out of the retail hamster wheel if possible. Lend your support if you're feelin' it, share if you like, or if donating through GoFundMe gives you the howling fantods, let me know and I'll get venmo or cash app or Kofi or whatever the kids are using these days.

Pic of my cute dog as thanks for reading this.

[midwifical]

📸: @chasing.our.tales ...Let’s talk about birth plans (or as I like to call them “birth preferences”). I welcome expectant parents to come to their 34wk or 36wk appointment with a draft of their birth preferences. I can use the time to reaffirm their choices. We can also discuss what would be feasible based on their pregnancy (for example, intermittent monitoring would not be appropriate if we know we are going to have a medical induction). Sometimes, I cannot honor certain preferences because of hospital limitations. Sometimes, I can use this moment to address misinformation or to provide additional education. Once we’ve reviewed the preferences, we can either scan it into the chart at the end of the visit or the parents can revise their preferences after our discussion and bring a new draft to the next visit. Once the birth plan is in the chart, it will be available for the labor & delivery nurses, resident doctors, and attending provider to access. #midwife #midwifical #midwifery #midwives #midwifelife #obgyn #midwivesrock #midwiferycare #feministmidwife #doula #doulatraining #doulalife #doulasupport #doulas #doulalove #doulawork #birthdoula #doulaservices #doulasrock #doulacare #doulasofinstagram #doulasbenefiteveryone #naturalbirth #naturalbirthing #unmedicatedbirth #womensupportwomen #birthplan #birthpreferences #birthplanning https://www.instagram.com/p/B1RV78CA794/?igshid=19zq415azd0n9

[losingshape]

💥 I’ve got a new Labor Position print up on my web store perfect for the doula or midwife in your life! 💥 Prints are on museum quality matte paper and are available in 2 sizes - 16” X 20” ($25) or 24” X 36” ($35). Grab one now at LOSINGSHAPE.COM! ••• #doula #midwife #babyshower #naturalbirth #naturalbirthing #queerparenting #picoftheday #newparents #baby #doulas #doulatraining #midwifery #midwiferystudent #laborpositions (at La Puerta Magica Tattoo) https://www.instagram.com/p/ByTEh0_AMla/?igshid=qaa19ci9dktn

[youremyalways47]

Anybody want to give me like $500-$1,000?!

That would be great thanks!

[milahenry198]

[charlottedoula]

#CharlotteDoula #Charlotte #doula #BlackOwnedClt #clt #CharlotteNC #trainwithkira #doulaworkshop #doulatraining #birthartsinternational #doulacertification #doula #jacksonville #florida #BlackDoulaTrainer #doulalife #doulatrainer (at Charlotte, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqNEql9n6ql/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ydffo1bs4zrk

[ichangeditbecauseican]

She was in agony. Crying and hurting when I stepped into the room, surrounded by nervous loved ones. She seemed relieved when I came over to her bed and placed my hand on her shoulder. Assuring her that she can do this and to just breathe through the waves. I had her do a few rebozo techniques with a soft small blanket that I picked up from walmart. Wasn't sure if she would do anything I asked her to since she was in total agony, but she did. She relaxed. She breathed. She pulled and pushed when she needed to. She put her trust in me and I wasn't going to let her down.

Once at full dilation, it only took 2 full pushes and some screaming from Momma. With Daddy and I next to her, telling her she has this, the brand new baby came into this world.

A healthy baby girl.

Even at high risk and no epidural, she had this.

[thedoulagroup]

Do what you love. Love what you do. That’s the message. #thedoulagroup #bucketsoflove #doulaeducation #pregnantintoronto #doulatraining #prenataleducation #ontario #novascotia #landstuhl #yellowknife (at Sydney, Nova Scotia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTGPd5uAWRZ/?utm_medium=tumblr

[rose-sato]

AROMidwifery Blog

To my fellow midwifery follows and birth workers,

Ever wonder where to find a multicultural history on midwifery? Need a place to start learning about the impact of racism and oppression on birth outcomes? Have you ever needed a place to BEGIN your journey towards reproductive justice and activism? This is for you. There is a little known educational resource available for use via the AROMidwifery Blog. Their mission is as follows: “We aim to promote, preserve, and improve midwifery care, to acknowledge our shortcomings in cultural competency, and work to help ourselves and others to overcome them. We value and strive to increase people’s awareness of their choices in childbirth, and the overall quality and accessibility of midwifery care in our country. We stand behind all efforts to promote compassion, choice, safety, education, expertise, collaboration, and above all equality, in helping expecting mothers achieve a safe and satisfying birth experience.We invite all who are supporters of this important work to join us so that we can continue to promote unity and collaboration across the maternity care community and quickly spread the word about important issues and events that are central to the achievement of our important cause.”

The blog hosts many learning resources, from articles and books to videos. Find a page for racial justice workshops. Connect with many voices here!

Please share this resource!

[midwifical]

Love the peanut ball! It helps open up the pelvis. This is great for labor with an epidural, when you can’t move around to encourage natural fetal descent. I’ll use it at about 3-7cm or if the station is still high (baby’s head still above the ischial spines). I’m so glad that my hospital has a ton of these on the labor floor and the nurses are really proactive in using them! 🥜 #midwife #midwifical #midwifery #midwives #midwifelife #obgyn #midwivesrock #midwiferycare #feministmidwife #childbirth #midwifebirth #3rdtrimester #thirdtrimester #laboranddelivery #laboranddeliveryrn #laboranddeliverynurse #doula #birthdoula #doulatraining #doulasupport #doulas https://www.instagram.com/p/BtOHL1NALow/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=r2svb4jrmbku

[doulabrittany]

#Repost @donaintl • • • • • • "Depression among expectant and new mothers has almost tripled during the coronavirus pandemic, new research has found.⠀ ⠀ "The study, which was conducted by the University of Alberta in Canada, showed that the number of women reporting symptoms of maternal depression has increased to 41 per cent compared to 15 per cent before the outbreak began.⠀ ⠀ "In addition, the number of women expediting moderate to high anxiety symptoms has risen from 29 per cent to 72 per cent." Read more at the link in the bio.⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #doula #doulas #DoulaBusiness #PostpartumDoula #BirthDoula #doulabag #DoulaLife #DoulaTraining #DONAProud #DoulaTrainer #DONATrainer #ppd #PostpartumDepression #PostpartumAnxiety #BabyBlues⠀ ⠀ https://www.instagram.com/p/CEblJ-egpeB/?igshid=t0stp38vons6

[tribeofsuns]

I am beeeeyond excited for this new chapter in my life! To be able to train and certify with this illustrious group of sisters, led by @earthsnaturaltouch is such a joy. i don’t believe you can ever have too much training when it comes to learning skills and techniques that will be utilized to support sisters that look like us. the Dada Zuri sisterhood is not to be played with 😉 Big love to my supportive husbae @weareloem find out more about earth’s natural touch at: www. facebook.com/earthdoulas #blackhomebirther #birthworker #blackhomebirth #birthadvocate #homebirthadvocate #maternalhealthadvocate #blackmaternalhealthcrisis #birthstory #birthstories #blackbirthstories #yourbirthmatters #hireablackbirthworker #sacredmotherhood #blackmotherhood #blackparenthood #blackbabas #maternalmortality #infantmortality #dadazuri #doulatraining #doulacertification #blackmamasmatter #blackmamas #birthdisparities #postpartumdoula #blackdoula #birthyourway #saveoursisters #saveourselves #earthsnaturaltouch https://www.instagram.com/p/CDUF0-vAbZA/?igshid=10wp3vmxbt7vy

[thefuckinglady]

May is International Doula Month and a great time to celebrate the efforts that birth and postpartum doulas have on improving maternal-infant health outcomes. It’s also a great time to tell y’all I just completed my training!! Who needs a Doula 😇 #doula #doulasupport #doulalife #birthdoula #doulaservices #doulalove #doulatraining #doulasofinstagram #doula #blackdoula #blackdoulas #blackdoulasmatter #blackdoulamagic #blackdoulasrock #blackdoulasunited #blackdoulasforblackmothers https://www.instagram.com/p/B_vbhXLhLkW/?igshid=ehd1qc7l6v0d

[iconicsmt]

#happydoulaweek to every professional #doula, to students and/or mentees undertaking #doulatraining (which is technically everyone in the field, yes? You never stop learning and growing — that’s the beauty of being human!), to every single #caregiver holding space in this crazy world, and to every individual receiving that beautiful #care . My thoughts are especially with the #birthworkers and #deathworkers who cannot provide physical #doulasupport for their clients during this terrible time. Your service is still a shining gift to the world, however you manage to provide that needed #support. Stay strong against the chaos, but stay gentle with yourself. Sending you all strength, love, and light. 💗 (photo from utahdoulas.org) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-GQMoUHFPe/?igshid=3hyjuulmou8m