14/01/2024
WE BACK BABY 🥳
My first birth back after having Kora and for 2024 was that of a lovely repeat client of mine Emily!
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In the photo on the left I supported Emily to achieve her first VBA2C at Wollongong public hospital. It's written all over her face, the joy, relief, a little bit of surprise but generally just pure bliss.
When I met Em she wanted so badly to be given the chance to birth a baby through her va**na. That's all she really needed was for someone to believe in her and hold the torch while she found the confidence to believe in herself. After alot of education, preperation, strong advocacy work and truly fighting for a birth experience that wasn't textbook but was perfectly safe for both mum and baby, Emily birthed baby Liam va**nally.
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The photo on the right shows the birth of baby Isabelle from Sunday that I was fortunate enough to also support. Em looks equally as joyous but do you know what I notice? Not as surprised.. I think that's because the confidence she gained from that first VBA2C she has carried and it has become part of her personality. During a similar birth unfolding to Liams, Em was more vocal about what she did and didn't want this time, she moved and laboured in a way that felt good for her and she held space like a woman who knew her power.
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Sometimes as a Doula you have to push hard for womens rights. Sometimes you have to massage for hours on end until your bones hurt but you'll never stop until they tell you to. Then sometimes you are fortunate enough to bare witness to the reignition of a womens internal flame after shes been beaten down by experiences not designed to empower her, and you cant help but think that just by carrying that torch for her when she couldnt for herself, that you were a small part in that journey.
THAT is my why and that is why I'll never stop 💪❤️👏