03/16/2024
At the beginning of the year, I went back and tallied all of the births that I have attended as a doula since 2007. This month, I supported my 600th client. 600 babies born that I’ve been honored to witness their transition earth side.
While I have memories of happy, empowered and excited births, I also carry with me the moments of grief, raw pain and fear as birth and death walk separated by a very thin line. I hold those moments as strongly and the happy ones and know they’ve shaped me as a doula as a person.
Onward to the next spring of babies and families. 601 due on the day of the solar eclipse which in my dorky mind is so cool.
I have rarely counted how many births I’ve attended even though it’s often asked in interviews. I haven’t because each one is so unique that I don’t think a doula with one birth is less qualified than one with 600 in some circumstances. I think I bring with me the experience and attention of 600 births with me. I bring the smiles, excitement, tears, exhaustion, wrinkles and hugs of every 3am wake up call. Because, you know, babies love 3am and waters are programmed to break at dawn 😂
