09/30/2025
I ended the longest contract of my career last night. What began as a 12-week agreement turned into 21-weeks, and I find myself reflecting on just how special this time was for me. I have been a postpartum doula for 5 years (6 years next month 🤭), and this contract presented a very special first for me— my first time working with a single mother by choice.
I’ll never forget the vulnerability in the air those first few nights. The equal amounts of joy and fear she carried as she navigated postpartum in ways that challenged what society teaches was so inspirational. I watched her give herself grace for the ways she could not stretch herself as a solo parent. I witnessed her slowly, but surely, return to herself as the weeks unfolded.
I came in one night and found her in the kitchen, which was unusual because she normally was pumping upstairs when I arrived. What she said next was so casual to her, but will stick with me forever. She said, “I baked some lactation cookies for 2 of my friends, and even though you’re not nursing I put some aside for you in case you wanted some”.
After a full day of solo parenting two children, while engorged from being 45 minutes late on her pumping schedule, she still took the time to care for new moms around her. And, without knowing it, she cared for me too. (I had left my lunch on the counter rushing out the door, and those cookies got me through.)
Caring for this family was a beautiful, enlightening experience. My empathy was stretched in unimaginable ways, and I carry so much gratitude for the lessons I learned ❤️
