Doula Certification

I've finally made the decision, after thinking it over for many months, to work to become a certified doula. I thought about becoming a lactation consultant, but that requires a lot of nursing classes and a degree. I don't think it is the right fit for me, as I truly just want to offer experience and support to moms and babies. So, I've thought about both the L.C. and doula and I think the doula certification is best for me and what I want to do.

This service encompasses everything I am passionate about:

1. Women's rights
2. Child protection
3. Education
4. Natural living
5. Breastfeeding
6. Responsible medical interventions
7. Women's empowerment
8. My belief in natural birth as a natural process, not a medical condition.
9. My support of midwifery.

I bought the first book on the required reading list, and I've contacted pregnant friends to ask if I could be present at their births. If they decline, I'll 100% understand. Birth is a very personal experience and I fully support the mothers' decisions.

To be honest, I'm not sure if I would have agreed when I was pregnant because I am incredibly shy and bashful. So, if they decline, I'll understand from a personal stance.

I have to be present at 3 births from before active labor through the postpartem period, as a requirement for certification.

I'm super excited about this journey. I feel it is a perfect fit for me.

When I gave birth to my daughter, I was to be induced and this didn't settle well with me. My midwife recommended a "gentler" option with the use of Cytotec, which is a prescription drug used to treat gerd. Well, I watched The Business of being Born yesterday and did a bit of research on this particular drug and it turns out it may not be so gentle after all.

CYTOTEC: the risks

One of the risks is a ruptured uterus! Also, it causes extremely strong, one-on-top-of-the-other contractions that restrict oxygen to the baby. (This I definitely experienced...but I also progressed super fast. From 4 cm to baby on my chest in an hour, so the extreme contractions may have been from that too. Each birth is different.) Anyway, had I known these risks, I'd probably have gone home and taken my chances with the ONLY truly more gentle method (except in VERY rare medical emergencies)....Mother Nature.

The company that produces Cytotec even warns against the use of the drug to induce labor, because the pill is scored into quarters and the medicine is not equally distributed throught the pill. The pill is not intended to be scored at all.

I should have asked.
I should have been offered this information.
Neither of these things occurred and I take the responsibility.

I had never heard of Cytotec. As a matter of fact, there are SO many drugs used as interventions and counter-actions that it is almost impossible for the laywoman to know all of them!

I know I did my best.
I tried my best to protect my daughter and myself.

Based on my experience from my three births, my thought is this:

Expectant mothers should avoid the hospital unless an actual medical situation occurs that requires medical intervention....which is the purpose of a hospital, after all.

I think women should seek out experienced, licensed midwives who will accompany them throughout their pregnancies and births...and even postpartem care, and have their babies at home (but be within a short drive from a hospital, in case a medical situation arises). I personally think an Ob/Gyn should only be sought out when a medical condition arises.

This is only my personal opinion and should not take the place of your opinion, nor should it make a decision for your individual situation.

That's where REED comes into play.
You must research, educate, empower, and discuss.

People spend more time deciding what clothes to wear than they do researching information on childbirth.

It's ridiculous.

Women should be supporting women in their births. This is my opinion. Granted there are excellent male Ob/Gyns out there, but I honestly think the good ones are best for medical situations, NOT a normal, low-risk pregnancyand women who have given birth understand birth. No matter how wonderfully supportive a male doctor is, he CANNOT understand what giving birth is like. Males, by nature, are protectors. Males insinctively want to protect and to remove any perceived pain or discomfort.

I keep thinking, "if I had it to do over again, I'd..." but thinking like this brings me down. Instead, I'm changing my thoughts to, "I'd like to help moms-to-be have the safest and most beautiful birth possible."

I think I can do this on the path I have chosen.
When I roll this about in my mind, I feel truly comfortable with it. It feels right.
It feels true.

I'm so eager to absorb as much information as possible so that I can be the very best support for mothers and babies.