An OMazing Movement: Doula Support for all!

I am starting an OMazing movement. Doulas for all; during and after the birth.  We need everyone’s help.  I support mamas in my community with their birth journey, which is fantastic on the micro level. Through education, yoga and support in the birth room, I am making a difference. However, I am limited to the number of women I support.  We need to work on the macro level.

I want to create a wider net of doulas, friends, and compassionate supporters.  My mission is for every woman who wants that support will have access to a compassionate, kind and calm support person at and after their birth.  Partners are wrapped up into their own journey.  Women really need a third party support person.   This doula work will be karmic.   Women will take a turn giving support and then either they personally will receive the support or someone they know and love will. 

Certified professional doula services cannot be underestimated.  Their services are magical.  However, so many laboring mothers either are not familiar with or can afford a hired doula.  How can we change that model and create this movement?  Midwives, doctor and medical assistants offer medical advice and perform procedures but mamas need more.  Did you know that nurses spend on an average 6% of their time with patients?

 My book club met this week and we shared birth stories.  I was reminded of doula impact during and after birth and energized me once again to focus on spreading the message. Five of us reflected on how hard our birth and postpartum experience was at the time, especially when we were alone. 

·     One of my friends remembered complications after her cesarean section.  This was her third cesarean and her husband and two infant boys were home sick. Left in the hospital alone with her new born baby she struggled. She was in tremendous pain, lonely and miserable. 

·     My second friend’s water unexpectantly broke at 37 weeks. She was grateful that she had a hired a doula who took immediate charge.  She recommended a couple non-medical techniques to start labor.  They walked. stimulated her nipples and the doula did acupressure on her feet. The stimulation and movement successfully started her labor and her son arrived the next day..   After the was in the NICU for a few days he was released. My friend’s fear showed up at home.  Paranoid that he’d stop  breathing, she set up camp next to his crib. Alone, next to her baby, her emotions ran wild.

·     My third book club friends delivered a baby girl a few months after my second friend. Her husband said that he’d be the doula so that was that.  I asked how that went and she laughed. Although her husband was helpful in labor, she admitted going home was rough. Totally overwhelmed it didn’t take long for her to break.  She called her friend who quickly came over, marched in, and took control.  She showed her how to swaddle the baby, supported her nursing and just listened.  She was the post natal doula support that she desperately needed.

·     The final birth story was told by a friend hired a doula for both the birth and postpartum. After the bonding experience of the birth, she was so happy to have the same doula in her home offering for the first six weeks of the baby’s life.  It was a game changer.  The doula showed my friend how to care and feed the baby.  She cooked and cleaned.  My friend said she couldn’t imagine her experience without a doula.   She recommends it to any and everyone.

If you don’t have a doula, you need a friend - and one who will show up.  Show up at your birth. Show up at your house afterwards. If they need some tips on what to do, have them email me: omazingbirth@gmail.com. I can guide them.