Growth

I remember being invited to be read a client’s birth story for the first time. I was anxious to pour over it & read how much she loved me being her doula and about all the things I was able to do for her.

And then there it was.

One measly little line-something about, “Our doula was there.” I was crestfallen.

No triumphant entry of the doula. No trumpet fanfare.  No confetti. No popping of champagne corks. No, “We couldn’t have done it without her.” Nada.

I thought, What the hell? What am I, chopped liver?

Well, no. I know just how much they appreciated me being there. To this day I know what part I played in their birth and every other birth I’ve attended.

But it’s not about me, the doula. In fact, probably one of the biggest compliments I can be given is to not be in that birth story AT ALL. This means that the parents felt like players in their own birth. Truly empowered. This is the way it should be.

When a doula can realize this, she has grown. For me it was a huge growth spurt.