Today was a very full day. My usual ebullience was tempered with a bit of trepidation about this class once I learned that we would be having a psychologist come in to speak with us about prepartum and postpartum problems. My concerns were focused on what I might personally bring to a birth situation – the stark reality of having lost my child came into full focus during this class. Would my experience be an asset or a hindrance? My trepidity was augmented by the emotions of the entire class as we began to discuss how to support a mother in the event of a still birth. I understand that there are aspects of this career that will test my strength and presence, as my strength and presence have already been tested during the course of this training.
There are many psychological/psychosomatic issues that may manifest themselves during pregnancy and we all had questions about what do to should a situation arise where mother or child is compromised; how do we use our skills as doulas to help a mother or a father in those situations and how do we protect ourselves during moments of exigency? The psychology of pregnancy, birth and motherhood may be an aggregate of past experiences, and understanding this will help us to better serve women on their journeys into motherhood. I am struck by the notion that a woman’s mental and psychic state during pregnancy has subsequent effects on the child. I would further intuit that if a woman is in harmony with her Self during pregnancy, and if there is a support network available and the intent is placed on having a gentle birth experience, she will be able to manifest those things and I can’t help but think that as a doula we will be able to help mothers and fathers with this manifestation. I am fascinated by the incipient formation of our personalties, and by the notion that this occurs during gestation. The science and psychology of birthing is amazing and beautiful to me!
I am pleased to note that I feel as though I am coming into a state of equanimity, imbued by the depth and power of the lessons taught in this course. Thank you Jen and Tracy, for the safe space to explore these details; this has been a powerful day for me, and I’ve come out of it with confidence and understanding, this is the cynosure for me.
I am excited to keep going, to keep testing myself and to keep learning about who I am and what I bring to each situation. And I am also very excited to help other women down a similar path.
Tags: Birth Doula, Childbirth Professional, Doula, Doula Certification, Doula Training, Labor Doula
