Day One | January 19, 2010
Introduction and Childbirth Education
Tonight was exciting and scary.
I was thrilled to be embarking on the transforming journey of becoming a doula and terrified thinking about my graduation into a profession where I am looked towards for so much guidance, support and knowledge. I was humbled tonight with the realization of how much I have to learn. Listening to Jennifer explain the different stages of labor and its effects on the body and psyche blew my mind. I had no idea the placenta had such a bond with the rest of the body (especially the brain) and how many positions a baby could be in while in the uterus and how organs are basically reorganized and rearranged constantly throughout different stages in pregnancy.
I truly feel like my slate has been wiped clean of all my birth misperceptions I had before I walked into Tracy’s home.
I am bare and ready for anything the world has to throw at me but for now I will start by preparing for Thursdays class.
Day Two | January 21, 2010
Intro to Hypnosis 101
Being apart of a woman’s most intimate and intense experience is the biggest honor I can imagine. Using relaxation techniques to control anxiety and fear is labor in essential. Today I learned how to my match my voice with strength and calmness and that skill could be my most powerful tool as a doula. Practicing with my voice tone was an unraveling experience for me. I felt like I was accessing a part of my inner self I had never met before. It made me think about all the things I don’t yet know about myself and all my strengths I have not yet utilized. It is nice to meet you Alta and I am happy you are here.
Day Three | January 22, 2010
Hypnosis for Childbirth
I am taken back by my passion for creating a better birth experience for women. I am fascinated by the techniques used to turn “pain” into “sensation”. By taking fears and tension away, a doula can help confuse pain receptors into reporting pleasure and pressure instead. Tonight, I imagined how it felt to run up a mountain. I imagined my thighs feeling cramped and tired, and my breath deep and purposeful. I imagined reaching the top, taking in a golden sunset view over deep blue water, and then running back down, feeling the wind blowing through my loose hair and feeling my sweat cool and my legs relax. I imagined how good it would felt running down that mountain. The human mind is far more powerful than physical pain. I am going to be a very well trained doula at the end of these classes.
Day Four | January 23, 2010
Doula Training Pt. 1
Taking the Dolphin Doula training has been the best thing I have ever done for myself. It is an absolute honor to be learning from such amazing and knowledgeable women. I realized that being a doula means that you are not only apart of the birth of the baby but also the birth of the mother and partner as well. After giving birth, using the dolphin method, I truly believe the confidence and calm power a woman gains stays with her throughout her entire life. Instilling that confidence and power in women during their labor changes the outcome drastically. While I drove home tonight from an all day class, I felt as light as a cloud. I felt like I could relax myself and have the same effect on another person. I felt like I had the power to transfer my positive energy into another person, creating a different perspective and outcome for that person. Tonight I truly felt confident in myself and that I can be an incredible doula. What a high!
Day Five | January 24, 2010
Doula Training Pt. 2
Along with providing emotional support and helping to facilitate communication between medical staff and the laboring woman, a doula must have physical strength. A doula must be able to endure labor with her client and must be able to give physical comfort by using her body as support. Using our bodies in class today, exploring different acupressure points and positions helped me understand the physicality of this profession. Through physical support and touch, a woman might finally get to feel that someone is there with her in that moment. Taking away that isolation can change the outcome significantly. Developing these skills is key to having an open and trusting relationship with your client. A doula must explain that she has no agenda and that she wants her client to have a safe, happy and healthy experience, what ever she thinks that may be for her. I didn’t understand until today how vulnerable you must be to successfully transfer your energy and really be in the moment with someone who is having a divine experience. I cannot wait for next class.
Day Seven| January 30, 2010
Final day
I didn’t want to go home last night. It was the last day of doula training and I was nervous about leaving the nest. I guess the best way to gain experience and succeed is to dive in feet first. Doula training is over and I am working hard for my clients. Jennifer and Tracy are the best mentors I could have asked for. I don’t know how the two day training from other doula schools could have given me a sliver of the knowledge, skill, and technique I learned from Dolphin. How could you possibly feel prepared for the amount of support and knowledge expected after training for a only two days?!
Confidence is everything and I am so grateful for my education and for the relationships and bonds I’ve created with all the amazing women throughout my training. I can’t wait to solidify my team and get my website going!
