Blog
A Doula But Not a Mom
Hi everyone and thank you for coming back to Life Bringing Doula!
When I first started my doula training I was very excited to tell people what I was doing. I felt purpose in my life and that I was not lazy anymore. However, I was met with many doubts and questions about my ability to be a doula. Some asked me how it was possible to be a doula without being a mom; others told me good luck getting anyone to hire me since I had not gone through labor myself. I let their questions become my doubts. Were they right? Was I able to be a doula if I never personally experienced what my clients did?
The short answer: yes.
The long answer: for those of you who have needed to go to a specialists doctor, do you look for a specialist in the field you need to be seen in, or do you look for a person who has had the same issue as you? If you are diabetic do you search out other diabetics to give you advice or do you go to the Endocrinologist who has gone through proper training to help you? Without a doubt you would go to the Endocrinologist. Yes you may want to sympathize with others who have experienced the same thing as you, but you do not go to them for professional advice. It’s good to still have diabetic friends, but that doesn’t mean they should be your doctor. An endocrinologist who does not have diabetes or a thyroid issue does not stop people from seeking their care. Having a doctor who can sympathize with you is amazing, but not necessary.
Millions of women go to male OB/GYN’s and trust that even though they do not have the same issues or even same body parts, they have been properly trained and know what they are talking about. Yes, some women ask to be seen by a female OB/GYN as a preference because they do not want a male other than their significant other that intimate with them, but that is different than not trusting a male OB/GYN. Regardless of gender, all OB/GYN’s are trained the same. The females are just able to relate more with their patients.
Having the same ailments or enduring the same pain can help a doctor relate to their patient but has never been necessary for medical practice. We go to doctors who have studied their specialty and we trust they know what they are talking about because of their studies. Why would it be any different as a doula; I have not gone through labor yet but I have been trained the same as all other doula’s, and have studied for my certification just as hard as everyone else.
And the best part is, if someone is not comfortable with me as their doula because I have not had kids yet, then there is no need for me to be their doula, and that’s ok!
If you are someone who disagrees with this, why? Please let me know your thoughts as I am open to a kind, thoughtful discussion on this!
Thank you for your support in my new business and endeavors and I cannot wait to share more with you. If you would like a free consultation, have any questions, or just have something to say, feel free to reach out to me by my contacts page, email, or text. I look forward to where we will go together.
