Reflections: My First Year As A Birth Doula

In the past year I have had the honor of supporting 8 families in birth. I have watched 8 new souls enter the world! 

 We live in a culture that has taught us to fear our bodies during pregnancy and to fear birth. What I have witnessed is the power of birth. Birth is a moment in our life where you can fully sink into yourself and find the core of your being. I can tell you… what you find is incredible beauty. Birth is vulnerable and  transformative. While each birth experience is undoubtedly different, one thing remains constant: the beauty and empowerment birth can bring, regardless of the journey.  Birth is a testament to the strength, resilience and awe-inspiring capability of the human body and spirit. 

Each birth I supported, I learned and grew and witnessed. I have wiped tears, held hands, calmed a panicked room/mom, squeezed hips, cleaned vomit, cleaned poop, opened snacks, given water, given guidance to partners on how to support more fully, smiled, laughed, witnessed too much too soon, witnessed too little too late, processed birth stories, and helped guide questions for empowered decision making.  I am consistently humbled by this new role I have taken on. It has improved my ability to communicate with those I am working with in the clinic. By fostering open dialogue about birth we can help break down barriers and unlearn what society has taught us. 

This work can be hard and it is often heavy but it is also one of the most rewarding experiences.  I am so excited to continue on this path and so grateful for those who have held my hand, guided me, and supported me so I could  have the courage and ability to take on this new role. 

Cheers to my first year as a birth doula! 

In health,

Emma Lengerich PT, DPT, OCS, CMTPT, PCES, Doula Foundations PelvicPhysio, LLC Orthopedic & Pelvic Health Physical Therapist & Birth Doula  Subscribe to my newsletter: Click Here!

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