An Ode to Doulas

The doulas are the guides.

When the way feels uncertain and unknown the doulas pause, hold the space, and ask the questions until your way forward declares itself. Doulas know how to hold the unknown. We know that the world is rarely black and white. When we hold our fear in the light we observe the uncertainty. Naming the fear and allowing it to be held in safety offers up the opportunity to see solutions.

Doulas know their fellow doulas are our net and the safe place to land when the fear gets too big. Doula work is community. We are community and we are love. To my doula colleagues out there doing their work, this one is for you.

Image description: a newborn baby lays on their back gazing at the camera

This one is for the doulas that care
The doulas who say, and that do, and that dare.

This one is for the doulas with the wisdom
The doulas who bring the ritual, the relaxation, and the rhythm.

This one is for the doulas social distancing
Holding their clients in their hearts and making the best of virtually witnessing.

This one is for the doulas with the skill
Doulas who are trauma informed for the babies born early and still.

This one is for the doulas with the feeling
Who know that their birth work is not about their own healing.

This one is for the doulas with the courage
The doulas who listen deeply and know how and when to encourage.

This one is for the doulas with the respect
Who learn from their teachers and mentors with keen intellect.

This is one is for the doulas who love
Offering birth and postpartum support that is a cut above.

This one is for the doulas who can hold a boundary
Who know that we need them to show up wholeheartedly and profoundly.

This one is for the doulas always learning
Who keep continuing education as a personal practice of returning.

This one is for the doulas who collaborate
The doulas who know teamwork and community is how we celebrate.

This one is for the doulas who are inclusive
Who know that families, feeding, and birthing are not gender exclusive.

This one is for the doulas working with the marginalized
The doulas learning how birth work can be decolonized.

This one is for the doulas with the curiosity
The doulas who learn from others who share with generosity.

This one is for the doulas just starting out
That excitement and the love for birth work permeates throughout.

This one is for the doulas who are brave
Who know that we’re here to witness and not to save.

This one is for the doulas in burn out
The doulas who have seen, heard, and need time to hideout.

This one is for the doulas who build the labour cave
The doulas with their clients dropping into that deep delta wave.

This one is for the doulas who can hold the space
Who know it’s more than how that cervix can dilate and efface.

This one is for the doulas who are wholehearted
Who know that the labyrinth of birth and postpartum are often uncharted.

This one is for the doulas who are you and me
This work calls us and with our clients is exactly where we’re meant to be.