A Doula Origin Story, Part 2: The Passion Keeps the Ball Rolling

/ Transitions: Doula & Life Services/

Continuing to share my journey into doula work…

 

Hi! I’m Renee, and I’m a doula and co-owner of Transitions: Doula & Life Services. 

 

Here’s my Doula Origin Story, Continued:

Go to Part 1

 

After I signed up for the training, I started to second guess my decision.  This is not an unusual thing… I tend to worry about things, and this was a big investment for my young family.

 

I knew that the pull that I had towards this work was something that I would regret not following, but still… I had three, really little kids.

 

They were 4, 2, and 5 months when I attended my training.

 

As I sat in the back of the room, pumping milk for my baby, I could not deny the energy... it was positively buzzing with the same passion I had!  I left the first day and told my husband, “I found my people!”  (side note: I'm still friends with almost everyone in that training)

 

At the end of training, I told Marilyn Hildreth (my DONA trainer and Brookings legend of a woman!) “I just know this is what I'm supposed to be doing.”  

 

She showed her agreement by sending me one of my first clients!

 

Getting started then was harder than it is now.  First of all, very few people in my community knew what a doula was in 2016.  Second, there were no mentorship opportunities.  Lastly, the doula community I entered was complicated.  It was at a big transition point, and I found myself having to learn the dynamics very quickly to be able to navigate within the birth community.

 

Now our communities are much more familiar with the role of the doula, thanks to a lot of effort from a LOT of doulas!  My agency offers mentorship opportunities, as does DONA trainer Joyce.  Finally, the birth community is so welcoming and collaborative and excited to see fresh doulas (AKA baby doulas!) come on the scene.

 

Over the last ten years, the thing that keeps the work moving forward is passion.  I have never doubted that this is right where I'm supposed to be, and the universe continues to show up for me in the work.

 

If you'd like to learn more about doula work or have a conversation with me to ask all your questions, just reach out!  I'm eager to talk to anyone with the same love of birth, and babies, and moms, and families.

 

-Renee

 

 

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