Hey Everyone
Welcome to my Doula Blog! It's been quite a journey getting here. Almost a year ago, I decided to leave the health consulting world to pursue a new career as a doula. At that time, many things in my life were changing. I moved to a new neighborhood, I married my childhood best friend, and my dad was diagnosed with ALS. When my Dad got sick, I realized that life is meant to be lived and we should live meaningfully and fully. I began to see the doula role as my calling, after I was sitting in my office one day, thinking about how amazing it would be to help people into the world. Since then, my entire world has changed. I became immersed in birth and the experience of labor and postpartum. I allowed myself to sit and read again, to discuss with new friends what it means to "mother the mother", what value this work brings, and how to gain courage and take pride in it. Since my training in April of 2017, I joined Alameda Birthkeepers, Imeinu Doulas, and started my own business. Today, I work for myself and I am grateful. I wake up excited to work with mamas, their bellies, and their families.
.............................................................................................................................................
Throughout this blog, I will present fun stories about my life as a doula, the latest research findings in the world of women's health and childbirth education, how the research relates to doulas (and my feelings about them), delicious foods to eat during pregnancy with recipes, and of course any other exciting tid bits of information that I'd like to share with all of you!
I decided to begin writing this blog to really document my journey of birth work. I find that it is important to bring people's attention to the medical necessity that is a doula. Our jobs are not easy, nor are they always fun. Being a doula however, has been the most fulfilling work I've ever done, and definitely the most valuable. Holding space with families before the birth of their child, and then immediately after the child comes into the world, is unlike any other experience one can imagine. As a parent (or future parent), you walk into the labor room (in the hospital, in a birth center, or in your living room), and after several hours, you are transformed into a new being. I feel like every birth I attend, I begin to see superheroes in everyone, in partners, in nurses and doctors, and of course, in mamas. then immediately after the child comes into the world, is unlike any other experience one can imagine.
.............................................................................................................................................
One day, I was sitting in my backyard sipping mint tea and thinking about how amazing women are. I've always loved #pregnantwomen, because to me, they are the embodiment of the #sacredfeminine and incredibly #beautiful beings. My initial thought was that women are so brave. My mother always said, "You have to be brave, to live". This is has never been more true in the world of birth. Getting pregnant can be tough, but it can also be pretty simple. Sometimes, all it takes is one night of sex! Other times, it can take years and years of IVF (In-Vitro Fertilization) treatment or monitoring basal body temperature or tracking ovulation calendars. Everyone's pregnancy journey is different. Growing a baby inside of one's belly, requires one to be brave in the first place. Though many women who get pregnant begin to doubt their abilities as mothers, as care takers, it is important for women to have faith in their bellies, and to have faith in themselves. Women are built to hold life, to sustain it, and to push that life into this world. After taking many sips of my mint tea, I realized this had to be the name of my business. That is how #BraveBelly came to be!
I hope that by reading this blog, you gain insight into doula life, pregnancy and motherhood, love and sex, as well as food and laughter. I enjoy writing about my adventures in the birth world and I look forward to my reader's perspectives as well! Feel free to comment and let me know what subjects you are curious about! If you are looking for inspiration during the week, follow me on Instagram @bravebellytalia
Thank you for being here.
Much love and brave bellies,
Talia