The Great Doula Search!

It’s a common misconception that because I am a doula I do not need doula support while I am in labor and birthing my baby.  But anyone who’s ever been in labor knows that once you get in “the zone” all knowledge, reasoning and sanity goes out the window.  Remie and I decided long before I was pregnant that we would indeed hire a doula again. Having support from someone trained in child birth is invaluable.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t hire the same doula that supported me during Isaac’s birth because she was no longer “doula-ing”. So I began my search for another doula. I belong to a group called Metro Detroit Doulas so I started secretly looking there to find my perfect match! I probably looked at 50 doula websites and although everyone was very qualified, I only felt a strong pulling towards two doulas.

The last few days Remie and I interviewed the two doulas. The first doula was INCREDIBLE! She really “wowed” me and inspired me to become a better birth worker in my community! Not only was she a doula but she has her own business that is designed around pregnant women. She offers services such as educational classes, chiropractic care, massage therapy, yoga, baby sign language, doula services, placental encapsulation and so much more. This doula is EXACTLY what Metro Detroit needs to provide positive support to women in the area! (Once I get her approval, I will share her website so my readers can benefit from her services)

After doula #1 left, I knew I was in trouble! If doula #2 was anything like the first, how was I supposed to decide who would be the best fit for my birth support team? I decided to trust God with the decision and I asked Him to make it very clear to me who I was supposed to hire.

Last night Marie (aka doula #2) came over to meet the family and talk to me about her services. Wow! As soon as we met I felt a bond forming! Marie began telling me about her background as a doula and that she is also a midwife apprentice (how cool is that?)!  What I liked about Marie is that everything she said lined up exactly with my philosophy and opinions of child birth. Marie works very hard in the birthing community and is even a chapter leader in Birth Network of Oakland County. After we were done talking about pregnancy and child birth, Marie and I sat around for 2 ½ hours laughing and joking about our stupid dogs and other crazy things we have done.  I felt like I was hanging out with a long time friend instead of interviewing a doula and that’s when I thought “wow, this is exactly the bond/love/friendship you are supposed to have with your doula”! I already knew I wanted to hire Marie but before she left she handed me her business card. On her card it said “Trust Birth, Trust Yourself”. This is the same exact quote that I used to shape my doula business, I have it printed on my business cards and it is a reminder to me that a woman’s body naturally knows how to give birth and that we need to trust the process. I was stunned and knew that God was telling me that Marie was the one!

I think Marie and I are two peas in a pod!

I’m very excited about having Marie join my support team and I know that our friendship is going to last far beyond the birth of this baby! If you are looking for doula or midwifery services, you can learn more about Marie at Bodhi Seed Birth.