Meet the Doula!
- sarahdimarcodoula
- Dec 15, 2014
- 3 min read
Hello and welcome to my very first post on the Birthing YOUR Way Blog! I want to just take some time to intruduce myself, and tell you a bit of my story.
I am a mother. I have 2 lovely step-daughters ages 16 and almost 8! And a beautiful daughter of my own who just turned 5. I am also a mother to 2 angel babies, born in the first trimester on September 2, 2013 and March 8, 2014. I am a wife to a wonderful man who is very supportive of my growing doula business. I am a Christian, and my faith has played a large role in my journey as a doula.
I have absolutely fallen in love with all things pregnancy and birth and it is my passion to support families through this incredible time in their lives. I loved being pregnant with my daughter and I think that's just one reason why I enjoy supporting other women as a birth doula.
The number one question I get asked is, of course, "Why did you become a doula?" And really, to answer that question, I have to go back to the day I became a mom myself.
My daughter was born when I was 18 years old in 2009. I had no clue what a doula was, in fact, I wouldn't even learn the word "doula" for several more years. I desired a natural birth, I mean, if my own mother could do it 3 times then so could I! But I really didn't know how to educate or prepare myself to achieve that. I guess I thought I could just show up in labor and do it! But of course, that was not the case. My doctor didn't really have to "talk me into" the induction at 40 weeks and 5 days, I just assumed that what she said was best and agreed. And once I was at the hospital I had no idea the restrictions I would be under. Of course, with pitocin on board, I had to have the continuous monitoring and the IVs, but I was not prepared to hear that I would only be allowed out of the bed to use the restroom! This only contributed to my fear and anxiety and I eventually ended up asking for the epidural. Thankfully, after getting it, my labor progressed rather quickly and I only pushed for about 30 minutes before my daughter was in my arms! I wouldn't say that my birth experience was a traumatizing one, it just wasn't what I wanted. I was, however, devastated 6 weeks later when, after struggling to establish breastfeeding, my milk production stopped and I had to give my baby formula.
After that experience, when my husband and I begain planning to have a baby of our own in 2013, I knew I wanted a different experience. I began researching natural childbirth even before I was pregnant and learned what a doula was. Coincidentally, the day I found out we were pregnant, I also had a meeting with a doula I knew to talk about how I could become one! I hired her for my pregnancy on the spot!!
Unfortunately, 2 weeks later we lost our baby. But the way that my doula supported us through that very difficult time was really what solidified in my heart that I wanted to support other families through the happy births, and also through loss.
I am trained as a birth and postpartum doula through MotherMe Doulas on Call, a local agency that trains women and offers them a sisterhood of doulas at all levels of experience and continuing education. And I am nearly finished with the qualifications for certification which include becoming a Texas State Department of Health Breastfeeding Educator! I bagan that training in January 2014 and since graduating in March, have attended 12 births! In October 2014, I also begain training as a birth and bereavement doula with Stillbirthday! I do have other plans to expand my business as a birth worker but, no, those plans do not include becoming a midwife (that is a question I get asked a lot!), so stay plugged in to learn what those plans may be! You can follow me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SDIMARCODOULA or check back here to learn what my next steps are in my journey!
If you're reading this and you're pregnant, or thinking about becoming pregnant, and you think I could be a good choice to be your doula, then fill out the contact form or click the email link to set up a free consultation! Let me help you prepare and plan for your baby's birthday and help you make the experience all that you desire!
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