I love a good story. I love the emotional retelling of them, the details and the ups and downs. I especially love birth stories.
When I was pregnant I binge watched youtube moms retelling their birth stories because it helped me prepare for my own. It helped me know that every birth is different. I learned that birth doesn’t have to be scary as portrayed in Hollywood. I learned that sometimes there are emergencies. I learned that everyone handles pain differently. And as I prepared for so many possibilities, it gave me comfort that I could do this too. There are so many women who went before me that were able to do it. It gave me strength listening to their stories and empowered me to go forth and do the same.
Once I gave birth I immediately loved telling my own birth story to whoever would listen! Retelling the ups and downs , the hard parts, the ugly parts and the beautiful helped me remember my birth, connect the pieces and empower me to help others with mistakes that were made. I became a doula shortly after!
Since then I have loved listening to others stories once they are back home and some what settled. Since every birth is different, every story is too! And they are all special. Knowing that you are being heard and someone is here for you means a lot.
Some women experience birth trauma. Especially Black and latina women who are at a higher rate to die from pregnancy related issues or report higher instances of provider aggressions and neglect in healthcare. Some people experience healing through talking and connecting with their postpartum doula for emotional support.
Since becoming a postpartum doula, I have created a service to help postpartum women emotionally. I support them through the retelling of their birth story over tea. Through deep listening, I help them find new perspective if needed and growth beyond trauma if that’s what they experience. I am in no way replacing mental health services, counseling or psychologists. But assisting in listening in a form of healing. These compassionate sessions inspire self reflection and help you have a positive relationship with your birth story.
I want you to know that You dear woman are respected, heard, seen, affirmed and are powerful. There is no judgement of how your baby entered the world. Tell your story. Pass it on. I am here to listen!