As you all know, I've discovered a passion for all things pregnancy/labor/delivery. I've basically gone through each year of my life since High School, wandering and wondering what I was meant to do with my life. As I sit here today, I truly believe that I am called to be around people. I know that sounds ridiculous. 'God wants me to be a social butterfly'. Yea. I guess that does sound a bit silly. Anybody can go to college right out of high school and succeed at something they pick out of the 'major/minor' list. But for some reason all that happens to me when I try to 'pick' something off of that list is frustration and a feeling of being overwhelmed. There are so many things in life that I love. I love Christ, kids, animals(mammals, reptiles, amphibians, arachnids, etc.), people(faith or not, left or right, crooked or straight, light or dark). I love art. I love design. I love colors. I love architecture. If I had any idea how difficult it would be to decide on a career path I would've just started college while I was still in high school and probably would've gotten stuck there forever! :-) I kid, I kid...
SO- back to my original thought. After the Aviator and I moved to Texas back in May of '09, I observed that it would be a bit tedious to start classes up again in the Fall only to have to get out of them in time to move again. And then we found out that we're moving to Japan. Even when I was sure we'd be somewhere long enough to finish a semester, we had to move 2 weeks before finals, in which case, all of my teachers were understanding enough to allow me to take them 2 weeks early. My point is this. Unless I intend on putting off my first 2nd priority, being a Mom, for the next 3+ years, I just don't see why it's so necessary for me to decide on a 'college degree' as my career path source.
I realize that from the start, I've taken rather untraditional approaches to things- CHSPE in my junior year of high school, crazy hair-do's, crazy lifestyles, impetuous life changing decisions (moving to Phoenix within 2 weeks of deciding to do so), marrying the man of my dreams in less than 6 months of setting eyes on him... You know... Those things... :-) I don't think that I'd be who I am today without those life experiences. I honestly believe that God has used ALL of my poor decisions and even better decisions to glorify Him. I really do. In fact, that is Biblical! Can I say that I wouldn't change a thing? I think so. God has shown me such grace and mercy that if I did change a thing, I might not be able to fully understand what His love truly is.
This weekend is a big weekend for me. I know that most people you ask won't even know what a doula is. In fact, I'm pretty sure that most of them won't even care what a doula is. Ask them again when they are pregnant. :-) I need to make something extra clear. I feel like some of those who are close to me think that I am somehow anti-obstetricians or anesthesiologist or something like that. I am NOT any of those things. I am, however, anti-unnecessary interventions in labor and delivery. My personal feelings on those things are SO separate from my duty as a doula that I will not even make them known to the mothers that I will be working with. My job is to help the mother have her dream birth, not my dream birth. Another thing, I am not going to be the one making medical decisions. I am not ever going to communicate with the medical staff in place of the mother. That is not part of a doula's job description.
Another big thing that I've heard a lot about is "What if?". What if what? What if all of the horrible stories you've heard from some mothers happens?? What if we let the mothers' body do it's job, what it was designed to do? What if we let go of fear? What if we educate ourselves on what really needs to be worried about? Those are my 'what if's. Read books. Google it. It's out there people. :-) Talk to a midwife. Talk to a doula. Talk to someone that has had a natural labor. Talk to someone that has experienced a home birth.
Oh yes. And another thing... :-) Obviously, I've never given birth. I don't have any children of our own and I certainly can't begin to imagine what it's like to bring a baby in to the world. But after reading hundreds of testimonials from mothers that have had amazing birthing experiences and horrible ones the like, I would like to think that I can still somewhat sympathize with a birthing woman, if not only our kinship in being women. For example; I've heard new moms tell other pregnant women that 'it is going to be like this'. So because one person experienced a birth one way, means that every birth will be like that. This is not the case, obviously. So even if I had a child of my own, my limited personal experience pales in comparison to a mother of 3 or 4. That is just how I feel about it now. I'm sure that after I've had babies of my own, I'll have a different take on it but for now... That's just how I see it.
Well, now that I've rambled on and on for the past hour... :-)
Seriously though. It's really frustrating when women don't do the research for themselves. Considering how much thought and intention is put in to buying a car or a digital camera, why not do the same with your options for delivering babies? It doesn't stop with the gift registry.
