I pushed myself and dove head first into the deep waters of birth and birth support full time in 2024.
There’s a lot more to the “what I learned” list than these but this is a good start. I probably did way more than I should have, but don’t regret it. Every moment, every mother, every birth taught me something I didn’t know before.
Due dates don’t matter. Even if you space them out or put them together. They come when they come (or induced).
I’m constantly amazed at the strength of a woman pushed beyond what she believes to be her limits.
I can do more good by teaching and mentoring others.
Listen to my gut when I don’t feel a connection and not force it, just because there is a need, it doesn’t mean it’s my responsibility to fill it.
I am not everyone’s doula and that’s ok.
To stay in my own lane. I know how I best serve and it most often doesn’t look like any other doulas service. My love language is truly quality time and that is what I give most to my clients.
To care for myself and speak to myself the way I do for my clients. Even at a birth, I can take time for myself. I can better serve when I’m not pouring from an empty vessel.
Thank you to all the families that trusted me in 2024! I learned so much, and pray I will continue to learn in the coming years.
For the Birthworkers:
I learned to close my books earlier and not stress. If I close them earlier, I still have room if I want to take more on…but I don’t have to stress about having the amount of clients I need. It ends up giving me some down time…or those clients come when they come!
Just because there is a need, it doesn’t mean it is my responsibility to fill it. This is a big one for me. I have to remind myself that I could be stealing someone else’s joy or opportunities if I take something on that I know I shouldn’t. I’m learning to listen to my gut when I don’t feel a connection and not force it.
If I have to sell myself and services to them, they are not the client for me.
My time and efforts are valuable and it’s ok for me to expect to be compensated for it. And it’s ok to not accept less (referring to clients who could afford services but don’t want to compensate me properly).
Stay in my own lane. I know how I best serve and it often doesn’t look like any other doula’s services. My love language is quality time, and that’s what I give most to my clients.
Even at a birth, I can take time for myself. If I step out to rest, reset, or eat and there is a need there will be someone who can fill it. I will also serve better.
