Monday, June 2, 2014

Adventure!

On Friday, I alluded to a new direction that I'm pursuing. Sorry for all the vagueness there... I wasn't quite ready to announce it to the internet/world. I still don't know how to transition from "telling you that I'm going to tell you" to "actually telling you." Here goes. Gulp.

I'm going to start the certification process to become a doula!!! 


I know, I'm excited, too. 

It all started with an email from Laura at A Drop in the Ocean. She sent me the link to DONA International, which is the standard of doula certification. I looked at the requirements and thought, I could do this. I tried to dismiss the thought, but I couldn't! So I began to wonder if this was a subtle hint.

A couple weeks later, the conversation and lightbulb moment happened. Samara was relaying to a friend how people tell her "you just light up" when discussing one of her passions, and I was in the corner de-fuzzing my clothes and wondering what on earth made me "light up" and then it hit me: birth makes me light up. 

{True confession: when I'm bored, I go to Camp Patton's birth story link-up and read birth stories.}

So when Samara and Cami and I made our way down to the Oregon coast for an extended Memorial Day weekend, and we just so happened to stop in Portland a) for some yummy breakfast and b) for the mother of all used bookstores, and I just so happened to find my way to the childbirth section within 3 minutes of entering the store {seriously, less than 3 minutes!}, I figured that maybe this "subtle" hint was more like "a neon-lit sign with a marching band" hint. 
And I also figured that  purchasing one book on the subject should be thought of as an investment. I joyfully, gleefully purchased Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth

{True confession: I finished the first third of the book that same day.}


Yesterday, I was home alone for the afternoon, and I decided that I should finally watch some videos, because reading can only take you so far, especially when you *cough* have a history of *cough* fainting. Previously in my life, AJ showed me the documentary "The Business of Being Born" and I made it through that one alright. But that was a few years ago, and now I needed to know what all I could visually handle. So yesterday, I watched the first episode of "The Midwives" AND the first episode of "One Born Every Minute." And I didn't faint. I didn't feel woozy. I didn't get dizzy. I didn't see spots. I'm amazed, actually. 

The responses I've received from telling people have been incredible. So many people have encouraged me in this, from "You'd be great at that!" to "Wow, that's really cool." One of my concerns was that I wouldn't be completely qualified since, um, you know, I've never had a baby. But person after person encouraged me that it wouldn't matter and that actually it's easier when you don't have kids because of the crazy "schedule." 

So that's where I'm at. I'm thrilled and nervous and excited and scared and incredulous and awed and delighted. I'm at the very beginning of this journey, and my plans are to keep this little bloggy-blog updated as my journey progresses. I'll be posting useful links, book reviews, and general thoughts as I go, so stay tuned!

12 comments:

  1. Wow Rebekah, I'm so happy for you! My sister always wanted to be a doula and I have a friend who is one. It's like when my Dad mentioned to I could become a CNA, I was surprised at how I DIDN'T react...and I'm going for it this fall. I'm so happy for you and you'll do great because you love babies, so few singles do.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Catherine! I'm really excited, too, and for your new adventure as well! How exciting that we're both beginning something new and exciting :)

      Delete
  2. SO. flipping. excited for you!!! Love you tons and so proud of you :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, bestie! You are the best and I'm so grateful for your encouragement!

      Delete
  3. WHOOHOOO girl! This is so exciting! I've been meaning to email you back but my sister's wedding crazies took over. Expect an email soon because I want to hear more about this. I'm so excited for you!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Laura! I owe a lot to you, since you put that bug in my ear ;) Can't wait for another email :)

      Delete
  4. I am BEYOND excited! (A bit jealous, too! lol) Cannot wait to watch your journey to becoming a DONA certified doula. Totally a dream of mine. I'm tickled YOU'RE going to be paving the way!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Victoria! I'm really excited, and I can't wait to update you all on my journey :)

      Delete
  5. Yay! I'm behind you 100%!!! And your awesome hand massages may come in super "handy" for this, so get ready!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. That's exciting, Rebekah! (To be honest, I had to look up "doula" in the dictionary, but I'm understanding "midwife" - yes?)
    That suits you so well :)

    ReplyDelete