Trained Doula

Goddess Kali is a powerful Hindu Goddess, she is the essence of Mother Nature and represents the fertility of new crops and new life. Kali is the ultimate Goddess for helping things reach fruition and she is a powerful force to those who call upon her. Kali will help you reach your full potential, she is particularly powerful when it is time to move on, start a new project or phase in your life.

This past weekend, I attended a birth doula workshop.  It was very enlightening and empowering to learn about all of the ways that doulas can help a woman have the birth experience she desires.  I was reminded of the fact that we can help ANY laboring woman, not just the ones who desire an unmedicated and low intervention birth.  All women need a hand to hold, and while her partner may be the obvious first choice, there are times when the partner is either unavailable, insufficient, or incapable.  Especially for heterosexual relationships, the partner may not understand the feelings on discomfort a woman feels when enduring labor.

In the workshop, we went through an exercise of finding out what type of doula you will be.  It turned out that for me, my reasons for becoming a doula are more for being an advocate of the woman.  While, of course, we're all concerned for the health and well-being of the baby, my primary concern is to empower the woman.  We are constantly reminded to NEVER speak for the woman, but to encourage her to speak for herself.  We are her personal cheerleaders.

At the end of the workshop, in addition to receiving some run-of-the-mill certificates, I also received this very cool goddess pendant.   As the caption above states, Kali is a powerful force for those who call upon her.  I love this pendant not only because it ties very nicely into my Hindu beliefs, but also because I feel I can be a powerful force to laboring women.  I am here to help a woman help herself.  I plan on wearing this pendant to every birth I attend.  I feel it will help me stay calm and collected as I start this journey of becoming a better doula.  I also feel I can use it as a focusing tool for the mother.  If I can get her to focus on the pendant, get her to draw on the powers of this Goddess to make it through 'just one more pressure wave', then I've successfully gotten her one step closer to the ultimate goal.  In addition, many doulas add a bead to their pendant necklaces for every birth they've attended.  Not only is it a great way to denote each birth, but I also view it as a way to draw on each experience.  Since every birth is so very different, I anticipate learning something new every time.  As a way to bring that with me to every birth, I will wear this necklace.  In addition, each woman brings in a certain level of power to each birth.  So by wearing it, I wish to tie all these laboring woman together, adding to the sisterhood of laboring woman, giving each other strength, confidence, and patience to make it through.

Incidentally, if you know of anyone looking for a doula in the Orange County (California) area, let me know.  I'm taking clients!  You can email me at shadargee@yahoo.com