Entering into birth work wasn’t part of my story. I was determined to be a filmmaker. Succeeding as a camera assistant—though a technical position—many admired my sense of motherly care within an industry that can lack much of this.
Though it wasn’t at the forefront of my perspective, becoming a doula was something that resonated within me. I knew much about a birth doula, yet hadn’t heard much about a postpartum doula.
When my pregnancy came along, all my preparation was for the birth, and little went into my postpartum planning. This was the pinnacle moment. Experiencing some challenges of my own, the realization of “why don’t we talk more about postpartum?” and seeing the cultural differences in care inspired me to take action toward my new journey.
As women, we tend to feel like we have to prove we can do it all—create life, birth life, support life—with as little support for ourselves. I am guilty of this.
I want you to know that I am here for you. You deserve as much care as your newborn. Tend to your body. Tend to your mind. Tend to your soul.
As cheesy as this sounds, I say it’s fact: “It takes a village to raise a child.” I also say, “It takes a village to support a parent.”