Every birth I attend is special, every journey to delivery is filled with moments that fix themselves in my being. Whenever I am included in the path to parenthood, I feel honoured and privileged.
When someone hires me to be to be their support person, their "insurance policy", we usually start out as strangers, or at the most acquaintances. Over the course of the pregnancy, we get to know each other, sometimes personally, but primarily in relationship to all things birth. It is usually post birth that the broader relationship is formed, if there is to be one that goes beyond doula and babymaker.
When a friend invites me into this intimate and momentous time, the knowing is already there, and the special becomes especially special.
This just happened to me. In a wonderful and amazing way. A woman I adore, whom I respect, and who has been a source of both strength and soft for me this past three years, invited me into this most precious space. (Well, actually her husband did, but she agreed!)
What a privilege! My heart was filled with joy to be a part of this, and that joy overflowed during this journey.
There were moments we will always remember, moments to laugh about, moments to shake our heads at. We will hold those moments for each other, for this brand new life, always. It was tricky at times to juggle being the doula, and the friend. The line was blurry at best. She knew when I was "up to something", and told me so, I cried when her daughter was born... Blurry at best.
I knew she was strong, I knew that things matter to her, it's why I like her, it's why I respect her. However, it is one thing to know a thing, quite another to see it happening. She had a long labour, many parts were challenging, she never lost her center, she kept her humour, she did what she needed to do. Her husband walked every step with her, he held her, he breathed with her, he was there.
They were incredible, I am so proud of them.
