The Story of my First Birth

It all began with an ask.

She asked me to accompany her during the birth of her first child! She did not have any family nearby and she had never been to a birth herself, but she had a feeling that she might need a little help. I had no idea exactly what I was agreeing to or what to expect.

What I did know was that I loved my friend fiercely and that I would do literally anything for her.

I had never attended a birth before either - I had only seen one on TV. And just like on TV, her water broke early - we were actually headed to get pedicures together that morning!

Long story short, it turned into a somewhat complicated and long labor. I supported her nearly non-stop for three days through several medical interventions, even a near cesarean section.

Fortunately, she had a midwife who was staunchly protective of her right to give birth her own way. So I stayed by her side and did anything and everything that was asked of me by her and the medical team. This ended up including some pretty intense emotional and physical support. I was happy to do it, it felt like the most important job in the world. I spent hours rotating cold compresses, interpreting medical jargon, fetching ice, filling up the birthing tub, all while providing her a steady stream of positive affirmations and contraband Tums.

On that extraordinary third day, the moment that her baby was finally born, I just knew I had found my place. Things further solidified when one of the nurses asked how long I had been a Doula. I asked her what that meant and then immediately started looking into trainings! I have been learning and helping families ever since.