Planting Seeds

In honor of the beautiful South Carolina spring, I can not help but rejoice in planting a garden. This is the first year I have used heirloom tomatoes. I was given two tiny plants from an avid gardener who does not charge for them. She simply is so excited to pass on these wise and natural fruits. For those not familiar with the heirloom variety, you can re-grow plants every year by saving the seeds from previous season. There are many heirloom varieties traced back to the 1800s. How exciting it is to discover this old fruit who has passed on its wisdom over and over. This plant must know something. It has survived for centuries.

As long as the gardener is willing to give the plants what they need, these tomatoes will produce year after year; and potentially, generation after generation. These little plants promise more than just fresh sauces, salas, and perfect salads. Their patience and perseverance reminds me of the promises and fruits in doula work.

When we freely share our natural wisdom as mothers, it is so empowering, we can not keep it to ourselves. We must pass it on, much like the fruit of the heirloom tomato.

When a doula spends time nurturing and caring for mothers during their pregnancy, seeds of our natural abilities to birth and breastfeed are planted. A doula gives time and attention to the mother, encourages her to spread her own roots and become strong and powerful in her natural ability to birth and mother.

When the time comes for her to birth her baby, her doula is there: encouraging her, reminding her of her strength and deep, strong roots. Giving the mother what she needs. She is much more confident in her ability to birth and mother. The seeds are planted and nurtured in pregnancy, blossom during birth, and bear fruit as mothers pass on her new-found knowledge. And having discovered this old wisdom within herself, a strong confident mother encourages another pregnant mother to spread her roots: To be strong and powerful in preparation of bearing her own precious fruit.

Then, much like the little heirloom seed, she shares the fruit of her birth experience and the wisdom she found within herself with one friend.
Then another.
And another.

I have watched young mothers pass on their wisdom to other young mothers. She simply is so excited to pass on these wise and natural fruits: realizing the importance of nurturing her natural wisdom, strength and sharing our natural ability to breastfeed and birth.

As long as the mothers are willing to give each other what they need, these inner wisdoms will produce confident strong mothers year after year; and potentially, generation after generation. Our bodies must know something. We have survived millennia.

Birth Matters plus Health Connect One: A Doula for Every Mother.

The Health Connect One Mission states:

HealthConnect One (HC One) is a nationally recognized nonprofit training and technical assistance agency that uses innovative, community-based approaches to support direct-service providers in promoting the health of mothers, infants, and families.

http://www.healthconnectone.org/

On the journey to becoming a professional doula, I have had the honor to be a part of the Health Connect One model of labor doula work. I am amazed at the success, commitment and depth of their program. The Health Connect One experience brings light to the honor and depth of the “Doula” title.

Most recently, I have been a part of the neighborhood doula training. I love the emphasis on meeting a mom where she is. The training focuses on the fundamentals of supporting a mother through pregnancy and her birth. The model teaches doulas to love on a mother how she needs love: whether she is excited about information about her birth choices, or she needs support getting the resources she needs to parent. The supportive love flows into every corner of the mother’s life, giving her the power to make choices. Ultimately, the mother will have a better birth experience because her needs are met and she is empowered to birth and parent how she needs to parent-- No matter what it looks like.

This is not to say the normalcy of birth and the importance of breastfeeding are neglected. On the contrary, they are emphasized and encouraged. Birth Matters’ neighborhood doulas have a 100% breastfeeding rate. That speaks volumes for the success of the model.

The neighborhood doulas are exceptional women. They have answered a call to love their neighbors. Health Connect One provides the training to shape that love and calling. The Health Connect One Doulas’ commitment to the health of mothers, infants, and families is inspiring. Sitting with these women, hearing their stories in supporting families is an honor. It has completely reshaped my understanding and practice as a doula.