Finding My Tribe

Back in August I was asked to join a very successful group of doulas. I was really flattered because the three of them were very established and I was a just a newbie. One the members told me they chose me because I was the only other doula besides herself and one of the other partners that attended a workshop on optimal fetal positioning. After that workshop I began building a relationship with the two members of the group in attendance that day. I asked questions and sought advice while at difficult births. I listened and offered my help on anything and everything they would allow me to be a part of. So when they asked me to join I was surprised, humbled and most of all grateful. Grateful for the opportunity to work with such seasoned doulas and women with so much knowledge. My business picked up and I've continued to learn from them every day since. Last night we had a meeting and welcomed another member to our group. She's been a kind of honorary member for ages but we felt it was time to make it official.

There are five of us now. One super spiritual and highly educated doula and childbirth educator that's a natural phenomenon. One awesome, highly knowledgeable and experienced doula that really leads the pack. One good hearted doula and amazing educator who's teachings empower couples like I've never seen before. And one unfreaking believable bodyworker who's intuition is indescribable. And then there's me, a relatively new doula with, I'd like to think, drive, dedication and a love for all things woman.

So what could be so wrong with these women, who's sole mission is to change the landscape of birth in this community, coming together to form a group? We've all worked together, attended births together, taught and learned from one another. Naturally we migrated towards one another. Where is the harm in that? I don't see it but I get the feeling that some people are not happy with our union. I don't get it, maybe I'm missing something. I've many friends in this industry that I spend time with and learn from. I do not exclude anyone. I'll say it again, I do not exclude anyone.

I hope that others will come to understand what our group stands for. And by others I mean folks in the local birthing community. However, even if they never come around I'm okay with that. Because we aren't in this for them, we are in this for women. We do what we do and work as hard as we work to improve women's healthcare in this city. We do what we do and work as hard as we do to make sure that women and families are empowered by their birth experience. And we do what we do and work as hard as we do because not doing so would go against everything we believe in with every last fiber of our being.