Tuesday, February 22, 2011

I Survived Doula Training

Wow. What a weekend!

I am exhausted, overwhelmed, challenged, encouraged, inspired...and so many other things. I openly admit to being a "birth nerd". And spending the weekend with other birth junkies was way too fun! But, it was a lot of work too...I am completely drained, mentally, emotionally, and physically.

I spent 4 hours Friday night, and then from 8:30-6:00 Saturday and Sunday in training to become a Birth Doula with DONA International. I learned so much- from the positions of babies in the uterus to how to keep records for tax purposes, from keeping birth charts to different massage and relaxation techniques, the pros and cons of different pain medications, and all about medical interventions.

If you would like to know more about how to become a Birth Doula, here is the certification process. I have been working towards certification for quite some time now, and attending the training workshop was a big hurdle. I still cannot believe how it all worked out for me to go at the last minute (and at 8 months pregnant!) 

The day before the conference was a huge scramble to get all of the laundry, dishes, grocery shopping, homework, packing for a trip, preparing food for the three of us for three days so that we can stick to our one-night-eating-out-a-week-rule, getting the cat taken care of, etc. etc. The day after we returned home (Monday) was a rinse and repeat...catching up on couponing, grocery shopping, dishes, laundry, unpacking, homework, et cetera. I feel like I dropped off of the earth for three days. And honestly, that was wonderful. Even if I am now trying to pick up all of the pieces, completely spent.

This weekend has also really made me realize that I will be graduating this year, and then what?! Getting baby # 2 here has been such a focus (naturally) that it's hard for me to recognize that I'm going to have to start trying to figure out some kind of job soon! (And don't get me wrong, I think being a mom is a full-time job. If only it paid monetarily- sigh).

But, I digress. Let me just catch my breath from this amazing weekend and get this baby here....

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think you are going to make a fabulous Doula!! Now REST! :)

CourtneyKeb said...

I'm glad your excited and passionate about something so amazing! I can only imagine the feeling, and hope you find a job that you love and allows you to balance parenthood appropriately!

Baby soon!!! :)

Unknown said...

I'd love to be a stay-at-home mom. Unfortunately it doesn't pay, like you said. As much as I would love to be there every second, I fear I will be a working mom pretty much the whole time.

michelle said...

I am so happy that you had a amazing time there! What an exciting opportunity for you. Hopefully you can rest a bit before baby #2 comes along, not too far away! ;)

Mama Gone Green said...

You must be so happy that you managed to get that training in at 8 months pregnant. And you must be EXHAUSTED! Are you feeling more prepared for your own birth now that you have been immersed in birth for a full weekend?

Katie Olthoff said...

Wow, congrats! That is awesome!

I wish you could come be my doula!

Mommyto3andahusky said...

Hello, I Just found your blog and wanted to say hello! :) I became a follower!