Birthing
Wisdom training 2005/2006
I completed my training with Olivia in July of 2006. My experience of the training was certainly a life changing and profound one. It is hard to do it justice in writing but I will try to communicate what I felt were the most important things that I took from the course. I think that this in itself demonstrates one very valuable & singular aspect of the training; that it creates a space in which every participant can grow and learn in a way that is unique to them. I believe that each of us in our group took something different but equally precious and personally relevant away with us.
The training showed me what deep inner resources I already had; what deep inner resources all women have available to them if they are guided in where & how to look, and if they feel loved and supported in that process.
I learnt that in many ways the lessons we learn about and through birth are lessons for life, both for ourselves as Doulas & the couples we work with.
Once glimpsed, the gift of that knowledge is never forgotten and you begin to see the opportunities for growth every day. Personally, this gave me a quiet confidence in myself, my ability and the world, whether attending a birth or living a heart centered life with my family. It is akin to having an extra pair of eyes through which to see the world.
Having completed the course, there’s no feeling of “knowing it all” or having finished my learning, but I do feel quite transformed through the experience. I feel a deep respect and gratitude for the knowledge of how much there is to learn in life if you are open to it. This doesn’t start or finish with a course or qualification but certainly through the training I now feel more equipped than ever to appreciate and grow through the experiences of my work and life.
In essence the training reminds me of the difference between giving a starving family a fish or the means to catch their own fish! We certainly learnt a lot about the work that is of practical use, but where I personally felt the most value lie, was in what we learnt about how to learn; how to listen to and respond sensitively and with respect to ourselves, to the women we work with, to birth and to life. Through this, I feel ready and inspired to meet whatever life as a Doula brings.
Keeley
My first experience as a doula
My first birth as a doula was exciting and fearful at the same time (trying not to show any of these emotions but remaining calm and confident!). The praying begins that everything will go to ‘Plan’ and a real sense of dread that ‘you’ have to make it happen. I think that was a feeling I had of my responsibility initially. This belief, I now know to be totally unrealistic.
The birth training I had enabled me to be non-judgmental, to not let my personal experiences get in the way, to not only listen but really hear and see what was needed, even if it was just a look of reassurance, a touch and a smile. As a yoga teacher of many years my approach is very steady and calm. I felt the preparation I was able to give and techniques I could share helped my ‘mum’ to feel confident and empowered, whilst keeping her down in her body and not up in her head.
My first home, water birth proved to me that as a doula we do have a powerful influence that can only help and encourage a positive outcome however the birth may unfold. Continuity of support, compassion and belief in a woman gives her an inner strength and confidence to ‘trust the process of birthing’.
Few births go 100% to ‘The Birth Plan’ - this one didn’t! Though a healthy child was born at home (not in the water as planned) both mum and baby had to spend time in hospital afterwards. Having gone through a long labour baby’s presentation was posterior and then the shoulders became stuck. An episiotomy was performed which was very traumatic, this quick decision had to be made by the midwife as mum had little energy left and baby just wasn’t moving - clear signs of distress! An ambulance arrived to rush baby off and make sure baby was breathing and all was OK. Thank goodness it was.
After the birth when I was left in the house alone I started clearing away the mess left – literally! Much was thrown away and what could be washed was put into the machine. Floors were cleaned and other areas that had been used were all put back into place. I spoke with parents in Australia to let them know that their grandchild had arrived and all was well.
Lighting some lavender candles to give a nice fragrance and bring myself into a relaxed state I sat quietly reflecting on what was ‘quite a birth’ for my first. One of the lovely midwives came back to see me and check I was ok and thought I’d really been ‘thrown in the deep end’. We had a cup of tea and chatted I was able to talk through things with her and know that mum and baby were doing fine in the hospital and 'these things do happen'. I planned to drive over when she left so I could see them personally and also to bring daddy and daughter back home as they hadn’t any transport. They came home to a nice orderly house with food, drink and beds waiting for them to get some much needed rest too.
Each birth brings something special and unique in the person you connect with and the experience you share with them. All the births I have now attended have given me a real diverse experience of life and people and I will be forever grateful for this privilege.
Julie Archer
I completed my training with Olivia in July of 2006. My experience of the training was certainly a life changing and profound one. It is hard to do it justice in writing but I will try to communicate what I felt were the most important things that I took from the course. I think that this in itself demonstrates one very valuable & singular aspect of the training; that it creates a space in which every participant can grow and learn in a way that is unique to them. I believe that each of us in our group took something different but equally precious and personally relevant away with us.
The training showed me what deep inner resources I already had; what deep inner resources all women have available to them if they are guided in where & how to look, and if they feel loved and supported in that process.
I learnt that in many ways the lessons we learn about and through birth are lessons for life, both for ourselves as Doulas & the couples we work with.
Once glimpsed, the gift of that knowledge is never forgotten and you begin to see the opportunities for growth every day. Personally, this gave me a quiet confidence in myself, my ability and the world, whether attending a birth or living a heart centered life with my family. It is akin to having an extra pair of eyes through which to see the world.
Having completed the course, there’s no feeling of “knowing it all” or having finished my learning, but I do feel quite transformed through the experience. I feel a deep respect and gratitude for the knowledge of how much there is to learn in life if you are open to it. This doesn’t start or finish with a course or qualification but certainly through the training I now feel more equipped than ever to appreciate and grow through the experiences of my work and life.
In essence the training reminds me of the difference between giving a starving family a fish or the means to catch their own fish! We certainly learnt a lot about the work that is of practical use, but where I personally felt the most value lie, was in what we learnt about how to learn; how to listen to and respond sensitively and with respect to ourselves, to the women we work with, to birth and to life. Through this, I feel ready and inspired to meet whatever life as a Doula brings.
Keeley
My first experience as a doula
My first birth as a doula was exciting and fearful at the same time (trying not to show any of these emotions but remaining calm and confident!). The praying begins that everything will go to ‘Plan’ and a real sense of dread that ‘you’ have to make it happen. I think that was a feeling I had of my responsibility initially. This belief, I now know to be totally unrealistic.
The birth training I had enabled me to be non-judgmental, to not let my personal experiences get in the way, to not only listen but really hear and see what was needed, even if it was just a look of reassurance, a touch and a smile. As a yoga teacher of many years my approach is very steady and calm. I felt the preparation I was able to give and techniques I could share helped my ‘mum’ to feel confident and empowered, whilst keeping her down in her body and not up in her head.
My first home, water birth proved to me that as a doula we do have a powerful influence that can only help and encourage a positive outcome however the birth may unfold. Continuity of support, compassion and belief in a woman gives her an inner strength and confidence to ‘trust the process of birthing’.
Few births go 100% to ‘The Birth Plan’ - this one didn’t! Though a healthy child was born at home (not in the water as planned) both mum and baby had to spend time in hospital afterwards. Having gone through a long labour baby’s presentation was posterior and then the shoulders became stuck. An episiotomy was performed which was very traumatic, this quick decision had to be made by the midwife as mum had little energy left and baby just wasn’t moving - clear signs of distress! An ambulance arrived to rush baby off and make sure baby was breathing and all was OK. Thank goodness it was.
After the birth when I was left in the house alone I started clearing away the mess left – literally! Much was thrown away and what could be washed was put into the machine. Floors were cleaned and other areas that had been used were all put back into place. I spoke with parents in Australia to let them know that their grandchild had arrived and all was well.
Lighting some lavender candles to give a nice fragrance and bring myself into a relaxed state I sat quietly reflecting on what was ‘quite a birth’ for my first. One of the lovely midwives came back to see me and check I was ok and thought I’d really been ‘thrown in the deep end’. We had a cup of tea and chatted I was able to talk through things with her and know that mum and baby were doing fine in the hospital and 'these things do happen'. I planned to drive over when she left so I could see them personally and also to bring daddy and daughter back home as they hadn’t any transport. They came home to a nice orderly house with food, drink and beds waiting for them to get some much needed rest too.
Each birth brings something special and unique in the person you connect with and the experience you share with them. All the births I have now attended have given me a real diverse experience of life and people and I will be forever grateful for this privilege.
Julie Archer
