I Am Thankful For (A Doula’s Thoughts)

I am thankful for women who hire doulas.

I am thankful for having a toddler so that I can easily comfort a bewildered 2 year old that sees her mama in labor.

I am thankful for knowing the right words to calm a laboring mama’s fears.

I am thankful for an empty labor and delivery floor.

I am thankful for lemon essential oils for nausea.

I am thankful for hospital green disk puke bags for when the essential oils don’t work.

I am thankful for encouraging triage nurses that support a mama when they hear she wants to have a natural childbirth.

I am thankful for laughter and smiles even at 7 cm.

I am thankful for the knowledge that getting out of bed and walking to the toilet can hasten labor.

I am thankful for my ability to hold the space while mamas loose it in labor and accesses their inner-primate.

I am thankful for women who follow their instincts.

I am thankful for nurses who are willing to try new things like a vaginal exam in the bathroom.

I am thankful for FAST labors when the birth fairy bestows an intervention happy OB.

I am thankful for immediate skin-to-skin contact.

I am thankful for babies that latch on before I go home.

I am thankful for the healing nature of birth.

I am thankful for my midwife and my right to choose where I birth.