Heyyyyy! How fun is this announcement??
Short story: I am officially a certified doula!
Long story: I fell in love with the miracle of birth on August 8, 2014, the night I gave birth to my first daughter, Tera. I poured over birth stories in preparation for her birth, and I was truly astounded at the miracle of how it all worked together and unfolded. After 3 more births, I wasn’t as big of a fan of birth haha, but I still held a deep fascination and love for birth. I could happily sit and listen to every detail of a birth story and I have to resist asking pregnant women what their birth plan is (as if pregnant women need more weird people asking them weird questions haha).
For 3 of my 4 births, I had a wonderful doula who served me and guided me as I went through labor and delivery. She was incredible- the best of the best in the doula world- and she did it all for free. I will never be able to forget her kindness to me in that way, and I’ve carried that kindness with me for 11+ years. Now it’s my turn to pay it forward 🙂
When my friend announced her pregnancy and didn’t have any family nearby who could be with her during labor, I volunteered for the job. I was in the room when her sweet babe was born, but I didn’t do too much to actually help, other than being there as a support. But being there was a total world changing moment for me- I knew I wanted to seek out more opportunities to be in the birth space.
I figured I would put that dream on the top shelf and take it down in a couple years when my kids are a little bit older and able to stay home alone by themselves if I had to go away for hours at a time to attend a birth.
But, a few months later, when another friend announced her pregnancy, I jokingly/seriously said “if you need a doula, I’m happy to do it”. She responded with, “really?” and then took me up on my offer. Only problem is…I wasn’t actually a doula, and I wanted to have some training under my belt so I could actually be helpful to her. At the recommendation of a different friend, I found an online doula course called Madriella. I signed up and started working my way through the 150 hour course. I LOVED the course, but I worked on it slowly in the margins of time that I had.
I started the course in early September 2025, and just finished it on May 2, 2026. What’s fun about that is that it took me about 10 months….about the same time as a normal pregnancy :).
In January, I had the privilege of being the doula for my friend’s birth. I wasn’t certified yet, but I was able to be in the room as a her support person. I cannot explain it, but being in the birth space feels so comfortable and natural to me. Have you ever done something for the first time, but you just instinctively know what to do? That’s how I feel in the room when a Mom is in labor. It just all rearranges in my head and makes perfect sense.
In early May, I had another friend who was counting on me to be her doula. She had on and off false labor for about a week, and I knew that the day was coming soon. I had one book report and my final exam left in my doula course, so on Saturday afternoon, May 2nd, I decided to sit down and finish my course. I submitted it and got a 98% on my final exam!
On May 3rd, I got to attend her birth- my first one as an official doula. After the birth, the midwife turned to me and asked me “are you just a friend, or a doula?” and I’ve never heard a better compliment in my life. I chucked a little bit and said…”well, technically, as of yesterday….I am a doula!” hahaha. But I felt so seen that she noticed that my presence wasn’t just as a friend, but I actually had something to offer to the birth. Or, at least…I think that is what she was implying.
I’m excited to learn more as I gain experience. I know I’m totally new to this world, the equivalent of a newborn baby. I have a lot to learn still!
So, where does this lead me? Well, right now..nowhere. I’m just available as a trained doula for my friends as they approach labor and delivery. At this point, I don’t plan on making a business out of it or pursuing employment in this area, but I wouldn’t be opposed to that happening sometime in the future.
If you are local to Dayton and pregnant or know of someone who is looking for a doula, I am happy to take word of mouth recommendations! For any questions or other details, you can send an email to thegloriousmundane@gmail.com
Also…how sweet is this shirt that one of my Mama’s gifted to me? She even put the babies footprints and name on the back of the shirt! I think I might need to get a little footprint kit and add of all the babies that I assist with 🙂
