World doula week is upon us, and I've gone out into the Fort Wayne birth community to ask a few questions of a fellow birth professional who I respect very much, Kirsten Lane of Sacred Lane Birth Services.
Kirsten, tell us a little about your background and what lead you to the path of being a birth and postpartum doula.
I first came across the term doula when I was pregnant with my daughter in 2009. I hadn’t heard of this before so I began looking further into it. When I read the description, “a woman who serves”, I knew this was my calling. I have always had a great passion for helping woman during pregnancy and birth but didn’t know there was a job that encompassed this. I was able to take the DONA training course in the summer of 2011 and I am now enrolled with Birth Arts International to achieve certification in both birth and postpartum doula care.
You are one of the few doulas who seem to do it all, along with your thriving birth doula services, you also offer placenta encapsulation and postpartum doula services. How do you think having all those skills benefits your clients?
Having a great birth is only a small aspect of a woman’s story. Her postpartum wellness is vital to her mental and physical healing and something that I can help her achieve. Placenta encapsulation can help balance those postpartum hormones and facilitate in a more gentle recovery. When you add in postpartum doula care, you have the perfect trifecta. Now the mother can relax and care for her new baby while someone else helps with simple household tasks.
Given that every birth is different, and people have a wide range of personalities, what do you think is most important for women to consider when looking for a doula?
I think it’s important for both to feel comfortable with each other. I encourage prospective clients to interview multiple doulas before they make their choice. You have to feel like you mesh well together and that you can be open with each other. As a doula I always feel honored when asked to join such a sacred moment.
2015 is a year of many changes for you. What are some of your business goals to reach this year and what steps are you taking to get there?
My biggest goal this year is to complete my training programs and become a certified birth and postpartum doula. It has taken me longer than I thought but having babies (personally and professionally) has kept me rather busy. ;) I am also working diligently on building my business and getting my name out there so women know the many options they have.
If you could give a piece of advice for someone who is considering being a doula, what would it be?
Oh so many words.... Time, compassion, commitment, support. Those are just a few words that come to my mind when thinking about this work. Doulas don’t have the traditional 9-5 job. I’ll sneak out of the house all hours of the day and night to go serve another family and come home with a great birth high but the exhaustions hits quickly thereafter. The compassion to give yourself to others in a time of need is so very rewarding but takes support from others. This isn’t a job that I do alone. There are so many people in the background that make my job possible. Without them none of this would be possible!
Kirsten, thank you so much for taking the time to share with us today. I am so grateful for your compassion and willingness to help whenever I may need it. If you'd like to learn more about Kirsten and her services, check our her website: http://www.sacredlanebirth.com/
Alecia Miller, CD
This post is part of a challenge series honoring World Doula Week. To see the work of the other amazing birth professions participating, please click the image below.
Kirsten, tell us a little about your background and what lead you to the path of being a birth and postpartum doula.
I first came across the term doula when I was pregnant with my daughter in 2009. I hadn’t heard of this before so I began looking further into it. When I read the description, “a woman who serves”, I knew this was my calling. I have always had a great passion for helping woman during pregnancy and birth but didn’t know there was a job that encompassed this. I was able to take the DONA training course in the summer of 2011 and I am now enrolled with Birth Arts International to achieve certification in both birth and postpartum doula care.
You are one of the few doulas who seem to do it all, along with your thriving birth doula services, you also offer placenta encapsulation and postpartum doula services. How do you think having all those skills benefits your clients?
Having a great birth is only a small aspect of a woman’s story. Her postpartum wellness is vital to her mental and physical healing and something that I can help her achieve. Placenta encapsulation can help balance those postpartum hormones and facilitate in a more gentle recovery. When you add in postpartum doula care, you have the perfect trifecta. Now the mother can relax and care for her new baby while someone else helps with simple household tasks.
Given that every birth is different, and people have a wide range of personalities, what do you think is most important for women to consider when looking for a doula?
I think it’s important for both to feel comfortable with each other. I encourage prospective clients to interview multiple doulas before they make their choice. You have to feel like you mesh well together and that you can be open with each other. As a doula I always feel honored when asked to join such a sacred moment.
2015 is a year of many changes for you. What are some of your business goals to reach this year and what steps are you taking to get there?
My biggest goal this year is to complete my training programs and become a certified birth and postpartum doula. It has taken me longer than I thought but having babies (personally and professionally) has kept me rather busy. ;) I am also working diligently on building my business and getting my name out there so women know the many options they have.
If you could give a piece of advice for someone who is considering being a doula, what would it be?
Oh so many words.... Time, compassion, commitment, support. Those are just a few words that come to my mind when thinking about this work. Doulas don’t have the traditional 9-5 job. I’ll sneak out of the house all hours of the day and night to go serve another family and come home with a great birth high but the exhaustions hits quickly thereafter. The compassion to give yourself to others in a time of need is so very rewarding but takes support from others. This isn’t a job that I do alone. There are so many people in the background that make my job possible. Without them none of this would be possible!
Kirsten, thank you so much for taking the time to share with us today. I am so grateful for your compassion and willingness to help whenever I may need it. If you'd like to learn more about Kirsten and her services, check our her website: http://www.sacredlanebirth.com/
Alecia Miller, CD
This post is part of a challenge series honoring World Doula Week. To see the work of the other amazing birth professions participating, please click the image below.