Radical Doula

About two months ago, I posted a call for radical doulas, because a woman had emailed me who was having trouble finding a doula to attend her birth. A refresher of her situation: 

Last week I received an email from a woman living in a small town outside of Minneapolis, MN who has had a terrible time trying to find a doula. She is now 17 weeks pregnant, and she told me how she has been turned down, not once, not twice, but THREE times by three different doulas. Why?

–The first doula turned her down because she is not sure if she wants to give birth without an epidural.

–The second doula turned her down because she was pregnant with twins, and decided to do a selective reduction and terminate one of the pregnancies at 11 weeks.

–The third doula turned her down because she is serving as a surrogate for a gay couple.

Well I have good news! She found a doula. While the doula she eventually found was in her own doctor’s office (a former doula and midwife), I want to say thank you to everyone who emailed me, forwarded the message along and offered their support and assistance for her doula search. I got more than 12 offers from women to be her doula, in addition to offers to screen doulas for her, and much more. It was really amazing to see what kind of mobilizing you were all willing to do. Thank you!

Lastly, I just want to share with you her words:

I’m so relieved and happy to have found someone that I know will be great to work with. I really, really appreciate your help in this situation too. Just having your support reassured me that I was doing the right thing in trying to find a doula. The search was a little difficult but it helped me so much to know that there are really awesome women (like yourself) out there who would be willing to help if they could.

Thank you again and if it’s ok with you I would like to update you once the baby is born. I’m looking forward to a successful doula attended birth!

So thanks again to all of you for your support and solidarity.