The Birth (see what I did there?) of Doula Susan

I wish I could tell you that I had one very poignant moment in my life that turned me to the idea of being a doula. 

There wasn’t. I didn’t know that doulas existed until my sister told me her friend had one for her birth. 

I googled it, of course, and lo and behold, a whole new world opened up to me. 

I had a birth doula with my first. I was overly confident in my skills to care for my new baby and decided against a postpartum doula. 

One traumatic birth later and I wished I had some support for after birth. 

After a year of survival, we were already planning for baby #2. I wasn’t sure when that would happen, so I enrolled in a postpartum doula course.

I completed it, found out I was pregnant and was put on bedrest for my first trimester. If you know me, you know my pregnancies are not easy, and there was no way I could juggle a 1 year old, a pregnancy and starting my business. 

Fast forward to my second being born; a redemptive experience for me with the same birth doula. 

After 2 weeks home, I called my birth doula, in tears, asking if she knew a postpartum doula to help when my husband returned to work. 

She did, of course, and my postpartum doula stayed with us for 6 months. 

I’d taken my postpartum doula training, but had never seen it in action. 

It was then, watching her work, that I realized this was something beautiful. 

COVID hit when my son was about 7 months old and the world shut down. 

I was at home with a 2.5 year old and a 7 month old; fearful of them getting sick.

I heard that doulas were not being allowed into hospitals or people’s homes; and that services were being offered online and through the phone.

Time passed and when my son was 2 years old, my daughter was 4, I decided it was time to, at least, get my name out there.

So, in May 2022, Doula Susan was born. I started with an Instagram page and learned the ropes slowly. Technology and social media does not always come easy. Thankfully, I had a sister and a friend who walked me through alot of it. 

My following started growing and I was starting to meet other doulas and professionals in the social media world. 

By May of 2023, I made a few friends, attended a couple of trade shows and was getting the hang of advertising my services. 

By the summer, I had signed 2 clients that were not friends or family. I was nervous and so excited to finally be doing the work that I was so passionate about. 

Through this work, I learned quickly what I loved and what I needed to improve on. I learned how important it was to build a community of perinatal providers and I was so thankful that I had laid the groundwork for this early on. 

And now, with 2024 coming to a close, and having an almost fully booked 2025, I am absolutely sure that this is what I am supposed to be doing right now. 

The opportunities that I have been given and the relationships that I have built have become a huge part of my life; and one that I cannot imagine ever doing without.

I have big dreams for Doula Susan; but right now, I am enjoying the work. The families I have met have been absolutely incredible and I am so proud of each of them. I learn something (or lots of things) from each family, and I am so honoured.

If you have any questions about my journey, or are interested in becoming a doula, please comment on this blog post or send me a message through my website. I would love to help you on your journey. 

With love,

Doula Susan