Goodbye 2021!
As I look back on 2021, I want to say, "Thank you for your support!" This year has been filled with some of the highest highs and some of the lowest lows... I'm sure you can relate...
I have seen some of the most beautiful births and some of the most traumatic births. There was one week this year I spent a whopping 90 hours with only three laboring moms and each one ended in a homebirth to hospital transfer after ALL the things were tried to help their babies out. It was probably my hardest week since becoming a doula.
Shortly after that week I attended 2 "ideal" births with everything going exactly according to plan with Christmas light ambiance, soft music playing, and the most blissful postpartum times.
I always say that birth is unpredictable, but this year has completely rubbed that in my face. I saw births that their first was 24+ hours and their second came in under 5 hours. I saw births that were the complete opposite where prior babies came with precipitous labors and their last came with an 18+ hour labor.
I have completely trusted myself most the time, but for the first time since my doula career started, I have doubted my knowledge at times. I have been taught the most wonderful lessons in the hardest ways. I have cried more tears than I ever have doing this work.
BUT... I wouldn't change it for a thing. I supported 31 families this year in welcoming their newest family members.
I supported 17 homebirths and 9 hospital births in person while the other 5 were supported virtually with added postpartum support and/or a photo session.
I also welcomed my own sweet squish this year on July 8th. He came fast and furious in another ideal homebirth with both siblings present and showing me wonderful support. He is exactly what I needed in my life and I had no idea.
As I look forward to 2022, I can't wait to support more families, learn more lessons, and enjoy spreading my love and knowledge to all the birthing people who enter my life.
Enjoy just a few images from this year's births. Included is one photo from my own birth by my birth photographer and friend, Brezi Merryman.
