Why I Doula

Why I Doula Story by Catrina Calingaert

Why I doula is simply rooted in my life and in watching my mum. Watching her made me fall in love with helping others — especially mothers — because I saw the support my mum had, and I wished every mother could feel that same “weight lifted off me” feeling.

When my mum had her first baby she had just moved to America. She did not know many people and spent a lot of time with her in-laws. She got a lot of advice from many different sources, and she had little substantive education on her condition from her doctors. She read many books to prepare for labor and still to this day will tell you she was prepared to move around and walk her baby down.

When she got to the hospital, she was put on a fetal monitor and directed to not move. After 30 hours of labor my sister was born by cesarean section.

My mother had her mother come and stay for 6 weeks. She still talks about how lovely it was to be cared for in her most vulnerable moments. When she had me, she had a lot less support and a toddler to care for as well.

I grew up knowing “Mama’s tired because Mama does everything and Dad will be home later.” I remember how happy my mum would be when we spent time together with our neighbors and she would spend time with other moms. She would walk differently — like the weight on her shoulders was lighter — when she was with women who understood.

Every human in this world needs help. Every mother deserves support, without judgement, served with love.

Often women are watched and assessed without being looked out for.

I doula because I am looking out for my girls.

• Girls look out for girls.
• Girls support girls.
• Girls protect girls.