#LoveDrunk Devotional: Moment of Struggle
Here’s a little something from my altered state of mind
You know that high you receive from all of the oxytocin, dopamine and pheromones swirling around a birth space? This environment can shift in intensity depending on the situations in labor but more often than not, I leave a birth space feeling all kinds of #LoveDrunk.
My midwifery mentor and preceptor Laurie always says “Birth is a love event” and as Doulas we know this to be true. Love drives birth. Connection cultivates labor. The bonds are the true blessings.
#LoveDrunk started as (and still is) a joke, but while in deep chat conversation with a fellow Doula this week, I decided to feature it as the title of my love filled ramblings for the Doula community that I am a part of. I think of many of you when I attend births. I plug into community, I tune into community because I know I need that support and I am always willing to give it right back to my fullest ability.
In today’s #LoveDrunk Devotional “the moment of struggle” is on my mind. In birth, we know this to be a transitional moment, a shifting of gears. Take a moment and consider all of the responses you have ever had to a birthing person in transition. When they look you straight in the eye and say “I can’t do this.”
I’ll give you a moment.
Can we conceptualize giving this kind of support to one another as Doulas and birth workers in general during our journey?
In the 15 months that I have been a student midwife I have witnessed the inevitability of burnout, self doubt and perfection paralysis in the student community. As Doulas, we know that this is all a part of our ebb and flow journey in portal work. I like to think of it as a “moment of struggle”, because when we are truly called to work, these doubts and this strain lasts merely as long as it takes to receive the loving feedback from your supportive community. We may fall on thoughts of “How can I manage this schedule?” “Where will I continue to find clients?” “Will I succeed?” But it only takes an exchange with another birth worker, a moment of being heard and witnessed, to provide us with reassurance, tools, resources and energy to continue our trek forward.
If you need those words or that support today, consider this your sign. Reach out to your community, reach out to us, reach out to me, and allow yourself to be supported in the way that you support others.
From one #LoveDrunk Doula to another,
Xo,
Scout