There is a special element of support that needs to be thought about when supporting a military family.
As a military spouse myself, I know that not everything goes perfectly when either you or your spouse is active duty. Uncertainties arise, deployments happen, life happens. Doulas are a great asset to any birthing team but especially those of military families. We help you and your partner and your medical team work together towards the same goal -- the type of birth that is desired.
The village we create within a military community fits in so well with the desire I have to help others.
There is this community that we have in military families. If you are a military spouse yourself, you are probably shaking your head yes. We help each other. We cover child care when things come up, like birthing a baby! We check in and bring casseroles when a family needs a little extra care.
I move, you move, we all move.
Then we move again. The village I spoke about above, you must create another village at the next base, but it isn't so bad to have new awesome friends. You might already have some built in friends that you have known at other bases. We all have met that forever friend that is by your side through everything... even if being by your side means facebook messages or facetime dates on Friday nights when our husbands are deployed and we live 4 time zones away from each other. Sometimes we need a real hand to hold onto while having a baby -- not just an ipad (though if you want to talk to your best girl friend or husband while deployed via facetime, doulas help with that too!)
I get it. The rank structure, the base privileges, the smaller support system...
This crazy military world leaves most people scratching their heads. The acronyms, the ranks, different branches (Is this a post or base or fort?). It is enough to leave most people reeling wondering what is going on! Compound that military language with common birth language the nurses use at hospitals and well, it can leave those who are not military affiliated feeling like professionals are speaking a completely different language. I can help clients navigate that in the hospital. I can speak your language and I have base privileges so you will never have to worry about me waiting for a birth because I had to get a visitor's pass!
I love my job. I love the fact that it can also move with me.
Being a doula is unique. I am a supporting actress in a major production. A baby is being born. Two people are becoming parents (for the first or sixth time, they are all so special!) No two births are the same. These moments are so incredibly unbelievable ... I witness one of the most profound moments in a person's life... Help them get situated and walk out of that room, proud of the job they did together. But the best part of being a doula? I get to take my business with me to my next duty station. Any military spouse understands how painful it is to leave a job they love behind... I get to see some of the same clients at the next base, support them as they bring another baby into the world...its all pretty amazing!
As a military spouse -- what is the most unique part of your delivery or birth plans? What was the most memorable moment you experienced that was specific to being military affiliated?
