Reflections on 2022
Dear families, loved ones, friends, distant relations, and people who stumble upon my online presence,
I haven’t written a blog post in a while…or a newsletter email…or honestly an instagram post caption, my life has just been so full of the “living it” that I haven’t stopped to write about my reflections. But if I am ever going to slow down and focus long enough to write, it is going to be during the shortest days of the year when time passing is marked by warm meals, cups of tea, and lit candles.
So here I am with my cup of tea, ready to write out my reflections on the past year to share with you all.
The Birth Things
In 2022 I supported 34 families, my busiest year to date, and with that business came an assurance that this is the path I am meant to be on. My doula business felt real this year, I knew the doubt of the ebbs would be rewarded with the surety of the flows, and so I trusted myself to ride those waves. Birth is filled with waves, and with trust…so I just had to walk my talk! In June I hosted a third birthday party for my business, and gathering with my families made it all feel so real.
My first gratitude goes to all the families who welcomed me into their experiences this year. I know I thanked you all when I said good-bye, but I truly mean it, it was an honor to be there with you. Every birth story is different, and none of them are predictable. There was a lot of education, advocating, planning, discussing, and debriefing this year. And there were plenty of challenging experiences this year. Long long labors that ended in cesarean delivery when we were all so exhausted. Many inductions, and cases of hypertension and preeclampsia, which are always hard because we want to make safe and good decisions and also be sure to listen to our guts. I supported people as they learned that cesarean delivery would be the safest way for their baby to enter this world, even when that was the last thing anyone wanted to hear.
I also witnessed many surprises, fast labors, speedy pushing, babies much bigger or smaller than were guessed.
In short, I stood next to some of the strongest, bravest, and most caring parents I have ever met. All in all, the birth doula part of my year was as splendid as one would anticipate.
My next gratitude goes to the providers. I spent hundreds of hours at the hospital, specifically Wentworth-Douglass and all I can say is that I am so incredibly grateful and in awe of all the midwives and nurses who work there. Truly. But that’s not actually all I can say, I can say that I learned from them, and I shared with them, we brainstormed, worried, and rejoiced together. That community is not a given when you are a self employed doula, or a doula working at a hospital, and I don’t take it for granted.
The last gratitude is for my colleagues, my village, my cup fillers, mentors, friends, and listening ears. You not only paved the way for me, but now we can walk down this road together, and nothing makes my heart more full. I called for back-up 3 times this year when it was needed, and had a doula on standby just in case at least 3-5 more times on top of that. Worrying about back-up can be the most stressful part of doula work, and I am so grateful I have all of you.
The non-birth things
The beauty of doula work is that it often comes with a lot of time to give to other projects and activities, so there was much more to my year than just attending births. For once you step into the world of reproductive healthcare, you get pretty darn immersed.
I continued my volunteer work with The Lovering Center in Greenland NH as an abortion doula and aftercare staff. Working in an independent abortion care center was something to behold in the year Roe fell. I watched the most committed providers give the most informed and thoughtful care every day we watched our rights get stripped away across the country. I am truly grateful I was part of the team on the abortion days I was there.
On the topic of abortion access, in June when Roe was overturned I had the opportunity to speak at a rally in Henry Law Park in Dover, you can watch a video of my speech here. I was also privileged enough to be part of a roundtable discussion with Senator Hassan at Lovering to talk about abortion care in NH, you can read about it here.
If this topic makes your blood boil as much as it makes mine, feel free to express your rage through donation to either Lovering or the Reproduction Freedom Fund of NH.
I also continued volunteering as a board member for New Parent Care Package, an organization that creates care packages centered around the pillars of nourish, cope and connect for new parents. We distributed many packages this year, and it was a joy to be part of.
I am still teaching childbirth education classes at Wentworth Douglass Hospital, I thoroughly enjoy enlightening folks on the stages and phases of labor, what to bring to the hospital, and how to ask for support once you are home with a new baby. I love being part of that team.
And lastly…
Though I sound very busy, I have many days of patiently waiting for babies, and can fit in all the things I enjoy. In 2022 this looked like a lot of time with friends, many outdoor walks and explorations, visiting Wentworth Greenhouse (and when I couldn’t possibly fit another plant in my apartment, I would just go to browse), a good handful of knitting and sewing projects, and of course drinking cups of tea.
into the new year we go!
2023 lies ahead, so many months, weeks, days, hours, and minutes to fill…what shall I get up to?
Well for starters I am already booked for the first couple months, and I anticipate my summer being busy as well. More classes, and volunteering, and tea and plants. But what are the dreams?
The dreams are community, gathering my clients and families (past and present) together to meet and connect and celebrate. In the park, at the beach, I am not sure yet but I want this dream to come true.
I will also be bringing back my newsletter…which you may know already if you got here via an email from said newsletter. The goal is to make it monthly, with updates, invitations, and celebrations.
I also want to make an official addition to my services by adding a postpartum doula support package add on. I have been working on my certification and done some support this year, but it’s time to make it official.
My heart is so full, thank you all for being part of my year, for trusting me, for loving me, for holding me as I trust, love, and hold you. You can’t pour from an empty cup, so thank you for helping me keep mine full.
Stay in touch (aka text me those baby pics), and I will see you all soon.
Love,
Emma Dolan