Wondering what a doula is and what they do?
In today’s post we’re sharing the experiences of Emmy Amash, a doula since 2019
What is a doula?
My friends and family are very supportive people. When I decided to become a doula, I was met with love and enthusiasm. “Wow, that’s awesome, Emmy! Way to go!”
The question that almost always came next was… “so…what’s a doula?” You might have the same question. And I have an answer for you!
A doula is a support person.
A doula is a trained and experienced support person who serves as a companion, advocate, witness, source of comfort and information, and so much more. There are many kinds of doulas: fertility, birth, postpartum, abortion and loss… they can accompany you during whatever you might be going through.
A full spectrum doula is there to support people through the whole spectrum of reproductive healthcare, including experiences of loss.
I am a doula because…
I realized I was “that friend”, the one that people felt comfortable coming to for their most vulnerable and intimate questions about sex, relationships, periods, pregnancy scares & celebrations, miscarriages, fertility issues, abortion, etc. I love biology and body literacy, so I shared (and sometimes overshared) anything I knew, and took each situation as an opportunity to learn.
I found that being there for others in this way brought me so much joy and fulfillment. I am passionate about walking with people during periods of intensity and transition, through joy and pain, to bear witness and bring mindfulness to the most beautiful, mysterious, and messy places of life. These are the important moments. They want our reverence and attention.
And I saw the impact of my presence on others.
Having a support person can help you stay present to what is happening. It can allow you to connect deeper to your experience. It can normalize your experience. It can reinforce your confidence in decision making to have someone on your side who can provide information and perspective.
There are a ton of other studied & documented benefits of working with a doula, especially during childbirth like:
- Decreased occurrence of c-sections
- Shorter labor
- Higher satisfaction with birth experience
Read more about Emmy and her experience as a Birth and Postpartum Doula here!
About Emely Amash
Emely Amash is a lifetime student of the body with an interest in sexual & reproductive health. Her training is in birth, bereavement, postpartum, reproductive health, trauma, somatic work, embodiment and energetic healing, and works as a full-time Doula in Austin, TX.
