First off, let me say I don’t believe this belongs in P&R, cause it’s not about whether something should be legal or not. This is about my personal feelings on an article I read.

I read about this yesterday in a Bust magazine blog. Doulas are women who support women through the pregnancy and birthing process. They are not doctors or midwifes, but rather there for emotional and general support. To answer questions about breast feeding and be someone you can call during post-partum depression. There is a project in New York to offer doula services to women who are having an abortion. To be there to hold someone’s hand as they go through the procedure, to offer reassurance and emotional support.

The website: http://www.doulaproject.org/

The article I read: http://www.bust.com/blog/...times.html

I think this is the most awesome idea, ever. I’ve written about my experiences here before so I’m not going to go into the long drawn out details, but I had an abortion when I was 17. (Although, if anyone has any questions, I am and always have been quite open about it and you can orgnote me.) What struck me at the time was that for as difficult a time as I was having, everything about my experience in the clinic was truly wonderful. I felt so supported. I felt educated and informed. I felt no pressure. It was everything anyone could ask for. At that time, I decided I wanted to help women in similar situations in some way in my future as well. I never really did anything about that…

This project has really inspired me. I’m considering what I can do here in Minneapolis.

Anyway – just thought I’d share. I think this is really, really cool.

Has anyone done any volunteer work in a similar capacity?

Fauxie said:

Carrie I'll read the article in a bit. I'm actually interested in seeing what it says I'm just actually supposed to be working today.

But seriously, yes that's awesome. Especially for women (or girls) having abortions. Oftentimes that must be a pretty stressful and daunting experience if there's no support from the family or father of the child.

Fauxie said:

Damn, I don't even know where to begin.

Starters, I think you'd become a great Doula. You seem to have a strong personality and have no fear of being present and there for a person.
It requires an enourmous amount of courage, strenght, postivity and especially energy. You're the womans personal cheerleader and emotional mirror.

Are you more interested in attending births and supporting during pregnancy or the more keen on the abortion process? Or both?

Both are SO very important. Women who go though the abortion process (or are treated for a miscarrigde) should get all the support they need and someone to reflect their feelings, fears and thoughts on. Whether you keep the child or have it aborted, you are still a pregnant woman and have all the hormones and changes effecting inside your body, during and especially after.

This is wonderful Carrie. I've know about the Doula thing since I started school, but never knew of this sort of project related to abortions. Very cool.

I think that is great. It has to be way harder to go through than giving birth. What an awesome idea.

CarrieMpls said:

You SHOULD!

People are always best at volunteering in areas they feel passionate about or feel some connection to or whatever. It has so much more meaning and you give it your all.

mods, move this!

And move all her future meetup threads in the other forum too!

Mushanga said:

I thought of you when I posted this!

And thanks for the vote of confidence. I do volunteering here and there and of course I give financial donations to charities, but this is the first time I’ve felt really passionate about something like this. This really speaks to me.

I’m really more interested in being strictly an abortion doula (as that’s the only kind of pregnancy I’ve been through myself), but I imagine I would go through regular doula training first... I’m going to spend some time looking into what services are already provided in my area and kind of go from there.

TotalANXiousNESS said:

Thanks, lady!

Wow ~ That's something I think would be an incredible thing for you to do



wow ...

Fauxie said:

My ex-bf's wife is one. She's a total cunt but I suppose she is probably good as one.

I can ask him about it for you!

JustErin said:

Thanks!

It's an amazing idea. Affirming a woman in her individula choice in a real way. Women period need to be treated with compassion and loving no matter their circumstance. Just love this idea.

.
[Edited 2/19/10 11:17am]

I think this is wonderful. There are many people who would not or could not do this and since you are passionate about the work, the cause and the support you should go for it.

This is the reason I specialize in women and adolescents in my practice. Very few have the passion, the patience and the heart to speak empowerment to this group.

Go for it and keep us posted on what you learn and do.

That's such a wonderful idea.

An ex orger (lollipoprocks aka Toni) runs a Doula project in the UK.
If she were closer I would have used her for my birth.



Her website is:

www.harmoniousbirth.co.uk

Woman, I love you.

HamsterHuey said:

We love you.
[Edited 2/20/10 5:59am]

MrsMdiver said:

I love you guys, too.

And thanks for the encouragement, folks.

I found a non-profit doula organization here, so I'm gonna start by writing to them, see if they can direct me to anyone who might be interested and go from there. It would be nice to find some like-minded women who are already doing traditional doula work.

CarrieMpls said:

You are a good person.


Looking back a Doula would have made my birth experience a much more positive one especially for a first timer.

I think this would be an amazing thing to do. Incredibly tough and hopefully incredibly rewarding too. It's tough when you're dealing with people at the extreme of their emotions. I'm impressed by people who can do that. Good luck!

I think that's amazing, and you should go for it!