I have some grand plans for this year. Unfortunately (for me, not her) my first client of the year had her baby early and I wasn't able to be there. I was very much looking forward to supporting her and her husband so am disappointed, but it's just life I suppose! I plan to go and see her soon and meet her lovely baby. At the moment I have no more clients lined up, but as you may know I don't actively pursue them, I just wait for them to come my way.
This year I plan to resurrect the birth support group. I haven't gone for a while, but likewise I have had no interest. I need to make more of an effort, and I know a lovely midwife who will be joining me in that - all I want to do is help women, and it's amazing to know we can. On my first volunteer shift I remember two of the midwives were absolutely blown away that we were doing this without getting paid! I would love to get paid to doula at the hospital but it's just not possible, for many reasons, so for the moment we do our volunteer shifts and hope that we are lucky enough to be able to support someone who needs it. I do find it difficult to go in there not knowing the woman, because obviously that is the essence of private doula practise... going in and sometimes being the only familiar face to the woman and her partner!
I know 2 of my doula babies will be 1 this summer and I'm looking forward to that, one of my clients has already told me I'm invited to his first birthday party. I plan to give him a copy of his birth story as part of his birthday present, for his memory box.
I hope you are all doing well, if you're local, please speak up if you want to help with the choices for birth group.
