Introduction.
As a child I was always obsessed with babies, I was that kid that carted the baby around the playground. I dreamed of being a nurse (like my mum) or a midwife (which she had always wanted to be), I had that desire to look after others and I couldn’t wait to have my own family, to fill my days cooking and caring for children.
I was a keen babysitter as a teenager but veered off course when it came to pursuing midwifery. I studied sociology at the University of Bristol where I learnt about our society and how factors shape who we become - about motherhood, fatherhood, human rights, memory and trauma, sex and sexuality, gender and intimacy.
I fell into a career in PR and spent 10 years building a reputation in the property and PR world, working up to Director level. It paid the bills and I had a lot of fun, but it wasn’t my calling.
I married my childhood sweetheart and a few years later we started ‘trying’. I fell pregnant quickly, but it ended with a missed miscarriage at 12 weeks. The day I heard, “i’m sorry, there is no heartbeat” was a turning point in my life, it marked the start of 18 months of pain, loss, depression, loneliness and grief but it also taught me strength and resilience, made me realise that my job was not compatible with motherhood, and rekindling that childhood desire to work in a nurturing profession.
My 4th pregnancy resulted in my daughter, and that pregnancy, birth and postnatal experience was the second turning point in my life. It healed me, empowered me and taught me respect for my mind and body which I had lost. I fell pregnant with my son just 8 months after her birth, another life affirming birth and cementing my awe for all things pregnancy, birth and babies.
I had learned a bit about doulas when I was pregnant with my daughter, and postnatally a friend who had recently trained offered me some doula services remotely, I started to appreciate what a positive impact a doula can make. Back-to-back maternity leaves gave me the space to reflect on what I wanted to do, I looked into midwifery training and also started reading about doulas - I had that lightbulb moment - this is what I want to do!
I have not looked back, I LOVE what I do - it is truly and honour and a privilege to share these moments with the families that I work with. I am so proud of the work that I do and get a huge sense of wellbeing and fulfilment from my job.
Doula Bea x
