by Ariel de Roche
Ever have a song stuck in your head?
And that one line keeps repeating over, and over….and over again.
And no matter how hard you try fight it, it seems like your inner DJ has a glitch.
Well sometimes fear can feel like that, a repeating song of doubt, whispering, “Are you sure you this is the right thing to do?”
This is how I felt leading up to my doula training, questioning if I should give up, although I knew in my heart that this was the right step but that doubt song in my head just wouldn’t quit.
Then I arrived at the door of my first birth doula training, took a deep breath, and opened the door…and it was the one of best decision I have made so far!
Who knew that the 20+ women in that room would become my personal doulas? Providing support, easing my doubt, reassuring that I wasn’t alone in how I was feeling. We laughed and cried as we shared our stories and personal journeys – no two stories exactly the same, but each woven with an invisible thread that connected us all together.
Talk about oxytocin overload!
That day the recurring song of doubt transformed into a song of empowerment! I was reminded of the power of women, the power of community and that simply holding a hand makes a world of difference.
So now anytime that song of doubt pops up, I will think back to these moments, turn up the volume of my favorite Beyonce song, and lean into that next step. Look out world, another group of amazing doulas are here to change the world, one step at a time!
Ariel de Roche is a DONA-trained birth doula based in New York City. Growing up in a large tight-knit family, she has always been surrounded with pregnant bellies and tiny humans which has greatly informed her profound passion for sexual and reproductive health research, and advocacy. Through birthwork, she seeks to continue to empower and encourage all women, in all ways.
Turn your doubt into empowerment and join the circle of doulas at an Upcoming Doula Workshop
