Why I Became a Doula

Why did you become a doula?

This question always stumps me because honestly, I don't feel that I chose it, it chose me. I became a massage therapist back in 2007 after dropping out of college to pursue a $40/hr career that I saw on a tv commercial. Truth be told, the decision was made shortly after getting put on suspension for getting into an "on campus" fight after being called a bitch by a group of sorority girls that didn't like me. Go figure! Thankfully, it was worth the ungraceful push once my sister asked me if I would help assist with the birth of her 1st child and my 1st nephew. I somehow, eagerly agreed! So I did all my research for all of the ways that I could assist in such a humbling task. We took a private lamaze training together, I pulled out all my BEST massage techniques and eventually stumbled across a doula training at Memorial City Hospital.

I was super ready, doula bag and ALL. 

Then I got the call, dun dun duuunn. ... it was a hot & humid day in Houston, Tx. Nothing I did, read, studied or listened to could have prepared me for this. The blood, screaming, my brother-in law almost passing out, hemorrhaging and the pain!

All I could do was look into my sisters eyes and remind her to breathe, I watched the monitors for the next contraction, I rubbed her shoulders, feet, low back and reminded her how strong she was (during this med-free birth) and then 13 hours later, he was here. My handsome 7lb & 6oz nephew was finally here. I felt as if I had birthed him myself with how connected my sister and I are and the journey we'd been on together, throughout the pregnancy. After that day I couldn't stop raving about how amazing this experience was, I was literally on a high for like 2 weeks straight!

I knew this was my new journey and it wasn't going to stop here... shortly after crazy enough, almost ALL of my clients started having babies and guess who their doula was? Yup, it was this gal and I was loving it... even the 3 am calls lit me up and started my fire. My favorites were the home births, I loved the birthing tubs, cozy lighting, watching the couples snuggle in their bed and being able to whip up a snack or elixir as needed. Although, there are days I want to just sleep for like a week straight I am so honored to be chosen for this life calling.

But to be very honest I owe it to my mother Karen, who was a live in nurse's aid from the time I was 2-10. Then worked her ass off as a CNA in home healthcare and nursing homes. As a single parent she had no choice but to take us to work with her so caretaking became second nature to me.

This is why it's hard for me to say where it all started; for all I know it started in the womb when I heard my mother name me "Cherish". She said, "no matter what happens I want her to know she will always be loved." I'll save this story for another day. For now I just want to send gratitude to all the women in my life that in one way or another pushed me to pursue this transformative life journey and especially to my late mother who is now my angel, you will forever be by my side and engraved in my heart. 

This post is lovingly dedicated to Karen Roseanne Wiebe 4/24/1957- 2/11/2013 <- little sister's birthday

By: Cherish Drivas