Reasons You May Need a Doula, but Didn't Realize It #1: Unplanned Pregnancy
WIth the new year beginning I have been planning out blog posts, and I realized I wanted to discuss my services and what kind of work I want to focus on. Of course I didn’t know how to start, and didn’t want to just make blog posts with a list of services and what you’ll get, because all that information in on my website. I was recently watching the show Grown-ish, which for the record I have a love hate relationship with, and it hit me.
***(When Grown-ish was first being talked about I envisioned A Different World, but for today’s kids, and I guess in some ways it is. Plus I adore Yara Shahidi as a person, ever since she was little in Imagine That. However, I find the show to be lacking in a lot of ways, but I’m already sucked in, so I watch it.)
While discussing one of my services I provide with a friend, she commented how important doulas are, and how she had no idea. Most people have no idea, but watching the show helped me realize how to approach this topic on the blog. We’re going to discuss reasons doulas are important and different ways, I specifically, can help you and which services I currently offer.
So if you don’t know, Grown-ish is a spin off from Black-ish, and follows the oldest daughter while she’s in college. Now here come the spoilers.
A couple weeks ago it just returned with season three, and I think, or rather I’m hoping, that it’s going to find it’s way to becoming what I personally hoped it would be orginally. Upon returning to college for their junior year, it turns out one of the main cast is five months pregnant. (For a quick recap go here or you can find it on Hulu)
So many conversations about this unplanned pregnancy are had, but the one that really was important was at the end of the episode. During the episode we find out that the pregnant friend had told her best friend’s ex, months before she had told the best friend. She said she was scared of judgment, etc and just wanted someone to listen. She then went on to express her fears and how unsure she was of her decision. This very interaction is exactly why I offer Family Planning Services for those experiencing unplanned pregnancy and don’t think they want to parent or carry the pregnancy to term.
Whether or not someone who is pregnant decides to remain that way, or put the child up for adoption, or whatever the situation may be, does not personally affect me. With that being the case I’m able to be a support to individuals and families while they determine the best route for themselves. And I can do so free of judgment. I can be an impartial party to discuss their feelings and thoughts, and help provide them with information that will help make one of the biggest decisions they will ever make. Doulas are here to provide information and support, so that the pregnant party doesn’t need to feel like Nomi did, and worry they made the wrong choice. (Although, I think that fear will always remain no matter what.) My goal is to help individuals and families feel safe and secure in whichever decisions they make regarding their pregnancy.