Doula Spotlight: Lorraine

How long have you been a doula?

6 years, living in Bradford, working across West Yorkshire and Manchester.

What inspired you to train?

An intuitive curiosity about birth that was fuelled by a passion to help people know their rights to choose the births that are right for them. And as many do coming to this work, my own birth experience with my daughter. 

What has been your proudest moment as a doula so far?

For me the most fulfilling thing is being trusted to sit alongside other women and birthing people during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives. I have sat at the feet of so many women as they have come into their own power, often for the first time and it will never get old to see that magic happen.

How has being a doula impacted your life? (personally, professionally, or both)

Gosh being a doula has not just impacted my life, it has changed it. For the better. Connecting with other women on such a deep level has allowed me to connect with and understand myself more than I ever have before. I have deepened my trust and respect for myself and found a confidence to use my voice to fight for, champion and advocate for the rights of others and my own. Doing this work is heart work and it has helped me to connect with mine and lead with wisdom and integrity.

What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned since becoming a doula?

That what is meant to be will be. Birth teaches us that nothing is a guarantee or for certain and every birth has taught me something new.

Which skills or knowledge from the Nurturing Birth course have helped you the most in your work?

The benefit and need to have support for myself when doing this work. Having a mentor and a community of other doulas to talk to about the things only fellow doulas would understand, has been vital and a key part of the training and offering from Nurturing Birth.

What challenges have you faced along the way? How did you overcome them?

One of the most challenge things can be feeling financially secure when being self employed and especially when this work requires me to be at my best. So when life's challenges come along and I don't feel I can work at my best, I have to ensure that I charge my full worth so that I am able to do the deep work to look after myself.

What do you enjoy most about your doula work?

Connecting with other women and birthing people on their journeys, watching them transition through life's biggest moments and being able to support them and reflect their strength back to them.

What values guide the way you work with your clients?

Being true to myself allows me to be true to the people I support.

What do you think sets you apart as a doula?

My grounded connection to the spiritual element of birth whilst having the wisdom and knowledge to support people to navigate the system and their own choices for birth and the postpartum.

Have you formed friendships or connections with other birth-workers local to you?

Yes many and I have learnt that these connections and friendships are vital to doing this work. From sharing clients, to offering back to learning from and with each other, my network of other doulas have been a huge support.

What has surprised you most about being a doula?

How little is known about what we do and what we can offer but how much we are used as a scapegoat in the maternity world when things go wrong in birth!

What’s your favourite part of a typical day as a doula?

Having the autonomy to decide what I do with my day and choosing the people and families I work with.

What would you say to someone who is considering becoming a doula but isn’t sure if it’s right for them?

I would ask them if they feel they could sit in a room with someone in silence, without feeling they need to do anything and know that sometimes just being present is enough?

If you could go back to the start of your doula journey, what advice would you give yourself?

Put your prices up!

How do you see your doula work evolving in the future?

I can see myself offering more holding to many women and people at the same time and not just during their pregnancy, birth or early postpartum. I can see myself offering to hold space through all the transitions of matrescense and using my creativity in photography to deliver strong messages of women's power and resistance.

What's your favourite self-care treat?

Not a treat but a necessity is deep tissue body therapy. It helps me to release emotions stored in my body.

Your doula-bag must have

Overnight oats for me!

Your favourite affirmation or mantra

This too shall pass

If you weren't a doula what would you be doing?

A photographer travelling the world.