My name is Marla Yeatts and I am a trained doula. I have not always had the notion to be a doula though. I had always wanted to be a teacher. After graduating college, I taught 6th grade English for three years at a local middle school. Then my husband, Chris, and I started our family.
After having our first daughter, Madison, I decided that I wanted to become a stay at home mom (SAHM). Shortly after Madison’s birth, we decided that we wanted to try again.
Crazy right?
So, two weeks before Madison’s first birthday we welcomed Lily.
Both of my births were what I wanted and knew about at the time.
With Madison, I chose to have an epidural. I had listened to stories of people around me talk about pain and long labor, so this was the route that I wanted. Before Lily was born, I decided that I wanted to try to have a
non-medicated birth. I had read and researched more about birth, as everyone should do. I did end up with some medication during labor with Lily, but overall, I felt like I had an easier birth and recovery with her.
I began my experience of becoming a doula a year after Lily was born.
Although I went most of the way without the assistance of drugs with Lily’s birth, I looked back and realized that having a doula in there with me and my husband would have made my labor more manageable. It is great to have support from a husband, mother, or friend, but having someone that is trained to help with labor and birth makes the situation much better and more tolerable. I love being there to assist in the miracle of birth.
I love making that pregnant mom feel comfortable and relaxed, and helping her to know that birth is a natural process.
I am not a doula to gain my own glory and attention, but to give God glory and to see the wonderful process of life that He designed.
I encourage everyone on this journey of pregnancy and parenthood to do your research. Read books, watch documentaries, take classes, interview professionals, and talk with family and friends. Do what you need to do to be informed. You don’t have to listen to everyone’s advice, but just know your options. This is an important process and part of life that a lot of people just jump into without knowing options or being well informed. Also, I cannot emphasize the importance of communication between the pregnant mom and her support partner. It’s important that you both striving for the same goal- a healthy, happy, exceptional birth.