What a weekend. I did my doula training with Australian Doulas (www.AustralianDoulas.webs.com) and boy oh boy...
Ok, so I knew a lot about birth having researched and researched and researched prior to both of my boys, and chatted constantly to the gorgeous Lisa about all things vaginas :)
But this weekend taught me SO much. I learnt more about keeping my mouth shut and ears open - It mightn't have seemed that way, but truly my mouth was more shut than usual.
I discovered some baggage I'd been carrying, and I've begun to really work my way through it.
I've FOUND MY NICHE!!
My dad is deaf, for those of you who don't know me - he was born deaf, on account of his mother being exposed to rubella during her pregnancy - so we were chatting about deaf women's hospital experiences.
It has come to light that deaf women have virtually no means of communicating their birth preferences, as interpreters who they do have are not birth support people, and if they don't have interpreters, they're going it alone.
I want to be a doula for deaf women. My next project is to brush up my Auslan skills - I can communicate with my dad, but he is extremely vocal, and can virtually lip read. Most deaf people can't. English is not a natural language to them.
I've done a 6 week course, so have basic skills, but I truly need to be able to communicate in the language of birth.
My ultimate plan is to recruit, and be involved in the training of deaf doulas.
SO freaking excited.

Mummy to Connor (07/07) birthed in hospital - my "Inspiration" baby, and Oliver (02/09) Birthed Peacefully at home in water - my "Best poo ever"