Partners + Doulas
I’ve seen this quote going around the Doula World quite often:
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Asking your husband to be your sole guide through labor is like
asking him to lead the way on a climb of Mt. Everest. He may be
smart and trustworthy, you may love him, but in the Himalayas
you’d both be a lot better off with a Sherpa!”
-Pam England in Birthing From Within
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I want to like this quote. But I’m struggling with it.
It seems to devalue the role of partners in labor and delivery. It actually sounds like you MUST hire a Doula in order to have a good birth experience. I mean, obviously none of us would go climb Mt. Everest without a highly experienced guide to lead us on the journey. Our wisdom would be questioned. Our preparation would seem insufficient.
‘Doula’ is my job title. I love supporting families through pregnancy. I live for the middle of the night phone calls to rush to a laboring mama. I am passionate about families being informed and prepared for their delivery.
But I can never, ever take the place of your partner.
I would love to be your “SHERPA” as you travel the journey of pregnancy and delivery, but in all reality, I won’t be leading you on your journey. I will be walking beside you AND your support team- offering all of you the experience, knowledge, and resources that I’ve gained as a Labor Doula.
Your doula fills a short term need. Your partner is your forever person.
Pacific Northwest Doulas is led by Laura Finnegan, also the owner of Eugene Birth & Family and an experienced Oregon doula agency director.
Our birth and postpartum doulas are welcomed in hospitals birth centers, and homes throughout the region. We work collaboratively with midwives, OB-GYNs, nurses, and pediatric providers to ensure families feel confident and supported.