Story #80 - Wise Words - Josée Leduc, Doula Support Foundation, Kingston ON (CANADA) - Doula, Pregnancy, Birth & Postpartum Support
I decided to become a doula when my daughter gave birth to her children. I lived in Toronto for 25 years and worked as a translator. When my husband retired, we traveled for eight months, and when we came back, we moved to Kingston because Toronto was becoming too expensive.
The first group of people I met there was a collective of doulas. I was invited to one of their meetings, and they became family. Two years ago, we founded the Doula Support Foundation to help birthing people who might not have the funds to hire a doula during pregnancy and birth. It's such a challenging and vulnerable moment in life, even more so when you suffer from poverty, addiction, or mental health issues.
We help them make informed decisions and advocate with them at the hospital—not for them. We show them how to get their agency back in a healthcare system that often does whatever it wants to women and pregnant people, not always with their consent. Plus, no one should go through it alone, and a doula can help and support tremendously.
Research shows that people who have a doula with them at the hospital and during their pregnancy have a much better outcome: lower rate of c-section, better follow-up regarding health, and mental health issues. The list goes on.
We also help people who suffered a loss (stillbirth, miscarriage) or need support during the postpartum period. These are tremendously challenging events, and I can't stress it enough: it takes a village.
I began working for the foundation as a fundraising director, but now I'm 100% to the Birth Story Contest. It's my baby. I know how stories can change a life and touch people, ultimately shifting the perceptions surrounding birthing experiences.
Right now, we are not allowed in hospitals because of COVID. I have no words for that. Last week, I did a virtual birth: we met in person for a free consultation and her first prenatal appointment to establish a relationship. Our second appointment was virtual, and from then on, I coached her partner for the birth. A lot of our work is very hands-on and physical. It's difficult to be present from afar since my job is basically to see her needs and make sure she's comfortable. I felt like my arms had been cut.
All I could give was to prepare them to the best of my abilities, and I think it worked: they got to the hospital, and three hours later, she gave birth to a healthy baby.
All we want is for the pregnant person to feel supported, and it would be great if doulas would be considered part of the system. We are essentials in many ways, and we're not merely "visitors." We alleviate the task for doctors and nurses and empower the birthing person. It's a win-win situation.
We can still perform our work in birthing centers right now. We follow a strict sanitary protocol—we change clothes and wear masks at all times.
There has been a higher demand since the beginning of the pandemic because people are afraid to give birth in hospitals. At the same time, it sucks because they might not be good candidates for unmedicated births and are doing it anyway because they worry. In both situations, their decision is fear-based. It's definitely not ideal.
A lot of women also can't afford to give birth at home because their insurances don't cover home-birth. Once again, fear surrounding birth plays a significant role in that. We are afraid of giving birth, and we are afraid of birthing people: we try to contain them, when in fact, there's a tremendous power that comes with bringing your baby into this world. Low risks pregnancies are the norm.
We shouldn't scare birthing people, but empower them.
That's also where the power of stories lay: they render raw emotions. Your story doesn't have to be beautiful and 100% positive, it just has to be authentic. True to your self. Birth isn't always easy-peasy, but if you felt supported and respected, if you were put in control and made informed decisions for you and your baby, it doesn't matter if you ended up with a c-section or a water-birth.
Empowerment is key. And that's what's behind the idea of the contest: to give birthing people a voice.
*Canadian residents can submit their stories until August 1st. You can find the guidelines and information regarding the prizes and the jury on the contest page.
To support the Doula Support Foundation, it's right here.