the birth of a doula: clients

4.24.2012

"You Win Some, You Lose Some"... Thoughts on Interviews

Within the first two months of this year, I interviewed with eight women who were looking for doula support for their upcoming births. Of those eight, four of them hired me and four of them found a better fit. I'll confess that when I heard back from three of them in a row that they'd chosen another doula, I couldn't help but ask myself why? Was it something that I said or didn't say? Did I talk too much? Did I leave out helpful information? Did I have spinach in my teeth? The more I thought about how the interviews went, I was reminded of what I've believed all along since starting down this path of doula work:

There is the right fit for every woman and I am not always that right fit
As my friend and fellow doula Val Peterson has said many times, "There are births that you are meant to be at and others you are not"
For every birth that I am not supporting, another fantastic San Diego-based doula is, and I am so happy that a family has found the doula who felt right

I was still curious though, what it was that made me the choice for some and not for others. I decided to take a risk and email a few of the women who'd chose another doula. Here's what I wrote:

1.18.2012

Doula Jenna "Families Reunion" 2012

As I supported families throughout 2011, I had the idea to host a gathering at the end of the year. The main reason was to reconnect in person with the parents and babies that I had a chance to work with. I was also excited for many of them to meet one another and for my own family, my husband and daughters, to get a chance to meet my clients as well.

On a Sunday in January, we met up at a local park (my favorite one) and enjoyed lots of yummy treats and a few hours of talking, laughing and playing together. One of my dear friends and also a client of mine, graced us with her photography talent and captured some priceless shots. This is something I plan to do annually. If you are a doula, or anyone who works with people, for that matter, I encourage you to do the same. We need to take advantage of reasons to gather and celebrate. It's wonderful on so many levels.