Witnessing a birth

The subject says it all: I witnessed a birth! It was magical and beautiful and scary and crazy and calm at the same time. There were so many narratives happening simultaneously– the stories of the people in the room (and the womb, hehe) as well as the many layers activated in the space. I mean that there is a story I could tell about the medical element and the interventions used and the history of obstetrics. There is a story I could tell about the physical or emotional state of the birthing person as she went into labor, or of her husband, or of myself. There’s a story I could tell about miracle of life. And there are many more! And they were all present! It was an experience in which so many levels were alive, weaving together and fraying apart over and over again, and it wasn’t like I was intellectually processing everything. I was just a body supporting another body supporting another body, each body trusting itself to do the work required and surrender to all that comes. It was incredibly cosmic and extremely ordinary at the same time. Ever since then, when I think back to it, I find myself smiling. Not because it was easy and everything went according to plan, but because the sweetness and profundity of that moment washes over me, stirring and warming my heart.

I won’t go into birth details because they’re really not mine to share, but I did want to share that it was a profound honor to accompany not only a birth but also a pregnancy. I am very new to this world and do not know where the doula path will lead, but I am really touched by this experience and believe deeply in this work. If you or someone you know is looking for pregnancy, birth, and/or post-partum support, please feel free to be in touch with me at nicolajoy@gmail.com.

Thank you and I wish you a beautiful day,

nicola