Disappointed - Drawing for Free Services

MyDoulaStacia · 05-12-2006, 08:11 AM

I had a great idea both for National Doula Month and as a way to get the word out that I am a doula.
At a MOPS meeting they announced what I do and what a wonderful service it is.

Then for anyone that wanted to get in on a drawing I would choose one mom to receive my services for free.
Sound good?
Well when the meeting was over I went to collect the names to do the drawing...........and only two women were interested.

Neither one of them pregnant now by the way, but hopeing to be soon.
The mom I ended up choosing used a doula at her last birth in Texas and said she couldn't be without her. It will be a good match as we both have a lot in common and she seems like a great person. I was just expecting more of an interest.

MothertheMother · 05-12-2006, 08:58 AM

Sorry to hear you didn't get a big response. How many women were there? And about how many do you think were pregnant? I think it is very generous for you to offer your services for free! I hope the one that "won" works out!!

gemasita · 05-12-2006, 09:24 AM

I was at a children's fair one time and at our table, we were having a drawing for a "labor basket" with all this cool stuff in it and we were so surprised by all of the pregnant ladies who were NOT interested! People surprise you sometimes. Sorry about the disappointment....

Tiffany · 05-12-2006, 09:37 AM

I would be disappointed too, Stacia! I also think it is wonderful for you to donate your services like that. Jamie is right, people do surprise you sometimes. Who knows though, maybe down the road you'll get a call from one of the moms who was there who is interested in your services and will be a paying client. You never know!

fearlessbirth · 05-12-2006, 12:20 PM

That makes me so sad! I'm so sorry but maybe this client will be ther perfect match for you and for some reason it's just meant to be this way.

MyDoulaStacia · 05-12-2006, 08:07 PM

Thanks guys.

I guess I just feel that what we do is so important and special that I was all ready to offer my services for free to someone that otherwise couldn't afford it. I never thought for a moment that there wouldn't be an interest.
Maybe you are right Tiffany and I will get a call later.

capandcradle · 05-12-2006, 09:53 PM

How disappointing! I'm sorry it happened that way. Can you think of what the obstacles might be to interesting people in doula services? (The marketing gal in me is coming out.)

AussieDoula · 05-23-2006, 10:39 AM

Awww

I'm sorry you didn't get the response you had hoped for. It can be hard for people who are so passionate about birth to feel like no-one else is as enthusiastic, but on the upside, you DID end up with a mama who already had a great experience with a Doula and you said yourself that it's a good match.
In my small (mainstream) town, the local MOPS meeting is held at a church and it is quite difficult to break into their group to raise awareness for Doulas. Mostly because I am an "outsider" (ie not born in this town - or even in this country lol), but sometimes I get wierd statements about this type of work just not being religiously agreeable (I don't think it helps that I am somewhat of an Atheist myself - not openly so, but the discussion of God in these instances makes me uncomfortable sometimes, and it always comes up).
Anyway, I wanted to point out - from my own personal feelings during pregnancy - that it might not be a lack of interest in Doulas, but just that they didn't feel like they "needed" what you were offering. I instinctively knew that I wanted my pregnancy to be private and actually steered away from the thought of having a Doula present. I didn't want extra people there, and knew that whatever I was faced with, my body would know what to do. Maybe some women felt that way?
Or, maybe like in so many instances, it's just unfortunate that a lot of women have trouble really seeing how a Doula could be of benefit (instead trusting solely in their care provider to make decisions for them).
Ok, I just realised that on the 3 hours of sleep I have had, I am rambling and probably not making much sense.. Sorry!
I hope it goes better for you next time! I'm not sure how long the MOPS meeting was, how many women were there, and what you talked about, but maybe try something visual next time? A short video of a Doula in action can sometimes really ring home what it is we do, more than an hour-long talk can for some women.

DL · 05-23-2006, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AussieDoula

...but sometimes I get wierd statements about this type of work just not being religiously agreeable...

I don't get that at all! Clearly, they don't know what they're talking about. I'm a Christian, and I can tell you that being a doula is totally agreeable with my faith! I'm no expert on all religions in the world, but I can't think of any religion that would think that the service of a doula is unagreeable. How odd of them to say that....

Sorry....that just aggravates me that someone would either say that to you and/or give you that feeling. I could go on and on, but I'll get off the soapbox before I get out of hand!

Now back to your regularly scheduled program.....

fearlessbirth · 05-23-2006, 02:01 PM

Lori, I might be wrong but I THINK what Aussie was saying (and Aussie correct me if I'm wrong as well) is that SHE gets uncomfortable as an athiest working with Christians, etc. because God seems to always come up and she gets uncomfortable...that's the way I read it.

DL · 05-23-2006, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fearlessbirth

Lori, I might be wrong but I THINK what Aussie was saying (and Aussie correct me if I'm wrong as well) is that SHE gets uncomfortable as an athiest working with Christians, etc. because God seems to always come up and she gets uncomfortable...that's the way I read it.

Oh.....I did get that from part of the post, but not from the phrase that she used there. I took it as though someone had told her (a Christian?) that being a doula was unagreeable to them religiously. Maybe I'm misunderstanding, though??....

If I'm misunderstanding, I'm sorry...it surely wouldn't be the first time that I've been confused!

Anyway....I agree; faith does come up in birth topics a lot, no matter who or what one puts their faith in. Most people seem to view birth as a spiritual experience to one extent or another, and their faith (or lack of) often greatly influences how they think and speak of birth.

Oh dear....I'm so sorry, Stacia, for inadvertantly hijacking this thread! Back to your topic!

AussieDoula · 05-23-2006, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doula Lori

I took it as though someone had told her (a Christian?) that being a doula was unagreeable to them religiously.

Yes ma'am... I have had someone (Christian) make a remark about Doulas and that they perceived them as stemming from a "hippy/crunchy" place that was not in agreeance to how they practised as a Christian. *shocked/dumbfounded/confused look from me who always thought that Doulas were prevalent in religious circles but maybe just went by a different name*

My discomfort about religious conversation is just in a general context (when I am put on the spot during unrelated topics or when people try to "convert" me, hehe) and totally separate from how I feel about religion in association to birth (where I am in tune with both the mamas faith and my own spirituality and the awe-inspiring knowledge of what is occuring)...

Oh dear, did I just confuse you all again? LOL! I'm going on 4 hours of sleep over the last 2 days here!

Sorry!

In short, both of you were right about two different statements I made...

Sorry for the incredibly rude off-topic!

I'm so uncivilised! LOL!

MyDoulaStacia · 05-23-2006, 10:04 PM

Thanks for the kind words Aussie Doula. You are right about seeing things from another prospective.
The Doula video would have been great and it is something I will do next season but there was no time at this meeting as it was just a giveaway. Thanks for the suggestion!

DL · 05-23-2006, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AussieDoula

Yes ma'am... I have had someone (Christian) make a remark about Doulas and that they perceived them as stemming from a "hippy/crunchy" place that was not in agreeance to how they practised as a Christian.

That's the key...."how they practice as a Christian". IMO, that's hooey; they don't know what they're talking about. There are MANY doulas of all faiths, including Christian. Besides, not all doulas are hippy/crunchy neither! I'm not! (I'm only "sprinkled with granola"!

see How crunchy are you?...it's a fun little quiz!

)

Quote:

Originally Posted by AussieDoula

I'm going on 4 hours of sleep over the last 2 days here!

Sorry!

BTDT! Get some sleep!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by AussieDoula

Sorry for the incredibly rude off-topic!

I'm so uncivilised! LOL!

Umm...it was actually me who swayed it into a different direction to begin with. You don't have anything to be sorry for.

However...I DO! Sorry Stacia! It's hard not to step up on that soapbox sometimes! I'll post no more in this thread about this side-tracked topic!