Doula Activism & PoliticsThis forum is for activism efforts, networking and discussing political and social issues, such as circumcision, that impact doulas and their work.
Last night my husband and I were at a rock concert, and a lady about 8 months, huge belly, was there just in the crowd ahead of us. Now, I think it's great that she was out. But I also had an urge to ask about her baby? And ask where she was going to deliver, and tell her about the midwife practice in the area, and tell her I was a doula in training looking for "guinea pigs". This urge left me when my rational brain took over, but dh joked to me when he saw me staring at her "I will take you home if you start walking towards her". So, do yo ladies go up to starngers? Do you explain what you do for a living? Do you get those urges!
I go nuts when people approach me in store parking lots with religious pamphlets. It's an immediate turn off, to whatever it is they are trying to sell. Just my two cents!
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"If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals". ~J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
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I think about it but would never do it. I don't like when people just randomly come up to me and start in on something. If they care to do the research then they may come across doulas and that may lead them to me.
Nope! I run into a LOT of pregnant women out doing stuff with my kids and it's quite a temptation! Besides, as someone who currently looks 5 months pregnant but is ZERO months pregnant, I'm always afraid I'll put my foot in my mouth!
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Karen, CD(DONA)
Married to my sweet-cheeks
Mom to Im and Zee and baby Charlie
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I know I want to, but wouldn't want to make anyone uncomfortable so I never would. I have thought about getting a bag that says something to the effect of I'm a doula sk me all about it and use that as a diaper bag. That way they can see it and come up to me if they are interested.
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Lora-wife to Aaron(8yrs), mommy to Ella (3 1/2 yrs) and Ava (18 mo), planning homebirth #2 for end of Oct.
CAPPA trained labor doula
I am managing a motherhood maternity right now, so everyone I talk to daily is preggo... so... yeah... sometimes. For me to bring it up I have to have found a way to mention it in normal conversation, I don't just say "here's my card, call me" or anything like that. Though, I hate motherhood (unbreastfeeding, unpregnancy friendly company from hell!) so, I may start stepping up that handing out business cards thing.... hey, I got a unique edge....
I am in some of the previous posts about this topic and I still feel the same way. A pregnant belly gets enough unsolicited advice already and it isn't out there for advertisement. I just think that if people want your services they will find you in their own good time. If I am out shopping and someone comes up to me with the high pressure sales pitch, I am instantly turned off.
I think we all want to say something but many of us just smile and walk away ... as I think we should.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Amandoula1980
I am in some of the previous posts about this topic and I still feel the same way. A pregnant belly gets enough unsolicited advice already and it isn't out there for advertisement. I just think that if people want your services they will find you in their own good time. If I am out shopping and someone comes up to me with the high pressure sales pitch, I am instantly turned off.
I think we all want to say something but many of us just smile and walk away ... as I think we should.
I agree, Amanda. My views are also in the last thread listed, and they are the same now as they were then.
LOL, I don't think I really could go up to a pregnant lady, but it was so funny in my head, that now that I am reading so much, and learning, that I wanted to go up to her. I didn't do it, and of course, it would be a little crazy if I did go up to her. Thanks for all the comments though!
I've asked Cashiers who were pregnant about their babies, like "when are you due?" etc. But I NEVER sell myself to random people. Only if asked first. I do joke with DH though, anytime I see a pregnant woman, I'll say quietly to him, "Do you think she needs a doula??"
I've had different sides of this experience. As a pregnant woman, I was horrified when a woman at the fabirc store check out asked me how dialated I was when I admitted to being over 40 weeks. I mean, come on, the condition of my cervix is not some strangers business. Not to mention, it was information that I and my midwife didn't have since I got my first cervical check in that pregnancy when I was ready to push. On the other hand, a mom at my daughter's school saw my pro midwives shirt the other day and asked me if I was one. I told her not exactly but that I knew people. She then said that she would have wished she had known b/c she had just had her second baby naturally in the hospital and would have been interested in homebirth if she had known where to start. (HB mw illegal in MO) So I totally should have talked to her. I agree about pregnancy questions getting repetative, so I usally just ask one or two casual questions and gauge the responses. Mom's who need or want a conversation or referrals are much more informative and talkative than those who just want to be left alone.
I think about it but would never do it. I don't like when people just randomly come up to me and start in on something. If they care to do the research then they may come across doulas and that may lead them to me.
and Zee 
and baby Charlie
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I agree, Amanda. My views are also in the last thread listed, and they are the same now as they were then. 
