Hello From Lloydminster SK/AB Canada
Hello From Lloydminster AB/SK Canada,
My introduction: Married mother of 3, 2 girls and a boy in that order. I had a similar situation as Robyn Lampman - Attended my DONA workshop in April 2000 and gave birth in December 2000. Went full force in August 2001.
The community of Lloydminster has been an extremely challenging one. No one here knew what a doula was, never heard it before, not even the doctors. So, I was busy educating and advertising to my wits end. I have organized this community's only "Pregnancy, Birth and Baby Fair" for 4 years with the addition of it's first ever "Baby Crawl Contest". I've put out Lloydminster's ONLY, Pregnancy Newsletter. I am considered the "Pioneer" of doula support. Brochures, posters, newsletters, newspaper advertising, attending trade shows etc...
OK, now that all sounds like "wow" she has done so much right??? yet still I am not where I would like to be with this career. This community is such a "hill-billy" community.
As of end of 2005, I decided I was not going to give it my all any more. Didn't put on the "Pregnancy, Birth and Baby Fair" for 2006. Some of the vendors were a little ticked at me. I just feel completely drained and tired of trying to educate and convince doctors, nurses and pregnant women of the benefits of a doula assisted birth. Though the births I have attended have received great evaluations and I have become friends with every one of them.
OOPS, forgot to mention sending (on numerous occasions) private requests/newsletters to each doctor individually, with no response from any one of them. Well, the one doctor invited me to attend their monthly meeting. It was his day for leading the discussion. It went over quite well - about 19 men and 2 women that have never heard of a doula.
So, now I simply have brochures in the offices, I no longer attend expensive events, no longer place costly newspaper ads.
I know now though, that the Lord has placed me where I need to be right now. I attend the occasional (very occasional) birth, and I raise my 3 children.
Thanks for listening and I would accept and appreciate any advice or comment for all you ladies out there.
God loves us so much, that though he gave women labour pains due to Eve's sin, he nows gives grace upon us by giving a labouring woman a doula.
God Bless
Theresa
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Theresa!
), and our two teenaged boys. Our family also includes three dogs and two cats! 
We all have seasons in our lives, and someday it will probably be the season to get back out there and aggressively pursue all things doula again. Until then....enjoy those birth when they do come, and enjoy that family of yours! Be encouraged! 
This is a great site, with a great group of ladies who love to support each other, to gab, and to giggle. Jump right in and make yourself at home....because you are! 
