Back to Work: Birthworkers Are Essential Workers

On taking breaks. I didn’t share with anyone except my close family and my social media followers on my personal page that I was back in school. I’d decided to complete my undergrad program having only two semesters left to graduate. I wasn’t sure how the decision would affect my Doula practice, so I just took a break. That break was to last for three months beginning in January 2020. Then COVID-19 happened.

This post is an act of courage. In full transparency, I felt the heaviness of 2020 before things began to take place. So my 3-month break turned into a year. Yes, my business was slow and no I didn’t attend my usual number of births. I almost had none. 

There were some that reached out for consultations and there were those that actually booked my services, but due to the policies within the local hospitals centered around the pandemic, those families were afraid that they could not have their doula present at their birth. 

Just like anyone else whose way of making a living was affected by the pandemic, I was also  drained. I needed time. More time. 

Birthwork itself can be exhausting in the climate we’re living in today and adding a global pandemic to that only adds fuel to the fire. Trying to empower families through teaching, researching and making quality doula care affordable is something that requires focus, determination and grit. It takes merging intuition and humility with respect for human beings.  

Taking that leave of absence gave me clarity around that and more. And I’m ready to get on the frontlines again. I’m committed to birthwork just as my ancestors were. Working the roots and catching the babies is in the blood running through my veins. I could never turn my back on this work. It’s not just about making a living, this is my life’s work and I’ll be here to stay.