The Not So Secret Secret is Out...
photo credit: Lindsay Klatzkin
"Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed."
-Ecclesiastes 4:9
"Many hands make light the work."
-John Heywood
"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."
-Proverbs 27:17
"If you want to go fast go alone. If you want to go far, go together."
-African Proverb
While I've been a solo doula practice for many years now, I've never truly done this work ALONE. I've always had great network of passionate doulas to call on should I have questions, need outside referrals for complimentary services, or in the unlikely event that I'd be unable to attend a birth and needed a backup.
One doula has been a part of my birthworker journey from the beginning and that's Bliss Herron of Mother Bliss Doula. We met while going through doula training together over five years ago and made an instant connection. We've been each other's client backup ever since because we have a mutual trust that is honestly rare to find these days so when you do, you hang onto it for dear life. Click here to learn more about Bliss, she's amazing!
Bliss and I are equally matched in our thirst for knowledge about advocacy and options in birth. We are unwavering in our quest to put quality, evidence-based information into the hands of parents. So it was only natural that when I found myself in need of adding another doula to the team, Bliss was top on my list.
When each of our solo practices were getting busier, we were finding ourselves in a constant state of being on call, which quickly becomes hard on not only yourself, but also your family. Imagine trying to plan anything when you could be called to a birth at a moment's notice. Yep, it's impossible.
So one day, probably over coffee (because coffee is life when you are a doula), we hatched a plan to grow our doula businesses together while also giving ourselves much needed time off with the beautiful thing of a shared call schedule. Call sharing benefits both doula and client in so many ways.
Here are just THREE reasons why:
1. You get the expertise of TWO doulas throughout your pregnancy. I am an Evidence Based Birth Instructor and Bliss is a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator. Combined we bring roughly 200 different birth experiences and over a decade of working as doulas to the table, which means one of us has probably worked with your provider at some point too.
2. You get to know your back up doula and your primary doula TOGETHER. In a solo practice you rarely have the opportunity to meet your backup.
3. You always get a fresh doula. You don't want a doula that's been at a marathon birth when you go into labor. Having a call rotation ensures that your doula is well rested and ready for you.
photo credit: Lindsay Klatzkin
Bliss and I have been call sharing since March and so far we are loving it! But most importantly so are our clients. Here is what they are saying.
"We had the BEST experience working with Britany and Bliss throughout our pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journey. The prenatal visit was SO informative and helped us feel so much better prepared for labor and delivery. The support we received from Bliss during our labor and delivery was unbelievable. We truly feel like we coped the way we did because of her guidance and direction. Our postpartum visit was so helpful-- we learned about baby wearing, received breastfeeding help, and asked all of our first-time parent questions. We could not recommend Britany and Bliss more highly! They will make this exciting time in your lives so much better!"
We absolutely LOVE WHAT WE DOULA and are so excited to be working together so that we can continue to serve families across DFW for many births to come.
If you are pregnant and looking for support for your birth we would love to talk with you about our birth services. We are completely booked for 2020 but are welcoming 2021 due dates! Shoot us a message at DoulaDFW.com or message us on Facebook or Instagram.
We look forward to hearing from you!
