Preventing Burnout from Attending Births
Aug 18th, 2010 | By Darlene MacAuley | Category: Creating Structure, Inspiring New Tip, Life Balance
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The way in which a client’s birth unfolds starts long before the birth itself. There is no coincidence that you and your client crossed paths, no coincidence that you chose one another to experience that birth in the way that you did.
“When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” Buddhist Proverb
I often consider my clients and their babies my teachers. Yes, I have skills that will benefit them, but there is so much to learn, not only about birth and our skills as childbirth professionals. I learn so much about human nature and how our minds and emotions affect birth.
After I attend a birth, it’s important for me to process through it. Sometimes I ask my husband to listen, sometimes I call a fellow doula or mentor, and every time, I put pen to paper. My whole being runs the gamut of emotions – from joy, to anger, sadness and frustration. The goal is to get to… peace. Sometimes I get there quickly, and sometimes it takes years.
Developing a support system as a childbirth professional is vital – it prevents burnout, assuages grief or disbelief in the crazy birth culture and system and exists, encourages exploration into new perspectives, helps heal our own birth experiences, promotes growth as a professional, and it helps us, if necessary, to forgive ourselves and others.
Inspire us with your comments:
- How do you process births you attend?
- What tools do you utilize to support your own healing process?
- What can you do to strengthen your support system?
These posts may also inspire you:
- Life After Training – Part 1: Build Your Support System
- Addressing Hospital Restrictions on Birth Doula Contracts
- The Heart of a Business Lies in our Heart
- Joining Professional Groups For Business Growth
- Review of Micky Jones’ “Keep the Fires Burning: Conquering stress and burnout as a Mother-Baby Professional”
I process the births that I attend by writing my version of the birth story, creating poetry or by painting. I try to express all my feelings, from the most mundane (“I had such a headache during this labour” ) to the most profound (“I think I just saw the face of G-d in that baby’s eyes”).
I use a variety of tools in order to heal myself: meditation, chanting, drinking tea (and sometimes wine!), taking hot bubble baths, aromatherapy, reflexology, Reiki, reading, watching funny movies, cuddling with my kitties, venting to my friends, creating art, counselling, sleeping, Rescue Remedy, Emergen-C and sleep.
I have started to strengthen my support system by creating a support group for doulas and childbirth educators in my community. We meet once a month to share our experiences, both positive and negative, and to laugh and cry together. I felt the need for this group after I attended a birth where the baby unexpectedly ended up being born still and I felt alone and sad and needed other birth professionals to talk to. I’m also learning to ask for help when I need it – after all, as a doula, I acknowledge that others need help…so why can’t I get help every now and then?
I think that it is natural and healthy for us as brothers and sisters of Planet Earth to lean on each other and show each other love.
This is so beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing this. I’ve also found Reiki, crystals, EFT and flower essences to be really helpful for emotional healing.
I write detailed birth stories. It helps me process it.
If it is a traumatic birth I also talk with my doula friends.
Sheridan recently posted…Breasts are NOT for Entertainment Purposes
Thanks for sharing, Sheridan!
I have recently struggled a lot with this, and came pretty close to “burnout.” I have a good support network of other doulas, but lack a little bit in the self-care department. I’ve taken this month off, and look forward to getting back to some of the things I think are important – yoga, drinking lots of fluids, taking my vitamins, going for massage etc. I also have a toddler at home, and struggle with balancing 2 jobs, motherhood and keeping our house *somewhat* clean.
Good for you, Misty, for taking time off for YOU. I’ve actually been doing a lot of the same this month too, and it makes a world of difference.
Getting into a good rhythm takes time, and self-care helps us to flow with changes more easily.