Supporting New Parents and Their Children
I am a birth and postpartum doula in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. I do a lot of listening to and encouraging of mothers and fathers before, during, and after their baby’s birth. This includes supporting them as they discover the heavy weight of parents’ oppression. Usually, for the mother—because of the combination of sexism and parents’ oppression—this happens within days of giving birth. This year another doula and I started a Mother Baby Group. Moms come with their babies one morning a week for social and emotional support, and everyone gets some confidential listening time.
I sometimes support the older siblings as well. I find that parents are most open to learning about emotional healing when it pertains to their older children. They are relieved that I can play and connect with the older children and grateful for the attention I have for their upsets as they adjust to life with a new sibling.
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Reprinted from a newsletter for people who have communicated with theInformation Coordinator for Birth Workers
(Present Time 185, October 2016)