Doula!

Ever since I became interested in a natural childbirth I started researching doulas. Doulas are women that come over while you're laboring and coach you and your partner through the whole process. They give you massages, they help you get into different positions to help you relax and facilitate the process, they give you advice, and they're basically your guide during the whole thing. I know that a lot of this sounds like stuff that Albert should be doing.. but honestly... we're both noobs at this and I love the idea of having an expert there helping both of us out.

This past week, I think I've met with and interviewed 10 doulas total. On Wednesday night, I went to a bit of a bizarre set up. There were a group of pregnant women and some couples, and a group of doulas. The pregnant women sat around the room and the doulas went around meeting each of the women - kind of like doula speed dating. Since this was my first time meeting any kind of doula, it was interesting just learning about their profession and how they came to become doulas. I also realized how it important it is for me to find someone that I click with personality-wise. I didn't click with anybody that night, but I did come back armed with a lot of information and I was still a bit unsure if I wanted one (they're not cheap).

Yesterday, Al and I went to interview 4 more doulas through a small doula organization in Soho. And we seriously loved all 4 doulas that we met. All the ladies were down-to-earth, experienced, and I could tell we'd all get along. Now, Al and I have to choose our primary doula and a backup doula, and I'm still having a tough time deciding who should be the primary and who should be the backup. I guess its a good dilemma to have, trying to choose between two great doulas...

Anyway, the point of this whole doula post is, yesterday, while interviewing the doulas, it was the first time I actually got excited about giving birth. I still can't even stand to look at pictures or videos of giving birth (I closed my eyes during Knocked Up), but I think my mentality is slowly starting to change. Yay!