In honor of International Doula Month, we are interviewing our doulas, so you can get to know more about them and their inspiration for becoming a doula.
This week we chat with Andrea Myers
What is your title and with what organizations did you attend your trainings?
My title is Andrea Myers Certified SBD, CLS, and PES.
I have completed several different doula trainings. The first Organization that I trained with was DONA in 2012, followed by ToLabor in 2014, & Stillbirthday in 2015, which I went on to certify with.
I also did a postpartum doula training with Sacred Postpartum, in 2016.
Additionally, I became a Volunteer Breastfeeding Peer Counselor 5 years ago, in 2013, and went on to become a Certified Lactation Specialist in 2014 through Lactation Education Consultants. I became a Placenta Encapsulation Specialist in 2015, and my training was with Tranquil Transitions.
What does supporting a family in birth/postpartum look like with your support?
Both roles have such unique qualities. I’m currently mainly prividing postpartum support, so I’ll talk a little about what that looks like.
I go into a families home to help the transition from a couple to a couple with a new baby, or a small family to a bigger family as smooth as possible.
Each time a new member is introduced to the family, whether it’s the first baby or fifth or tenth, the dynamics change and shift, and everyone has to find their new normal and there’s an adjustment period.
So, whatever that family needs support with, I’m there. Sometimes new parents need assurance that the changes are normal, and just need someone to talk to. One day they may want tips and resources. Other days they just want me to fix them something to eat, fold laundry, help them with giving baby their first bath, play with their toddler, or tend to the baby so they can play with their toddler, tidy their kitchen, those types of things. Sometimes mom just needs a few hours to nap & rest well knowing that I am there to tend to the baby.
What do families love most about you?
I think families mostly love my calming, easy going personality that puts them at ease and my encouraging, non-judgmental support.
What do you love most about this profession?
Snuggling babies!!! No, but seriously… while snuggling babies is a perk of this profession, I think the best part is seeing parents go from unsure, and kind of fearful of the unknown… to growing in their confidence and seeing their relationships with each other as well as their babies transform and blossom.
What events and careers In The past have led you to where you are today?
Since I was a little girl, I’ve always been the type to want to take care of others. I volunteered in the church nursery as an adolescent. Then babysat as a teen. Leading me to my career as a caregiver for 8 years, caring for teens and adults with special needs.
I was really drawn to birth work after the birth of my 3rd daughter (I have 4 girls), which was when my career as a doula began. Overtime I’ve slowly transitioned from mainly birth support, to mainly postpartum support. All of it is so rewarding. I feel so valued and appreciated in this line of work.
