I became a doula because I loved supporting families through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. What I didn’t expect was how beautifully this career would fit into my own motherhood. Being a doula and a mom has allowed me to do meaningful work, contribute financially to my family, and still spend the majority of my time with my kids.
Here are some of the biggest reasons I continue to love being a doula.
1. I’ve Been Able To Be Present With My Kids
One of my greatest gifts from this career has been time. For much of my doula career, unless I was at a birth, I could be with my kids. I wasn’t missing the everyday moments that mattered so much to me. Prior to being a doula, I was a 5th grade teacher which meant early mornings, PTA meetings, conferences, concerts, etc. As a doula, I get to decide when I work, when I want to volunteer at school, pick my kids up every day. Unless I’m at a birth, of course! (At most, that’s only a few days a month.)
2. Postpartum Work Gives Me Flexibility
Postpartum doula work can fit beautifully around family life. I can schedule daytime shifts while my kids are at school or work an overnight shift and sleep while they’re at school the next day. That flexibility has been incredibly valuable during different seasons of motherhood. With little kids, that meant I was around for after school homework and driving them to practices. With teenage sons now, it means that I can be at every football game, travel for hockey on Fridays-Sundays, and attend music programs at school.
3. Doula Work Made Me A Stronger Advocate
Advocacy is an important part of doula support. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists describes doulas as helping clients develop questions, communicate preferences, and navigate decisions.
Those skills followed me home. I’ve learned how to ask better questions, speak up respectfully, research options, and advocate confidently for my own children.
4. I Can Help Support My Family Financially
Motherhood and meaningful work don’t have to be opposites. Doula work has given me an opportunity to bring income into our household while maintaining the flexibility that matters to our family.
5. I’m Proud Of What I Do
There is something incredibly rewarding about walking into a room and saying, “Hi, I’m a doula.” Research supports what we see firsthand: continuous labor support is associated with positive birth outcomes and experiences.
I’m proud that this is my career.
6. I’ve Found An Amazing Community
Some of my favorite people are other doulas. Many of us are moms ourselves, and there’s something special about being surrounded by women who understand both the demands of motherhood and the calling to support other families.
7. My Kids Get To See Me Love My Work
I hope my kids see that work can be meaningful. They know their mom helps families have babies, supports new parents, and genuinely loves what she does.
Our doulas at The Iowa Baby Ladies Doula Team understand that this career is about caring for families—including our own. I’m incredibly grateful that doula work has given me purpose, community, flexibility, and more opportunities to be the present mom I’ve always wanted to be.
If you do not yet have a birth doula or postpartum doula, and you live in Iowa, we would love to chat more about how amazing doula support can be for expecting and new parents! Feel free to send me an email to Katie@theiowababylady.com.
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