Dear *|FNAME|*,
I hope this week has offered you moments of deep rest and restoration following Thanksgiving.
While the energy in my own home has been full and bustling, I intentionally pressed the pause button this week. I dedicated precious, unhurried time to work on an in-progress painting—a beautiful act of slowing my pace.
Recently, my body gave me a clear, loving signal—a health nudge that indicated a necessary shift. It is time to step back from the perpetual state of “going” and “doing” and consciously choose the grace of slowing down.
Creating intentional space for this gentle deceleration is profoundly important. Although I didn’t plan a slow week ahead of time, I realized on Monday morning that it is never too late to honor our needs and push the pause button for a few nourishing days.
And the results, my heart sisters, are a testament to the power of rest. I feel a renewed sense of calm, but more significantly, I laughed this week. A deep, soulful laugh. As that joy bubbled up, I became acutely aware of how intensely I have been pushing and giving, and how long it has truly been since I relaxed enough to simply be and giggle!
To carry this feeling of lightheartedness and joy forward, I am delighted to announce the winners of our special drawing! This was our way of recognizing those who poured into this month’s newsletters and quiz, and we extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated!
** And the Winners Are…
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The winner of the coveted 20 oz Yeti Rambler is…
** Brenda Skousen!
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And the two winners who will receive a beautiful, handmade mothering necklace and earring set are…
** Rachel Cliche and Sandy Davis!
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My heart is truly overflowing with gratitude. As part of our recent “The Doula” quiz, I included a few open-ended questions, inviting you to share your deepest thoughts and experiences. I want to extend my deepest thanks to each of you for your vulnerability and willingness to share; I absolutely cherished reading every one of your replies!
Your shared wisdom is a guiding light for our community.
** Question 1: What is something that you learned about doulas in this month’s newsletters?
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These replies beautifully illustrate the unique and essential role of the doula:
* “Doulas have separate skill sets and experiences that make them unique to their job.” (Yes! Our support is tailored, not prescriptive.)
* “That there’s a difference between a doula and a midwife.” (A key distinction! We work hand-in-hand, but a midwife provides medical care, and a doula provides emotional, physical, and informational support.)
* “That they even exist! The whole concept, beginning with the word, was introduced to me by you. I had certainly heard of midwives but never a doula. My education has been broadened.” (Welcome to the sacred circle of support!)
* “I didn’t realize that doulas assisted mothers in postpartum. This is so important as most mothers are left on their own to figure it out after birth, and don’t know where to turn for answers or realize what kind of support they need.” (This is profoundly true. The “fourth trimester” deserves as much focused support as the birth itself.)
* “A lot of them became doulas because of a life event. They needed more so they became that so others could get that extra help and assurance.” (A beautiful sentiment. Many of us come to this work because we recognize the gaps in care and commit to filling them for others.)
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** Question 2: What has been your experience with doulas personally? Did you use a doula for any of your births? Why or why not?
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Your personal stories truly speak to the evolving landscape of birth support:
* For those not yet experiencing birth: “I have not experienced giving birth. But I would tell a friend that Doula’s are not there for the baby, they’re there for you. Doula’s help you make knowledgeable decisions and make sure you are comfortable with what’s going on. They also help you after giving birth. Educating, and being an arm to lean on.” (A perfect recommendation! We are the steadfast arm for the birthing person.)
* Reflecting on the past: “No, I didn’t know anything about doulas. Of course, my youngest was born almost 50 years ago.” (Birth culture has shifted wonderfully since then, and awareness is growing!)
* The desire for more informed support: “I did not use a doula with the birth of my son… I did not know anything about doulas, at the time. I would choose to work with a doula, if I had another birth, now that I understand how supportive they can be throughout the birthing process.” (Understanding the full scope of support makes all the difference.)
* Navigating choices and empowerment: “I’ve never had the opportunity to use a doula… But I would have loved to have had one present. I was pushed into forced labor with my first and that led to an unwanted c-section… I always felt like that robbed me of a sacred connection to my kids. I think a doula would have guided me into standing up for what I wanted out of the experience and helped alleviate my fears.” (This speaks directly to our mission: providing empowering, non-judgmental guidance so you can advocate for your sacred experience.)
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Thank you again for opening your hearts and sharing your insights. Your responses fuel my passion for this work and for continuing to educate on the power of compassionate support.
** Next Month’s Focus
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As we transition into the quieter, contemplative energy of the deep winter months, our focus in the newsletter will gently shift towards the sacred journey of conception.
We will explore the beautiful, somewhat surprising truth of why over half of all babies are typically conceived during this time of inner rest and hibernation. There is a deep wisdom in nature, and we will uncover how our bodies align with this cycle.
In the coming weeks, we will tenderly learn about:
* Nourishing and Strengthening Fertility: Gentle, practical ways to feed and fortify your body’s innate ability to conceive, honoring both the physical and energetic readiness.
* The Emotional Gateway to the Womb: An honest, compassionate discussion on the profound connection between emotional balance and physical fertility. We will explore how mindfully working through past traumas and energetic imbalances can act as a key, opening the door to the sacred space of the womb.
Join me as we dive into this intentional exploration of our fertile life force.
Remember, if you know someone who is expecting, be sure to share with them my Doula Bundles (https://twoheartshealing.info/packages-products-and-services/) :
* On-call support for your birth.
* Working with you to prepare emotionally and process your birth experience after it’s over.
You can explore both of these service options using the button below.
Labor & Delivery Doula Bundle (https://app.acuityscheduling.com/catalog.php?owner=33984276&action=addCart&clear=1&id=1855999)