Since I have a full-time job that I love, I don’t want or need to doula to earn a living. Some women do earn a living working as doulas, and that’s great. I think the volunteer doula program at the local hospital is going to be such a good program for me. The volunteer program offers a free service for women who want a doula, but would otherwise not be able to afford a doula. 

Volunteering also works with my schedule. I can sign up to volunteer during days when I know I’ll be available. Even then, I’ve heard that the volunteer doula program is not well-utilized, so I might not be called in very often. I’ll soon find out for myself because I’ve started the process of becoming a volunteer.

One interesting thing about this process is that the doula community tends to be all about no medication/low intervention birth. The thinking is that women’s bodies can give birth. Medication and intervention is rarely needed (but it is needed sometimes and thank goodness we have it). At my doula training, there were even people there who were against vaccinations. I’ve read up on this a bit, and I understand the heated nature of the debate. There is a lot at stake either way.

So, despite the fact that doula culture is often immersed in a culture of no/low medication, in order to volunteer as a doula, I have to get shot full of all kinds of vaccines. I’m being dramatic. Sort of? Thank goodness I’ve already had many of the vaccines and don’t need to do those ones again.

Still, they had to take a blood test to confirm I’ve had chicken pox. I have, but if the immunities are too low, I’ll have to get a shot (boo!). I have to get a flu shot in about a week, which irritates me because I would not doula if I was having flu symptoms, the flu season is almost over, I read that this year’s flu shot was not very accurate, and I have a sense that I’m somehow weakening my immune system by not allowing exposure to these things from time to time (which is unfounded). Today, I to get the tetanus/whooping cough one. I also had to get a TB skin test. Now, that one I understand. 

BLURGH! That’s a lot of toxic, viral matter going into my body! Here’s the thing: I’ve had many of these shots before. It’s nothing new. I’m just incredibly hesitant about the whole process. I wish I didn’t have to get them. But, in the end, I believe in this doula work and believe that the sacrifice of getting several vaccinations is worth it for the work that I’ll be able to do.