Charlie’s Angels: The Aroma of a Doula

By Charlie Long Graham

The doulas’ role in my life after giving birth has become like treasured memories. With a willing spirit, the doulas’ embrace was warm and their compassionate acts of gentle and genuine service helped to maintain a safe and uplifting atmosphere while my body healed. Their personal and sincere touch, wrapped with sensitivity and a nurturing spirit, made the definition of doula come alive in my presence.

Today, I pay tribute to doulas across the globe, especially the doulas in Ann Arbor and Plymouth, Michigan. These doulas were chosen and trained for action and help set the tone for my healthy postpartum recovery — mentally, emotionally, and physically. The mission statement that represents agencies can often become words with little success, lacking little impact. I am a witness to the statement the doulas made. The doulas bring their mission statement to life, by their works. The Center for the Childbearing Year is reaching women like me within the community and decreasing high levels of stress that often characterize post-birth experiences. Women are overall the caregivers for the families. When you help a woman maintain her mental and physical health, you help a nation.

I represent one of the women within Washtenaw County who was in great need of support after delivery. It is evident that the doulas are being chosen and hand picked to provide this service. Women are able to overcome any obstacles when surrounded with a positive empowering team. The Doulas Care community-based program was in the position to send my family help in the form of professional, non-judgmental, caring doulas. I was encouraged and motivated, while the doulas provided assistance. Without the doulas caring for my newborn and supporting me with my three- and four-year-old sons while I learned to walk again, my road to recovery would have been consumed with discouragement and stress. The doulas added to my hope and lifted my confidence tremendously.

There were many people wondering how I could make it without becoming completely depressed. Those people underestimated my level of faith and the mission statement behind the doulas. I was fortunate to have a caring agency that provided me with assistance. The “aroma of doulas,” their dedication and commitment to this much needed volunteer and support service was like a scent of inspiration. They created an environment where I could heal with confidence and hope. It’s an honor to send words of thanks and appreciation to all the employees and volunteers for developing and maintaining an agency that helps mothers overcome the challenges of childbirth. I salute you for your commitment to women.

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