“Mother: (n.) – A female parent; the center of creation, inspiration, and love; one who rears, nurtures and protects children; a mender of hearts; a maker and holder of memories; someone who loves unconditionally.” 

This past weekend, I had the privilege of sitting with 25 other beautiful women in a loft for doula training. A doula is a professional trained in childbirth who provides emotional, physical, and educational support to a mother who is expecting, experiencing labor, or has recently given birth. The doula’s purpose is to help women have safe, memorable, and empowering birthing experiences. A few months ago, I was supposed to finish my doula training, but circumstances came up to where I couldn’t, mainly due to me not balancing my own self-care too well. However this weekend was etched in stone for me to complete some wonderful training, learning, sharing, and collaboration for how to become a birth doula. I am still in awe of how a soul can be nurtured in the womb. Where one body nurtures, shelters another life, and births a new life into the unknown of this outer world.

To top this weekend off, my family and I sang Happy Birthday to my mom! I am amazed at how such a little lady could deal with such a hot-headed Asian as I am. She had a hard time getting pregnant with five previous miscarriages. After two months of bed-rest, she was confirmed pregnant with my stubborn self. Then, she said goodbye to sleep for the next 18 years after my birth! 

But truth be told, my poor mama probably still has not slept for several decades until now (sorry Mommy!). She is my everything! She is my rock, my support and inspiration, pushing me to the extreme for my highest purpose. It is true that life starts in the womb, but it can also start in any of life’s great milestones. I may not yet have had the experience of carrying a child or giving birth, but the accomplishment of finishing my doula training has ignited an even stronger passion for how I can incorporate this knowledge into my practice of acupuncture and herbs. I am ready to take on this next challenge in life, and know I will be a great support for many future mothers as a doula.