The Birth Hub

On pregnancy, birth & feeding your baby

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Pregnancy
  • Birth
  • My Book: Why Doulas Matter
  • Parenting
    • Feeding your baby
  • Tongue Tie Stories
    • Tongue Tie Stories
    • Tongue Tie Resources
  • Feminism

Breathing Out!

14th April 2015 By doulamaddie 2 Comments

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • WhatsApp
  • Email
me with book on publication day

Me on publication day, finally holding the finished book in my hand!

That’s what I seem to be doing at the moment. With all the whirlwind around publication  of the book, family stuff, teaching cover designnew doulas and, somewhere in the mix, planning (probably stupidly) to embark on a house extension, I kind of forgot to breathe there, for a while!

So this is me, breathing out. Being reminded again of how being mindful of the breath slows the pace of life, helps us stay in the moment and enjoy the journey, rather than being constantly focused on the destination.

I held my breath for quite some time: through much of the writing, editing and waiting for the publication of Why Doulas Matter. I held my breath because I was scared. I forgot all my own learning and wisdom and I froze. It’s hard to bare your soul. Frightening to open your heart so completely. Petrifying to publicly invite criticism and perhaps mockery.

But as usual, my tribe has saved me. Friends, doulas, midwives, birthworkers near and far have showered me with love. Glowing reviews, texts, emails, social media comments and real life hugs and words of encouragement, praise and admiration  have been coming my way ever since the book came out.

I have come a long way with my self esteem over the last decade. I am far and away a much stronger woman these days, with a way healthier sense of my own worth. But it seems I have a way to go. I don’t NEED your kind words and support, but it sure has helped to remind me to breathe. So thank you. Thank you all! Here are just a few of the people I love, who made it possible for me to give birth to this little book.

Bridget: Indomitable doula, Chair of Doula UK, mother to us all. Proud to call her a friend.

Indomitable doula, Chair of Doula UK, mother to us all. Proud to call her a friend.

Husband. Never doubts me, spurs me on. Keeps my technology working!

Chris: Husband. Never doubts me, spurs me on. Keeps my technology working!

Client, friend, and doula-wife. Signpost Queen with a brain the size of a planet.

Sophie: Client, friend, and doula-wife. Signpost Queen with a brain the size of a planet.

Daughter, friend. Who I'm doing this all for, really.

Libby: Daughter, friend. Who I’m doing this all for, really.

Son, growing into a man. A man who will proudly stand with women on an equal footing.

Dan. Son, growing into a man. A man who will proudly stand with women on an equal footing. My first baby, who taught me so much.

Rachel. What she knows about breastfeeding and mothering could never fit just one book. My inspiration and honour to work with. Friend and mentor.

Rachel. What she knows about breastfeeding and mothering could never fit just one book. My inspiration and honour to work with. Friend and mentor.

 

 

Mummy Linda. My doula-mum and mentor, friend and inspiration. She taught me how to love women.

Mummy Linda. My doula-mum and mentor, friend and inspiration. She taught me how to love women.

The Goddess. Doula and wise woman. White witch and wonder.

Suzanne: The Goddess. Doula and wise woman. White witch and wonder. Words are not enough.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • WhatsApp
  • Email

Related Posts

Filed Under: Birth, Books and online reading, doula, Why Doulas Matter Tagged With: birth doula, breastfeeding, doula, Doula UK, feminism

Let's stay friends

Enter your email address to receive notifications of new posts by email.

Comments

  1. Kay King says

    14th April 2015 at 6:53 pm

    And today I finished reading and oh my Maddie.. it is like a life long, pocket sized, take it with you wherever you go Developing Doulas course. I am completely in love with it… and ‘pop’ into my doula bag it goes! I hope you really are breathing out…. it is on the exhale that we realise all we have worked towards. xxxx

    Reply
    • Maddie says

      14th April 2015 at 7:28 pm

      Thanks so much Kay! So glad you enjoyed it. Xxx

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Categories

  • E-mail
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Stay up to date

Enter your email address to receive notifications of new posts by email.

  • What is an 'IBCLC' and Why I'll Probably Never Be One
  • Tongue Tie Stories
  • No pain, no gain? What EXACTLY do we mean by breastfeeding pain?
  • Latest Doula UK Statistics find again that we make a difference
  • Complementary Therapies in Maternity Care: are we blind to the bias?
  • Being Loved in Abobo: What Africa has to Teach us About Supporting Mothers
  • The Hoaxer of Covid: The Strange Case of Munchausens By Internet
  • My Best Birth
  • Sharing the Tongue Tie Knowledge
  • Emma's positive birth story: Hands off my baby!

Copyright © 2021 · Beautiful Pro Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
This site uses cookies: Find out more.