You Can Call Me Ho.

I am a Doula. 

I know you want to say it…”MEDULLA OBLONGATA!!!”

Please refrain.

I have some former clients, who are very special to me, that decided they hated the word “Doula”. She and her husband decided they would call me their “Ho”, instead.

It has grown on me. You can call me Ho.

I belong to an incredible organization…called CAPPA. Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association.

The day I read CAPPA’s vision – I knew I was home.

The CAPPA Vision
Imagine a world where women are encouraged to trust their bodies, and where myths about childbirth and breastfeeding are dispelled. Imagine a world where women are given the tools they need to make informed decisions about their pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, and postpartum experiences. Imagine a world where education does not involve guilt but seeks to empower. Imagine a world where women are surrounded by caring, compassionate support throughout the childbearing year. Imagine a world where new mothers are equipped to embrace pregnancy, birth, and motherhood with confidence. Imagine an organization that volunteers every day to make this a reality. CAPPA - reality begins with imagination.

I have finally found an organization that is a perfect fit for my own personal philosophy towards birth. I love that CAPPA believes in educating women, allowing them to make informed decisions, and supporting those women – regardless of what their personal decision is. I love this!

In July, I flew to Charlotte, NC for my first CAPPA Conference. Courtney is a post-partum doula…so she got to go to the conference, as well. It was great being able to share this with her.

We stayed at the incredibly beautiful Ballantyne Hotel and Spa.

My bed…THE most comfortable bed I have ever slept on – outside of my own :)

On the dresser:

Our view made me miss Tom….terribly.

While at the conference, I was blessed to be able to reunite with some dear friends…

and hang with my local friends :)

I also got to meet some of my “heroes” of the childbirth community…

Barbara Harper, Polly Perez, and Jan Tedder. The speakers were excellent…I learned so much…and got excited to pursue becoming a certified HUG instructor. Click here for more info.

It was not a good trip for the diet. Two Strawberry Daiquiris at dinner? Each? Was that really necessary? Was it, Courtney?

At the time, we thought so. *note* the glass does not appear “virgin” – but the drinks were :)

The room service didn’t help matters, either. We ordered room service for almost every meal. Too rushed in the morning to go out for breakfast…too exhausted at night to go out for dinner. 

It was ridiculously good. We justified the splurge since it was all organic and local.

Even this was…. (seriously!) (cheddar mushroom burger)

On top of all of THIS – and a night of ordering grilled cheese at midnight, (blushing), CAPPA hosted a “Chocolate Party”. It was absolutely nuts.

       

At the chocolate party…I renewed my friendship vows with my long-lost friend, Louise.

We exchanged toe rings…

And fed each other friendship cake…

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It didn’t take long for her to stray. She was caught trying to “woo” another friend with her dance moves.

A room full of ladies amped up on chocolate = The Pony.

The next morning Courtney had a sugar hangover.

We spent our last day at the spa – napping – a movie – and room service, of course :)

The trip was an amazing experience. So blessed to have been able to attend and meet so many amazing women. I came back rededicated to be the best HO I can be!

I ♥ CAPPA!!!!