A woman interviews a doula to support her birth

Ah, a doula: someone to support you during labor. To create a relaxing atmosphere. To help alleviate the stress and pressure of looming motherhood! It all sounds so dreamy and wonderful, unless it's not a fit.

With a combined birthing experience of four and a half, Sarah Adams and Maggie Rieth Austin wrote DOULA to capture the absurdity of birth. From doulas to belly wraps to a million “must have” supplements, pregnant women are constantly sold services and products to be the best “mama.” Sometimes it feels right, other times it feels like an over the top house guest who can’t take a hint and won’t leave you alone.

Meet the Characters:

Mama
Preparing for the birth of her first child, Mama is trying her best to do everything right. From picking the perfect bassinet, to joining all the Facebook discussion groups - she is trying her best to not let the anxiety of becoming "Mama" get the best of her. She doesn't have a partner, but she is determined to make a family and prove all the naysayers wrong. At the suggestion of one of her online mommy blog community group friends, she has decided late into her third trimester to hire a doula to assist her birth. There was only one available for an interview in the entire North Texas area.

Chasity
After witnessing her own mother give birth to all seven of her younger siblings, Chasity knew from an early age she was destined to be a doula. She's kind of psychic like that: she just KNEW it was her purpose. Chasity started her own doula practice, Ah! Push It! Doula Services, LLC, to bring her unique perspective and support to new mamas. Many of her techniques, while unconventional, are based on labor and delivery methods of mammals and reptiles she studied while travelling the world. Chasity has never formally assisted a birth, but she knows she can do it if given the chance to shine.