We were lucky to catch up with Dietra Hudson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Dietra, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you recount a time when the advice you provided to a client was really spot on? (Please note this response is for education/entertainment purposes only and shouldn’t be construed as advice for the reader)

As a birth doula the best advice I can give to my clients is: trust your body and your intuition. We are designed to create and give birth to new life. Society has complicated the process, which can often lead to disappoint and a unsatisfactory experience. Trust that your body and mind know what they are doing. Also, as a parent, listening to your intuition will always be key. If something feels off, it probably is. Listen to that voice. If my clients can follow this advice, they will feel more empowered in their birth experience and as a new parent.

Dietra, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I became a Birth Doula in 2016, after the birth of my first son. As soon as I became pregnant, I knew I wanted to have an unmedicated labor. I read all the natural birth books, hired midwives and took Bradley Method classes with my husband. But as soon as I arrived at the hospital, my flight or fight response kicked in. My labor became painful and I wasn’t managing well. Eventually, I gave birth to my son but the experience left me confused and traumatized.

When my son was 6 months old, I knew I needed to turn this negative experience into something positive, so I became a Doula. I began courses through DONA International and became certified in August 2017. Shortly after that, I decided to become a Certified Lactation Counselor, so I could further support my clients after they gave birth.

As a Birth Doula, my main goal for my clients is to make sure they are informed and supported in a way that makes them feel empowered during their labor and birth. I differ from other Doula’s in that I work a lot with my clients prenatally to make sure they are mentally prepared to give birth. I believe that when you are prepared to submit to your body and let it give birth, you will have a much more positive experience.

As a Birth Doula for the past 7 years, I am most proud of the relationships I have developed with my clients. It takes great trust to allow an outsider into your birth space.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

My reputation as a Birth Doula has grown in my community because I offer professionalism, but also get to know my clients on a personal level. Just like birth, everyone is different and I take my time getting to know the people who hire me, so that they feel comfortable asking me anything and they feel safe with me in their birth space. As a business owner, I am organized and work efficiently, which I think also makes my clients feel confident in my support.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

I worked in the financial industry for 8 years before becoming a Doula, so beginning this profession was a calling. I am so thankful I had the birth experience I did, because I never would’ve found what I was meant to do otherwise. I can’t imagine working in a field that didn’t involve helping people give birth.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.hudmambirth.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/hudmamabirth

Image Credits
Andrea Rae Photography, HudMama Holistic Birth, LLC