Today I woke up to the sweet sight of my facebook page boasting 1000 likes!
What a Milestone!
2 years ago I launched Doula Paris & started teaching my first private hyponobirthing classes here.
At the time I was told by many people (and I mean a lot - like every person I met) "What you do won't work here..." Everyone wants epidurals, nobody's interested in 'natural birth,' its hugely over-medicalised in Paris etc etc.
I'm happy to say that I have found the reality has been very different indeed!!
Before I went on maternity leave I was teaching 2 group hyonobirthing classes a week. As well as private one-to-one hypnobirthing classes on top of that...and 4 prenatal & postnatal yoga classes per week to boot.
If anything I had TOO much demand.
"What i do" was undoubtedly working here...
In these past 2 years I've launched the Paris positive birth movement, co-produced a documentary film about homebirth, been invited to speak at numerous conferences (including roundtable discussions at prestigious Parisian universities) about the over-medicalisation of birth, supporting women's voices etc. I have also met TONNES of professionals who were already working hard here to promote a similar philosophy of women's choice & physiology.
And most importantly I have had the immeasurable pleasure of supporting 100's of sensational women in realising truly empowered pregnancies and births.
So 2 things I've learn:
1. There are no such thing as Parisian or French women, really. There are just women.
And the world over you will find little pockets of attuned & visionary women, working hard to promote a vision of the future where babies are born peacefully and respectfully into the world... where their mothers start their journey into motherhood feeling respected, 'heard' & empowered.
2. Never let anyone tell you that "what you do won't work here." Because with enough passion, drive, conviction - and of course sensitivity - you can do any bloody thing you want.
The modern world is wide open for those who know how to connect with people's hearts & support them to reconnect with the beauty of a more peaceful life & a more peaceful world.
So a big thank you to everyone who has supported me, everyone who follows me, and everyone who has shared and promoted my work and words here.
It may only be a facebook page, and it may only be 1000 likes (which of course pales in comparison to the many celebs who are inevitably doing much greater things for the world ;)) but to me it means a lot. And it stands as an emblem that things are changing in the birth world in Paris - and the world over. Because little people like me, and their little 1000 likes, are each chipping away in their little corners, working hard to support women's voices and the vision of a more respectful & peaceful world for women, babies and families.