Interview:

Interview with Katie Jackson, Doula + Birth Photographer

The Doula Lens

MBONG: I HAD AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY TO INTERVIEW KATIE JACKSON, THE OWNER OF DOULA LENS AND LEARN HOW SHE PROVIDES INCREDIBLE SUPPORT TO FAMILIES WELCOMING THEIR NEW BABIES IN THE TRIANGLE.

Katie: Hello and thanks for having me! I’m happy to be sharing and to be part of the larger local community that works together to support parents and parents-to-be.

MBONG: WHAT DO YOU DO?

Katie: My role during the birth can be related to a tour guide of sorts. Imagine you are taking a trip and planning for a special, high-stakes event. For most people, especially the first time, giving birth is like visiting an entirely foreign country. This is especially true when I am helping families for a hospital birth. You don’t speak the language, you don’t know the customs, you need help navigating the landscape and you would like some expert knowledge about how to have the most pleasant and least stressful experience possible. I’m also a professional photographer who can document your entire, amazing once-in-a-lifetime-trip!

These are the gaps I fill when someone chooses to hire me. I want them to know what to expect, how to communicate and speak up for themselves, the ins and the outs of the facility and some common roadblocks to avoid. I am also there to help them manage anything unexpected that may happen during their experience. Once labor starts I am available for support and join you in person whenever you need hands-on help. I remain with you the whole time, do all I can to support your goals and help your partner be an active participant. I stay until the baby is born until about two hours postpartum. I’m also taking beautiful pictures throughout the day to capture all the emotions of your experience.

MBONG: WHO DO YOU HELP?

 Katie: If I could choose, I’d love to support primarily out-of-hospital births. This is where my heart lies and this is the foundation of my birth-working career. I became certified originally in a different state where families had more access and choices. My early years as a doula were mostly spent supporting families in my local birth center. 

Sadly, there’s not as much availability in this area for out of hospital births so I currently work mostly in a hospital setting with some home births here and there. I am the best doula for families who are wanting to have a very present, very active and transformative experience. I support whatever goals you have, but I cannot help you to the fullest of my abilities if you are not looking to go deeper than the level of learning that you get from standard doctor visits. 

I also cannot save you from all of the potential risks and side effects of some common medications and interventions. If you are not willing to get curious, speak up and make informed decisions, I’m probably not the best fit for you. 

This means I work primarily with either first-time parents who have done some independent research or some second time+ parents who are seeking help to have a more empowering and beautiful experience. 

MBONG: HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN THIS FIELD?

Katie:  I have a degree in public health education and I specialized in chronic disease education and management. I didn’t pay much attention to maternal health until after I had already had a difficult first pregnancy and labor experience. My eyes were totally opened and I realized there was a lot of gaps in what parents need and the education they receive from their doctor. I also felt the amount of personal care and support was very lacking. 

When I was pregnant with my second child, I was desperate to have a more active role in my care and awareness of the birth process. I read every natural birthing book I could get my hands on, switched to a midwife and went on to have a much more positive (I’d say life changing) experience. I was convinced I’d go back to school and become a midwife when the timing was right. I still had never heard of a doula. Fast forward years later and I had another baby and felt very called to help families. I trained first with Lamaze International as a childbirth educator until I felt ready to tackle the on-call lifestyle. I became a doula about a year later in 2017.

MBONG: WHAT IS A FUN FACT ABOUT YOU?

Katie: My family and I traveled around for 4 months in 2018 and were essentially nomads (by choice). We were looking for a change and my husband had gotten a remote job. We took a risk, sold our house and went on the best adventure. We started in the redwoods of California and made our way across the country. The plan was always to settle in Colorado but we visited NC and decided to stay.

MBONG: WHAT IS THE TOP PROBLEM PEOPLE REACH OUT TO YOU FOR?

Katie: I’d say most of the people who reach out to me want to enjoy their birth, but they know they need some expert support to reach their goals. I also hear from a lot of second-time moms who feel sad they do not have any memories of their first labor and birth. These moms are ready to invest and celebrate this significant time in their life so they can remember all the emotions and those precious first moments with their child. 

MBONG: WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU WISH MORE PEOPLE KNEW?

Katie: I wish more people knew that parents deserve so much better than what our society currently offers or expects. I wish more people knew that giving birth is about so much more than just getting a baby. It’s a milestone that deserves just as much investment and attention as other big events in your life. Wanting to enjoy your labor and birth does not make you a diva. You deserve a day that is free from unnecessary stress and trauma so you can have a healthy and gentle transition into parenting. 

I also wish more people believed that it’s worth documenting this day. IT ONLY HAPPENS ONE TIME! It can be hard to see the forest through the trees because there’s so much to think about when preparing for a baby. I get that. But these are moments that have never happened before and will never happen again for you or your child. It’s a gift to yourself to remember it. 

I have authority to speak on this because I have three big kids and very few photos. I can tell you I would go back in time and PAY WHATEVER IT TAKES TO SEE ALL OF THAT: myself as I worked through the labor, my husband as he supported me and met our children, and my babies’ first moments on earth. My kids are so big now and I’ve forgotten so much. The days they were born have absolutely changed and shaped my life and I often grieve that I don’t have more of those memories. It drives a lot of why I do what I do in my work.

Mbong: WHAT'S A COMMON MYTH YOU SEE FLOATING OUT THERE YOU COULD BUST ABOUT THE PAIN MANAGEMENT DURING CHILDBIRTH?

Katie: I think most people's idea is that labor is just full of constant pain and misery. Our vision of birth is shaped by Hollywood's version of lots of screaming, swearing and chaos. When in fact, labor is not a frantic, urgent, emergency. For most people it’s steady and slow, even boring at times until it gradually builds to more intensity. While there’s definitely hard work involved, we forget that labor ebbs and flows and there’s breaks in between to rest, catch our breath and gather our strength. You don’t have to do it all at once. 

MBONG: LET'S CHAT ABOUT PREPARING FOR THE BIRTHING PERSON, GETTING A BIRTH SUPPORT TEAM. 

Mbong: This is a huge one I hear– "I'll show up and wing it", which is fine if it works for them. But some people want encouragement and help, but their social circle is discouraging it. I believe it is important to educate yourself and be supported during pregnancy and labor if someone wants it, can you share your point of view or any words of wisdom?

Katie:  I’ll never convince anyone of what they should do or what they should want. However, I will say from my own experience, that I have just as many dads and support people tell me “I’m so glad you were there, don’t know what I would have done without you!” Most partners are very grateful in the throes of labor to have a steady and knowledgeable person who can guide to respond and reassure them that all is well. Watching someone you love go through something so big and hard is difficult. Its tough to stay focused and remember how to help. I really enjoy that part of my job. I love helping the whole family and team work together and be actively involved. It’s an important day for them too.

Connect with Katie, Certified Doula, Birth Photographer, Birth Educator—

Website: TheDoulaLens.com (Use code Radiance for 15% off The Doula Lens Birth Mindset workbook), Instagram