DTI is excited to introduce you to our fierce team of educators. First up is Raini Gomez who will be leading DTI’s Dallas doula training April 14th-17th, 2016. She is the owner of Pink Moon Doula in Austin, Texas where she lives with her husband and two children.
We asked Raini to tell us a little about what it’s like to work in Austin as a doula and what makes DTI special to her.
Where do you live and what is it like practicing as a doula in your area?
Practicing here is pretty diverse. There are a lot of wonderful doulas in Austin and I find it to be a supportive, collaborative community. We have an incredible, active DTI tribe as well!
When and how did you first know you wanted to be a doula?
When my first daughter was born nine-and-a-half years ago I had a homebirth Cesarean. That experience left me feeling inadequate and unheard. Coupled with postpartum depression and a painful, rocky start to motherhood, I knew there had to be a better way. I wanted to support women fully to blossom into their new role as mother and help smooth the transition from pregnancy, birth and beyond for families.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to your younger (doula) self?
Believe that you are enough. You do not need every certification, workshop or class to be a good doula.
What do you love most about being a part of DTI?
I love the sense of support and mentorship! We have an amazing group of doulas that truly believe in one another, value our differences and unique strengths, and we work tirelessly to help shift the paradigm of birth culture, in this country especially, but throughout the world as well.
What is your favorite aspect of DTI’s 4-day doula training?
One thing I have found about the 4-day doula training is that new doulas are given the incredible resources and information to really start their doula practice from the day they leave the training. They can work at their pace with the informative video series and are completely supported throughout their journey with our monthly mentorship calls. These trainings are powerful medicine for many of us and there are strong bonds and connections made in a short amount of time.
Looking for a Dallas doula training? I’d love to see you there.
I’ll be hosting the Dallas doula training in April and cannot wait to begin a new journey with a DTI Dallas tribe! Register here.