Houston Abortion Doula Training Reflections

image description: 8 people in various poses (sitting, crouching, and standing) smiling and grouped together in front of a white wall

image description: a diagonal view of the training space room with black chairs stacked on the right side, an orange wall at the back with multicolored papers taped to it and a whiteboard with text and papers in front of it, a wall with 2 windows (closed blinds) on the left side, and an "L" shaped table in the center of the room with black chairs around it.

image description: an orange wall behind a whiteboard with a bulleted list written in blue dry-erase marker, with two papers taped to the center of the board (content of papers indiscernable; one sheet has images and writing with a typed heading, the other has text only), and a poster taped to the board directly to the right of the papers. whiteboard reads: womenonwaves.org (parking lot*) -$$$ [dollar signs], -language barriers / Deaf or HoH, -judicial bypass, -geography/proximity to clinic, -access to pregnancy test, -photo ID + citizenship esp in RGV etc, -transportation, -lodging, -time off work, -childcare, -knowing where services are / avoiding CPC's [sad-face], -physical accessibility in clinics, -private phone, - access to computer, -internet, -address, -clinic capacity the poster taped to the board has a header written in pink and orange marker: "WHAT IT TAKES TO GET AN ABORTION.....IN TEXAS!"underneath this is a green line / divider, and a list written in blue marker: -money, -geography, -transportation, -parental consent, -aftercare, -gestational limits, -support, -time, -childcare, -a place to stay, -clinic availability, -is it an actual abortion clinic?, -sonogram, -24 hour consent, -mandatory counseling, -escorts, -identification, -judicial bypass, -determination*, -safety w/phone calls, -blood tests [dollar sign]

image description: pink paper taped to an orange wall (the tape is patterned with multi-colored grey, yellow, teal, pink, yellow rectangles); written heading on the paper in black marker says self-care strategies and is circled. three sub-headings are written below in black marker, with a bulleted list underneath each (list written in black, blue, and purple pens by multiple different people / in various different handwritings): 1) BEFORE stressful events: sleeping, watching tv, tumblring, smoke weed, positive self talk, good shower, yoga, sex, focusing on nutritious but delicious food, baking, cuddle cats, masturbate 2) DURING stressful events: breathing, dissociating/"checking out", remind myself that this will pass, scream/cry, going outside, drinking enough water, deep breathing, bake/cook/look at recipes, rip papers (destroy cardboard by stabbing with scissors), take a walk, stretch, telling a friend, cuddle cats 3) AFTER stressful events: crying, eating food, smoking weed, masturbate, soft music in cool completely dark room, sex, not leaving the house unless i have to, sleep, biking, writing / making art, compartmentalizing (aka "bunkering") [sad-face], cuddle cats

image description: white paper with tape on corners (tape is patterned with seafoam green squares), heading written in purple marker says "DOULA SKILLS" underlined with a squiggly line. underneath is written "What skills, resources, identities, knowledge, qualities, etc. do we need to do this work responsibly and accountably?" underneath this is a row of 6 small purple post-it notes with handwriting by multiple different people in various pen colors; the notes read: 1) non-judgemental, 2) affirm dignity, worth & autonomy of client, 3) fuck you colonialism and white supremacy, 4) emotional capacity / compassion, 5) how to deal with authority figures [sad-face], 6) know boundaries and limits. additional rows and post-its below are not pictured.

image description: a white piece of paper on a white wall attached w/ patterned green tape; the paper has written words. heading in red marker says "How do we define "Support"?" with a red squiggly divider line underneath. beneath this is a multicolored bulleted list: written in orange -informational support: telling the client what to expect, what procedures look like, helping them find resources for services + care. written in green: -emotional support:being present to hold all the clients feelings before, during, and after the procedure. written in blue: -physical support: comforting and providing care to manage physical symptoms of pain and discomfort before, during, and after the procedure. written in purple: -practical support: providing the necessary logistical support (lodging, transportation, funding, meals, etc) to help your client access their procedure.

image description: an orange wall with white and pink papers taped to it; the heading of one paper says "Self-Care" handwritten in marker. below the posters and against the wall is a table with one chair under it, and water, snacks, and books arranged on top of it. part of a whiteboard with written words can be seen on the right, and sunlight / visible sun rays are streaming through open blinds of a window on the left.

image description: orange wall with two rows of multicolored colored paper taped to the wall with patterned green tape. the papers have multicolored writings, marker drawings, and colored tape on them, each created by a different individual to depict their personal journey.

​we are overwhelmed with joy after our Abortion Doula Training in Houston at The Montrose Center​ this past weekend! the experience was fulfilling and enlightening in so many ways, and we are immeasurably thankful to everyone who helped make that space and our presence possible. it was truly transformative work to collectively share and develop tools for empathy, accountability, learning through discomfort, intentional care-taking, compassion, self-care, and the myriad of complex support skills that we hope to practice - both as abortion doulas helping others access the care that they need, and as caring and self-reflective individuals hoping to incite change.

there was so much brilliance, thoughtfulness, and intention present in that building/in our hearts, and we feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to meet and grow with all of the insightful and engaging people who created & shared space with us this past weekend. we felt so welcomed, and we genuinely look forward to continuing to build together. for those who had planned to attend and were unable to, please know that you were missed, and that we sincerely wish to connect, share, and learn together as soon as possible. we love building with our friends & communities in Houston, and hope to return for more collaborative events in the future!

thank you again to everyone who has and continues to support us emotionally, physically, and financially. these vital services would not be possible without your help, and we are eternally grateful. please continue to share and donate if able to our fundrazr (https://fundrazr.com/81AzC8?ref=ab_b61b45) or paypal (cicada.collective.ntx@gmail.com) to help us recover lost funds - we are only $175 away from reaching our goal!