DPG Team Member Interview: Stephanie Buck
Why did you decide to be a doula?
I believe fate brought me to becoming a doula and holistic nutritionist. At the age of 35, I had lost my son Oliver at 28 weeks. I was planning on giving birth at the BirthCare and Woman’s Health Center in Alexandria. When I informed them of the demise of my son, they sent a doula to help me through the process of delivering a stillborn. I remember denying it at first, thinking I didn’t want anyone in the room, but then after learning the doula had witnessed similar situations, I felt better with having her by my side. She was a blessing. She stayed with my husband and I through the whole induction process and told stories and held space for us in a dark situation. After healing and becoming pregnant again, I had her as my birth doula for my son Oliver the following year. She was my inspiration to become a birth doula and the experience inspired me to help others heal their bodies for successful pregnancies.
2. What’s something coming up in your life that makes you feel excited?
My husband and I are building a second home that will also be an AirBnB in Asheville, North Carolina. It is supposed to be done in July of 2021! I look forward to taking my boys there to hike, hunt for mushrooms and fish for trout.
3. What do you like about yourself? (interests, life experiences, personality traits, etc.)
I like seeing my mother and my father in me. I am my mother in that she is a strong-willed, determined Filipina who has always taught me to be independent, yet welcoming to anyone that may need support. Growing up our home was the halfway house and green-card home… she was always taking in people who needed some temporary mothering (and good food) so they could feel strengthened to go back into the world on their own. I like seeing my father in me. He is quiet, but warm. He knows how to give a proper hug and he is a big believer in family meals and taking time to gather as a family regularly. I also like that by having parents from two separate sides of the world, that I have been given the ability to view situations from multiple perspectives (and I understand broken English ).
4. What does “success” mean to you?
Being able to live your authentic self.
5. What did you want to be when you grew up?
A photojournalist, a travel blogger, a mermaid, Sarah from the movie Labyrinth, Claire on the series Outlander.
6. What energizes you? (i.e. After you engage this person, place, thing, or activity, you’re encouraged.)
I am energized by snuggles with my boys (even from my 14 year old when he lets me). And sitting with a cup of tea and watching my bees.
7. If you had any superpower, what would it be?
To be able to heal with an embrace.
