My calling to become a doula came to fruition in 2013, two years after the birth of our first child. It was so exciting for my husband and me when we were finally pregnant after fertility struggles. We (okay, mostly I) talked about it constantly, read lots of books and signed up for a Hypnobirthing course. Through the course, my husband and I realized that the support he felt comfortable providing me was different than the support I thought I would need. Our instructor spoke to us about doulas, which we had never heard of, and decided it was a necessary choice for us both to feel confident going through labor. We interviewed doulas, found the perfect fit and had her over for our first prenatal. The very next day at 33 weeks pregnant, we received some unexpected news that our baby was experiencing complications and we would need to go to the hospital for delivery.
I was admitted two days before induction to receive steroids for my baby's lungs, learn about the NICU and prepare my mind and body for birth. During this time, our doula was in constant contact helping us sort through our options, weigh risks versus benefits, reassuring me and helping me to build a realistic vision of my birth. She guided us through requesting a different nurse when it didn't feel like the right fit, educated us on the decisions we would need to make and empowered us to find our voice and speak up for what we felt was best for our baby. Ultimately, her support helped me to have my birth, my way. Having her be a part of my birth changed my life and career path forever...
When talking to friends, family members, even strangers about our births, I frequently heard "I wish I had...", "I wish I knew...", "I wish I hadn't...". I did not have a "typical" birth, but I had none of those feelings. I was elated by my birth and felt empowered to mother after being so much stronger than I ever knew I was. I spent two years having these conversations, saying "it doesn't have to be that way" and talking about my labor day. And then one day, the a-ha moment; it didn't have to be that way! I could do something to help families have a similar experience to mine. I signed up for the first available training workshop and found a way to honor my gifts, feed my soul and improve outcomes and perceptions of birth for families.
I became a certified labor doula(CD) through DONA International in 2013. I have expanded my knowledge base through Spinning Babies, Acupressure for Birth, Rebozo, and Hypnobirthing trainings as well as attending additional courses that help me support a diverse client base. Doula work is my profession and I am fortunate to be able to do this work full-time in addition to parenting! I am so grateful to be able to be home to watch my babies grow, and to be flexible to serve more families each month.
Every birth I attend I am in awe of the strength we possess, and my motto is "go as natural as you can as long as you want" in order to fully experience the power of birth. I recognize that your birth is YOUR birth. I have supported families through homebirth, birth center birth, medicated and unmedicated hospital birth, scheduled c-sections as well as births at Children's Hospital for medically fragile babies. There is no wrong way to experience birth, but you should always feel that you are giving birth, not that birth is being done to you. I believe it is most important to surround yourself with people who you are at ease with, people who know what is important to you, and people who will support your decisions. As your doula, I will be that person for you!
My Goals as Your Labor Doula
1. Support you, your partner and your choices about your birth
2. Provide evidence-based information, research and resources to help you understand your choices, determine your desires, and make decision if deviation from your plan is needed
3. Maintain a calm, nurturing environment during your labor and childbirth so that you can focus on your baby's journey
4. Use practical hands-on tips and techniques to support you through your pregnancy and labor
5. Support you and your family before, during and after childbirth to create memories and preserve/process your birth experience in a way you will cherish forever
I was admitted two days before induction to receive steroids for my baby's lungs, learn about the NICU and prepare my mind and body for birth. During this time, our doula was in constant contact helping us sort through our options, weigh risks versus benefits, reassuring me and helping me to build a realistic vision of my birth. She guided us through requesting a different nurse when it didn't feel like the right fit, educated us on the decisions we would need to make and empowered us to find our voice and speak up for what we felt was best for our baby. Ultimately, her support helped me to have my birth, my way. Having her be a part of my birth changed my life and career path forever...
When talking to friends, family members, even strangers about our births, I frequently heard "I wish I had...", "I wish I knew...", "I wish I hadn't...". I did not have a "typical" birth, but I had none of those feelings. I was elated by my birth and felt empowered to mother after being so much stronger than I ever knew I was. I spent two years having these conversations, saying "it doesn't have to be that way" and talking about my labor day. And then one day, the a-ha moment; it didn't have to be that way! I could do something to help families have a similar experience to mine. I signed up for the first available training workshop and found a way to honor my gifts, feed my soul and improve outcomes and perceptions of birth for families.
I became a certified labor doula(CD) through DONA International in 2013. I have expanded my knowledge base through Spinning Babies, Acupressure for Birth, Rebozo, and Hypnobirthing trainings as well as attending additional courses that help me support a diverse client base. Doula work is my profession and I am fortunate to be able to do this work full-time in addition to parenting! I am so grateful to be able to be home to watch my babies grow, and to be flexible to serve more families each month.
Every birth I attend I am in awe of the strength we possess, and my motto is "go as natural as you can as long as you want" in order to fully experience the power of birth. I recognize that your birth is YOUR birth. I have supported families through homebirth, birth center birth, medicated and unmedicated hospital birth, scheduled c-sections as well as births at Children's Hospital for medically fragile babies. There is no wrong way to experience birth, but you should always feel that you are giving birth, not that birth is being done to you. I believe it is most important to surround yourself with people who you are at ease with, people who know what is important to you, and people who will support your decisions. As your doula, I will be that person for you!
My Goals as Your Labor Doula
1. Support you, your partner and your choices about your birth
2. Provide evidence-based information, research and resources to help you understand your choices, determine your desires, and make decision if deviation from your plan is needed
3. Maintain a calm, nurturing environment during your labor and childbirth so that you can focus on your baby's journey
4. Use practical hands-on tips and techniques to support you through your pregnancy and labor
5. Support you and your family before, during and after childbirth to create memories and preserve/process your birth experience in a way you will cherish forever