I became a doula because of the support that my own doula provided me during my son Liam’s labor & birth in 2004. After this life changing experience, I attended training with DONA (Doulas of North America) in March, 2006. Immediately after my training I attended births with other doulas to learn and observe, and attended my first solo birth in May, 2006.
Since then, I have attended hundreds of births– natural births, inductions, twin births, home births, births with epidurals, VBACs, home birth transfers, planned cesareans and cesareans during labor. Attending many different kinds of births has informed me as a teacher and helped me build relationships with obstetricians, midwives and nurses. As a teacher, I have firsthand experience with birth and its variations, and the policies and preferences of different providers and hospitals. My many years of attending births means that I feel comfortable in any birth setting, and helping parents advocate for themselves during labor. Recent research in maternity care has shown proven benefits of having doula care.
As a doula, my goal is to help you have your best birth. There is no right way to give birth; there’s the way that is right for you. I’m here to walk with you on this journey, to help you find your voice, your strength, and to help you welcome your new baby with confidence and joy.
Doula services include:
- A prenatal meeting to discuss your preferences & desires for birth and how I can be most helpful
- Assistance in preparing a birth plan
- 24/7 on call support in the last weeks of pregnancy
- Attendance at your labor, birth & immediate postpartum
- Physical and emotional support during labor
- Access to the tools in my labor comfort bag: sound machine, essential oils, a TENS unit, rice socks & much more!
- Notes from your labor and birth
- A postpartum visit to check in on your new family