As a birth doula, I...

recognize birth as a unique experience that the mother will remember all her life
educate the mother and her partner on labor, birth and possible interventions
assist the mother and her partner in preparing for and carrying out their plans for birth
stay by the side of the laboring mother providing emotional support and physical comfort measures throughout the entire labor
suggest positions and techniques to help facilitate labor progress
facilitate communication between the laboring mother, her partner, and clinical care providers if mom or dad are unable
provide an objective viewpoint and assist the mother and her partner in getting the information they need to make decisions
be a reminder of a birth plan if there is a departure
assist with the first feeding if needed
help the new family get settled after birth

As a birth doula, I don't...

tell a woman and her partner the "best" way to have their baby
anything medical like take blood pressure or temperature, perform vaginal exams, recommend medications or procedures
make decisions for the pregnant woman and her partner
speak to medical staff on the mom's behalf without permission
take the place of the laboring woman's partner

QUALIFICATIONS

Skills and Experience

DONA International

Birth doula training in July. Certified in December 2019.

Postpartum doula training in August 2017.

Spinning Babies

Training July 2019 and May 2021.

Hypnobabies

Hypno-doula trained December 2020 and Certified February 2021

Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice

52 credit hours of lactation training, certified Lactation Counselor August 2022

Dancy Perinatal Counseling

Trauma Informed Care Training. Preventing trauma in the birth room Level 1 & 2. April 2023

Aromas for Healing

Evidence based OB Aromatherapy for Nurses, Midwives, and Doulas. Trained November 2022.

Body Ready Method

Exercise and movements to prepare pregnant bodies for easier birth and postpartum. Certified March 2024

"In giving birth to our babies, we may find that we give birth to new possibilities within ourselves."