From My Humble Heart.
My journey to becoming a Doula began before I was pregnant. It was something brought to my attention by my mother, Deanna. I researched it a bit and then life got away from me and I put the idea on the back burner. When I became pregnant with my daughter I started researching the option of having a Doula. My pregnancy was a whirlwind of various practitioners but the one constant I (and my spouse) always had was my Doula, Beth. As a rape survivor I felt that in some way my body was broken and incapable of giving birth. I could not believe that this woman who stood before me believed that I was capable of bringing my daughter into this world in perfect peace and love without the use of interventions or drugs. It was her faith in me and her continuous support before, during, and after labor that empowered me to do so. It was with the birth of my daughter that I felt inspired to support women and their partners in all the ways that I had been supported, no matter where they chose to give birth or what their circumstances may be.
Since the birth of my daughter I have had the opportunity to live in various places and experience what it is like in various birth communities. I have had the privilege of meeting some pretty amazing women and birth advocates - each with their own story to tell and their own lessons to learn from. Not only has this allowed me to continue my education concerning birth but it as also opened the door into studying and practicing energy work known as Reiki. The unique aspect to Reiki is that I can use it with anyone - including pregnant clients to help reduce stress and promote relaxation and healing. You can read more on Reiki here. Like the idea of labor support, Reiki was something I had heard about long ago but later came into my life at the right moment. It was after my first Reiki session that I decided to go forward with becoming a practitioner and my teacher, Deborah, will always have a special home in my heart.
As a Doula and Reiki Practitioner it is my goal to support you in any way that I can. If, for some reason, you determine that I am not the right fit for you I will do the best that I can to help you find the right person. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or to set up an appointment for a Doula consultation or Reiki appointment!
A Note for Partners.
During the pregnancy of our daughter, I began to educate myself on the benefits of having a Doula during labor. In the beginning, my husband was less-than-enthused about the idea of having one. He feared that a Doula may impede on his role as my support person. It was after a long heart-to-heart discussion about Doulas with our practitioner that my husband consented to interviewing a few Doulas for the birth of our daughter. Now, he is the biggest advocate for Doulas that I know. His testimony is as follows:
"The Doula is worth the mula." (A phrase that I am certain he stole from another partner whom also had the same apprehension.)
As a Doula, I cannot stress enough how my role is to support both the pregnant woman and her support partner. This is your birth and I am here to simply help facilitate you and your partner's birth plan. To me, birth is a sacred process, and I am humbled to be invited to be a part of it. I look forward to connecting with the support partner as much as I look forward to connecting with the expectant mother.
Since the birth of my daughter I have had the opportunity to live in various places and experience what it is like in various birth communities. I have had the privilege of meeting some pretty amazing women and birth advocates - each with their own story to tell and their own lessons to learn from. Not only has this allowed me to continue my education concerning birth but it as also opened the door into studying and practicing energy work known as Reiki. The unique aspect to Reiki is that I can use it with anyone - including pregnant clients to help reduce stress and promote relaxation and healing. You can read more on Reiki here. Like the idea of labor support, Reiki was something I had heard about long ago but later came into my life at the right moment. It was after my first Reiki session that I decided to go forward with becoming a practitioner and my teacher, Deborah, will always have a special home in my heart.
As a Doula and Reiki Practitioner it is my goal to support you in any way that I can. If, for some reason, you determine that I am not the right fit for you I will do the best that I can to help you find the right person. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or to set up an appointment for a Doula consultation or Reiki appointment!
A Note for Partners.
During the pregnancy of our daughter, I began to educate myself on the benefits of having a Doula during labor. In the beginning, my husband was less-than-enthused about the idea of having one. He feared that a Doula may impede on his role as my support person. It was after a long heart-to-heart discussion about Doulas with our practitioner that my husband consented to interviewing a few Doulas for the birth of our daughter. Now, he is the biggest advocate for Doulas that I know. His testimony is as follows:
"The Doula is worth the mula." (A phrase that I am certain he stole from another partner whom also had the same apprehension.)
As a Doula, I cannot stress enough how my role is to support both the pregnant woman and her support partner. This is your birth and I am here to simply help facilitate you and your partner's birth plan. To me, birth is a sacred process, and I am humbled to be invited to be a part of it. I look forward to connecting with the support partner as much as I look forward to connecting with the expectant mother.