My personal birth experiences...

with my two children were the inspiration for my becomming a doula. I had really wanted a natural, unmedicated birth with my first son. I payed very good attention in my childbirth classes. I pleaded with my husband to read the books I had gotten him, and to practice with me between classes. I felt really confident that we could do it.

Disapointed...

I ended up with many of the things I had hoped to avoid. I had artificially ruptured membranes, pitocin to keep my labor going, then IV medication to deal with the intense pitocin contractions. My husband was overwhelmed with everything, and I wanted him to support me in ways that he really did not know how to. I was upset that my nurses, and midwife did not stay with me like I imagined they would. Even though I loved my healthy, beautiful new baby, I felt like I could have had the birth I really wanted, and avoided at least some of the things that I ended up with. IF there had been a childbirth educator, or a midwife with no other duties, who could have stayed with us and showed us what to do.

My husband felt like he let me down...

He was suprised that he felt so helpless during the birth, when he had felt so confident before in the childbirth classes. We did not know there was such thing as a "doula". But we sure felt like what was available to us at the time, just wasn't enough.

I began wanting to help others in childbirth...

I was so drawn to hearing and reading other people's birth stories after my son was born. I was always reading magazine articles and books on labor and birth. I wanted to talk to pregnant women and offer help to them in labor. My friends often came to me with their questions about labor, and invited me to support at their births.

When I became pregnant with my second son...

I got my hands on even more magazines and books and started reading about these "doulas". I couldn't believe what I was reading. "WOW! That is what I am doing!" I thought. I then knew that I wanted to find a doula for my birth. I also knew that as soon as this baby was born, I was going to become a trained and certified doula.

The birth I had really wanted!

I cannot tell you what a wonderfully empowering birth I experienced with my second son. It was everything I had wanted it to be. I realized that it was partly because I did not have complications, but sure felt that being well supported and educated had ALOT to do with it. There was only one doula available in my area at the time, and she would be out of town. So I chose a massage therapist my husband had been going to. She had four children naturally and told my husband she would be honored to be there. So she came and was an INCREDIBLE comfort, and a huge relief when my husband needed to tend to our older son.

I am a doula today...

because my husband and I understand what it is like to feel overwhelmed during labor. I have had the disapointing experience, and the empowering one. My desire is to provide the support that contributes to a good experience for all. I am priveleged to have attended numerous families and helped them with what I have learned. I am blessed to share my support with your family should you desire the help.