About Me

Birth Philosophies

I love birth!  I love to assist families grow with strength and love and pride.

Every woman deserves consistent support during her pregnancy, birth, and  postpartum period.  Our culture too often teaches women not to trust their  bodies or their instincts, to follow orders unquestioningly, to put others before  ourselves.  These things all have their places, but birth is not one of them! 

I believe that pregnancy and birth, as a transformative time in a woman's and a  family's life, is very frightening and exciting, empowering and disabling.  All  women need to have someone, hopefully a group of someones, who can help  her through this transition without feeling overwhelmed or unnecessarily  frightened by the magnitude of it all.  Women need realistic ideas of what birth  is supposed to be like, what to expect and how to prepare for birth and  motherhood.  Women need to be empowered to ask questions and find  answers, to make decisions based on their own circumstances and that vast  body of experiential and scientific knowledge available in the 21st Century. 

It has been proven time and again that an experienced labor attendant, who is  with you throughout your labor and birth, has not only emotional benefits, but  health benefits to all members of the arising family as well.  Women experience  fewer cesarean sections, fewer instrumental deliveries, need fewer medications,  and have lower rates of postpartum depression when attended by a labor doula.  Men experience less anxiety, fewer demands they are uncomfortable with, and feel more confident in their own ability to be what their partners need in birth: a lover and friend who believes in them.  Babies experience better outcomes through the benefits to their mothers, including improved breastfeeding and fewer unnecessary interventions, better bonding with parents, and more confident parents. 

 I believe that all parents make the decisions that are best for them, with the

 information they have at the time.  It is my hope that no woman or family

 would look back on their birth experience and say, "I wish I had known..." 

 With the maternity system the way it is today, many women end up feeling

 disappointed or regretful, upset or angry about unnecessary interventions,

 cesarean sections, inductions, and a number of other things that are sometimes

 necessary, but often over-utilized.  Part of my reasons for becoming a doula

 include wanting to educate women and families so they do not regret their

 decisions, so their decisions are truly informed decisions, and so they can feel empowered by their ability to be an active part of the decision-making team.  I enjoy research and finding the latest studies regarding birth practices in the U.S. and other nations.  If you have questions and I don't already have information on it, I am only too happy to go find out.  My education in anthropology and my interests in historical archaeology gave me a good foundation for understanding research. 

For my thoughts on fathers, family, and other support people, see this page.

Cesarean Sections & VBAC

I believe in a woman's ability to birth her children naturally.  I believe that  vaginal births after cesareans (VBAC) are safe for mothers and babies and that  they are especially safer than an elective repeat cesarean performed for no good  medical reason.  Because I had a natural birth myself, because cesarean sections  are performed for upwards of 31% (2006)of all live births in the U.S., and  because I am passionate about VBAC and helping women avoid undesired,  unnecessary cesareans, I have joined the  International Cesarean Awareness  Network (ICAN) in an attempt to better understand the needs of women and  families who require, request, or resort to cesarean sections for any reason.  It would be my hope that no woman would require a cesarean, but because they are necessary in some cases, I do my best to ensure that you are educated enough to make informed decisions regarding such topics.  When it is necessary to resort to the best and worst of all medical interventions, I hope to be a wealth of support and resources for affected mothers and families.

Women having cesarean sections often need as much, if not more support than women having vaginal births.  Many women do not realize this or deny their instincts and fears about the surgery, sending their doula away if they decide on a cesarean or not hiring one at all because they plan to have their baby this way.  As I believe that all women deserve a doula during their births, cesarean mothers are no different.  As a doula for a cesarean mother, I can help you understand what the surgery will entail, I can offer a hand to hold during the procedure and help you understand your options for being with your baby, I can help empower you and your partner throughout the process, and I can come to your home and help you afterwards with breastfeeding, baby care, and emotional support.  It is immensely important for new parents to be able to talk about their birth experiences and parenting experiences, and having a doula available, who was there and will not be passing judgment or looking down on you for your choices, is an excellent tool for your recovery and mental wellbeing. 

My Background

I am the mother of one son, born au naturale at Memorial Hospital (central) in March of 2007.  I believe that all women are strong and that the vast majority are capable of having empowering, fulfilling, safe births naturally, in whatever location they choose.  Foremost, I believe that women deserve the right to choose the type of birth they want, the location of their birth, their birth attendants, and the actions that take place during their birth.  I believe that every woman deserves to be supported in her decisions regarding birth, that what is good for the mother is good for the baby, and that part of my job as a doula is to support a woman's decisions, whatever they may be. 

I am nearly finished with labor doula certification through the Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association (CAPPA).  I completed my training in September, 2007 and finished attending my requisite number of births with the help of my mentor, Candace McCollett of Westside Birth Connection.  Candace is a wonderful doula, childbirth educator, mother, and midwife's apprentice.  Apprenticeships are uncommon for labor doulas and are fantastic ways to enter the world of doulas with experience and support.  I hope to offer the same service to new doulas sometime in the future.

 I have a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Colorado at Colorado

 Springs in Anthropology with a minor in Geography and Environmental Studies. 

 My interests in anthropology center around folklore, religion, women's studies, and historical archaeology.  During my university education, I greatly enjoyed studying traditional ways of life, folklore, herbology, medicine, and spirituality as it pertains to families and women in specific.

I have certification in First Aid and CPR for infants, children, and adults.  I have trained as an EMT, but decided it wasn't for me and never took my certification exam. 

I have taught at the local Birth Network meeting on Natural Comfort Measures for Labor, and I am comfortable in a variety of circumstances, with a variety of people. 

While I do believe that natural is best in most cases, I understand that there are a number of cases when this is not true, for any number of reasons, and I trust your ability to make decisions for yourself.  I respect any decisions you make and will support them wholeheartedly.