Birth
is a transforming process. I have personally experienced and witnessed the
emotional, psychological and spiritual impact it has on women and families.
I am a doula because I am passionate about the process of birth and the
transformation it brings. It is my privilege as a doula to support women
and their families and friends in that process.
My approach to childbirth is
based on my belief that women are powerful beings who are often transformed
during pregnancy and birth and mothering. That transformation can be
magnificent or stunted, depending on the support they are given and the
belief they have in themselves and their bodies. I have always believed in
the innate ability of women to give birth, so my desire is simply to
facilitate women in the discovery of their abilities, support them in
determining and achieving the type of experience they want, and stand
witness as they go through the process of becoming mothers.
I received training to be a doula from the Seattle Midwifery School, and
have over twenty-five years of experience supporting women during labor and birth.
I am a certified doula by DONA International and the
Pacific Association for Labor Support (PALS).
I am also a DONA-approved doula trainer.
My doula experience includes home, birth center and hospital births,
VBACs (vaginal birth after cesarean), twins, and
ranges from a surprise homebirth with paramedics, a straightforward 3-hour home birth,
a 41-hour labor, to an emergency cesarean birth.
