This is your new blog post. Click here and start typing, or drag in elements from the top bar.

    I think that a great way to get an idea of what a doula does is by reading a birth story. Stories about real people are much easier to grasp than lists of services.  I am going to share with you my personal experience of having a doula and how she benefited my family. (I also had amazing midwives for my birth that I'll be posting about in the future).
   
   My partner James and I interviewed several women and when we met our doula, there was aninstant connection. We both felt comfortable talking about our hopes for the birth and she was a good listener. We scheduled an appointment and she asked me if I like to read (FYI: I'm slightly addicted to reading!). She sent me home with a book written by midwife Ina May Gaskin that I read within a couple days. It was so exciting for me to get my hands on such a juicy book about birth that was filled with positive and beautiful birth stories.
 
  During our prenatal appointments my doula was able to answer many questions that came up for me about the birth process. She was a wealth of information and she had a lot of great books to lend me. We worked on a birth plan and she always made sure to make James feel welcome and included. We learned skills for coping with the intensity of childbirth and ways to prepare for breastfeeding and newborn care.  She was able connect us with resources such as local classes, services, and support groups.
  
   My labor was long and slow, with a lot of back pain. When my doula arrived at our home, she brought the ingredients for miso soup and put a batch on the stove top. She suggested position changes, held my hand, and gave James a break when he needed rest. Her and I took walks together and she rubbed my back.
  
    When we arrived at the hospital, several unplanned interventions were necessary. It was unexpected and my doula was there to support me through that. James was really exhausted and he napped while she breathed with me and maintained continuous presence. I had been preparing for a natural childbirth but needed a cesarean. Going through surgery and healing was a major event for me in addition to caring for my beautiful newborn son.

    My doula was able to help me process the birth experience and remind me of how strong I was. She nurtured my memory of the birth during my postpartum period and also guided me through healing art sessions.
This wonderful experience with my doula inspired me to take a local training with Doulas by Nature. There are so many ways that a doula can assist a family during pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond.
  
  

I'm not surprised to find myself burning the midnight oil to get this website up and running! My precious boy is asleep, giving me some extra time to chip away at the logistics of putting together a website. For my first post, I want to set the needle on the compass of where this blog is headed. Here are my ideas:

-Latest birth news, studies, and politics
-Share my educational journey for other doulas and students of midwifery
-Increase public awareness of women's options in childbirth
-Discuss local community issues and events

As a sidenote....

This photo is of my latest brainchild: the office on wheels. I'm hoping to magically convert this cluttered kitchen island into a creative powerhouse, fully decked out with art supplies and office gear. Why a rolling kitchen island, you ask? Well for starters it's just the right height to stand at and work, which jives well with my Ergo-wearing busy self. More than that, it will hopefully serve as a lone, organized beacon is a growing sea of laundry, toys, and paperwork.