- What training have you had?
In 1985 I took my first childbirth education course, and realized that I wanted to be a childbirth educator. I took multiple childbirth education courses of various methods. It was with this training that I attended my first birth in 1992. At this point I had never heard of what a doula was, and started my path as a Birth Coach. In 1994 I heard the term "Doula" and found out what one was. I started the process to get certified with "Healthy Beginnings" and was certified in 1996. I took the training to get certified with DONA and was certified with DONA in 2003. I also took the training to get certified with Madriella and and was certified with them in 2013. I received my Rebozo certification in 2013. I am took the Still Birth day Doula training so that I can better support families that have experienced loss.
I believe that education is important, so I continued to take class and enter programs when possible. Here are a few of the courses that I have taken over the past few years.
- The Art of Labor Support
- Reiki
- Optimal Fetal Positioning
- Postpartum Home Care
- Using Your Birth Ball
- Teaching Breastfeeding
- Birth Planning Seminar
- Bereavement training
- Quick Guide to Lactation Teaching
- Acupressure in Childbirth
- Massage for the Laboring Woman
- The Lure of Induction
- Nutrition for Health Promotion & Disease Prevention
- Fundamentals of Human Nutrition
- Intro to Midwifery
- Childbirth International Childbirth Education
- Childbirth Education for Doulas
- Trust Birth Group Facilitator
In 2008, I received my accreditation in Triple-P 2/3 (Power of Positive Parenting).
The Triple P – Positive Parenting Program ® is one of the world’s most effective parenting programs.
It gives parents the skills they need to raise confident, healthy children and teenagers and to build stronger family relationships. It also helps parents manage misbehavior and prevent problems occurring in the first place.
With more than 30 years of ongoing research, Triple P has been scientifically trialled with thousands of families around the world and been found to work – regardless of culture, country or individual situation. Triple P has helped more than six million children and their families in 25 countries around the world.
- What is your philosophy about childbirth and supporting women and their partners through labor?
I believe that it is your birth, and I will support you in your choices for that birth. I can provide evidence-based childbirth information, and resources so that you can make informed decisions.
I pride myself in the fact that I support my clients full in their choices. I will not push to have a all natural birth, or push to have an epidural. I listen to what you say and want and support you.
I have supported women that have chosen various points on the birth choice continuum. Past clients have chosen to birth at home, in a birthing center, and in hospitals. These are strong women, who have chosen to follow their inner voice in making decisions from having their birth their way. I have had the privilege and honor to support military moms whose husbands were deployed during the birth, a widow that delivered their little boy just months after the death of her husband. Single moms, old moms, young moms, special needs moms, and families in the LGBTQ community…I’ve had the distinct privilege of working with them all.
Again, it is your birth, your body, your choice, and I feel honored to support you in this.
- May we meet to discuss our birth plans and the role you will play in supporting me (us)?
Once you have paid the deposit for my services we will schedule the pre-natal appointments. During these visits we will go over birth plans, evidence-based birthing choices, and talk about how you would like to have me support you during your birth. We will also do some hands on support options for you and your partner to practice.
When you think you might be in labor you will contact me to let me know what is going on. When contractions are about 3-5 min apart lasting 1 min or longer and you want me there I will meet up with you. I will stay with you until after the baby is born.. about 1-2 hours postpartum. I do not leave until you let me know it is ok to leave.
If your labor goes long I may bring in a backup so that I can catch a nap. If I am unable to get to your birth because I am at another birth, sick, or for another reason then I would call my backup to come be with you until I can get there. Over the years I have only had to use a back up once, and that was because 2 babies decided to come at the same time in different hospitals.
If something happens with your pregnancy and you end up needing to have the baby early, you would still call me. I am available for early delivery's as well as pregnancy loss.
I do the postpartum visit about a week after the birth. This is to check in on you and make sure everything is going good.
- May we call you with questions or concerns before and after the birth?
I am a doula, so there may be times when I am not able to return phone calls right away, such as during a birth or a client meeting/visit. So if you get my voicemail please leave a message.
- When do you try to join women in labor?
We will go over this during our pre-natal visits. The rule of thumb is that you give me a call once you think you might be in labor. This gives me a chance to get everything ready for attending your birth. Once the contractions are about 5-3 min apart lasting 1min or longer is around the time the I would come to meet with you. Again each person is different, so we will come up with a plan at your pre-natal vists.
I also believe in listening to a mom's inside voice. if you say i need to be there, then I will come.
- Do you come to our home or meet us at the hospital?
- Do you meet with me (us) after the birth to review the labor and answer questions?
- Do you work with one or more backup doulas (for times when you are not available)?
I have only had to use a backup once, because I had one client go too early, and one went late. I have only missed one birth because the mom progressed far faster than expected. For that matter, the paramedics also missed the birth because mom progressed too fast. I have not delivered any babies (and I hope to keep that record).
If I end up using a backup doula, I take care of the cost out of what you have paid me. If you wish to give them a tip you can, but that is up to you.
I will let you know if I have a previously scheduled postpartum or birth client around your due date.
- What is your fee?
I offer various priced packages ranging from $850-$1000. You can find them listed Here.
- Are there any dates you will not take a client?
- Why should I hire you as my doula?
I am an accredited provider for Tiple P (Power of Positive Parenting). This program provides parents with the tools that they need to be successful in parenting their children from birth to 12 years of age.
I am also an Operation Special Delivery doula. I love providing support to military families in the Snohomish and King counties in WA state.
I believe in supporting families where they are, while providing the wise aunt/sister/grandma presence to lean upon for support, encouragement, and knowledge. I support families that have fully medicated births, as well as fully natural births. I support birth in the hospital setting, birthing center, or in a home. I believe that it is your birth, your choices. So I help to give you non bias information so that you can make an informed decision for your birth. Then I supported you in your choices.
I work with families from all different diversities. I have been told by a client that I am one of the most nonjudgmental people that they have ever met. I pride myself in the fact that I am comfortable in all sorts of settings around all sorts of families. I provide support for the LGBTQ community, and believe is acceptance of everyone.
On the personal side, I am a mom of 5 children, 2 second trimester losses and a little angel that was born without a breath. I myself have experienced all natural birth and fully medicated birth.
I look forward to talking with you!
