My Story
Belief Statement:
I believe that birth is a natural, normal event that has the potential to be the most empowering and awesome experience of a woman's life. I believe that with information and education a woman can develop the faith and confidence in her ability to give birth. I can help with many different comfort measures and ways of dealing with the pain of childbirth so that a woman has numerous ideas to choose from.
My job as a doula is that of a servant in the midst of a highly sacred event. I am a facilitator as well as a witness to a holy act. As such, my work is to be an instrument in creating the conditions that will permit the maximum appreciation of the life-giving process for the mother and her family in a safe and natural way.
As a chiropractic physician who specializes in pregnant women, babies, and children, I know the importance of a safe delivery to your baby. Birthing today can be a traumatic event and we have more and more medical interventions for it. It is no longer a wonderful act, but a "medical procedure".
When I work with women, I educate them on the importance of their structural health when it deals with pregnancy. The body changes so much during this time to help accommodate baby. As a chiropractor, I want to see the body change properly to help prepare it to carry the growing child.
I have always loved babies, but my passion for pregnancy and desire to be a part of the amazing act of birth began with the first birth that I was honored to attend. I was a chiropractic student at the time and the doctor that I was studying under, Dr. Anne, had been treating Jodi and her family throughout her pregnancy. Dr. Anne had been a part of the birth team for Jodi's firstborn and she was asked to do the same for this delivery. I had gotten to know Jodi over the months, and weeks before her baby was due, she asked me if I would want to come to the birth as well. I was so humbled, and shocked at the same time. I had just begun to hear about what a birth team and birth plan even were, and wasn't sure what to expect, but immediately accepted the offer and seemed more anxious for this baby's birth-day than any other's. I got the call late on a weekday that Jodi had gone in to labor and that we would be contacted when she got to the hospital.
When my phone rang in the early hours of the morning, I jumped out of bed (I hadn't been able to sleep at all!) and raced to the hospital. The following hours were some of the most beautiful moments I have witnessed. We walked into a dimly lit hospital room with familiar music playing in the background and Jodi welcoming us in a calm tone. As time passed and contractions became more intense, we walked, danced, massaged, encouraged and covered Jodi's forehead, back and chest with cold washcloths. Jodi had a doula who had such a peaceful, loving spirit and I watched her help Jodi focus, and reminded her how wonderful she was doing, how amazing her body was, how close she was to meeting her baby, all while making sure she was eating, drinking and using the restroom. When it was time for Jodi to push, Dr. Anne and I each helped support a leg and I watched as Kallie entered into this world, a world that I would never see the same again. I had just witnessed a miracle. From that moment on, I have a deepend desire to encourage and empower women to have the birth experience that they want, and most of all, to educate women that they have options and that they are ultimately in control of their childs' birth story.
This passion continued throughout the rest of my schooling and beyond. I completed all of the courses for my dipolmate in prenatal and pediatric care, and have almost completed my DONA doula certification. I have had the priviledge of being at multiple births, all of them very unique and special. Some birth stories took place in birthing rooms, others in operating rooms, some included pain medications and epidurals and others did not. Regardless, they were all amazing and the outcome was a beautiful baby!
The minute I found out that we were pregnant, the first things that went through my mind was how I longed for a natural and wonderful birth experience. Today's society has seen an increase in cesarean section surgeries and it seems like women are slowly losing their God-given right to choose HOW they want THEIR birthing experience to be.
I knew that I wanted a birth that I could enjoy and be apart of for this would be such an exciting time for my husband and I. We were fortunate enough to have a mid-wife work with us during my pregnancy with frequent office visits which gave us continued opportunities to discuss this powerful and exciting time to come.
As the time neared for our baby to be born, a doula was brought onto our "team" and turned out to be such a helpful thing for my husband and I. Knowing how much our doula cared for me and helped me relax during the birth was truly a blessing. It not only gave my husband a much needed break from me (so as to help prepare food, pack the car, etc.), but having her present gave me reassurance and confidence. Giving birth is the most powerful experience that a woman can go through. The misconception of a "painful" encounter, is being replaced with a willingness and desire to be fully apart of this magnificent process.
If you are planning on getting pregnant soon or are pregnant now and are thinking about the benefits of a doula at your side, please don't hesitate to call me as I can help address your questions and concerns. I have been present a numerous births as a doula and have first-hand experience with supporting the mother.
I believe that birth is a natural, normal event that has the potential to be the most empowering and awesome experience of a woman's life. I believe that with information and education a woman can develop the faith and confidence in her ability to give birth. I can help with many different comfort measures and ways of dealing with the pain of childbirth so that a woman has numerous ideas to choose from.
My job as a doula is that of a servant in the midst of a highly sacred event. I am a facilitator as well as a witness to a holy act. As such, my work is to be an instrument in creating the conditions that will permit the maximum appreciation of the life-giving process for the mother and her family in a safe and natural way.As a chiropractic physician who specializes in pregnant women, babies, and children, I know the importance of a safe delivery to your baby. Birthing today can be a traumatic event and we have more and more medical interventions for it. It is no longer a wonderful act, but a "medical procedure".
When I work with women, I educate them on the importance of their structural health when it deals with pregnancy. The body changes so much during this time to help accommodate baby. As a chiropractor, I want to see the body change properly to help prepare it to carry the growing child.
I have always loved babies, but my passion for pregnancy and desire to be a part of the amazing act of birth began with the first birth that I was honored to attend. I was a chiropractic student at the time and the doctor that I was studying under, Dr. Anne, had been treating Jodi and her family throughout her pregnancy. Dr. Anne had been a part of the birth team for Jodi's firstborn and she was asked to do the same for this delivery. I had gotten to know Jodi over the months, and weeks before her baby was due, she asked me if I would want to come to the birth as well. I was so humbled, and shocked at the same time. I had just begun to hear about what a birth team and birth plan even were, and wasn't sure what to expect, but immediately accepted the offer and seemed more anxious for this baby's birth-day than any other's. I got the call late on a weekday that Jodi had gone in to labor and that we would be contacted when she got to the hospital.
When my phone rang in the early hours of the morning, I jumped out of bed (I hadn't been able to sleep at all!) and raced to the hospital. The following hours were some of the most beautiful moments I have witnessed. We walked into a dimly lit hospital room with familiar music playing in the background and Jodi welcoming us in a calm tone. As time passed and contractions became more intense, we walked, danced, massaged, encouraged and covered Jodi's forehead, back and chest with cold washcloths. Jodi had a doula who had such a peaceful, loving spirit and I watched her help Jodi focus, and reminded her how wonderful she was doing, how amazing her body was, how close she was to meeting her baby, all while making sure she was eating, drinking and using the restroom. When it was time for Jodi to push, Dr. Anne and I each helped support a leg and I watched as Kallie entered into this world, a world that I would never see the same again. I had just witnessed a miracle. From that moment on, I have a deepend desire to encourage and empower women to have the birth experience that they want, and most of all, to educate women that they have options and that they are ultimately in control of their childs' birth story.This passion continued throughout the rest of my schooling and beyond. I completed all of the courses for my dipolmate in prenatal and pediatric care, and have almost completed my DONA doula certification. I have had the priviledge of being at multiple births, all of them very unique and special. Some birth stories took place in birthing rooms, others in operating rooms, some included pain medications and epidurals and others did not. Regardless, they were all amazing and the outcome was a beautiful baby!
The minute I found out that we were pregnant, the first things that went through my mind was how I longed for a natural and wonderful birth experience. Today's society has seen an increase in cesarean section surgeries and it seems like women are slowly losing their God-given right to choose HOW they want THEIR birthing experience to be.
I knew that I wanted a birth that I could enjoy and be apart of for this would be such an exciting time for my husband and I. We were fortunate enough to have a mid-wife work with us during my pregnancy with frequent office visits which gave us continued opportunities to discuss this powerful and exciting time to come.
As the time neared for our baby to be born, a doula was brought onto our "team" and turned out to be such a helpful thing for my husband and I. Knowing how much our doula cared for me and helped me relax during the birth was truly a blessing. It not only gave my husband a much needed break from me (so as to help prepare food, pack the car, etc.), but having her present gave me reassurance and confidence. Giving birth is the most powerful experience that a woman can go through. The misconception of a "painful" encounter, is being replaced with a willingness and desire to be fully apart of this magnificent process.
If you are planning on getting pregnant soon or are pregnant now and are thinking about the benefits of a doula at your side, please don't hesitate to call me as I can help address your questions and concerns. I have been present a numerous births as a doula and have first-hand experience with supporting the mother.