INNER WISDOM BIRTH SERVICES

I am a married mother of two beautiful daughters who were born naturally, in a birthing center, with certified nurse midwives attending. While pregnant with my first daughter I often wondered if there was someone who could guide me through the process of childbirth.  A woman who was experienced, that could stay with my husband and me, continuously, through the entire labor and birth.  It was while pregnant with my second daughter that I learned about doulas, and was happy to have one this time. My doula was always by my side with encouraging words, and a firm touch that kept me grounded. She suggested different things to try for comfort, and to labor effectively. My doula made me feel safe, supported and more relaxed, because I knew she was there for me in any way I needed her to be.  I found birth to be empowering, ecstatic, and the most transformative experiences in my life.  Pregnancy and birth has since become a passion in my life. 

PHILOSOPHY

Every woman is unique, every baby is unique, so every birth is unique. Although I chose to birth without medication, I understand it may not be for everyone. I have experience in supporting both medicated and unmedicated births. I strive to enhance the individuals birth through education, support, and empowerment. It is important that any decisions you make about your care, and about the care of your baby, are true informed and conscious decisions. I will support whatever your individual informed decisions may be, regarding your birth experience.  I believe birth to be a sacred and natural process, not a medical event (though things may occur requiring medical assistance). I believe homebirth to be a safe option for healthy women who desire to birth at home. I embrace natural birth, but do not rule out the possibility of interventions when they are necessary. In any circumstance, birth should be treated with kindness and respect, because women matter... because babies matter... and because birth matters. Every woman already holds the power of knowledge within her, an ancient inner wisdom, that knows how to give birth. Women must reclaim that knowledge, and take birth back. That inner wisdom holds the key to a more gentle world, by creating a peaceful passage for future generations.

EDUCATION

I received my labor doula training through CAPPA (Childbirth And Postpartum Professional Association) in March 2005, and became certified in 2007. I volunteer my doula services for Operation Special Delivery, supporting expecting Mom's while their husbands are actively deployed during wartime. I am always learning all I can about pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. I regularly read books, journal publications, and explore sites on the amazing internet, while staying home to raise my girls. I also continue my education and enhance my skills by attending relevant conferences and workshops whenever I can.  I graduated from Rhode Island College, with a B.A. in Psychology, where much of my focus was women and families. I am also a member of the APPPAH (Association for Prenatal & Perinatal Psychology & Health), a non-profit educational organization dedicated to the in-depth exploration of the psychological, emotional, and social development of babies and parents from preparation for pregnancy through the postpartum period.