Welcome
Birth has happened to all of us, and if you are pregnant or planning to become so, it will happen again in a whole new way: with your own giving. Whether you have children already or not, each pregnancy is unique and promises a new and changed family. Welcome to the journey!
This site is designed to explain the benefits of having a doula with you during labor and birth, and introduce you to my own doula philosophy and service. It is also a resource for women and families around Frankfort and Central Kentucky, interested in taking an active and defining role in their pregnancy, birth, and parenting choices. Whether you are already dedicated to natural childbirth, are interested in reducing medical interventions or the use of drugs during labor, or would just like to learn more about your options, I have something here to help you along your way.
My Philosophy
I believe that birth is a normal process and a powerful
transformative passage for both mother and baby. I believe that every
woman is the expert on her own body; given support, information, and
time she will find she knows best how to birth her baby. I believe that
informed decision making and trust of our bodies leads to
empowerment in our lives and gives us confidence as parents.
Giving birth is an
event that mothers remember for the rest of their lives. The way in
which a mother is treated by those caring for her has a
powerful effect on the quality of her memories. When she is treated
with kindness and respect, and is actively involved with decisions
about her care, she is much more likely to remember birth with joy and
satisfaction, no matter how hard or painful her labor was.
(Penny Simkin, P.T.) I would love to help you have as joyful and
satisfying an experience as possible.
My goal as a doula is to respect and support your choices throughout pregnancy and birth. I will work with you in any birth setting, at home or hospital. I work with moms and couples of any background or relationship status. I work with partners to support their participation at whatever level they feel comfortable--it is their birth experience too. I aim to ensure a safe and satisfying experience by helping you with comfort measures, providing emotional and informational support, protecting your space and facilitating communication with your care givers and medical staff. If comfort measures cease to provide effective pain management, I support the use of medication when you decide you want it.
The pain of childbirth is due to the normal physical sensations of the uterus and body working hard to open and push your baby out. Suffering is "the feeling of being overwhelmed, helpless, or out of control." (Penny Simkin, PT) A laboring woman's husband or other loved ones do not feel the pain of labor, but they are not immune to suffering along with her. Physical pain does not need to lead to suffering. This is what I work to prevent.