I became a doula approximately 4 years ago when 2 good friends of mine asked me to accompany them in labor because their families were far away.  They wanted to birth naturally and they knew that I was naturally minded and used to dealing with people in pain and distress because of my main vocation as an Athletic Trainer. I didn't even have my own children at the time, but I was intrigued. So I jumped in with them in their labor classes and just fell in love with natural birth when I attended their births. 

Since then, I have become certified, had one natural birth of my own, attended 10 other women since them and just really believe in the work of doulaing.  I love attending continuing education courses, I love speaking with other birth professionals, I love hearing your birth story and I love advocating for healthy birth in America! 

What I tell people, is honestly, I don't care if you use me, another doula, or just a great friend who is naturally minded to be with you and your partner during labor.  Labor is very hard work for the mom and partner and it takes more hands than one person generally has ability to do.  Between getting ice, food, pillows, getting mama to the bathroom, and calling the nurse (who often has many more patients so often is not actually available to help in a labor partner type way), it just is a large task to ask of one person.  Over and over, after I leave a birth and then meet for a post natal visit, I get thanks from the mother, but often times it's the partner that appreciated me the most. The partner loves having someone there that has been in this situation before so that all the pressure isn't on them to be the emotional, physical and mental support.

As a doula, I am not there to talk on your behalf to the physician and nurses, but I am there to remind you of your birth plan, listen to what is going on in the room and help you understand what's going on, help you with different labor positions, remind your partner to go eat lunch, remind you to go to bathroom, along with just being another woman in the room that has been where you are and will not leave you until you have your baby.