Meet Your ProDoula

Background/Experience that you think is beneficial to Doula work: I have worked in the service industry my whole life. I have learned how to read people and interact accordingly. I really enjoy working with people and find the connections that I make highly rewarding. I manage a staff of about 30 people. I strive to have open and clear lines of communication with my staff and encourage them to be a strong team. I believe that my team building and strong communication skills will help me to assist in a birth in an effective and compassionate manner.

What led you to become a Doula?: I was called to be a Doula when I had my daughter. I wish that my husband and I would have had the emotional support that a Doula provides during Emma's birth. I believe that some of the interventions that happened could have been avoided if I would have had the "outsider" support instead of just my husband and the nurses. Don't get me wrong my husband was AMAZING, but I feel like he could have used then support as well. It's very hard as a partner to watch your spouse struggle and I think that it's hard to suggest position changes or be that firm voice when the mother needs it. The nurses were also amazing, but they weren't there just for me. A doula can provide these things for the family that the hospital cannot. I want to be that advocate and voice for other women and their partners. This is why I am a Doula.

What are some positive comments made about you by other people?:

I have been told that I am leader, compassionate, caring, energetic and funny.

What are your favorite pregnancy/parenting resources?: I read so many books when I was pregnant."The Birth Partner" was a great overall guide to birth and postpartum. My husband enjoyed "Be Prepared, a Practical Handbook for Dads". This book was hilarious! My husband really liked the witty practical humor of this how to book. I read several Ina May Gaskin books. Her book on birth stories, "Spiritual Midwifery" was something that resonated with me more than anything else that I had read. I think I was so afraid that I wouldn't know what was happening and to read all these beautiful birth stories really helped to put me in a better frame of mind. I also read her books on childbirth and breastfeeding. I also read every birth story on the Birth Without Fear blog and several books on French parenting.

What thoughts come to mind when you see a pregnant woman or brand new mom?: I wonder how long her labor was or if her birth went as she wanted it to.

What is the best gift you can give a new mom (as a Doula)?: First off a big hug and congratulations! I know it can be so overwhelming and everyone wants to know about the baby sometimes mom can really feel left out. The emotional support you can offer her as a Doula is invaluable.

What is your favorite TV show or movie?: I really love "The Book of Life". I cry like a baby every time we watch it.

What is your favorite place to vacation?: Mexico! Our favorite place to go is a small town about 2 1/2 hours south of Puerto Vallarta. It's a small village with maybe 500 people. We have made some amazing friends and go back every year.

What is your favorite food?: Mexican anything! Salsa runs through my veins!

What is your favorite way to spend a day off?: Hanging out with my husband and daughter. We like to drive in the mountains or to the river and have a picnic.

Who lives in your house?: I live with my husband Brian, our daughter Emma and our dog Chloe.