I started my working career in 1998 - first a teacher, then an executive assistant, and recently spending the last 10 years managing events. It always seemed interesting in the beginning, but I never really felt fulfilled, like this is what I was supposed to be doing with my life. But like many of us, I was stuck and didn't know what I wanted to do, afraid to walk away from a secure, good paying job. Then COVID happened...and it woke me up, jolting me out of the unhappy routine I had settled into. In order to cope with what was going on, I started meditating, completed my reiki training (Reiki Master, oh yeah!) and began work in earnest on trying to understand myself and the world on a more spiritual level, asking myself all the questions that people typically do...Why am I here? Is this what I'm supposed to be doing with my life? Is this all there is? What are we ALL doing here?? Once you start asking yourself those types of questions, the Universe starts answering...or rather you start paying attention. The first nudge came from a pregnant friend of mine who asked if I would be her birth support person at the hospital in June 2020. She had originally planned to have her mom with her during birth while her aunt from Florida came up to watch her first daughter. But with COVID, her aunt couldn't travel, so her mom needed to stay with her daughter. When she asked, I jumped at the chance given this would probably be my only opportunity to experience firsthand the miracle of birth. And I just really wanted to help support my friend! AMAZING. Watching a tiny human come out of another human being is the most incredible thing I'll ever be a part of. It was a beautiful and humbling experience – being able to support my friend and bear witness to, and participate in, one of the most memorable and sacred moments in her life (and mine). A few months later, the second nudge from the Universe came from another friend who was due with her third child in late December 2020. Originally, I was just going to be helping care for her two children while she gave birth at home. But fairly early the morning of New Year’s Day (thank God I did not celebrate NYE:), things started progressing more quickly than anticipated. I arrived to their house first, before her mom, the midwife and the nurse. I could hear intense moans coming from upstairs and knew the original plan was scrapped...she was in full-on transitional labor! I definitely remember thinking...holy sh**, am I going to have to catch this baby?? But thankfully, the awesome midwife – a mutual friend of ours from college – arrived 15 minutes after me. I helped her prep, brought in reiki energy to support my birthing friend through her contractions and 15 minutes later I was witnessing a second miracle! Being able to support two of my friends during this magickal time was so rewarding and fulfilling and humbling. I am in awe of mothers and how strong and capable they are. It's then I learned what a doula was...and not soon after that, I decided that this work was the path for me. So, I took the doula training, left my job and started my own doula business! I am so honored to be doing this work and providing a safe, comforting, supportive space/environment for birthing parents. It is truly my hope that your birth experience is the best that it can possible be for you and your family. What areas do I service? I provide services within an 80 mile radius of Baltimore, MD. What services do I offer? Please see the Services tab. Resources
https://wetheparents.org/doula-science
https://evidencebasedbirth.com/the-evidence-for-doulas/
https://www.dona.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DONA-Birth-Position-Paper-FINAL.pdf
What is a doula and why are they important? A doula provides expectant parents with emotional and physical support, provides informational resources on birth and helps the parents with advocating for the birth experience they would like to have. Doulas play an important role as a support person, not only for the birthing parent, but for the partner as well. Research has shown that having a doula present lowers the use of interventions and medications, can improve the bond between mother and infant and can provide a more positive birthing experience. When should expectant parents engage a doula for services? Expectant parents should consider interviewing doulas at the beginning of the 3rd trimester. Doulas can provide various packages for their services. A basic package typically covers 1-2 prenatal visits, the labor and birth, and 1-2 postpartum visits, with additional pre/post visits available at an hourly rate.
