The Joy Filled Birth

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Poulsbo, WA
The Joy Filled Birth

Labor and Birth support doula servicing Kitsap Country, WA

Check out my website for more info!

03/15/2026

A Twin Birth story 🌙🤍⭐️

05/03/2025

•Gods goodness and face presentation•
I was first introduced to Marissa and Nick by a relative serving overseas. “She’s due to have her baby in March, and moving back to WA and interested in having a doula! Where do you live?”
Shocker. They were moving to Kitsap. 😍
Another divine appointment.
Marissa was planning to give birth at the birth center 10 minutes from my house, we both love Jesus, and I was so excited to support them.
On the day of her due date Marissa began to experience prodromal labor. Intense contractions all night that slowed into the early morning and day. Never quite going away enough to allow her good rest.
I went over there in the morning to help with positioning. We did rebozo, massage, and chatted about a plan. I discovered very quickly her tailbone and lower back had LOTS of tension. I suspected baby was OP. We talked about miles circuit and ways to help alleviate the back pain. I left her tucked in and instructions to rest and eat as much as possible as things may pick up again that night.
And they did!
I arrived back at their home greeted by the welcomed sight of Marissa moving into active labor. Right before we were headed to the car I felt a big nudge to pray over them. I don’t always do this- but it was overwhelming. They of course agreed and we spent a moment praying for peace and safety as they welcomed their little girl.
We arrived at the birth center and she labored in the tub for a while. Still I notice her tailbone bulging out of her lower back. I massaged and spoke words of encouragement through each surge. Nick is also so attentive and massages and kisses his laboring wife’s head and shoulders. Her contractions are coming hard with hardly any breaks. I suggest getting out to change it up. We do side laying and her water breaks, in the form of her bag of waters coming out intact first ahead of the baby. 🤩 the birth nerd in me MARVELED.

Marissa began to show obvious signs of bearing down. The midwife asked permission to do a quick internal exam to see that baby is moving down, and Marissa consented.
In this moment we learn that Marissa’s baby has decided to be born FACE presenting.

Already in the birth canal baby girl was making incredible progress regardless of being face first. The midwife had Marissa flip onto her back in a semi recline position to better assist with the delivery. Shortly after we see lips and a nose emerge. If you are used to seeing a baby head- it is quite something to see a face entering the world first.
These moments are intense. Nick and myself are saying prayers out loud. Over Marissa and the safety of baby. It is NOT easy to maneuver a baby head that has bones that move to fit through your birth canal and perineum, and it is even HARDER to move a baby through that space who is both OP (coming face up), and head entirely flexed face first.
and then she does it.

Baby girl was welcomed into the world with tears of relief and joy and is THRIVING.
The midwife decided it was wise to have them observed for a time but they went home that same day.
I marvel at Marissa’s strength and perseverance, and I so enjoyed supporting this family ❤ The thread of Gods faithfulness and goodness was so evident through it all🤍

Welcome Baby Girl. You are so loved 🤍

03/27/2025

“My liver enzymes are really bad and we have to go to Tacoma. They’re expecting us by 2pm”
She said over the phone. My mind started racing immediately as what all of this implied for them.
“Okay. I’ll meet you there. How are you? This is a lot”

“Just trying to process right now, just throwing s**t into bags”

We laughed.

This was Samantha’s second baby. Her first was a lovely uncomplicated birth center birth, which was her plan for number 2. But that changed when her itchiness increased over a few days, they drew labs, and sure enough.
Cholestasis.

The story of hurry up and wait. Eventually we made it into her room at Tacoma general. She was already 4/5cm dilated and very soft. Her goal was to continue with the plan of an unmedicated birth- so she did!

It didn’t take much pitocin to kick things into gear. She labored hands knees, was able to get in the tub even with all of her wires and monitors, and birthed her sweet baby boy a mere 4 hours later on the ground like the strong mother she is 🔥

It was a gorgeous birth, and while their plans changed quickly, her confidence in her own body and her ability to DO THIS shone through.

I’m biased to the name but Elijah James couldn’t have made a smoother entrance 🤍🙌 welcomed by big brother clay and an entire farm of horses and chickens.

I loved my time with this family so much and I’m in awe every time I think about this birth story 🫶🤍🙌

03/11/2025

DID YOU KNOW?! 🫶🤍

Studies show that having a doula improves birth outcomes in several key ways:
• 39% decrease in the risk of Cesarean birth
• 15% increase in the likelihood of spontaneous vaginal birth
• 10% decrease in the use of pain medications
• 31% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience
• Shorter labor times and lower rates of medical interventions

Doulas provide continuous emotional and physical support, which leads to more positive birth experiences and better overall outcomes for both parents and babies.

02/22/2025

I walked through the snowy yard in the wee hours of the morning. “Good thing I drove Riley’s truck” I thought to myself.

I messaged my sweet doula friend that I was here. She was sick and I was attending this birth in her place. Luckily Megan ( ‘s client) and I had met before, so it wasn’t a stranger walking into her space. Through I for sure was prepared to feel her disappointment that I was not Michelle. She of course had approved me attending- but it’s always a bummer when the doula you had been building a relationship with isn’t able to make it.
Which happens. Sickness happens to the best doulas too unfortunately 😘

I walked in to a growl of a contraction. Megan was hands and knees in their room. I waited until it was over and we had a moment to connect. She said “that was the biggest one yet” and I said “yea it sounds like you’re working hard in here”

From that moment they only got bigger and stronger. I watched her breathe and moan and rock. I asked if the midwife was on her way- she said yes.

The birth pool was being set up, and Megan got to give her oldest a squeeze before returning to her labor land.

I quickly became aware her contractions where no more then 2 minutes apart. Luckily I have the midwife’s number in my phone. I text, “we are rip and roaring 2 minutes apart over here”
She says she’s leaving now!

Immediately after that moment Megan wants to get in the shower while waiting for the pool. I’m honestly wondering if we will even make it to the pool.

Two contractions into the shower her bag of waters explode water balloon style and she drops to her knees bearing down HARD.

“Are you pushing?”
*nods*

I call the midwife.

“Is she pushing?”

“Yes she is!”

“I’ll be there in 8 minutes”

I get her out of the tub onto a nest of towels I made and coach her through small blows, horse lips, and soft breath as we ride these big waves&wait for the midwife😅

She does incredible and the midwife shows up as baby girl begins to crown.

I breathe the biggest sigh of relief as she roars her baby girl into the hands of her daddy.

An incredible redemptive and quick birth for Megan. It was an honor to be there 💖

02/10/2025

Welcome Lucy 💖

Darcy triumphantly welcomed her first baby girl into the world supported by her husband Kyle and I. This was one of those births that remind you as a doula that EVERY tool has its place.

Darcy took every hurdle with such grace. She labored for the entire day at 9cm before deciding it was time to give her body a break and bring in other tools to the space.

Thoughtfully and prayerfully trusted what her body and baby needed every step of the way.

One of those births I could have literally LEAPED for joy when that baby girl was born. A little extra help, and Lucy has been thriving ever since ✨

So thankful and grateful for this sweet family. 💖

Address

Poulsbo, WA
98370

Website

http://www.thejoyfilledbirth.com/

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