03/22/2022
Hello, I am Kate, and I would love to be your doula. I have trained with DONA, International. These courses include doula training, breastfeeding and intro to childbirth courses. I am very eager to jump into the next Spinning Babies course as soon as it becomes available. I have also done and continue to do my own studying through some of the best-known pregnancy resources, Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth, Birthing from Within, etc. I have listened to hundreds of birth stories and educational pregnancy, birth and doula podcasts. I am in the process of becoming certified through DONA.
Throughout my research and regardless of the type of birth (i.e., unmedicated, medicated, C-Section etc.) I have discovered there is always an element of surrender. Whether it is surrendering to allow your body to open or surrendering to the fact that your baby may have different plans for their birth than you anticipated, every birth is unpredictable. From this knowledge I developed my motto ‘Surrender with E.A.S.E.’ (education, advocacy, support and empowerment.) The components that I believe will make surrendering easier are described in more detail below. They are also some of the key things I will focus on as your doula.
Education: My goal is to pass my education on to you and fine tune it to the experience you wish to have as well as prepare you for other possible outcomes. You may have questions after leaving your appointments with providers, I will be there to help answer those questions. I will be on call to help you know your options all along the way and I also strongly encourage you to do your own research and attend any prenatal courses you feel may be beneficial. This is your experience. I am here to continuously guide you back to you and your birth plan, as well as support you if you change your mind. Knowledge prenatally is very important but let’s not get so wrapped up in preparing for birth that we forget about postpartum! I have heard so many people regret not preparing more for postpartum and not having resources in place once baby arrives and sleep is limited. Let me help with that!
Advocacy: I want to help you feel comfortable advocating for yourself during appointments with your providers and in labor. I want you, and your partner, to feel comfortable asking questions, making your preferences known and if necessary, challenging recommendations both prenatally and during birth. It is your body and your baby, and you have full autonomy, I want to help you honor that. I will be the voice in the room reminding you of the power you have.
Support: You need support. Your partner will need support. I hope to be that support person. Doctors, nurses and midwives are fantastic, but their list of required responsibilities and policies is long and requires a lot of their focus. My focus is always you. Also, of course, partners and family members can be helpful and supportive, but they are also becoming and dad/mom, grandma, aunt and may be unfamiliar with the laboring process. They are going through their own unique emotional experience that can possibly, and unintentionally distract from what your needs are. But that’s okay, this is where I step in. It is a big day for your family but it’s you who’s doing the hard work growing and birthing this baby and you deserve someone who’s job is attending to you wholistically. That’s what a doula is there for.
Empowerment: With knowledge, confidence, and support I hope that you can make the decisions around your care and the birth of your child not out of fear but out of peace & power. No matter what direction the birth takes you, I want you to feel empowered knowing you are aware of your options. If an issue comes up that was unexpected, I will hold space for you to gather information and give you adequate time to considerate your options. Sometimes, things will arise that need immediate action and we are grateful our medical professionals are there to step in. Usually though, there is the ability to slow things down to ensure you feel comfortable with what is happening to you. I will encourage you to follow your intuition and listen to your body. There is no one who is more of an expert on your body than you. I trust you and I trust birth!
I live in Northglenn, CO but I am willing to travel. Please message me for more information or to set up a time for a free consultation.
*Please note that I am not a medical professional, I am your professionally trained support person.
