Root to Rise

n enthralled with all things childbirth for as long as I can remember. With my first pregnancy in 1999, I recall being absolutely amazed by this thing called pregnancy and reading every book I could get my hands on related to it. Following my first birth I was in awe of what I had just accomplished and what we women are capable of! My mother was with me through each of my births, doulaing me along, whether she knew it or not. She was able to take her wisdom and experience from her five births to tenderly and knowingly guide me through each contraction. Through this, I somehow intuitively knew that this is how women must have done it since the beginning of time. Women serving other women-THIS is my heart’s calling. My outlook on birthing is that it is a natural process, and while in rare circumstances medical intervention is necessary, it is not a “medical” process. I believe women who carry children were made for this and that we can trust our bodies. Women have the strength and ability within them to birth a child, and women have been doing so since ancient times. My job as a doula is to be there for the mother and her partner through this miraculous, amazing experience by sharing knowledge, comfort measures, and support. I have been honored and blessed by the women who have allowed me to participate in their births as I began this journey and I look forward to the many other’s that I will have the honor of serving!