I was usually the friend that other friends called when they were in labor. When I found out I was pregnant, I knew I wanted something different than the majority of the hospital births I had seen friends experience, so we sought out a birth center. When I had my first child, I still had no clue what a doula was, but after that incredibly transforming birth experience, I knew I wanted to be a midwife. With my second, there was a very high probability that my husband would be deployed* and I know that while I adored my midwives, I really wanted someone there just for me. Even though my husband ended up being home for the birth, I remember how much better I felt just knowing our doula was there! When I met with her for our postpartum visit, I wanted to just pick her brain! I knew it would be a good handful of years before I could really settle into the study of midwifery, and I thought that being a doula would be a really awesome way to help women have more satisfying, more fulfilling birth experiences. Before my second baby was 2, I was a certified doula!
For me, this is the perfect job. It enables me to be home with my children 99% of the time, while still encouraging me to fulfill my dream to work with laboring mothers. I am in constant awe of the families I work with, and feel very honored to be part of their birth experiences. Every birth teaches me something, or reminds me of something I had forgotten and I will always be grateful to the families who have allowed me to share in their experiences. I truly believe that a positive birth experience is possible for every family, and my life-long goal is to help every family achieve whatever their positive birth experience may be.
Do you have a specialty?
If I had to say I have a specialty, I would say I specialize in military families. I've been a military spouse for almost 6 years. I am very comfortable and familiar with deployment schedules, MTF's, TriCare, and the whole military package! I understand how frustrating it can be not to know if or when your partner will be at sea, and if they're on shore, if they will be accessible. The majority of my clients' deliveries occur in MTF's, though I am also very comfortable with civilian facilities. Because of my own experiences, and experiences with several clients, I feel I am very well equipped to deal with challenges that many military families face.
