My Birthing Philosophy

I believe that childbirth is a normal, natural, and healthy process.  I believe that parents should make informed choices that result in a healthy, safe, and fulfilling birth.

Why Natural Birth?

Instead of the natural event that it is, pregnancy is often regarded as an illness, and birth, as a surgical procedure.  Choosing natural childbirth is choosing to trust your body.  Even more than that, it is knowing that you already possess all the tools you need to give birth.  Having a natural birth doesn’t mean choosing pain.  There are a wide variety of natural comfort measures that can be used.

Women who choose natural childbirth realize that any artificial interruption in birthing, even for the best of intentions, adds risks.  Whenever we interfere with the normal process of birthing, we increase the risks to both the mother and child.

Planning a natural childbirth does not mean swearing off all interventions.  Situations may arise when interventions become life-saving necessities.  A woman will carefully weigh the cost-benefit ratio to any and all interventions.

Women who choose natural birth realize that all medications taken during pregnancy are passed to the baby to some degree.  These women understand that the process of giving birth does not damage the body.

Mothers who give birth naturally understand how their actions in labor affect their birthing.

Natural childbirth empowers women.  It instills self-confidence.  But this is not why women choose it.  They are not trying to prove their worth or be martyrs.  It is about making the safest, gentlest choices for the well-being of their child.

What if our birth philosophies differ?

My true agenda is to help ensure that the parents’ wishes are acknowledged and followed as much as possible.  My job is to provide information and resources so that a family can make informed decisions throughout pregnancy and birth, and in the immediate postpartum period.  Often it is believed that birth doula services are used only by those seeking non-medicated or natural childbirth. In reality, birth doulas attend both medicated and non-medicated births, including cesarean sections (c-sections).

I support women who are planning natural births, as well as women who have made the decision to use pain medication.

I support women who are planning hospital births, as well as women who are birthing their babies at home.

I support women having their babies by cesarean section.

What if you use an epidural?

A woman with an epidural still needs and deserves sensitive and appropriate labor support.  Although the doula is no longer needed to help cope with pain, she can minimize many of the undesired side effects of the epidural.  She still provides emotional support, reassurance and information.  She helps the laboring woman remain focused on her labor and her baby.

What if you have a c-section?

A doula can be helpful for both a scheduled or unscheduled cesarean section.  Many women feel anxiety over the thought of surgery.  A doula can educate you about some aspects of surgical birth and aid in formulating a birth plan.  It is very important to review the birth plan with your health care provider in advance so your doula’s presence during the delivery will be planned for and expected.  The final decision and permission for the doula’s attendance at the delivery is made by the anesthesiologist.  Individual hospital policies regarding who may be allowed in the operating room during c-sections vary.

Your doula will be with you in the pre-op area before the surgery, and once regional anesthesia is placed, she will remain with you in the operating room during the delivery.  Your doula will be at your side to help you deal with some of the physical and emotional challenges during surgery.  She can also remind the staff of any special requests you might have. If you desire, she can take photographs, particularly after the baby is born.  Your doula will remain with you in the operating room.  Your partner may chose to go with the baby, but your doula will stay with you. Once you are moved into recovery, your doula will remain with you until you are transferred to the postpartum floor (usually about 2 hours). If you are planning to breastfeed and your baby is with you, your doula can assist you in getting the baby latched on correctly.