About Me

I believe that fundamentally, your body is designed to grow and birth your baby (you will probably be increasingly amazed through the course of your pregnancy at how your body knows and does exactly what it needs in each stage). With minimal intervention, a healthy pregnancy will culminate in a "normal" labor and birth about 95 - 99% of the time--regardless of the baby's size (bigger is healthier!), mom's size (the pelvic joints do expand and baby's head molds), or when labor begins relative to the "due date." That said, there can be a myriad of reasons you might choose to accept certain interventions (including induction, pharmacological pain relief, and surgical delivery) and my role as doula is to make sure you have all of the information available with which to make a truly informed decision. This will be your birth, so what is most important is the health of mom and baby, how the birth process begins your relationship as a family (hopefully as peacefully and lovingly as possible), and the feelings and memories you each take with you from the experience.

You are the only person who will truly know what is best for your baby and your family.

~

My Services

Prenatal

I like to do at least two prenatal visits with the mom and partner (if a partner will be present for the birth). In these visits, I can get to know your preferences for your birth experience, discuss your concerns, and provide supplemental information, practice, and resources in areas you feel are relevant. I am also fully available by phone or email at any frequency between the time of hire and at least 3 weeks after the birth of your baby. I am happy to accompany you to a caregiver appointment, and like to just check-in periodically on how things are going.

Labor

When labor begins, we stay in contact by phone through the early phase, until you decide you are ready for my assistance. Depending on the circumstances, I can be with you at home or, if you are planning to birth at a center or hospital, I can meet you at the place you are choosing to birth. At home, I can offer reassurance, suggestions for increased comfort, progress, or rest, and if you are birthing elsewhere, assistance in deciding when it is time to go to the birth place! I come equipped with everything from a birthball to hot and cold packs, massage tools and creams, relaxing essential oils for aromatherapy, low-fructose electrolyte beverages, honey sticks, snacks (also for partners), change for vending machines, disposable camera, straws, spoons, and other utensils.

Support during labor includes suggesting changes of labor positions and acupressure for comfort, pain relief, and to progress labor; massage for relaxation, focus, comfort, and distraction; facilitation of communication with caregivers and of full disclosure of information; support for partner or other birth attendant and, as appropriate, encouragement of partner's involvement in the birth process; and simply providing a calm, nurturing, experienced, and reassuring presence to help reduce the uncertainty that can cause fear in mom or partner during labor and birth. (* when you and your partner are doing well, I have no need to be in the middle and am happy to slip out any time you wish to be alone !)

Postpartum

I will stay after the birth for a few hours to help with any postpartum procedures, changing rooms, initial breast feeding attempts and, if desired, to take pictures of your newborn angel! If there is a need for the baby to leave your room, your partner or myself can stay with you while the other stays with the baby.

Finally, I will do at least one postpartum visit at your home in the weeks following the birth. This is an opportunity to go over your birth story from my notes and our individual experiences, and to go over details of the process, which sometimes fade out of memory for those intimately involved. At this time I can answer any questions you may have about the labor or delivery, the handling of any issues, the sequence of events, ...etc. I also appreciate any feedback you may have on my services and any assistance I did, or might have offered you.

~

My Professional Background & Training

I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and my professional background is in crisis counseling, advocacy, and prevention education around the issues of sexual assault, child abuse, and domestic violence. I was trained as a doula at Blossom Birth Services in Palo Alto, California, where I also teach the Basic Childbirth Preparation Series. I am a DONA (Doulas Of North America) certified doula, an ICEA (International Childbirth Educator Association) certified childbirth educator, and am Birthing From Within trained. . I am the owner and proprietor of Harmony Birth Resources in Campbell and and am President of the Board of Directors of BABI (Bay Area Birth Information).

Home ~ About Me ~ Doulas ~ Your Labor & Birth ~ How To Decide
Resources ~ Referral List ~ Photo Album


	As a doula, I provide information, resources, experience, and caring support during pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum periods. My primary goals for labor support are to: ~ provide options and steady support for the mother and her partner in the choices they decide are best for themselves and their baby, ~ help create a safe and nurturing space for mom and partner to achieve and share a positive birth experience, and ~ help record and preserve their birth memories.