“There is a secret in our culture, and it’s not that birth is painful. It’s that women are strong.” ~ Laura Stavoe Harm
My Philosophy
I have a life long passion for women's health, healthy communication, wellness and healthy families. I seek to provide support for diverse families, however they come to be. My personal background is in broader women's health program development and policy. My undergraduate and graduate degrees have focused on social aspects of health: I earned my Bachelor's degree from California Lutheran University in 2008 and my Master's degree from George Mason University in 2010. How I came to doula work was by working in international maternal and newborn health and nutrition programs primarily in Africa. While my career developed in policy and programs, my personal interests were locked on maternal health right here in the United States. Eventually I became trained as a doula and continued to learn all I could on prenatal and maternal health. Now I work and volunteer providing support for birth and labor as well as abortion/termination support services to women in the Washington, DC area. I believe as a culture, we must trust women and their bodies. I aim for a woman to feel supported and empowered throughout her pregnancy. A woman can set the tone of her birth experience while the baby guides the journey.
My philosophy is that the doula role is to encourage, support, listen, and release the tension and stress of a laboring woman. My goal is for a woman to feel supported during her birth experience and feel empowered to give birth and parent this new baby confidently. I see my job as well done if she feels in control of the situation around her. Birth can be a calm and incredible experience - one that a woman will remember for the rest of her life and my role is to do the best I can to ensure that is a positive memory. This happens through communication, patience, relaxation techniques, positioning, massage and managing discomfort as she progresses toward the birth plan she and her partner want for their family.
Training:
- Nutrition 110, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Spring 2016 Semester
- Lactation consultation follow of nurse practitioner with Metropolitan Breastfeeding; January 2016
- Essential Oils for Pregnancy & Labor certification September 16, 2015
- Breastfeeding for Health Care Providers and Birth Workers, The Breastfeeding Center of Greater Washington August 10, 2015
- Daylong Conscious Relationships Workshop, Insight Meditation Community of Washington August 8, 2015
- Nutritional Support for Childbirth, Labor, Delivery and Postpartum Healing; Shaklee Wellness Webinar July 1, 2015
- Infant & Child CPR and first aid certification June 27, 2015
- Essential Oils for Pregnancy, Birth & Newborns Workshop May 17, 2015
- Religious Women Have Abortions: A FaithAloud webinar with Rev. Rebecca Turner and the DC Doulas for Choice; April 2015
- Hynobabies Class by MyGentleBirth Sept. 28-Nov. 9, 2014
- Breastfeeding Basics Class by MomEase Nov. 1, 2014
- Stillbirthday Workshop Oct. 25, 2014
- Baby Care Basics Class by MomEase Oct. 15, 2014
- Express Weekend Childbirth Class by MomEase Sept. 5-6, 2014
- Bradley Method Natural Childbirth Class by BirthYouDesire July 27-Sept. 21, 2014
- DC Doulas for Choice Collective (termination procedures up to 12 weeks of pregnancy) June 27, 2014
- Birth Doula & Labor Support Workshop by J&M Birth Consultants Aug 16-17, 2013