I am fascinated by the word, doula. When I learned its origin and meaning, I felt so sure that I wanted to identify myself with this wonderful term. The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves." Currently, a doula refers to a professionally trained woman who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to a mother (and her partner) before, during and just after birth.
The labors and births of my children were special, monumental days of life. I often look back on the details of those days with a sweet fondness. Because of this reality, I am passionate about the importance of supporting and encouraging a laboring woman. I consider it a true gift to serve women and their families and witness the birth of their children, and because of this, I am dedicated to personalized and professional doula support.
In November of 2009, I attended a Labor Doula Training through the Childbirth And Postpartum Association (CAPPA) and by Barbara Harper, founder of Waterbirth International and Kym Dalton, an experienced doula and CAPPA leadership board member. Since then, I have served with the Chicago Volunteer Doulas and for private clients. I received my Labor Doula Certification initials in February 2011, I am also a member of DONA - Doulas of North America. I have doula experience with home births, natural births, inductions, epidural births, unexpected cesarean sections, long labors, faster precipitous labors, births with midwives as the care provider and births with an obstetrician as the care provider. I am committed to serving all families with love, compassion, gentleness and grace in whatever decisions that the mother (and father) choose is best for them.
Doula - a woman who serves. This is what I want my life to be known for. I want to be a woman who serves with joy and purpose. Entrusting my life to Jesus and His awesome love and grace has given me a deep desire to treat all with compassion, kindness, sincerity, and love. I desire to humbly follow my Lord's example in serving others as I quietly wash their feet through life's opportunities. Doula work is one of those opportunities...
When I am not doula-ing, I enjoy going for a sweet morning run, working with dirt, making a kale chips, smelling lavender, picking and eating berries, crocheting, sewing, laughing really hard, being the wife to Tim and cuddling with my two little lambs (that's what I call my girls).
