Doula Services:

I remember reading once that any woman over the age of 12 can attend a woman in labor.  The role is highly maternal and I completely understand why someone said it.  I also believe that just attending is not always enough.  A couple hundred years ago, women would be surrounded by the women in her community during her labor.  Usually the primary attendants would be women who had given birth and women who had attended many others, but the circle of women was larger than that.  They would all have borne witness to normal/physiologic labor, labor without intervention.  Today, many of the women who have gone before us, our mothers, maybe even grandmothers are often great distances away from us and  have experienced and witnessed a far more medicalized version of the birth process.  The world has changed.  Now, professional doulas serve in this capacity because we are experienced in modern birth practices, outside of the hospital, and within.  We go through trainings, we read, we attend, and read some more. We learn from classes, midwives, nurses, doctors, and from the families we support.  Our job is not to make choices for you, but to educate you, hopefully inspire you, inform you about choices and options you may have, listen to you and try to calm your worries and fears, empower you to be in labor any way you want to be, and to support your partner in being what he/she needs to be, wants to be in your support.  We are charged with assisting you with your physical, emotional, and mental comfort and well being throughout your pregnancy, labor, and beyond. If you are in the greater Seattle are and wish to talk more about what I can offer, I invite you to contact me. 

*COVID-19 CARE VARIATIONS:

I am gratefully and FULLY Vaccinated (booster (3) received November 1, 2021) for your safety and well being. I will get any and all boosters, and still wear a mask when it is advised by health care providers, or simply for your comfort. Prenatal meetings can be held online, indoors or outdoors with or without masks at our collective discretion. Your openness about vaccination status is appreciated so I can make best choices for my safety, the safety of my family, and other clients regarding my own masking practices.

*In addition to continuing to provide care (at client’s discretion) to those who have already contracted my services. I’m adding an option during this unprecedented time. While the physical/massage support is one component of the support a doula provides, there are MANY others. My “Pocket Doula” services can help you navigate the changes throughout the labor process, determine when to communicate with health care providers, provide instructions and guidance to partners serving by your side, to identify needs and appropriate support tool for the specific phase of each stage of labor. Keep me in your pocket, if you feel more comfortable that way. This service will be offered to those who have attended my online class only.