ABOUT ME
I have had the joy of giving birth to eleven children! I have been happily married to my best friend, Mark, for 21+ years. I began my childbirth education 20 years ago with extensive Lamaze classes. I have had eleven different birth experiences and have learned something new from each one. My last birth, in Sept. of 2011, was a joyful homebirth (and my first time experiencing that!) in the water. I am currently certified with DONA (Doulas of North America International), the largest doula organization in the United States. I am a Lamaze Certified Childbrith Educator and teach community childbirth classes and private classes.
I first became interested in doula work eight years ago when I had a doula at my seventh baby's birth. The experience was so incredible that I felt the need to let women know just how powerful birth can be with the right support. As a Christian, I also know how often the spiritual aspect of childbirth is overlooked . I encourage women to look to God and ask Him for help in the birth process.
I enjoy teaching women about their birth options and the benefits and risks involved with those choices. I have experienced a still birth and understand the many conflicting emotions a woman deals with in a subsequent pregnancy. I have also worked with teenagers, women with high risk pregnancies, women giving birth after a neonatal death, single mothers, gestational diabetes, pre eclampsia, water births, breech vaginal births, and VBACs (vaginal birth after cesarean). I have also supported women having a cesarean birth.
I have experience dealing with NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) doctors and nurses and the emotional impact that has on a mother. I am an enthusiastic supporter of water birth, having water birthed my last baby. I can happily supply references to those who ask.
I keep my education current by networking with other doulas, lactation consultants, midwives,labor and delivery nurses, and childbirth professionals. I have experience with Bradley, Lamaze, and HypnoBirthing and Hypnobabies childbirth methods. I am a member of the Georgia Birth Network, Doulas of North America International, Lamaze International , and the American Pregnancy Association. I attend national and local birth conferences and I read every book I can find about birth. I am also part of a local midwifery study group.
I have supported births at Piedmont Fayette Hospital, Wellstar Cobb Hospital, Northside Hospital, North Fulton Hospital, Kennestone Hospital, Southern Regional Hospital, Emory Midtown Hospital (formerly Crawford Long), John's Creek, West Georgia Medical Center (La Grange), and Atlanta Medical Center.
I recently(May 2011) returned from a midwifery trip to the Dominican Republic. I went with a group of midwives for eight days and practiced midwifery skills in a very busy public hospital. I performed cervical checks, fetal heart tones, blood pressure checks, and assisted in delivering babies under the supervision of senior licensed midwives. This was part of my training on my very long route to CPM (Certified Professional Midwife). You can view my blog and slide show from the trip at www.midwiferytriptothedominicanrepublic.blogspot.com This training, along with the past year that I have spent doing clinical trainings in South Carolina and doing midwifery coursework, has prepared me to offer monitrice services as well.
I believe in every woman's ability to give birth and the ultimate source of strength in birth is the Creator himself.
DONA doulas must:
Complete a reading list of books about childbirth, labor support, and breastfeeding
Attend a 16 hr. birth doula workshop where women are taught many hands on techniques to deal with labor
Breastfeeding education through an on line course or workshops
Attend childbirth education classes
Pass a written test
Compile an extensive resource list of professionals in the community that could be of help to a pregnant or postpartum woman, making contact with each of these professionals
Attend three births and have written evaluations from six childbirth professionals who have observed their work. They must also have evaluations from the mothers they helped.
Write a paper documenting the purpose of childbirth support.
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