What is a doula?
A doula is a support person who provides emotional, informational, physical, and mental support to a birthing person during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. A birth doula can support a person birthing at any location, home, birth center, or hospital!
Benefits of a doula
When a doula is present a birthing person is less likely to request pain medication or an epidural. Studies have shown lower levels of anxiety in the birthing parent and a lower chance of medical interventions as well. With the continuous emotional and physical support of a doula throughout labor, a birthing parent is more likely to be satisfied with their birth experience. A doula is not meant to take the place of a partner. A doula brings birth wisdom and support to your space; your partner brings all the love and understanding of you.
About Me & My Approach
My interest in becoming a birth worker was fully due to my own experience with the birth of my son. It opened my eyes to the birth world and the need and role of a doula. I now firmly believe every birthing person who wants a doula should have access to one. And likewise, if I am not the best fit for you, I will happily help you find the perfect doula for you. The birth experience is something no book can prepare you for. The very best preparation is knowing you have the best support team for you and your birth preferences and goals.
I respect and honor all birthing choices and hold space for you as you plan your birth, during your birth, and after. I also strive to ensure you are informed of your choices before birth and along the way. One of my main goals as your doula is to ensure your partner is supported as well and feels confident in their role as your main support person. It is also important to me to help you and your partner advocate for yourself during your birth. Every birth is different and every birthing person is different. As a former journalist, I know how to ask questions to ensure you know exactly what you want and how to find answers. We also chat thoroughly about postpartum prep and after your birth I make one more home visit to see how you are doing and offer more support.
I truly believe having your birth documented through photography is a wonderful way to not only relive the highlights of your birth and meeting your baby for the first time, but also allows you to see your own strength, beauty, and the support that is often surrounding you during your birth. Even the most peaceful and uneventful births need to be processed afterwards and birth photography helps give you the tools to fill in the blurry pieces of your birth story and walk away with confidence in knowing more about your own birth experience. I love to take you on a journey through your birth and show the story of you, your support, and your baby’s first moments.
Credentials
DONA trained March 2021 through Bastyr University
Certified Birth Photographer via Birth Becomes You Fall 2021
Spinning Babies Workshop - March 2022
Trained in TENS Unit use for Labor - April 2022
Birth Doula + Birth Photography
I always doula with my camera. We’re a package deal. While I love to tell your whole birth story through photography, if you only want part of your birth story documented we can discuss that as well during your consult. I am skilled in knowing when to pick up the camera and put it down to support you. I also have years of experience documenting sensitive and private moments as a former photojournalist. Your photos are first and foremost for you, no one else.
Free video consultation to see if I am the right fit for your birth space.
2-3 prenatal meetings to go over hopes, fears, building a birth plan, and your postpartum plans.
On-call from 38 weeks until birth.
Full support of your birth wishes and preferences.
Support in early and active labor.
Access to and use of TENS unit for labor if desired.
Continued support up to 2 hours after birth.
One postpartum visit at your home during the week after birth.
Your birth story photographed professionally from beginning to end.
Sneak peek within 24-48 hours.
Investment: $3000
Testimonial
Coverage Area
Greater Seattle area
Based in Woodinville, Wa
Serving the greater Seattle area.
This is a safe space for all LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC/BIPGM families.
Black Lives Matter
Love is Love
I am fully vaccinated.