I believe that every mother deserves a birth experience they feel positive about. A doula helps make that happen.
My passion for birth work began with the pregnancy of my son, Noah. It was with the loving encouragement of my doula that I became pro-active in my pregnancy and, in turn, became a pro-active mother. Prior to finding my doula, I was unaware that I had any birthing options that would meet my individual needs. I believed there was only one approach to pregnancy and childbirth. Furthermore, I thought that any choice to be made would be decided by the doctor and midwife. With the help of my doula and midwife, I learned to be resourceful, responsible for my own decisions, and aware of the options available to me. This in turn, positively affected the outcome of my pregnancy, birth, and postpartum period. My perception of pregnancy and childbirth was transformed by these experiences. I realized then, as I do now, that each woman has the potential for a birth experience they feel positive about whether they choose to give birth in a hospital, birth center, or at home.
All of the ways I was connected to my son started during pregnancy. After my son’s birth, in 2000, I began to share my experience with friends and family. They started to ask me the same questions I asked my doula, and this began my journey into doulahood. Shortly after my son’s birth I attended two births, just as a friend and support. In 2001 I sought a formal doula training at Seattle Midwifery School’s doula training. I attended several more births after training. In 2003, I enrolled at The Evergreen State College, where I studied pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period until 2009. In addition to my focus on childbirth, I studied American Sign Language, Deaf culture, and herbal medicine, all of which is incorporated into my current doula practice. Prior to graduation I realized that no matter what I studied, birth would always be my passion. I decided to build a full time doula practice after graduation, and this is how Red Raspberry Doula came to life.
In addition to my above education, I always seek new knowledge to adapt to my practice. In 2010, I attended Sara Huntington’s Breastfeeding for Doulas course, in March, I will attend the NW doula Conference in Oregon City, and in April I will attend The Midwifery Today Conference in Philadelphia, PA.
I am excited to offer my experience and love of pregnancy, childbirth, and all things mama.