Here I am!

I've embarked on a journey, and it's the most exciting ride of my life! I finally feel like I have found what I'm meant to do.

I've always wanted to be a mother and raise my children. When I was pregnant with my first baby I wanted to learn as much as I could about pregnancy, childbirth and babies, but at that time my perspective and sources were limited. As I had more children, the desire to learn and grow became stronger, until after having my fourth baby I realized I wanted to do more than learn for myself; I wanted to help other women learn as well! This is about more than simply educating women. It's about empowering women and helping them to realize their beauty and their strength. It's about helping women plan and achieve the birth that is right for each woman and her baby.

I have four children. With my first pregnancy I said I wanted to have a natural childbirth, but I would take medication if it got too hard. The labor was hard and there were interventions made, including pitocin and epidural. My baby was born healthy and happy, and that's what mattered most. My second baby was also induced and I had an epidural with that as well. It was a smooth labor and was a wonderful experience.

When I was pregnant with my third baby my husband was in massage therapy school and he worked with a massage therapist who was also a doula. She asked if I would be interested in having her work with me in childbirth. I had heard of doulas but had no idea what they actually did. I decided to meet her and talk with her and see what she could offer me. She and I hit it off really well, and she was able to answer all of my questions about childbirth, and helped me put together my personal birth plan to have a natural medication-free childbirth. She was my support, along with my husband, and the labor and birth were incredibly beautiful and empowering. As soon as I discovered I was pregnant with my fourth baby I called my doula and asked her to work with me again. Another natural childbirth was achieved, along with a healthy and happy baby.

When my baby was just a few months old I decided that I wanted to become a doula myself and be able to help other women in some of the ways my doula was able to help me. Since then I have registered for doula training (happening next month!) and started studying like crazy. I've read book after book about pregnancy, childbirth and babies. I'm learning about different birthing methods and I'm soaking in all the information I can get my hands on!

I feel that each woman should know what her options are and be able to make informed decisions about her own care and childbirth. I feel that each woman should be loved and supported in her personal choice of how to birth her baby. I want to support all women in their unique circumstances and needs. I see each woman as beautiful and strong, and I want each woman to also see herself as such.

My goal in this blog is to reach as many women as I can and to share what I'm learning with as many people as will listen. Please join me in my journey; I'm sure it will be an exciting ride!