Meet your doula!
Hi! I’m Amelia. I am a farmer’s wife, and the mother of two children, both born at home. My passion for birth work began when I found myself unexpectantly pregnant with my first baby. When researching my options for care providers and locations to give birth near me, I was shocked at what I found. Seeking a natural, no-intervention birth, when I saw that my closest hospital had a Cesarean rate of over 31%, I knew that was not where I felt confident seeking prenatal care, let alone giving birth! Home birth was always something that I was drawn to for the future, (I was a home birth baby myself!) but I was unsure about having my first baby at home. After talking it through with my husband, and looking into home birth options, it was clear that this was the route for us. We dove in headfirst and set up our first midwife appointment the next day!
My labor was rough, it started and stopped over four days, during which I had very little sleep. Contractions that would vary wildly in intensity and duration. It was very discouraging, and no one really knew what was going on with this birth! In hindsight, I realize my main struggle was likely a form of emotional dystocia. By the time I went into true active labor, I was 42 weeks and 6 days pregnant and had shed many tears. Our baby was born in just 4 hours into my husband’s hands, and she was perfect and healthy. I am so thankful that we all persevered, and we had a successful water birth at home, it is a memory we will both cherish for a lifetime.
This difficult time showed me how important it is to have a great source of steady support available during your labor and birth. This experience, coupled with my next birth, which was a dream, (1 hour total of laboring and pushing!) drew me into birth work with a goal of supporting and encouraging women.
Even though it may be the hardest thing you have ever done, you can do it, and I am here to help you in any way that I can.
My view of birth & qualifications…
I believe that birth is a natural, normal event. By design, we are programmed to seek privacy and darkness when we labor and birth, and we should be very intentional with whom we invite into that space. Though there are some obvious exceptions, and modern medicine has its place, labor and birth for the healthy mother and baby usually unfolds ideally in the place that you feel safe and undisturbed- in your home!
I have been educated through the two pregnancies and home births of my own, plus completing my doula certification program over several months offered by one of the best traditional midwives in the area. The program was thorough and covered many topics including, but not limited to childbirth education, labor progress and dystocia of many types, pregnancy and birth complications, labor and birth interventions, postpartum care, breastfeeding education, newborn care, and loss and bereavement. Also included was a great variety of required book reading and reporting, and many hours of other online research on various topics, articles, and platforms. I have received my BLS certification, which covers basic life saving measures including CPR and AED training and certification for infants through adults. I have had a background check and clearance and am happy to provide you with that documentation.
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“I’m not a farm girl” who fell in love with her dad’s full-time farm hand. Here we are, half a decade later, with two beautiful kids and counting. At home, you can find me gardening, cooking, baking, feeding my sourdough starter, or savoring a cup of coffee with raw milk and maple syrup.
Psalm 127:3 “Children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.”
Psalm 139:14 “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works. My soul knows it very well.”
“The role of the birth partner is not merely to assist in the physical aspects of birth, but to be a pillar of emotional support, strength, and encouragement for the laboring woman.”
-Penny Simkin in her book ‘The Birth Partner’
“Remember this, for it is as true as true gets: Your body is not a lemon. You are not a machine. The Creator is not a careless mechanic.”
-Ina May Gaskin in her book ‘Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth’
FAQs about doulas and the care they provide.
Why do I need a doula if I already have a midwife? What is the difference?
Your midwife is attending your birth with the goal of creating a safe birth experience for you and your baby. She is observing and monitoring both you and your baby. For your safety, she needs to do this effectively and without distraction. This is where your doula shines! Since the midwife is there for your health and safety, your doula is unburdened by medical concerns. Your doula is there solely to support you! She will be more than happy to provide you with hands-on, or hands-off support from your pregnancy and throughout your labor and birth experience!
Both a midwife and a doula are invaluable attendants of your birth! One does not replace the other. Your midwife is there for you to provide you with medical and healthcare advice and services. Your doula is there to offer you emotional, physical, practical, and educational support. Midwives and doulas love working together, and, if you think about it, they complete each other- this allows them to thrive in your birth space and provide you with all-encompassing care as you welcome your newest blessing!
Can my doula make my decisions for me?
Your doula is not there to make decisions for you. She is there to help you feel educated and empowered to make choices for yourself! She can tell you the pros and cons of various standard procedures and can point you to other resources for more in-depth information. She may help you advocate for yourself and help your voice be heard, and she may request space for you and your partner to discuss your options in private, but the choices themselves are your responsibility.
What type of questions can my doula answer?
Your doula is there to answer any questions you have that are not personal medical questions or diagnostic in nature. She can tell you a lot about pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, and can make general recommendations in these areas. However, she is not qualified to do things like assess your baby’s heartrate or diagnose you with anything based on ultrasound and lab results. Your doula can give you great recipes, tell you anything about birth options, childbirth education, baby care and feeding options, and make recommendations on other providers you may want to check out! If a question is beyond her professional scope, she may re-direct you to your midwife or other healthcare provider.
I don’t really understand why people make birth plans, isn’t just “get the baby out” sufficient?
Your birth plan is simply a concise list of your preferences in various aspects of your labor and birth experience. Would you like to labor and birth in the water? Is there a birth pool provided, or are you able to bring one? Would you like the lights kept low, voices quiet, or a certain playlist playing? Do you know what an episiotomy is, and would you like to have that done- or avoid if it is possible? Your options are important to be aware of beforehand, as there is no “undo” button in the delivery room. Having these preferences already written down is helpful for your entire birth team to know how to best support you and achieve the birth you envision. Your doula will be more than happy to go over your options and suggest questions for you to ask your provider about what may be available at your chosen facility. Even if you are planning a C-Section, she can give you guidance on how you may be able to personalize your plan to create a gentle, family centered C-section experience! You are the boss of your birth!
Do you have a question that you don’t see the answer to?
Reach out! I would love to answer any questions you may have!
My partner is going to be at my birth, why do I need a doula when they are already going to be there?
Your partner is such a valuable support for you during your whole pregnancy journey. But, do they have someone to support them, too? Pregnancy and birth can be a stressful time for your partner, this may be a whole new world for them if it’s your first baby. Have they watched someone else give birth before? Many first-time parents don’t realize how much blood can be involved during birth, which can be shocking! It’s not uncommon for some light-headedness or for an onlooker to become queasy or have to sit down, which leaves you without their support. It also may be hard for them to support you if they are watching an older child at the same time. Depending on how long your labor is, your partner will need to step out here and there for breaks and may need to get a little sleep so they can support you as best as they can. Your doula can be there to support both of you! She can give your partner a break, can help them get involved in some hands-on support, and fill in the gaps anywhere she can, which may help you both keep calm during what can be a high-intensity experience!
Is a doula worth the added expense? Does insurance cover doula care?
While I can’t speak on your behalf, doulas are well known ways to help ensure a better birth experience. Doulas are considered to be the only completely risk-free intervention, and some have said that if a doula was an administrable drug, it would be unethical to not use it during birth!
If you have any more questions, take advantage of the free consultation and ask away! I’m an open book and want to ensure that I am providing you with the support that you need and want. I do offer discounts to those in active military households. Insurance sometimes covers doula care, but you have to check your specific plan. Often they will only cover certified doulas, (which I am!) private healthshares often cover them, too, but you will need to check your plan.
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