My experience of being a Postpartum Doula has been truly a blessing.  The value I provide to my families has been so surprising to me!  I think the most surprising is the amazing variety of services I’ve provided.  For some families I have taken a very traditional Doula role, of being an educator, a supporter and a nurturer.  For others, I’ve been very simply a much needed extra set of arms and hands, to do anything and everything that has come up.  From walking the poor ignored family Beagle to assisting an older sibling to complete their homework so mom can have some one on one time with their new infant.  Holding the baby so dad can shower, and teaching the siblings and parents about what the older siblings can do to have a role in their new baby sibling’s life.  Breastfeeding support has been wonderful, being able to coach my families so that they are able to successfully breastfeed makes me so very happy and fulfilled.

 As you see, for me, mothering the mother has been only one aspect of my career as a Doula.  I have loved the time I’ve spent with families all together, talking and problem solving; setting schedules, making sure everyone is feeling comfortable and happy with their new family arrangements.  Coaching my families on infant care; giving them some much needed information on how to soothe baby.  Offering information and ideas for how to help baby and everyone else in the family sleep better has been one of the most valued things for my families!  And for every family, clipping fingernails and bathing baby has been a fun lesson to teach. 

I have had the opportunity to help with twins, singletons, first babies all the way to families having their fourth child.  Every family I have worked with has been so unique, creating their own family culture unlike any other.  Each family has had their own ideas of how they want to parent and my familiarity with all the parenting styles out there has been invaluable in helping them achieve their goals.  I have also had families that described themselves as “blank slates” with no real firm idea of their parenting goals at all.  It was fun to explore lots of ideas with them so they could figure out what would create the perfect family for them.

Being a Doula has meant that everyday I work I get to experience the love of a new family first hand.  I get to provide a nonjudgmental pair of ears for gripes, complaints, and fears to be expressed to.  I have been told that I stopped depression in its tracks single-handedly, just by being there.  I have had the joy of teaching a new dad the importance they have in their baby’s life, to baby’s neurological development, just by being there and playing!  What a wonderful thing that now he is an active, involved dad who knows his important role for his family!  I have most of all loved the learning I receive from each and every family, leaving each one more experienced and more educated. 

Being a Doula makes my heart sing.

After 12 years of being a professional Nanny in the Seattle area, I trained with Seattle Midwifery School, through Doulas of North America to become a certified Postpartum Doula.  Shortly after, I received my certification through the John Gottman Institute of Seattle to be a Certified Gottman Educator, leading Bringing Home Baby workshops.