Interview with me, Made easy!

Here is a little more about me. 

• Why did you decide to become a doula? After attending my friend's birth last July, I realized how essential it is for women to be supported and empowered as women as they enter motherhood. I was also impressed with all of the research that has been conducted surrounding the reduction of interventions used when women had the support of a doula with them in labor. I feel strongly that all women deserve to have the support and knowledge of a doula available to them when they are in labor.  

• What training have you had? I have taken a 16 hour birth doula workshop. I also have read serveral books recommended by DONA, and taken a childbirth education and breastfeeding education course.  I am currently working toward completing my training through DONA International. I hope to be certified by Fall 2010. You can learn more about DONA at their website: http://www.dona.org/. 

• Do you have one or more backup doulas for times when you are not available? Yes. I have one back up doula who is available for your date if you want them. I also know other doulas that may be available. If you have another doula you interviewed and liked who would be available for your date, you are welcome to use them. I will e-mail my back up your information if you would like to set up a time to meet her.

• What is your fee? I do not currently have a fee. I am just happy to have experience with births right now. If you would like to give me some money for my time or to help cover the my expenses, you can do so following the birth.   

• What is your birth experience? I attended my friend's birth last July, before I had completed my training. I have not yet had my own children, but feel that the reading and research I have done as well as the training hours I have completed are adequate initial training to be a birth doula. I hope that I can add your birth to the foundational experiences that shape me as a doula. I also have a Bachelors Degree from Northwestern College in St. Paul in Women's Ministry. My studies focused on Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Family Counseling, and Women's Studies. I have worked 4 as an advocate in many hospital settings on behalf of clients I worked with in two different group homes. Currently am a mother's helper for triplet girls who are 5 months old. 

• What is your philosophy about birth and supporting women and their partners through labor? I feel strongly that a woman's body is biologically and anatomically created to birth, and that when mother and child are healthy, can do so apart from medical interventions. I also believe that there are many tools to cope with the discomfort of labor-- including both natural and medical. Different women have different desires for how they want to cope with labor and the kind of birth experience they want to achieve. I feel it is my role to support women by equipping and empowering them to get answers to their questions in all decisions they make, and to make known their desires to their care providers. I also feel it is my role to describe the stages of labor as they progress as well as explain any interventions that may be medically necessary to ease the fear associated with birth. I think that a spouse, close friend or family member plays a vital role in supporting the mother in birth as they know the mother better than I can and can support her emotionally in different ways than I am able to. 

• May we meet to discuss our birth plans and the role you will play in supporting me through birth? We will initially will have an interview by phone or in person so that I can tell you more about myself, my experience and qualifications, as well as my philosophy on birth and the role I play as a birth doula. In our second meeting, we will take time to go over your birth plan and you can explain to me further in depth the kinds of wishes and desires you have for your birth. In our third meeting before the birth, we will go over the various coping methods you can use for your birth. We will also talk about the different medications that hospitals offer and the kinds of effects that it can have on you and the baby. 

• May we call you with questions or concerns before and after the birth? YES! I am on call 24/7. I will help you as much as I can, and may also direct you to call your Midwife or OB if you have a medically related question. 

• When do you try to join women in labor? I am available to join you wherever you feel most comfortable. I can meet you at your home or just meet you at the hospital. 

• Do you meet with us after the birth? Yes. I will set up a time to meet with you postpartum to talk about how you felt that the labor went, and talk through any questions you may have.

• Which labor-coping techniques do you think tend to be the most helpful? I think it is the most helpful to remember that each woman will have a certain ritual she will use to cope with labor. It may be something she has practiced in preparation for labor, or it may be something that she thinks of in the moment that feels comfortable or calming to her. If she is having trouble finding a ritual that works well for her, I have many coping methods she can try (including hot and cold compresses, hydrotherapy, different positions for labor and movement, massage, relaxation or breathing techniques). I have practiced using all of these methods before. 

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• How would you work with and involve my partner? I think it is essential to involve the partner in the birth experience. I would prefer that the partner join us for our pre-natal meetings so that I can get to know them also and they can ask any questions or present any concerns they may have. I will help the partner to become involved in orchestrating all of coping methods you many want to use. The partner offers intimate knowledge of your personality and preferences and is a resource to me as I will not be able to get to know you that in-depth prior to the birth. The partner can also support you emotionally in ways that I will not be able to. Lastly, I can offer your partner the peace of mind that if they need a break, you will not be left to labor alone. 
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• How do you feel about the use of pain medication during labor?I think that there are so many alternative ways to cope with pain naturally, and it is important to prepare ahead of time to be able to cope with the discomfort of labor. Pain medication is another tool that can be used to help cope with labor, if a woman is aware of all of the risks involved and feels that she needs them to cope better. I like to support natural birth, and will never suggest that a woman receives medication. However, if she decides that she would like medication and asks for it, I will support her decision.

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• Do you have anyone else due near the time I'm due? When we meet so that you can interview me, I will show you my calendar. I will let you decide if you want to have me as your doula based on my availablility. I also have a back up doula that you can have the chance to meet if for any reason there is delay in my ability to meet you, or if I am out of town when you go into labor.

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