Birth Doula!!

I am so excited to begin this next journey into the birthing field! I just became a member of DONA International, which is a world wide Doula association. I wanted to take a step forward into the business of childbirth prior to getting admitted into the Masters Program for Nurse Midwifery at UW.

Yes, you heard that right...we plan on moving to Washington! I am very excited to finish out Nursing school here in Anchorage, but am even more excited to venture somewhere new with my family. We stopped in Seattle for a few days when we returned from Hawaii and it sure got both of us pumped up. We are 100% certain of our decision and intend to move in 3 years or less. (We particularly liked Arlington, about an hour north of Seattle.) I can't wait to be closer to my family and back into the lower 48. I love Alaska, but we're ready to move on.

I completely fell in love with the University of Washington's Nurse Midwifery program and I am taking this Doula step as an assurance of acceptance. By completing the DONA requirements, I will be able to start my own business as a Certified Birth Doula! I joined the Alaska Birth Network some time back and it has only strengthened my desire to help women bring their babies into this world!

So what's a Doula you ask? It comes from the ancient Greek word meaning "mother's servant." They provide physical, emotional, and informational support to women throughout their labor. Studies have found that having a Doula at your birth can result in a shorter labor with fewer complications, help to reduce negative feelings towards labor, as well as reduce the need for medical interventions. Having a Doula also significantly reduces the need for pain meds or a c-section...and you all know how I love to promote natural childbirth! Simply put, a Doula is there to help support mom, dad, and baby during the beautiful process of birth!

I will be traveling to Sacramento next month to complete a mandatory workshop for this process. I was planning on waiting for the Anchorage workshop, but unfortunately it is being held in September. I can't even imagine leaving my 2-3 week baby for a few days. Heck, Lucas was over 18 months before I left him for an entire day! Anyways, I have a list of requirements to fulfill and I am so anxious to get started! Once my workshop and packet are complete I will need to participate in 3 births before I can be certified. I am so beyond excited!! I've never been so passionate about anything in my life and I know this is the exact path I should be taking on my way to Midwifery!

And I can't wait to take some beautiful maternity pics of myself this summer to use on my website and business cards! Life is sure coming together wonderfully :)