Website: www.downtowndoula.com
Email: michelle@downtowndoula.com
Phone: 916-320-7172

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Background, Experience & Training

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My passion for becoming a doula is the result of not only my innate nurturing qualities, but also my own personal experiences of childbirth and motherhood.  As an expectant and, later, new mother, I was shocked at how much I didn’t know. I thought of myself as a savvy professional woman who could handle any task, but there were so many responsibilities to handle and decisions to be made, and so much information to absorb.  While I was grateful for the input and advice of friends and family members, I saw the need for the support of a highly qualified individual who was well-versed in all of the options available to me so that I could make informed decisions that best fit my personal values.  I was thus inspired to become a doula myself to help others meet the challenges of childbirth and the postpartum period.

I have a strong understanding of anatomy and physiology.  My training and pre-certification is through Doulas of North America (DONA) and I am also a certified Hypnobabies Hypno-Doula. I have been teaching natural childbirth classes for nine years and have a complete understanding of the birth process. I have attended many types of births (unmedicated, medicated, cesareans and homebirths) and am comfortable in any birth situation.  I can also act as a family liaison if you need some distance and/or enhanced communication between you and your family.  I have a great database to help connect you with other mamas or services that you might need and a large lending library so you won’t have to spend your money on a book you only need for a short amount of time.

Special Note:

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I am realistic, supportive, non-judgmental and intuitive.  I realize that my clients are real women and I approach this process knowing that everyone needs something different.  I myself come from a diverse cultural background and have a strong understanding of diverse cultural and familial connections.  I am happy to follow any customs that you want during your childbearing time.  I join you in your own reality and help you maintain focus on the goals that are most important to you.

Services:

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So, here is what I can do for you and your family.  I offer a real common-sense approach to the experiences of pregnancy, labor and birth by providing emotional, physical and informational support.  The medical staff can only provide so much support.  As part of the birth team I free up the father/partner to give more personal and intimate support to the mother and take the weight off of being the sole responsible person caring for the laboring women.  I can also help talk-out decisions and simplify some of the more confusing medical terminology in a different way than the medical staff.  I offer emotional, comforting, evidence-based care. 

Postpartum Services:

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A postpartum doula keeps the wheels turning.  The first few days when you get home with a new baby (or babies) can be mind-blowing.  Exhaustion, elation, and actually realizing the responsibly of keeping another human being alive besides yourself… all of this can be over-whelming.

Enter…me. I can help you make sense out of all of the newness.  I keep the house running.  I keep you functioning.  I offer evidence-based information and experience regarding newborn care and postpartum mama body care.  I offer non-biased emotional support.  I do light stuff around the house like tidying up and running the dishwasher and can help keep on top of baby laundry and keeping prepped food in the fridge. I can even be a gatekeeper for all the baby’s fans. 

Sometimes families don’t need a postpartum doula until all the excitement dies down and everyone goes back to work.  That is when mamas usually find that they have a lot of questions about how to coordinate their daily routine.  I have a great database to help connect you with other mamas or services that you might need and a large lending library so you won’t have to spend your money on a book you only need for a short amount of time.

I am certified through Doulas of North America (DONA) and have assisted many types of families and families with multiples (twins & triplets).  I am Trustlined through the California Department of Social Services (voluntary background check).  I have a strong background in lactation and I can help with questions about how often and how much baby eats.  I can also address any challenges that come up and can even go to doctors’ appointments with you.