My Philosophy

I believe that pregnancy is not an illness and women’s bodies are designed to do this work.

I believe that women are unique and have individual needs for pregnancy and birth.  Women always have reasons for making the choices they do.  I’ll help you learn so you can make whatever choice is right for you and your family.  This is YOUR birth and YOUR family.

I believe in the power of a woman’s body and the strength of a woman’s mind. I believe women are incredibly strong and capable of meeting any challenges that birth might present to her.

I believe that birth is transformative: physically, spiritually, and emotionally.

I support a wide range of births from natural to medical; from hospital birth to birth center to home birth; from doctor to midwife.

I believe in working with the rest of the birth team to create a positive birth experience for everyone involved. When we work as a team with doctors, midwives and nurses, they will be more willing to accommodate our alternatives and suggestions to achieve the birth you desire.

I believe that with rare exception, all people who work with women who birth are doing so because they love their work and value women. Although there are different schools of thought in the many aspects of pregnancy and birth and I won’t always personally agree with their philosophies, usually any provider will be willing to listen to suggestions and work out a compromise with you if they are approached in an open, unthreatening and informed manner.

I teach self-advocacy skills as part of all of my services.  Learning how to use your voice can give you power that will serve you well in the birth and afterward.

I will strive to learn as much from you as I hope you will learn from me.

I look forward to working with all kinds, shapes and colors of people, family configurations and cultures. I will work to educate myself and help you create a culturally sensitive birth experience as desired.

I will work with you and your unique needs to help you achieve the best birth for you, whatever that may be, and whether it goes against my personal viewpoint. This is your birth. What is right for you (and is approved by your care provider) is right for me.

I don’t believe it is my place to make decisions for you. Because a woman’s preferences often change in the middle of birth and because women can too often be made to feel powerless during the birth experience, I will not be a part of stripping you of your power. I will inform you of what is about to happen, ask you if you have any questions, and let you call the shots yourself. Doing so will leave you empowered and in control of your own birth path.

I believe you are strong. And I know you can travel through whatever adventure that birth unfolds for you!