AMAZING WAYS BIRTHING
Childbirth Education & Doula Services
As a professional Birth Doula, I am eager to share my passion with you; to envision and plan for the birth of your baby, your way. With me at your side, you will have access to a wealth of information and skills enabling you to experience labor and delivery in a comforting, flexible environment, as well as to make informed choices about the birth process with confidence and joy. Whether you are interested in a birthing class, or would like to work with me as your doula, I’ll provide the emotional, educational and physical support you need not only during labor, but throughout your pregnancy and postpartum as well.
The kind of mom you are is the kind that deserves a doula.
My Story
My name is Janice. I am a mother of two grown children; a perpetual student and retired educator... always acquiring new training and skills so that I may promote health in my community in as many capacities as possible. I serve on the Board of two non-profit organizations dedicated to healthy communities and the quality assurance committee at the local hospital as a community member. I recently retired after 20 years as a volunteer firefighter/EMT, and I continue to referee soccer for all age groups, including the athletes of Washington Special Olympics.
Prior to my formal training as a doula, I assisted several friends and family members with emotional support, knowledge, and personal service during their labor and delivery; enabling them to create wonderful memories of the birth of their baby. By listening to the feedback I received (my “internal voice” and the gratitude from these parents), I recognized and cultivated my ability to help parents celebrate every aspect of their pregnancy and childbirth in their own unique ways. This growing passion led me to become a DONA-trained Birth Doula, at Bastyr University in Seattle with the Penny Simkin Center for Birth Arts.
Family is the foundation of my life, no matter what hat I may be wearing on any given day. Each of us creates and experiences “family” in our lives in many different ways, but what we desire in our families is similar: respect, compassion, security, acceptance, and wisdom. I strive to be a natural extension of the dynamic that is your best family experience; infusing your values into my service as your doula.
To be a Doula
"Woman Servant"
Over the years, my simple philosophy continues to have a positive effect on the experience of childbirth for the women and their partners whom I am privileged to serve. I believe that becoming a parent, first and foremost, is a very personal journey - your journey - influenced by a wide range of experiences and emotions to be explored and honored. Second, when asked to make decisions regarding their pregnancy and birth process, parents most often express the health of their baby as the highest priority. Therefore, I will provide the most accurate, up to date, and relevant information on which to base your birth preferences. And finally, each pregnancy is a new opportunity to experience one of the most beautiful things about humanity: to give and receive love. Yet, many of us live in a culture that puts great value on independence, and great confidence in modern medicine, with at least two consequences to the childbirth experience for many women. We often don’t live near loved ones that could provide labor support, and those that might be available to guide us through childbirth feel under-prepared.
As your doula, I will support you, your baby, and the loved ones you’ve chosen to be at your side, in the setting of your choice, with expertise and inclusive practices that respect you and your growing family. As your doula, I will be like water: assuming the form of your birth environment, adding buoyancy to your hard work, working quietly and steadily in gentle celebration of your birth process.
“Water is fluid, soft, and yielding. But water will wear away rock, which is rigid and cannot yield. As a rule, whatever is fluid, soft, and yielding will overcome whatever is rigid and hard. This is another paradox: what is soft is strong.”
― Lao Tzu
Childbirth Education
I offer individual and group childbirth education classes, to help expectant parents learn about the biology of childbirth, the various procedures in birth care, and to envision their labor and delivery preferences. One of the biggest advantages to participating in a childbirth class is the opportunity to practice some of the techniques you may find helpful during labor.
Birth Doula Services
To help in your decision regarding doula services, I invite you to meet with me so that we can get to know each other, and discuss your expectations for childbirth. If chosen as your doula, I am committed to serving your needs all the way through your pregnancy and delivery. Typically, we meet in person for 3 prenatal visits, but I’m always available to contact by phone/email to discuss any concerns or questions regarding your labor and delivery. I am on call for you 24/7, beginning 2 weeks before your due date, and we will arrange a postnatal visit that is convenient for you.
Fee Schedule
If you have medical insurance, check with your insurance provider, since some companies cover doula services, now that a CPT code has been assigned. You may be able to use your FSA account, so there is no direct out-of-pocket expense. My services are billed on a sliding scale fee schedule. Some clients qualify for free service. More detailed information regarding options for services and fees are discussed during our first meet and greet.
“Birth is not only about making babies. Birth is about making mothers – strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and know their inner strength.”
Barbara Katz Rothman
A bit more about me...
For over 30 years, my home has been in Ferndale, Washington, where I have pursued all that the Pacific Northwest has to offer on our small hobby farm and in a variety of outdoor sports and activities. We likely have some of these interests in common! I am grateful for the opportunities that this community has provided, in both my work and play, and from which I receive great satisfaction, friendship, health, and optimism.
A MASTER IN THE ART OF LIVING DRAWS NO SHARP DISTINCTION BETWEEN HIS WORK AND HIS PLAY; HIS LABOR AND HIS LEISURE; HIS MIND AND HIS BODY; HIS EDUCATION AND HIS RECREATION. HE HARDLY KNOWS WHICH IS WHICH. HE SIMPLY PURSUES HIS VISION OF EXCELLENCE THROUGH WHATEVER HE IS DOING, AND LEAVES OTHERS TO DETERMINE WHETHER HE IS WORKING OR PLAYING. TO HIMSELF, HE ALWAYS APPEARS TO BE DOING BOTH. ~ Francois Auguste Rene Chateaubriand
I look forward to meeting you to see how I can serve you throughout your pregnancy and delivery!