Why I Became A Birth Doula

I have always had a heart for the vulnerable. When trying to decide what to do with my life, I flipped between a lot of things that I could turn into a ministry some day; speech pathology, physical therapy, chiropractic, labor and delivery, surgery, things like that. None of them hit home for me. Especially with wanting to be able to prioritize my daughter and husband at the forefront.

It struck me that being a servant to mothers in labor may fit perfectly into my skill set and long-term mission. I looked further into birth work and decided to shadow one of the amazing KC midwives for a clinic day. One of their clients went into labor while I was shadowing. I was able to attend that birth. What I saw floored me. I had only ever heard birth horror stories or seen birth as it is portrayed in the movies. Fear. Panic. Chaos. Suffering. “Doctor’s orders.” There was no place for that at this birth. The laboring mother was smiling between her intense contractions. Dad was able to be with her every step. The midwives added peace and safety, not panic. The older kids were running around the backyard with grandma while we were up in the beautiful bedroom of her renovated historical home. She gave birth to her baby in the water and got to immediately snuggle into her own bed and get to know her new little stranger while the midwives gently took care of her and monitored them both. THIS is how birth should be. Surrounded by safety, love, and respect.

After that I quit my job and doubled down on doula work. In December 2023 I took a doula training workshop and learned about the cascade of interventions, hospital policy over patient’s best interest, unnecessary medications given without consent, rampant cases of medical violence surrounding birth, and how in America, we have the most modern medicine and tech yet nearly the worst birth outcomes… 

Witnessing the raw beauty of birth filled me with awe, yet a sense of sadness for mothers who enter hospitals unaware of their power and choices. Too often, parents are unprepared for the decisions they will face and don’t understand that they are truly the ones in charge. Without knowledge or an advocate, they risk being coerced, losing control, and missing the chance for a peaceful, low intervention, respectful birth. I don’t want to hear another avoidable birth horror story. I am here to scream from the mountaintops that your birth can be amazing and fulfilling with the right team and preparation!

I knew I had to help women during this vulnerable time by sharing my knowledge, compassion, and skill of advocacy. After the home birth of my sweet daughter, Penny, I wrapped up my certification process and am now a Certified Doula through Global Education of the Midwife. I have to pinch myself that my job is to love on moms and dads and help them navigate bringing their baby into the world. What joyful work I do!

My mission as With Her KC is to chip away at the ingrained fear surrounding birth by walking alongside mothers and families through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. I find so much joy in lovingly sharing my knowledge and helping mothers realize that you CAN and will birth your baby! You don’t have to birth your baby surrounded by fear and chaos! It is too precious of a moment for that. I love helping mothers set themselves up for a successful pregnancy and birth through education, physical prep, resources, and nutrition.

I am a doula because I want to help moms and dads walk away from birth feeling proud, fully informed, in charge, and held.