I’m Anna. I am a stay at home mom to two beautiful children, Riley, 2 1 / 2 years old and Skyler, 1 years old. I’ve been married going on 5 years to the love of my life. I am currently a student at Child Birth International. I first became interested in being a Doula a few months ago when sitting in the hospital with several of my friends, and hearing my friends experience made me wish that I could experience child birth every day. Rachel began to tell me all about becoming a Doula.

First, a small overview of myself. In November 2004 I gave birth to my son, Riley and the world as I knew it changed. It didn’t start out changing fast though. I had a lack of knowledge about birthing, and raising babies. I was never encouraged to raise my baby by using my feelings, I didn’t take into consideration what felt “natural” to me. I decided to bottle feed, and never looked into nursing. I begged for an induction, and I got what I wanted...along with a c-section, and several complications, that I now feel were unnecessary. I really wish that I would have been better educated as far as prenatal, labor and delivery and on infant care.

Shortly after having my son, I found out that I was unexceptedly pregnant again with my daughter. It threw me for a loop and I was not at all ready for her, so I decided that I was going to read everything I got my hands on. I read every online article, magazine, book, I asked questions, I wanted other pregnant and mommy friends, I wanted to know everything. After going into labor at 33 weeks and giving birth to a preemie, I really wanted to make breast-feeding successful since it was so much better for her. It was honestly the hardest thing I’ve ever done but today at 1 year old, it’s alone been the greatest accomplishment of my life and I love every minute of it; I am so glad I stuck with it.

Since breastfeeding, the “natural” way of mothering came to me in tiny baby steps. I got asked to do a photo shoot for a baby sling company when my daughter was 6 months old and I got 2 free fitted baby slings. That was the beginning of me loving to wear my babies. I can’t put them down now. Then I got introduced to cloth diapering because of the rashes that my daughter kept getting. I had some mommy friends online that were nice enough to let me ask millions of questions and borrow diapers. I now enjoy using cloth for both of my kids so much! One thing led to another and I started making my own baby food, and moving to organic products when our budget sees fit.

I now have a strong passion to work with pregnant, laboring, and new mommies. When I look back at what I would have liked my “birth plan” to be I wish that I could have had someone to inform me and support me. It is now my goal to help mothers and fathers to help carry out their birth plan so that they can look back and reflect on the most beautiful moment in their lives. These days, I feel like most of the knowledge available is one sided and biased. I can’t wait to share alternatives, knowledge and support families in any way they see fit.

Please feel free to contact me or any other one of our wonderful Doula’s any time regarding anything.