About me- Why be a Doula?

My name is Andrea.  I am a mother of 5, with a strong reliance on faith, and my connection with God.  I have experienced some of the ups and downs of life including divorce at a young age with 2 small children, and a blended military family (15 great years now!)

As a military wife I have been able to travel (one of my passions!) and have lived on military bases.  I have experienced the incredible strength of women, mothers, and friends supporting each other, and each other’s families, during times of stress and joy.  And as a medical social worker, I have worked on call in all different areas of a hospital.  My FAVORITE place is the Labor and Delivery floor and the Newborn Intensive Care Unit.  There is a very special feeling in these areas of care that I have connected with, and love.

After 30 years of supporting birth as a daughter, sister, friend, and professional, I have finally decided to officially become certified as a birth and postpartum doula, and eventually a midwife!  I have a deep desire and calling to help and support women through their pregnancy and birth experiences, and beginning stages of bonding and creating a new family.  I feel strongly that when women can be in charge of their own health experiences, with assistance of caregivers, and with their own knowledge, they will feel empowered to better care for themselves and their families.  By assisting women to have their own voice and choices, we will create better health and well being in not just pregnancy and birth, but all areas of life.

In my first post, I have to show off my own amazing family!  (Yes, it in fact is impossible to get a picture without SOMEONE pulling a face)  

My oldest son is now serving the people of Mexico for 2 years, so this snapshot is very special.  I am SO SO lucky to have the support and blessing of my entire family as I begin this new direction. Please subscribe for updates, or post any questions you have.

"Everyone has inside of him a piece of good news. The good news is that you don't know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is!  ...How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before beginning to improve the world."

-Anne Frank