Question 1

What's your philosophy when it comes to birth?

Accepted Answer

I often say that I offer non-judgmental support, but I am not now and likely never will be unbiased. I am certain that the way we experience and are treated during birth impacts us for the rest of our lives. I'm adamant that the impact of our culture's approach to birth has deeper, more devastating effects than any of us can see or comprehend. I am passionate about physiological birth, postpartum, and newborn care.

I believe that there is deeply human purpose and value in experiencing birth without (unnecessary) intervention. And that the more we support and protect the physiological functions of pregnancy, labor, and birth, the better the short and long term outcomes for both mom and baby.

BUT. The more I learn about birth (and life), the more I understand that there is no right or wrong, and there is a time and place for (almost) everything. I've witnessed birth become more beautiful thanks to an epidural. I've witnessed cesarean birth be the most autonomous, informed choice for my client. I may have strong opinions, but they're loosely held.

If you are going in to the birth experience planning to do whatever your provider tells you, if you know without a doubt that you want an induction/to avoid pain/are electing for cesarean birth, or feel safest with a highly medicalized birth experience, I'm probably not the right resource for you. I want you to have a baby however and wherever you feel safest, and my hope is that whatever happens, you and your baby come away from that experience feeling respected, cared for, and empowered.

Question 2

What kind of person might feel most comfortable with me?

Accepted Answer

The person I envision when writing and creating is someone who:

• Doesn't want to settle for the status quo and will advocate for themselves and their baby
 • Is willing to dig deep within themselves in order to create a more conscious, intentional journey into parenthood
 • Appreciates data and evidence, but knows there's more to the human experience than what is deemed worthy of studying 
 • Understands that birth is only as safe as life is and has the capacity to sit with the true complexities of risk analysis
 • Is willing to take ownership of their experience 
 • Contradictorily, understands that there are greater, more structural influences on our culture and lives that we can choose to make peace with
 • Believes that baby's experience throughout the process of labor and birth truly matters
 • Is open minded and open hearted 
 • Rejects the narrative that pregnancy, birth, and parenting have to be filled with suffering and sacrifice, and wants to enjoy it
 • Understands that there is a time and place for (almost) everything and perfection, rigidity, and ideology also doesn't serve us

Question 3

Are you going to try to make me have a homebirth?

Accepted Answer

My deepest, sincerest wish is that you meet your baby wherever you feel safest. That might be in the privacy of your own home by candlelight, or that might be in a hospital room knowing there's surgical support or pain relief one floor away. Feeling safe boosts oxytocin. And we want the oxytocin flowing!

What I focus on is how to get the most physiologically supportive version of whatever birth you choose. And remember, no provider is perfect. I'm certain there are OBs I'd choose to work with over some homebirth midwives.

Because I only take a handful of clients per year, I typically prioritize Devotion Midwifery clients because I can vouch for her integrity, skill, and quality of care. We have a really beautiful collaborative relationship.

Physiologic Birth & Postpartum Doula Care
New Orleans, LA

Intentional care for you and baby.

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Professional looking photos all thanks to Autumn Hutton who I recommend wholeheartedly for birth and family photography

Sound like we might be a good fit?

Physiologic Birth & Postpartum Doula Care New Orleans, LA