What's the best way to give birth?

Sorry... that was a dirty trick of a headline. You probably already know the answer....

There's no "right" or "best" kind of birth. People who are happiest with their births tend to characterize the experience with words like peaceful, confident, relaxed, informed, supported. They feel listened to and involved in the process. They understand their options and the risks/benefits of any changes that are necessitated. They've taken steps to try (to the best of their abilities, if they've never been through birth before!) to anticipate the experience they'd like to have, to enable this experience through all available tools and then to remain flexible if the path takes another course.

I believe that birthing moms meet their full potential when they are prepared, trusting of their chosen birth team, supported in the right environment and allowed to learn their way into and through it. And that, sometimes, what a mother thinks she wants initially isn't what ends up being the case during birth (hence the critical need to maintain flexibility). 

As a doula, I'm a non-judgemental, emotionally uninvolved support system who's there for the entire process. I bring calmness and insight and the ability to help you learn what "birth normal" looks and feels like, so that a woman in labor can remain confident and relaxed. 

I'm there to help navigate... but I'm not calling the shots and it is not my journey. In the end, I'm satisfied if the outcome includes a healthy baby and mother PLUS a family that is proud of their birth experience.