I was always interested in motherhood.

Caretaking was part of my role as the oldest of 5 siblings, and even from a young age I dreamed of the day I’d have children of my own. I don’t remember ever being afraid of the process of giving birth, possibly because my parents both modeled a very natural view of the body’s capabilities, and maybe also because of the first birth I observed. At the age of 13 I accompanied my dad one day as he provided medical services at a clinic in Kenya. While we were there, a woman arrived in active labor. I was fortunate to witness her strength as she silently and powerfully brought her baby into the world. This forever imprinted birth in my mind as just a natural part of life.

My path to parenthood wasn’t easy.

My husband and I had been married for 3 years when our first pregnancy ended in miscarriage. That first loss (we would go on to have 2 more miscarriages) left us feeling sad, stunned, and scared for the future. So when I was finally in my second trimester with a healthy pregnancy, we allowed ourselves to get excited and to plan for our baby’s arrival. We read a few books about what to expect and practiced Lamaze breathing in the hospital childbirth class. We sat up late at night choosing names and writing a birth plan. And when I finally went into labor 10 days past my due date, things didn’t work out the way I'd envisioned them. After too many hours in the hospital and a typical cascade of interventions, I had a beautiful healthy baby in my arms but a lot of disappointment. When we should have been feeling joyful, my husband and I were feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, unprepared, alone, vulnerable, and even traumatized.

Each birth taught me something new.

I had 4 babies in under 6 years, in 3 different states and with 4 different providers. With each birth I discovered something new about myself, about our healthcare system, and about the way new families are left to figure things out on their own. Hard work was required to find the information and care I needed, and to learn how to advocate for myself. Even with a loving husband and a supportive extended family, we just didn’t know what we didn’t know! And the more I learned as I navigated new parenthood, the more passionate I grew about encouraging other new parents.

All families should have a positive introduction to parenting.

The birth of my daughter, my fourth and final delivery, was a joyful celebration surrounded by my chosen team and loving family members. It had taken me a long time to learn how to speak up for myself, and this experience propelled me into a career change from editing to becoming a childbirth educator and doula. I couldn’t wait to encourage, support, and equip parents in their new roles. I’ve been working in the birth worker field now for more than 20 years and it’s the most incredible privilege to be part of so many beautiful beginnings.