I love birth and everything about it. It may not seem like it when you read my first two brief experiences with birth.

My first birth was a disaster. I was so close to my natural birth, but my efforts were cut short by an OB/GYN who had a Tee-time; and he told me he wasn't missing it! True Story. It all ended with an Epidural that went up instead of down, a mask and bag, a vacuum extraction and a mother who didn't connect with her baby for several days. But a robust and healthy boy. At least I had my healthy baby, right? 8.15 lbs, 21 inches 

The next birth I told my new OB/GYN that I would really prefer to give birth at home. I asked if he knew any midwives "No", he said, he didn't. Then told me horror story after horror story. He promsied me a homebirth in the hospital. Well, he must have forgotten that promise because he insisted on an induction. My baby decided to come that morning anyways, my water broke around 4 am. He (the DOC) decided to "help" my "irregular" labor along with pitocin. I did have a natural birth in-spite of the pitocin. She was born in just two hours! He insisted on an episiotomy that I begged him three times not to do. He threatened me and insisted, I sit still; while he cut me. She was nearly two pounds smaller than my first! Oh well, I had a healthy baby and a sore bottom, I should be happy right? 7.2 lnbs, 20.25 in

My third child, another girl, was born at home. Three days of weird labor, my water finally broke and she came in 45 minutes. It was POWERFUL, SPIRITUAL AWESOME. No tear, no pain, just AMAZING! I became quite the freaky lady. I thought everyone should have their babies at home. I mean everyone! I felt like we as women; had been sold a line of 'poo', when it comes to birth. It isn't a medical event. It is a normal one, a physiological one. According to Merriam Webster Main Entry: phys·i·o·log·i·cal characteristic of or appropriate to an organism's healthy or normal functioning. 8.15 lbs, 21 in.

I had my fourth child at home. A boy, he was born in water, in my living room, six long hours of labor, my husband, my four doulas, my midwife.  He came gift wrapped! I mean around his neck, arm, leg and abdomin. I wrote a poem and had my belly cast painted to reflect our story. Maybe I'll post it here soon. He took sometime to pink up, but he was healthy and beautiful and all was good. It was peaceful and I recovered so quickly, no tear, no nothing. 8.15 lbs, 20.5 in.

Throughout all these life expereinces I started out as a massage therapist. I tended to have old men with chronic back pain and pregnant women as my clients. I started attending births as a massage therapist. I wasn't as helpful to these women as I could have been. But I did my best, after my daughter was born I decided to take the doula training and a whole new world opened up to me.

I have been a LMT (licensed massage therapist) for 16 years, a certified doula for ten years now, a birthing From Within childbirth mentor in training for ten years, a new Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator and a newly trained Hypnobabies Instructor (almost!)

I have apprenticed as a direct entry midwife, I am currently enrolled in college for a nursing program and I am considering just going the Licensed DEM route. I just go back and forth!

So, the reason for the name is because after all this time and experience being a doula, working in the hospital, attending births at home, having home births, advocating for womens rights. I have to say, there is a place for all of it. Women need more choices and women need to be more active in pursuing information during pregnancy and birth. There needs to be a way for us all to have the ROOM (Womb) to grow! And to find the birth that fits our needs and our babies needs. I hope to share information I have learned along the way, tips for those having a baby or hiring a doula. If you have any questions or comments. I will do my best to answer them.

I worry about the lines that get drawn between the women who have had natural birth and the women who want nothing to do with it. We all need to make room for everyone. There isn't a right way to give birth. There is just you finding your way and growing in the process, connecting with your child and growing together.