“Birthwork teaches us to engage in tension, but not to indulge drama. It is another form of facilitation, making the miraculous experience of birth as easy as possible, intervening with any systems that make the process harder, helping the family attend to each other and listen to what the body is saying, staying focused on the possibility and wisdom of the body. Standing or sitting with someone as they realize, remember their own wholeness — that is the work of the healer and the doula.””
My birth keeper Mission
I believe, both in my personal convictions and political philosophy, that peace on Earth starts with our first experience as human beings - it starts with birth. As a birth keeper it is my first priority to educate birthing people on their reproductive choices, and help advocate for those choices to be protected and respected. This is a fundamental human right. I consider my position in the birth room, and my proximity to birthing people in general, to be an honor and privilege that I do not take for granted.
As a birth keeper, I provide continuous support to birthing people during labor and birth of their babies. I draw on professional training and knowledge to provide educational resources, advocacy strategies, emotional support, physical comfort measures, and help facilitate communication with the staff and care providers to make sure you have the information you need to make informed decisions as they arise in labor. I can provide reassurance and perspective to you and your partner, confirm the normal progress of labor and make suggestions for labor progress, help with relaxation, soothing touch, positioning and other techniques, as well as developing strategies for you to advocate for your needs, boundaries and preferences in your birth giving journey.
Revenir Services, LLC logo - designed by Stepha Lawson of The Language of Birth
“Doula attended birth ... it represents an evolution to an educated, supportive companion who knows how to support the child-bearing process and advocate if needed. The doula is the envoy to provide a message to all present of a commitment to meeting the birthing persons needs and desires for their birth.””
researchers found that overall, people who have continuous support during childbirth experience:
25% decrease in the risk of Cesarean; largest effect was seen with a doula (39% decrease)
8% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth; largest effect was seen with a doula (15% increase)
10% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief
Shortened labor duration by an average of 41 minutes
38% decrease in the baby’s risk of a low five minute APGAR score (Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration)
31% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience
Source: Evidence Based Birth®
Advocacy in Birth
I am passionate about the role birth keepers should play as your advocate in the medical world. I state this explicitly and without hesitation. In the United States, we have the most expensive, worst performing maternity care system in the developed world, where at least 98% of births happen in hospitals, over 90% with physicians rather than midwives. It does not matter whether you are planning a repeat surgical birth, or a midwife attended home birth - knowing your rights as a patient and birthing person is essential.
When you choose me as part of your care team, you’ll have access to Birth Monopoly’s “3 Things Every Parent Needs to Know About Hospital Birth” online course. That means you get anytime access to five videos totaling 35 minutes, download PDF of the course with all references, suggestions for additional reading and resources, downloads for four useful handouts you can take right with you to the hospital.
My Postpartum doula Mission
As a postpartum doula, I know that the birth of a baby represents a profound and permanent life change. It is clear both anecdotally and empirically that support, advice and assistance in the weeks and months following birth are essential to the health of babies, parents, and their communities. I can provide assistance in recovering from childbirth (including healing herbal baths and set up for pelvic steaming), household organization, preparing warm nourishing postpartum foods, caring for newborns, and assistance with breast/chest feeding goals. I am passionate about integrating physiologic postpartum care that will allow birthing people and their families to thrive and truly heal as they transform into their new identities as parents and bond as a family unit.
Ask me about reiki infused birth and postpartum care packages!
I am committed to providing full-spectrum support to all Metro-Detroit and Southeast Michigan families, including the LGBTQIA+ community. All people deserve to, and must be, treated with dignity, respect and bodily autonomy in the birth room and beyond.
