I can remember the moment I wanted to become a doula very clearly. It was days after my second child was born and I watched the video of her birth. It wasn't the event that struck me, it was the subtle activity in the background of my two closest girlfriends and my sister. They were talking softly to each other and to the nurse. One of them was rubbing my feet while the other refilled my husband's water. Someone was turning on the shower for me while another was fixing the bed in preparation for my return. My memories of her birth were of my husband focusing solely on me instead of the other necessities a birth requires. He was free to be my coach while having assistant coaches of his own. I didn't know what a doula was but I knew that was what I was going to do.

I became a Natural Childbirth Educator teaching the Bradley Method with the American Academy of Husband Coached Childbirth in 2002. The Bradley Method focuses on prevention by preparation physically, mentally and emotionally through education, exercises, information, and daily relaxation with positive affirmations. I finished my training as a doula with Doulas of North America in 2003. Being a doula is such a pleasure to me. I feel as if I am giving back to women and their families as it was so graciously given to me before. I believe in our profession. Being pregnant, delivering a baby and becoming a mother can be so intimidating to consider and it is so comforting to have experienced, compassionate support near you. If it were up to me, every laboring woman would have a doula near her during her pregnancy and labor.