My name is Chelsea Carey and I have been with my husband for 7 years who is currently serving in the Army and we have three sons ages 5 years, 2 years, and 5 months. I was a professional dancer from a very young age, beginning in a ballet company at 8 years old and ending with commercial shows in theaters on the East Coast where I met my husband. I enjoy traveling with my family, reading, baking,
reading, keeping fit, and did I mention reading? I also enjoy building Lego castles, setting up Playmobile battles, making a "tasty" mud pie, and playing a good board game or putting together a puzzle with my three crazy boys. I have experienced just about every birth intervention with the exception of a cesarean section myself and after fighting to have a different type of birth for my second child I realized that hospital protocol and a general lack of good birth education available would prevent me and every woman after me from having the birth experience I wanted and felt I deserved. During my second pregnancy I began learning all there was to know about birth, breastfeeding, and postpartum recovery as well as various parenting techniques that weren't as mainstream as the techniques I used with my first child. I attended a friend's birth because her husband was deployed and that was the spark I needed to look further into becoming a professional birth worker. After moving to Germany I decided to pursue professionalism through certification. I am now currently certified through Childbirth International as a birth and postpartum doula and breastfeeding counselor. My love for alternative medicinal remedies lead me to certify as an aromatherapist with Aromatherapy Institute just recently and I have training in the use of essential oils specifically for pregnancy and labor. I also have training in acupressure, hydrotheraputic pain management, and massage therapy for labor management. I am a Volunteer Babywearing Educator with Babywearing International and the creator and administrator for the Natural Birth and Parenting Group for the Hohenfels Army Community. My continued education in birth is what compelled me to look further into home birth as an option for myself and I am over the moon to say that our third son was born safely at home. I have been attending births here in Bavaria since February 2014 and I am happy to have built the relationship I have with the area doctors, nurses, and midwives. It's been an absolute joy to work here where things are quite quite a bit different than in the states. I am currently working towards the path to becoming a certified nurse-midwife and hope to wear the title of "Baby Catcher" within a couple of years but for now I am so honored to be in a position to do the very important work of mothering the mother as she brings her baby earthside, no matter how she chooses to give birth. My goal is to provide my clients with evidence-based education, mental and physical support, as well as guidance after her baby is born. I also love to work with the mother's partner to help that person discover the best ways that they can support their loved one through the transition from pregnancy to motherhood and encourage what I call the "trifecta of care" between myself, the partner, and the care provider in attendance to provide the most desirable birth experience for both mom and baby. Birth and the time thereafter is such a monumental event for families and making sure that you have the support you need and desire is essential. As a doula, I offer support to a mom-to-be through her pregnancy, birth, and the time after baby is born by offering many different services. During your pregnancy I can offer education based in research that will support you in the birth options you have chosen, whether that birth should take place in a birth center, at home, or in a hospital. During your labor I can offer gentle techniques for pain management, a reassuring presence, and serve as a voice for you during your most vulnerable moments to ensure that you get the birth that you desire. After baby is earthside I can offer breastfeeding support, share techniques in babywearing, help with older children as you establish your relationship with your newest little one, or simply make dinner for everyone as you rest up from your birthing experience. I proudly serve the military community with any birth- or postpartum-related needs they may have. Contact me at ccareybirthservices@gmail.com to set up your consultation!
