A birth doula is an individual who is trained to provide continuous emotional, physical and informational support for parents and other support people before, during and after birth. ___________________________________
I enjoy a delicious cup of coffee, watching documentaries and The Amazing Race, volunteering, a good view outside a window, quiet mornings and opening our home to friends and strangers. Before our move across the boarder, we had multiplied to 3 elementary aged kids and a dog. I love my witty husband, witnessing my children learn about this world and getting to teach them about it. As a doula, my pursuit has been rooted in helping women and their support people know their options, approach birth more confidently, reduce the sensation of fear surrounding birth, and have an overall positive perception of their experience even if things don’t go how they originally desired. As much as possible, I aim to assist in helping clients understand their choices before and during their birth. Then, when their birthing time arrives, my goal is to be a presence of affirmation and a source of physical support throughout the process. I am certified as a Birth Doula through DONA International, as a Bereavement Doula through StillBirthday University and have also received mulitpile trainings from Spinning Babies. I gained valuable experience during my first three and a half years of birthwork with the Iowa Doula Agency and have also been a part of the Central Iowa Doula Association (CIDA) for the entirety of my time as Doula in the Des Moines metro. In addition, I was previously employed as a Maternity Center tour guide through the Birth Education Department at one of the Des Moines metro hospitals, an opportunity that allowed me to interface thoroughly with birth staff and bring education to numerous expecting parents from an early point in my career. As your birth doula, I will inform you of your options, encourage you to explore them and make your own educated choices. I am NOT a medical professional and will encourage you to be in communication with your health care provider about your options. As your doula, we will schedule 2-3 meetings where we discuss your preferences for labor and delivery, anxieties, excitements, comfort measures, breastfeeding, what to expect postpartum. I will be a continuous support for you and your birth team throughout your labor, delivery and approximately 2 hours after your baby is born. We will also schedule a postpartum visit where I can follow up with you shortly after your birth. For parents who are looking for a doula who holds Christian values, I would love to support you in this specific way. For my family, our Christian faith affects every area of our life and I come from a place of understanding if that is the same for you. If you would like more information about hiring me as your birth doula, please email me at AustinNoelDoula@gmail.com.
