Rachel Wigglesworth, CD(DONA), certified birth doula and DONA trained postpartum doula
rachelwigg@gmail.com
(307) 732-0413 Rachel will be away from November 20th, 2011 to April 7th, 2012
 | While pregnant with my first child I became enamored with pregnancy and childbirth. I decided I wanted to be part of birth more than what I could experience on my own so in 2005 I took a doula training course at the Seattle Midwifery School. This was going out on a limb for me: I was moving from my background as a wildlife research biologist, studying coyotes and wolverines in the mountains and valleys of Jackson Hole, to supporting women in one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of their lives. Although conservation and wildlife issues are still important to me, I’ve found that supporting women and their partners through labor and childbirth is my passion. |
As
a doula, I consider myself a guide, helping couples through uncharted
territory. Having attended births for four years, I have seen couples
who have had a variety of desires for their birth experience as well as
couples who have made different decisions about their birth; there is
no right or wrong. I honor couples’ choices as the right choices for
them. No two births are the same and I have gained valuable insight in
learning not only different techniques to support a woman but also
different ways women’s bodies and minds react to labor.
One
of my most important jobs is helping a laboring woman stay calm and
present in the moment. I provide comfort and help maintain a safe space
for her. If we hit a roadblock or an unexpected curve, the couple and I
gather together, talk about different options, try different
techniques, make decisions, and move forward. I am a sounding block for
the woman and her partner. I provide evidence-based information and
non-judgmental support so that the decisions that are made are made by
the laboring woman and her partner. My wish for you is to have a safe
and satisfying birth, whatever that may mean for you.
I
have recently become a postpartum doula. I have found that couples
often spend much time and energy focusing on the pregnancy and birth
and little thought on what happens when the baby joins their lives. It
can be quite an adjustment moving from self sufficient and independent
adults to having a wonderful but helpless infant to care for. Roles and
relationships change and parents need to work together to learn about
their new baby and discover their own parenting style. Mothers may be
overwhelmed from lack of sleep, recovering from their birth, and
learning to breastfeed. Baby blues or postpartum mood disorders may
creep in. My hope as a postpartum doula is to support new parents by
offering guidance, education and support to help ease their transition
as they embark upon their journey as a new family. |  |
