Mariposa is Spanish for butterfly, which is a natural symbol of transformation because of its unique and beautiful life cycle. In many traditions, it is also a symbol of the soul. Birth is a place where we have the opportunity to make direct contact with the sacred. We witness a baby’s first breath and feel the passage of a soul into life, like the brush of a butterfly’s wings. Each time I enter a birthing room, I know that I am on sacred ground. Each time I witness a birth, I feel that I have been given a gift.
I believe in birth as a creative act, a deeply personal expression of what it means, for each of us, to be a mother and part of a family. I also believe that the challenges of birth and the postpartum period are the fires of transformation for many women and men. Giving birth is among the most intensely felt experiences of a woman’s life and one of her greatest opportunities to gain insight and confidence. Many mothers understand their birth as a rite of passage that has prepares them in a deep and personal way for their journey into parenthood. The experiencing of supporting a beloved as she gives birth can be equally powerful. Many couples find that their bond has been immeasurable deepened through sharing the miracle of birth and weathering the challenges of early parenting.
When birth is viewed in this light, it is no longer of primary importance whether the birth is straightforward or complicated, short or long, natural or medicated. What matters most is how the mother feels about her birth, and as a consequence, about herself. Did she feel supported, loved, and honored? Did she get to make her own decisions, within the bounds of her particular birth? Did she get to feel that her birth was sacred and special?
As a doula and a childbirth educator, my work is to embody this understanding of birth for my clients. The presence of someone who provides unconditional support and encouragement sets the tone for a birth and postpartum that is satisfying, loving, and relaxed. Although I provide my clients with lots of information and practical suggestions to help them through their birthing year, what I really hold for them is the hope that they will birth and parent in their wholeness, working from their own inner knowledge of what is right for their family.
I am the mother of two children, 6 and 2 years old. My choice to enter into birth work was the direct result of discoveries I made in my own life as a mother. Giving birth to my two children and walking the bumpy road of motherhood have been my greatest teachers. Though there is always so much more to learn, more patience to find, more strength, gratitude and equanimity, I marvel at how far I have come in my journey through the very normal life experience of birthing and loving my babies. Finding my work as a doula has allowed me deepen my understanding of my own journey as a mother and to revisit the sacred birthing space with others who are entering their own birthing time.
I want to thank my amazing mentors: Pam England, Penny Simkin, Kathie Lindstrom, Cathy Daub, Debbie Young, Linda Spackman, Seva Khalsa, Tanja Bolle, Elizabeth Christine, and Sharon Laurie. I have been so blessed to have each of you in my life. Thank you for everything you give.
A portion of my earnings for all my birth work goes to organizations that promote the safety and dignity of birthing women around the world. To learn more about these organizations, check the resources section.
