My greatest pleasure as a birth doula and childbirth educator is watching women become confident, joyous and excited about the birth and early parenting of their children. I firmly believe in using any fear and anxiety we might have to examine our choices and beliefs, and find ways of birthing and parenting that are just right for us. When I think about the power of preparing for labor, birth, and parenthood, Maya Angelou sums it up best: "When you know better, you do better...”.

Penny Simkin's landmark research on birth satisfaction and long term memories tell us that women who are most satisfied with their birth experience have these elements in common:

• Feelings of personal accomplishment
• Feeling in control
• A sense of incresed self-esteem and self-confidence
• Positive memories of their health care providers

I offer doula services and childbirth education classes designed to increase your chances of making positive birth memories.   

• Childbirth education increases your confidence by equipping you with the tools and techniques to cope with labor as well as increasing your feelings of control by preparing you to make informed choices before and during labor. 
• Continuous birth doula support increases your feelings of accomplishment as you and your partner put your knowledge and intuition to work during your baby's birth. 
• Being supported to work confidently and in partnership with your health care providers increases self-esteem that can last a lifetime.

I'd love to talk to you about how a doula or childbirth education classes can help you and your partner increase your satisfaction with your baby's birth.  Please call or e-mail me at:

Kim James, BA, CD(DONA), CD(PALS), ICCE, LCCE, DONA-Approved Doula Trainer

206-297-0451

kim@kimjames.net

Seattle, Washington

Every woman remembers the birth of her baby and has a story to tell.  What will your story be?