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Ramblings & Musings

Meet Heather!

2/26/2024

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My path to becoming a doula has been long and winding, and so therefore this blog is as well. For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by birth. On a typical afternoon in my Middle School years, you’d find me engrossed in watching “A Baby Story” on TLC and celebrating with those TV families as they welcomed their babies into the world. I was obviously a super cool pre-teen. 

When I became pregnant with my first child in 2015, I was thrilled, but also overwhelmed and sort of lonely. I was the first person in my immediate family or my group of close friends to have a baby, and it was isolating to not have anyone to talk to who really understood what pregnancy was like. I wasn’t plugged into the parenting community in Athens yet either, and I didn’t know where to go or who to ask (or what to ask) to find resources for pregnancy and parenting. I also didn’t know about doulas! My first pregnancy was hard, and my daughter’s birth was not at all what I had envisioned it to be. It wasn’t until 2.5 years later, when I was pregnant with my second child, that I discovered the existence of doulas. I distinctly remember going to a pregnancy and parenting resource fair at ReBlossom and meeting several lovely doulas and thinking “Oh my gosh, this is a thing?!” My husband and I immediately knew we wanted to have a doula with us at our second birth (a VBAC), and I truly believe it made all the difference in the world to have her there supporting us.

After my second pregnancy, I began feeling a powerful draw to birth work. I discovered a whole community of providers who supported me in various ways during my pregnancy and postpartum journeys. I knew in my heart that this was where I fit and that these were “my people,” and I wanted to use my experiences to help other parents the way they had helped me. It quickly became clear that my heart was being called to become a doula, but it was still a few more years before I officially began my doula certification coursework. During the time between the birth of my second and third child, I helped start Athens Parent Wellbeing, a local nonprofit that strives to create programs that support and improve the mental health and wellbeing of parents in the Athens area. This felt like a natural stepping stone on my path, because I wanted to help ensure that other parents didn’t have the same isolating experience that I had during my first pregnancy, and I wanted to help build that “village” for parents that everyone talks about, but seems so hard to find in our culture.

My interests in pregnancy and birth continued to call to me though, and about a year after my third baby was born, I was honored to serve as the doula for my sister as she welcomed my darling nephew into the world. After that, I was hooked. All the pieces started falling into place, and I began to see how all the experiences through my life and through my parenting journey had led me to that point. I feel strongly that parents need extra support and care during the big transition of welcoming a baby into the world, whether it’s their first time or their sixth time. When they have that support network, the parents’ mental health is better, and the whole family is better too. Parenting isn’t always easy, but no one should feel alone on their journey. As a doula, I want to walk with you, support you, and be part of your village. Helping to support and encourage people as they navigate their individual paths to welcoming their babies brings me such profound joy. Birth is one of the most powerful, awe-inspiring experiences in existence, and it is truly an honor to care for and support families during this sacred, vulnerable, intimate time. As a doula, I strive to nurture a nonjudgmental space where I can help educate parents, connect them to resources, empathize with them, help them welcome their babies into the world, and help them process their birth experiences. And of course, laugh with them, because it’s imperative to have a sense of humor when you’re a parent!

When I’m not nerding out about birth and mental health, I enjoy spending time outside in nature as often as I can. I love hiking, exploring historic sites, splashing in creeks, swimming, water skiing, and gardening. My favorite food groups are coffee, wine, dark chocolate, and popcorn. 

My family is my world. My husband and I met in Athens in the early 2000’s when we were both in the Redcoat Marching Band at UGA, and we enjoy raising our family in the Athens area. We have three daughters, ages 8, 5, and 2. I’m an animal lover, and my husband has jokingly forbidden me from ever fostering puppies again because we are known to be “foster failures.” I enjoy reading, especially historical fiction and mystery novels, and my favorite podcasts are birth stories.

If you’d like to chat, I’d love to hear from you!
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Meet Haley!

2/6/2024

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I have always known that my calling in life was to help people, but I was not sure how until I discovered what a doula was. Since then, it has been my desire to guide people through birth and postpartum.

My experience as a nanny has been profound in developing my skills as a doula and is the reason I became so passionate about birthwork. My favorite thing about being a nanny is forming deep connections with families, and I strive to do the same as a doula. Throughout my years of working with parents, I had the honor of listening to their birth stories. Hearing them made me realize how truly incredible birth is. I carry their stories in my heart because they have taught me so much and inspired me to work toward becoming a doula.

I know the thought of giving birth can sometimes feel overwhelming and even scary. However, that is why I am here. My goal is to provide evidence-based care to help you feel empowered, educated, and supported throughout your entire reproductive journey. I never want a lack of knowledge or support to be a source of stress when you are giving birth. I am here to listen to you with an understanding heart and provide a safe, compassionate space for all. Most importantly, I want to honor your birthing experience in whatever way feels comfortable for you.

When I am not obsessing over birth, you can find me spending time with my wonderful family or my adorable puppy. I love to read fantasy books, paint, and go on nature walks. A big dream of mine is to travel to other countries and explore the world. I am excited to begin my work as a doula and make an impact! It would be such an honor to be able to support you through this amazing life transition.

Wishing you all the best,
Haley
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Meet Grace!

12/11/2023

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AthensBorn is thrilled to welcome our newest apprentice to the team! Grace is going to be an amazing doula, and we can't wait for her to start working with Athens families. Here's a little more about her, written in her own words, and shared with you all :)

​My journey to birthwork started when I found myself pregnant at 18. While I had family support, I still felt wildly out of place and alone. I stumbled through pregnancy, second guessing every decision I made, feeling burdened by a lack of resources for parents like me, and ashamed of my lack of preparation.  Everything about the ordeal felt gendered and inauthentic to my experience as a queer teen, but I wasn't yet able to articulate why.  With six years of perspective, I now see how expectation was at the root of my experience in pregnancy- the expectation that my experience would line up with that of all other mothers, and if it didn't, my experience wasn't valid. Now, as a doula, I strive to hold space for people without expectation or judgement.  Grace is always my birth philosophy (no pun intended!)- grace for the birthing person, for the life entering the world, for the partner(s) supporting.  Grace for the process of birth itself, in all its unpredictably wondrous, precarious ways.  In this grace, I hope my clients feel the space to create the birth experience they desire.  I see pregnancy and birth as a metamorphosis into parenthood.  It is my job as your doula to assist in this with support and resources while you direct the transition in the way that best honors you.

    Another part of my path into doulaing is my recovery from substance abuse and bipolar disorder.  These experiences give me a passion for advocating for parents who are in the position I once was: parents who must put their own needs before their children’s in order to show up for them. I believe few truly understand this paradox and strive to offer support and space to parents in that position.  My experience inspired me to get training specifically for birthing people who use drugs or are in recovery from drug misuse.  

When I'm not geeking out over birth, you can find me curled up with my cats and my cards; tarot is my other passion. I look forward to incorporating tarot into my birthwork and helping parents ground themselves through this transition into parenthood. I love really trashy reality tv (particularly early 2000’s celebrity dating shows :), and hate vegetables.  I’m happiest when I’m taking walks with my daughter and the sun through the leaves makes the trees look like stained glass windows.  My skin crawls at the thought of cleaning but fresh sheets are ecstasy.  I’m mostly just a quirky human who is insanely passionate about reproductive health and eager to start a career as a doula! I am so extremely humbled and grateful to do this work now.  It's a privilege to help you create and hold the space around your birth.  I hope in reading this you have a better idea of who I am, but mostly I hope you feel inspired to hold space for yourself and your loved ones throughout your pregnancy and birth.  

With love and grace,

Grace 
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Meet Christine!

2/17/2021

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Hi! I’m Christine. Where to start?! A bit about me before I tell you more about my fascination with and deep reverence for pregnancy, birth, and the incredible life transition that is ‘Becoming A Parent’. I grew up in Charlotte, NC, where I spent many years of my youth as a competitive gymnast and soccer player (Notable, since my early love for movement and the body has informed my passion for all things birth!). College brought me to Athens, GA in 2006. After graduating and finding a home here, I pursued work in our local restaurant, coffee and yoga community. I soon became interested in sustainable agriculture and spent 6ish years working on small, organic vegetable farms, including a year at UGArden, UGA’s teaching farm. It was at UGArden where I discovered my love for one-on-one mentorship (Also notable, since I believe a doula can serve as a kind of mentor!)

Fast forward to early Spring 2018 --  my husband and I found out I was pregnant. I spent most of May and June feeling exhausted and hungover from the  “All-Day Sickness” of my first trimester. I found relief (and even energy!) by mid-summer, and gave birth to our sweet boy on a cold and misty December evening.  Life in our small house has never been the same!

My positive birth experience was only possible because I felt 100% supported by my husband, doula, and care providers. I was listened to and cared for. My decisions were respected. During my pregnancy I had the means to pay for a childbirth education class, and the privilege of time to read books and listen to a million birth-related podcasts. A few months after having my son, I realized that my empowering experience should not be the exception when it comes to birth stories, rather the norm. Since then, I’ve viewed birthwork as advocacy work.

I believe all birthing persons need an advocate. And support. And someone to help navigate the complexity that is our Western medical system. And someone to say “Yes, what you’re feeling is valid and true and I hear you”.  And someone to bring you food and fold your laundry when you’re in the throes of newborn days! I believe doulas are a natural choice for a birth advocate. And I TRULY and STRONGLY believe there should not be any barrier to accessing one. My hope is that in pursuing this work, I can normalize people being supported by a doula during their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum days. 

Birth is beautiful and unpredictable. Transitioning into parenthood can be difficult and overwhelming. I am honored to be in the work of supporting your pregnancy, your labor, and your postpartum healing. Cheers to this incredible line of work, and to many more empowering births in our community!
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Schedule a free consultation with Christine & Emily!
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Meet Emily!

2/17/2021

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Oh, hello there! I’ve just been given the most exciting opportunity to pursue my dream of being a birth worker. Something you should know about me is that I’m a dreamer and a do-er. I hope to someday become a Certified Nurse-Midwife and deliver babies. Some may wonder, and many ask me, why is this something you’re passionate about? Do you really choose to do this? I get asked this question about why I’m a competitive long-distance runner, as well. No one just wakes up one day and decides they want to run a half marathon in their neighborhood, run 60+ miles a week, race Division 1 Cross Country for the University of Georgia, and train for marathons. Similarly, no one wakes up and randomly decides they want to help people have their babies. 
Well, I can tell you this: everyone deserves to know what their own body is capable of achieving. I’m amazed and inspired by women and the entire birth process. I want everyone to see giving birth as the incredible, life-changing experience that it is. Women can come out of birth a stronger, more confident version of themselves, ready to take on parenting and a new chapter of life. The female body is a powerhouse, and labor is an opportunity to harness your power, your inner strength. 
While women are independent and capable, we still need someone to help us tap into our strength, to minimize fear, and be there for us during our most vulnerable time. Here’s where I come in! First and foremost, I want you to feel safe. In order to have a positive attitude about your birth, I plan to help you trust your body. Minimizing fear will promote relaxation and smoother labor. 
A little about me… I’m very compassionate, warm, and maternal by nature. Also, I have boatloads of energy, day and night, plenty to share with you. I’m 21 years old, and I’ve never given birth myself, but that doesn’t mean I cannot relate to you. In fact, I see it as a good thing because I have no biases. I’m not here to impose any of my own values or preferences. I’m open and excited to support you through whatever plan you envision for your birth. 
I have been given the honor to commit my time and energy to magnificent, child-bearing women. I hope you hire a doula and have the opportunity to be a dreamer, as well, and have the birth that you envision!
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Schedule a free consultation with Emily & Christine!
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Doulas in the time of COIVD19

4/5/2020

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We've heard a lot of questions floating around, people wondering whether or not they should hire a doula during the current global pandemic. "Is it still worth it?"

The short answer is simply...yes <3 The longer answer is...yes, because... a doula is still the person who will be able to help you prepare for your birth as best you possibly can. Helping families prepare for the unknown is not new for us. That's always been the job. A doula will calm your fears, help you navigate this rapidly changing landscape, find new classes and resources when you don't know where to look or which is the right one for you, and guide you step-by-step through what you might expect over the coming weeks and months. A doula will still be there to help you through your labor, your birth, and your 4th trimester. Our clients feel prepared, they feel strong, they feel ready for whatever birth brings. 

A doula is *still* the best person to help you create a beautiful, peaceful, empowered birth experience for yourself. That is the essence of doula work...and it's something that hasn't changed. We're still here for you, no matter what.
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Breastfeeding & Fertility

9/2/2019

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There's a lot of information available on how breastfeeding can act as birth control in the early postpartum weeks and months. But, what about parents who are ready to get pregnant again, but still have a nursling? For these parents, the delay in return of fertility can be frustrating...but, they may also struggle with the idea of weaning their little one. But, it doesn't always have to be one or the other. There are strategies that can help bring on the return of ovulation without completely weaning. Lots of great info on this in the book below...

"Adventures in Tandem Nursing: Breastfeeding During Pregnancy and Beyond" by Hilary Flowers.

Other parents may feel that the time is right to say good-bye to nursing. For these parents, we offer support and information on how they can create a weaning process that is gentle on their bodies and their hearts. There are lots of different tips and tricks available! 

kellymom.com/ages/older-infant/ttc-while-bf/

Let us know if you have any questions! And, if you've successfully nursed through pregnancy, tandem nursed, or weaned your kiddo, we'd love to hear about your experience! 
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What does a doula do?

8/27/2019

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We're often asked what it means to be a doula. It's such a wildly varying experience every day, it's hard to put into words. But, we've tried to express what life is like for us over here at AthensBorn.

We hold hands and rub shoulders.
We whisper in ears and cheer loudly for milestones.
We teach and we learn.
We give back to our community.
We’re activists, we listen, we support, we protest, we vote.
We’re small business owners. We work from home, from coffee shops, in waiting rooms, our cars, wherever we find the minutes.  
We miss special occasions.
We leave our homes in the quiet of night.
We witness birth in awe. Every time.
We marvel at the strength of people.
We celebrate with our clients.
We grieve with them, too.
We make mistakes. We hate that. But, we’re learning to forgive ourselves.
We’re nerds. We love science and research and learning new things.
We talk loudly about placentas in public places. Oops.
We laugh together. Really hard. Like shushed in the library kind of hard.
We still get excited every time we're hired.
We meet the very best people and feel so grateful for it.


We know how lucky we are to be living this doula life. Thank you to our AthensBorn Families for making it possible. We love  you all!
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Insurance Reimbursement for your Birth Doula? Yes, please!

9/14/2018

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Ever wonder if your health insurance company will help pay for your doula services? The answer is...maybe. We recently came across this helpful article that details many of the “alternative” services families choose, including labor doula services, water birth, home birth, and in-home postpartum care. The authors also delve into what specifics affect the likelihood of your getting the stamp of approval (or more important, a check) for the doula you choose.


https://quotewizard.com/health-insurance/alternative-birth-option-coverage

Research studies have shown that women who give birth with consistent doula support undergo fewer interventions (including inductions, epidurals, forceps/vacuum-assisted deliveries, and Cesarean surgeries). Doula-assisted mothers often have shorter labors, shorter hospital stays, and overwhelmingly rate their labors and births with higher levels of satisfaction than women who do not have this support. Their infants often experience fewer interventions and spend less time in the nursery/NICU than those born without doula support. Clearly, doula support benefits women, babies, hospitals, and...insurance companies.

(Please see the links below to access the articles where we found this information.)

Most of our clients haven’t even considered that their insurance company may be willing to cover part of their doula services, but we always advocate asking. And, we recommend that they start the process as early in pregnancy as possible. After all, this is business to them. Your best bet for reimbursement will be to focus on how covering this smaller payment now will likely save them a LOT of money in the end. If you wait until after your birth to approach them, there’s less incentive for them to contribute because they already know the outcome.

We try to make this process as easy as possible for our clients. One of the benefits of choosing AthensBorn for labor doula services is access to our Insurance Reimbursement Packet, which includes the following…

  • A checklist detailing the steps you’ll need to take
  • A template for the letter you’ll write to your insurance company
  • Copies of research articles to support your request
  • Copies of our current doula certifications
  • A superbill for services provided

Guarantees for reimbursement aren’t possible at this point in time. The truth is that some companies pay a good chunk toward services, some pay none, others are somewhere in the middle. But, we’ve helped condense the process down to a manageable list of tasks and who couldn’t use a few extra dollars in their wallet when there’s a new baby around? Our hope is that as more parents request reimbursement, more insurance companies will become familiar with doula services and how they improve outcomes for mothers and babies...and that they’ll be willing to help families pay for these valuable services.

Best wishes on your birth journey!

Kate

Continuous support for women during childbirth

Coverage for doula services: how state Medicaid programs can address concerns about maternity care costs and quality​

Modeling the Cost‐Effectiveness of Doula Care Associated with Reductions in Preterm Birth and Cesarean Delivery

NY State Maternal Mortality Review Report


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What to ask your potential doula...

6/26/2017

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We've heard it so many times when sitting down to chat with potential clients. 

"Umm...we're not really sure what to ask." 

Many people first hear about doulas from their midwives or from friends who've had a great experience with a doula during a previous birth. But, they don't always understand what a doula does or what they should ask during an interview to help them figure out which doula is the best fit. In fact, we've heard this same sentiment from so many people that we actually made a list to help them out.

Here are our most frequently asked questions and some suggestions of our own. Of course, these aren't the only questions you can ask and you should always ask anything you like. More personalized questions based on your individual needs, wishes, and personalities are great! Take a look at our list to get started and let us know if you have any additions!

Do you have availability for my due date?

Where do you work/what area do you cover?

What's your guiding philosophy for supporting women in labor and birth?

What training or experience do you have?

Why did you become a doula?

Can you provide references from past clients?

What is your birth fee and what does that cover?

How many clients do you take per month?

How do you feel about the use of pain medication during labor?

How do you work with and involve partners?

Do you offer other birth-related services? (breastfeeding support, postpartum care, placenta encapsulation, etc)

Remember, these are just a starting point. Always feel free to ask anything that's on your mind!

Take care,
​Kate & Becca
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  • HOME
    • ABOUT >
      • MEET OUR TEAM
      • KIND WORDS
      • FAQ
      • BLOG
    • DOULA APPRENTICESHIPS
  • SERVICES
    • BIRTH DOULA PACKAGES >
      • LABOR DOULA PACKAGE
      • APPRENTICE LABOR DOULA PACKAGE
      • LAST MINUTE DOULA SERVICES
    • CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION
    • LACTATION SUPPORT >
      • Lactation Consultations
      • Lactation Classes
      • Lactation & Insurance
      • Lactation Schedule
      • Milk Donation
      • Lactation Resources for Professionals
    • POSTPARTUM SUPPORT
    • PLACENTA ENCAPSULATION
    • PRENATAL SUPPORT PACKAGES >
      • CESAREAN BIRTH PLANNING PACKAGE
      • PRENATAL DOULA SUPPORT PACKAGE
    • GIFT CERTIFICATES
  • CLIENTS
    • Online Forms
    • Local Resources
    • FAQs
    • Community Connections
    • Insurance Reimbursement
  • CONTACT
  • EVENTS AND HAPPENINGS
  • AthensBorn Shop
    • Shop Birth Doula Services
    • Shop Lactation Services
    • Shop Childbirth Education Classes
    • Shop Postpartum Services
    • Shop Prenatal Support Services
  • Shop Placenta Services