Of course I'm here because of my mom. But I mean, I'm here, because of my mom. And all the moms, grandmas and aunties in my life who raised me with their beautiful birth stories that so inspired me to be here today.

I remember my mom telling her story of my birth from a very early age. I loved it. She had a natural labor and delivery at Lenox Hill. She said the yoga breathing my father coached her with got her through. She was so proud of herself. Thats what I loved about the story. I didn't really care how I was born, but I loved her telling of it, of how powerful she felt, and how she felt so big and beautiful and goddess like in the months following with her extra mama weight and breastfeeding.

And then there was the other part of the story, of how the hospital was awful. How she knew they tried to slip you drugs, so she fought them. How she refused an IV for fear of it. And how she threatened to leave if they tried to give her an IV. And I love her strength, but  I also felt so aggravated and appalled that anyone would be harassing a woman in labor, especially my mom. So she had her natural labor, but she had to fight for it.  Then she had to fight for breastfeeding too. They took me away and filled me with sugar water and I came back to her full. Then at home nursing I broke out in eczema and they told her I was allergic to her milk and to not nurse. She refused and did the elimination diet and discovered I'm allergic to cows milk and then as long as she abstained from it nursing me, I was fine. She did then go on to breastfeeding me for over a year. 

That joy, that pride and strength! And my protective passion for women to birth in total support for any and all of their choices, with respect and love... for my mama, and for all of my moms.

That's why I'm here.

I always loved birth. Now I get to go all the time and its great. Each birth is so different. I support all the different colors of birth preferences, hopes and dreams. I support all types of women and families give birth with support, respect, and whatever else it is you had on your wish list. 

So if you're looking to have an orgasmic birth, I'm here. And maybe you'll breathe your baby out in less than 3 hours, I've seen it. And maybe you won't experience your labor as painful, I've had those births too. You are amazing. 

But maybe you're like the average mere mortal who finds it extremely painful, scary and scary. And no amount of classes, books or well meaning friends can convince you that pooping in public is OK, and even worse in front of the person you're sleeping with, can convince you its OK. Its not OK with you and you're kind of freaking out but don't want to look like you're not down with the natural birth movement because you're terrified of pooping on the table. To you my dear I want to assure you, I got you.

Maybe you were born at home yourself. And you always knew you'd have a homebirth. But then you met and fell in love with someone who was horrified by the idea so you agreed to a birth in hospital with a doula. And you need a security guard to keep your crazy mom out of your hospital room so she doesn't drive you up the wall. Then at the same time, help you have that natural birth you know you can do. To you my dear, I got you too.

Maybe you really wanted kids and didn't really think about how the baby would get out until now. And you are terrified because you watched a birth video and you silently freaked out because your vagina is not that damn big so how is this supposed to work out? And you have no interest in this long-arm-pit haired natural childbirth movement. You get it, but its not you. And you might want an epidural. Maybe you might get one today just in case. Yes, of course I got you.

Getting pregnant wasn't easy. Its been a long, hard and painful road and now you are still scarcely breathing afraid to exhale. You've come to the doula concept late, afraid to ask for anything more than just a baby. But now you are nearing the end and everything is OK and you're starting to think about wanting maybe a little more for yourself in this experience. Non-judgmental support would be great. Its OK, I totally got you too.

Or maybe your mom had three c-sections and now you're planning a homebirth. You want her there to share the moment with you. But you're a little scared because of the stories, its unchartered territory. But you're brave and want me as your doula to keep you on your brave warrioress path. You and your partner and your two cats will welcome your baby with a birth tub, candles, soft music, zero interventions, and you want me to make you a placenta smoothie afterwards. Of course, I got you too.