We have a secret in our culture, and it's not that birth isn't painful. It's that women are strong." --Laura Stavoe Harm
I specialize in dignity, education, and the empowerment of the expectant family.
Welcome to Rights of Passage, where I advocate for emotional reassurance and validation, and the preservation of good memories from you pregnancy and birth. I also seek to secure the sanctity of pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding for the family as whole. I empower and empassion fathers and partners to take a more active role from conception forward, and I also work to support BOTH parents and their unique needs throughout the process.
I call my business RIGHTS of passage, instead of using the traditional spelling RITES of passage because I believe every mother should have the RIGHT to respect, dignity, and choices when it comes to birthing.
I am specifically interested in advocating for informed consent for any procedure performed, and enjoy working with your medical team to give you the safest and most rewarding labor experience you could possibly dream of.
I support ALL women who make educated choices in childbirth, and make it my business not to make judgments of any kind. It's your baby, it's your body, it's your birth, and it's your business-- don't ever let ANYONE judge you for the way you gave birth to your children. Regardless of whether things go 'according to plan', a birth is something to be celebrated, cherished, and respected.
There is no wrong way to have your baby, and each baby will help to find his/her own way through the labor process. Natural births are wonderful things, but technology has it's place in promoting safety and happy outcomes. I respect BIRTH of all kinds, and support informed, safe decision making.
To me, the process of birth is a journey that is deeply personal, and intensely vulnerable for both parents, regardless of age, race, sex, or experience levels. In my opinion, the MOST IMPORTANT things that need to happen at a birth are as follows:
- The safe arrival of the child or children, and the safety of the mother.
- The protection and safety of the birth environment, as well as the couple's privacy, and their decision-making power.
- That the mother and other parent feel that their space and bodies were respected, and their experience was dignified.
- The mother's emotional journey is paramount to the progression and safe passage of the baby into our world, and the woman into motherhood. This emotional experience should be protected and supported above all else.
I don't believe in a natural birth at all costs-- women are powerful no
matter what tools they use (or don't) as they walk the labrynth of
their labor. In labor we meet our primal mothering instincts, and we meet with parts of ourselves we may never see again. Technology does not take these experiences or accomplishments away from us, but it does change the way the mother interacts with herself. Sometimes, an epidural is just the thing a mother needs to beautifully, respectfully, and safely meet her baby.
Pain is possible, and women are strong-- but suffering is unnecessary. There is a very fine line between pain and suffering. For this reason, I will always support an informed, educated decision to ask for help, or to promote the safety or emotional integrity of the birth experience. Its hard to predict what labor will be like, even if we've been through it before. But it is important to KNOW that your support team will be there to guide you through whatever transpires with varied options, solid information, and no judgment or agenda.
This birth is about you-- and I'm here to make sure it's an incredible day, no matter what!
Please read on for more information on my skills and my services, and I hope to hear from you soon!
I can be reached at DivaDoula@gmail.com or at 708-351-0935. I strive to return calls within a few hours, but please be patient. I give my laboring moms all the time they need, and will return your call or email as soon as I can. 
