Birth Doula at University of Michigan Health-West Metro Health
If you're planning to give birth at University of Michigan Health-West Metro Health, I'm here to help you feel prepared, supported, and confident as you navigate labor and birth.
I've attended a few births at Metro, including medicated births, unmedicated births, and inductions. I'm familiar with the room setup and comfortable navigating the space. I also appreciate that there is plenty of room for your belongings and useful items like kneeling pads available for labor support.
Supporting You Through Labor
Many of the families I've supported at Metro have been first-time parents, and one of the biggest parts of my job is helping you feel comfortable with the unknown.
You don't need to memorize every stage of labor or know exactly what you'll want once contractions begin. Before your birth, we'll talk through comfort measures, positions, your preferences, and what your partner can do to support you. Then, when labor arrives, I'll help you take it one contraction at a time.
If you'd like to learn more about what working with me as your birth doula looks like, you can explore my birth doula services.
A Birth That Changed My Doula Journey
One of the births I attended at Metro is especially meaningful to me because it was the birth that completed the last requirement to become a DONA certified birth doula. My client was an experienced mom who went from being 4 centimeters to complete and having her baby in her arms in less than an hour.
It was a great reminder that even when you've given birth before, labor can move very differently from one birth to the next. Having someone there who can recognize how quickly things are changing, stay calm, and help you adjust can make a big difference.
Preparing for Your Birth at Metro
Whether you're planning an unmedicated birth, considering an epidural, or preparing for an induction, I'll help you understand your options and prepare for different possibilities. We'll build an in-depth birth plan so you know what matters to you before labor starts. And because I've seen how quickly labor can change at Metro, we'll also talk through what you might want if things move faster -- or differently -- than expected.
I'll support your decisions, help you communicate your preferences, and make sure your partner feels prepared to be part of the experience.
Support for You and Your Partner
My goal isn't to take over your birth. It's to give you and your partner another set of hands, another calm presence, and someone who knows how to support you through the physical and emotional work of labor.
Whether you need counterpressure, help finding a comfortable position, encouragement through a difficult contraction, or simply someone reminding you that you can do this, I'm there.
Looking for information about another West Michigan hospital? Explore my hospital birth doula pages.