I decided to become a doula after the birth of my third child, Heather. I had a very quick labor and ended up giving birth alone in the hospital, while my husband was parking the car! I thought about what I could have done different, and how it would have been nice to have someone there to support me. I did not know what a doula was at that time and after I came home from the hospital with my precious daughter, I started researching labor support. I thought if I could just help other women to not have to feel so alone, and to empower them and give them the information they need to make decisions about their birth, that this would be absolutely the best job in the world. I took my "official" doula training in 2000 and quickly fell in love with what being a doula was all about. I became certified in 2001 and since then have passionately delved into the childbirth field by taking further trainings and continuing education by becoming a Hypnobabies Educator, Lactation Educator, Childbirth Educator, Infant Massage Instructor and Perinatal Support Specialist, offering labor support, breastfeeding education, prenatal massage, infant massage, and hypnosis education to women, to help empower and nurture them through the childbearing year.
I have been married to my wonderful husband Don for 19 years and I have 3 children; Zack 18, Alexis 15, and Heather 9. They are very supportive of my endeavors and I could not fulfill my dreams without them!
I still look forward to every birthing experience as if it were my first. I feel like it is such an honor an privilege to be part of such an intimate experience for the couples I work with and I am grateful that I can help make THEIR dreams come true too! However, the very best part of my job is all the "extended family" I end up keeping for the rest of my life, as many of my doula relationships often blossom into long-term friendships and I really enjoy watching all "my babies" grow up!
doulalorraine2003@yahoo.com
(714) 624-3495
