While laboring with her only son, Kristen, attorney-at-law-turned-stay-at-home-mom, asked, “If I donated the money, would you give your services to someone who cannot afford a doula? No one should do this without you!” I graciously smiled and said, “I’d be honored,” but dismissed the offer (no one should be obligated to honor any commitments made in the throws of labor!). About six months later, I received a check in the mail with the memo: “Sharing My Doula” and a note that read, “I meant it.”

I’d received gifts and tips from families before but never one that served as such a testament to the helpfulness of my support, the gift of “paying it forward”. I have always made a point to encourage doula-supported birth, helping clients find a student doula-in-training or volunteer doula if they cannot afford to pay an experienced professional doula.

In the spirit of Kristen who wanted to specifically sponsor my services, I have started the “Sharing My Doula Fund” which is aimed at supporting adoptive families and birth mothers receiving doula support. Donations cover a portion of my travel expenses, supplemented by my own donation of time and energy.

Contact: If you know someone who may be eligible for this gift of service, please inquire at emily@beautifulbirth.org subject heading: “Sharing My Doula”

Here’s some pictures of recent recipients

Adoption in

Manila, Republic of The Philippines

August 2009

Thank you to the Krbec, Olson, Holzwarth, Holder, Olajos, & Terril Families for their support!

Birth/Adoption in Madison, WI

November 2007

Small Miracles (Madison, WI & surrounding area)

Small Miracles is a free birth doula program for women who cannot afford to pay a doula. Clients include high school students, women referred by public health nurses, women receiving WIC or Medical Assistance, women living in halfway houses or shelters, or women who simply find themselves without resources. Small Miracles Volunteer Doula Program is a member group of the Childbirth and Parent Education Association of Madison, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. They are solely funded by donations and grants.

http://smallmiraclesdoulas.googlepages.com

Our role: We are on the phone tree for back-up volunteer doulas and occasionally we volunteer directly for births coordinated through this fine organization.

Contact: If you would like to inquire about the services of a Small Miracles Doula, please contact the organization directly.

ARC Healthy Beginnings (Madison, WI)

Healthy Beginnings was a Federal demonstration project which opened in 1994, to implement an ideal treatment model for the recovery of pregnant and postpartum women affected by chemical abuse. Program services are designed to encourage recovery in a supportive manner while: addressing the mother/child bond; providing increased access to prenatal care and well child care, thus possibly decreasing birth complications; and enhancing maternal attachment and parenting support to assist in stopping the cycle of child abuse and neglect and to increase family intactness and healthy family functioning. Services include: women-specific day treatment AODA services for women who are pregnant or postpartum, licensed childcare provided on-site or through community childcare coordination, prenatal/postpartum care, well child care coordination, health education, parenting assistance and infant care classes that enhance the mother/child bond, case management services that improve independent living skills including vocational/educational assistance, mental health services that address abuse issues especially child and sexual abuse, and aftercare services on a step-down basis.

http://www.arcomserv.org/programs.html

Our role: Emily Shier is the Childbirth/Parent Educator for the program

Occasionally we serve as personal doula to individual clients of this program.

Contact: If you are pregnant or the mother of an infant 1 year old or less & are seeking treatment for chemical abuse, please contact the organization directly.

Doula Mentoring

Occasionally we take “under our wing” a birth doula who has completed her education and training, to mentor her through her birth experiences and occasionally invite her to shadow one of us. This is at our discretion and with the explicit, advanced permission of the clients we serve. A few of the doulas Emily S. has mentored have since attended her in her own labor and birth experience (if that doesn’t speak to our trust in this elite group, what does?!).

Contact: If you are considering becoming a birth doula or are seeking a mentor, please email Emily S. at emily@beautifulbirth.org subject heading: Doula Mentor