Cristine Steele
Hello! My heart in becoming a doula has stemmed from understanding both the beauty and exhaustion that comes from being a momma. Mommas work hard from the time of conception and are always self-giving. I personally love to pamper moms. They work tirelessly and their needs are often overlooked. Adjusting to all the changes that come within the first weeks after birth is large in scope. The way in which every family adjusts is unique. My desire is to be present with you and serve you and your family as you learn to adjust and welcome this beautiful new baby into your home.
Too often, we as mothers feel as if we have failed if the birth does not go exactly as planned. Perhaps you have the impression that breastfeeding will happen perfectly, or feel in the minority if you are having any postpartum blues. As an expectant mom, you will have an idea of what birth and life with a newborn will look like. While I hope that everything does go exactly as you desire, my goal would be to help you work through any difficulties you are having in the adjustment phase and serve in helping you achieve exactly what you want. Perhaps that would mean encouraging you during labor when you want to give up; helping you over and over again if breastfeeding isn’t going as smoothly as you had thought it would; caring for you as you adjust emotionally; or assisting you in caring for a newborn on top of sleep deprivation, hormonal changes, and physically healing after birth.
I am married to a wonderful, supportive husband! I have three children, all of whom were natural childbirths. My first child was delivered via water birth in a Birth Center, in which I had two midwives, a nurse, and my husband present. I felt like I had a doula there because they were with me the whole time and beyond supportive. That experience carried me through my next two natural hospital births.
Aside from my varying birth experiences, my life experience has been such that I really do understand and celebrate the differences in what people do, think, and believe. We are not all the same and we are not going to make the same decisions on every topic. We have all been created uniquely and have had various life experiences that contribute to our different convictions and limitations. I am a firm believer that you need to do what is best for you and your family. You need to educate yourself on your choices, (and believe me, there are about a million once you become a parent!) and then make the decision that you believe is right. I am not here to make decisions for you but to help educate you about your options and walk beside you in what you choose.
I would love to serve you as a birth or postpartum doula! Often times, people think of a doula solely in the role at birth, but a postpartum doula is a great service if you are a first-time mom, a mom with multiple children, far from family, or otherwise in need of some non-judgmental professional support. Postpartum doula care can also be a great baby shower gift! Easing the transitions is my delight and I would be honored to serve you in your home. Please give me a call! I look forward to meeting you and your little one!
530-768-4458
