Embrace Birth Doula Service
Mary Michaud
Mary Michaud
Mary Michaud, CD(DONA)
ABOUT MARY
My journey into pregnancy and birth...
When my husband and I discovered I was pregnant in 2000, we were overjoyed. My husband and I wanted labor and birth to be a joyful experience and we selected our midwife and doula with care. We chose to birth in a hospital which allowed water birth and took a progressive, natural childbirth education course. When my labor stared two days after my due date, we were thrilled, excited and scared. We called our midwife and doula right away and started to make final plans for our baby's birth.
Forty hours after my water had broken, having our epidural turned off and pushing for three hours, our baby was finally born.
Even though we chose to use medication during labor, we felt we wouldn't have been able to "do" my labor without the skills of our midwife and doula.
In March 2003, I began my training and certification with DONA International. I have continued to recertify with DONA since their ethics and standards are top notch in the doula practice.
I trained through the Texas Department of State Health Services
for breastfeeding education. This training allows me to assist my clients with breastfeeding and normal nursing difficulties which may arise. I have also breastfed all of my children.
February 2007 brought us the delightful experience of birthing our second baby at home, after 25 hours of labor and no pain medication. Again, we used the assistance of an outstanding midwife and doula team.
In April 2008, I began the certification process to become a Lamaze Childbirth Educator.
As of June 2009, I selected DONA International for my postpartum doula training and certification.
In February 2011, my third son was born through an unexpected cesarean after a planned homebirth.
Again, my midwife and doula were vital for support.
All of my personal births have been amazing in their own way and my husband and I have embraced them with heartfelt joy.
When my husband and I discovered I was pregnant in 2000, we were overjoyed. My husband and I wanted labor and birth to be a joyful experience and we selected our midwife and doula with care. We chose to birth in a hospital which allowed water birth and took a progressive, natural childbirth education course. When my labor stared two days after my due date, we were thrilled, excited and scared. We called our midwife and doula right away and started to make final plans for our baby's birth.
Forty hours after my water had broken, having our epidural turned off and pushing for three hours, our baby was finally born.
Even though we chose to use medication during labor, we felt we wouldn't have been able to "do" my labor without the skills of our midwife and doula.
In March 2003, I began my training and certification with DONA International. I have continued to recertify with DONA since their ethics and standards are top notch in the doula practice.
I trained through the Texas Department of State Health Services
for breastfeeding education. This training allows me to assist my clients with breastfeeding and normal nursing difficulties which may arise. I have also breastfed all of my children.
February 2007 brought us the delightful experience of birthing our second baby at home, after 25 hours of labor and no pain medication. Again, we used the assistance of an outstanding midwife and doula team.
In April 2008, I began the certification process to become a Lamaze Childbirth Educator.
As of June 2009, I selected DONA International for my postpartum doula training and certification.
In February 2011, my third son was born through an unexpected cesarean after a planned homebirth.
Again, my midwife and doula were vital for support.
All of my personal births have been amazing in their own way and my husband and I have embraced them with heartfelt joy.
My educational background...
I have received my Bachelor of Science degree from Texas Woman's University in Communication Sciences and Disorders (Speech Language Pathology) and earned my Masters of Education from the University of North Texas in Early Childhood Special Education.
I have received my Bachelor of Science degree from Texas Woman's University in Communication Sciences and Disorders (Speech Language Pathology) and earned my Masters of Education from the University of North Texas in Early Childhood Special Education.
My birthing philosophy...
I believe birth is an amazing normal and healthy event.
I believe that pregnancy, labor and birth have a profound effect on women and their families. It is an experience which will never be forgotten.
I believe women intuitively and instinctively know how to give birth. Those caring and supporting them need to trust and respect this inner wisdom.
I believe that women's confidence and ability to birth is either enhanced or diminished by those who care for her and where she decides to birth.
I believe women have the right to birth free from routine medical interventions. If interventions are deemed to be medically necessary, information must be presented to support and understand the intervention.
I believe education empowers a woman to make informed decisions in health care, to assume responsibility for their health and to trust their intuition, instinct and inner wisdom.
I believe birth is an amazing normal and healthy event.
I believe that pregnancy, labor and birth have a profound effect on women and their families. It is an experience which will never be forgotten.
I believe women intuitively and instinctively know how to give birth. Those caring and supporting them need to trust and respect this inner wisdom.
I believe that women's confidence and ability to birth is either enhanced or diminished by those who care for her and where she decides to birth.
I believe women have the right to birth free from routine medical interventions. If interventions are deemed to be medically necessary, information must be presented to support and understand the intervention.
I believe education empowers a woman to make informed decisions in health care, to assume responsibility for their health and to trust their intuition, instinct and inner wisdom.