Annie the Doula

I have personally taken this class with my fellow doula and friend Rosy, and can attest to how strong and flexible and connected with your body and your baby it makes you feel. If you've been looking for a prenatal yoga class, check this one out!

clients.mindbodyonline.com

I am thrilled to be attending births again after taking some time off during my own pregnancy and maternity leave. Cora is now 4 months old, and I am looking forward to getting back to helping other women along on this beautiful and wondrous journey!

Photos by Brittney Kajdacsi at http://www.birthingwithbrittney.com/brittney/

I've been quiet over here as I've been busy the past few months taking classes and working as a personal assistant to a midwife, but rest assured, I'm still serving as a birth doula! I watched a mama quietly breathe her way through 40 hours of natural labor last week to bring her beautiful (surprise!) baby girl into the world. I fall in love with this job all over again at every single birth. I'm open this summer if anyone's looking for a doula!

Pregnant this holiday season? Give yourself the gift of a doula for your birth!

It's small business Saturday! Pregnant and looking for a doula, or know someone who might be? Support your local doula and let her support you! I have spots open in December, January and February. Visit my profile at http://doulamatch.net/profile/10806/annie-harwood or contact me via e-mail: [email protected]

An excerpt from my most recent testimonial: "She kept my spirits up when labor got too painful and was extremely supportive when it got too tough and I needed an epidural. I remember as I was pushing, she allowed me to squeeze her hand and the support I felt in that moment was the reassuring comfort I needed to push my beautiful daughter out. The support and guidance I received from Annie was outstanding."

Annie Harwood Birth Doula Profile

Excellent read.

You Don't Get to Have an Opinion on How Anyone Gives Birth. Ever. Giving birth to a human being—however it happens—is a visceral, memorable and profound life experience. Why do so many people feel entitled to pass judgment on the way that anyone else makes it through?

No tricks, just a special treat for the proud parents who welcomed a beautiful baby girl tonight! So happy for them.

So proud to have my name included on this list, thanks to a wonderful testimonial from an amazing client, who said, in part: "I got the unmedicated VBAC I've been hoping for and I couldn't have done it without Annie! From beginning to end, she was a huge help. Annie was a rock during the whole labor. Every time I said I couldn't do it, or wanted to give up, her kind eyes peered into my inner self as she assured me that I could do it and I WAS DOING it. Her stamina, focus, compassion, and stability really helped me tremendously."

I am so grateful to get to do this "job" and work with so many awe-inspiring women.

An informative class for those considering VBACs! Check it out tomorrow at BRU in Latham.

We're happy to announce that we'll be partnering with the Babies"R"Us store in Latham, NY to offer a series of free seminars on VBAC and Cesarean Prevention. Please help us spread the word!

Yesterday, I had the absolute privilege of assisting a mama as she tried for an all-natural VBAC. Tried and succeeded in the most awe-inspiring way. I have never seen such strength and determination! She is a warrior goddess. I love this job.

http://www.ajmc.com/contributor/katy-b-kozhimannil-phd-mpa/2015/08/removing-financial-barriers-to-evidence-based-maternal-support-health-plans-should-consider-paying-for-doula-services

"Indeed, in a recent consensus statement focusing on reducing rates of cesarean delivery, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine stated, “Published data indicate that one of the most effective tools to improve labor and delivery outcomes is the continuous presence of support personnel, such as a doula…Given that there are no associated measurable harms, this resource is probably underutilized.”

Removing Financial Barriers to Evidence-Based Maternal Support: Health Plans Should Consider... There is a quiet revolution happening among health plans. Mothers and fathers who work for health insurance companies—and who had the support of a doula at the time of childbirth—are beginning to inquire about expanding benefits to include coverage for this evidence-based service.

This resonated with me today.

A mama shares

One of the best things about being a doula is witnessing the moment when a mom says, in shock and awe, "I did it!" and knowing she'll carry that feeling of accomplishment into motherhood.

It was one strong mama who tenaciously worked her way through a long labor and was finally able to welcome her first baby into the world today. I am forever inspired by what I do, but especially so today. My heart is full.

In the wee morning hours we wait.

How to tell whether your provider is VBAC tolerant vs. VBAC friendly. It makes a big difference!

Emotional support postpartum is essential! Check out this new class at the Family Life Center in Albany.

I'm just gonna leave this right here.

It is an honor every single time I get to be part of a birth, but there's something incredibly special about being able to witness my beautiful niece make her way into the world. Happiest of birthdays to baby Evelyn Rose and happy birthing day to my sister who rocked a shockingly fast natural birth! (Shared with permission.)