The opportunity to support and share vital knowledge to pregnant women is something I am very passionate about. Pregnancy is not something that we are educated on or prepared for. My goal is to be a resource and ally in the uncertainty of pregnancy, birth and postpartum life.
After having 4 children and working with hundreds of women, I have learned that we have a need to educate ourselves about pregnancy, birth and postpartum life from a non medical perspective. We need to learn to become aware of and know our own bodies and then ultimately trust them, rather than looking to a medical provider to tell us how we feel or what we need to do next. When we are able to harness our own self awareness we can then unlock an innate power to carry life, bring life forward and start our own journey of nurturing and growing this new life.
This has informed my Doula practice, approach, and how I work with my clients. Using my Master's of Social Work education and yoga training I take a therapeutic approach. From the time I start working with someone we meet weekly walking through everything and anything that comes up. This helps to prepare our mindsets around all the change that is happening and coming. Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum life are huge transitions. They should each be given the appropriate attention as we learn to navigate this new world.
This has informed my Doula practice, approach, and how I work with my clients. Using my Master's of Social Work education and yoga training I take a therapeutic approach. From the time I start working with someone we meet weekly walking through everything and anything that comes up. This helps to prepare our mindsets around all the change that is happening and coming. Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum life are huge transitions. They should each be given the appropriate attention as we learn to navigate this new world.
Once you have invested in my services I am available to my clients 24/7 via phone, text, email and FaceTime.
Reviews
"Lauren had no easy task. Starting with me during the height of the pandemic I was in a panic. I luckily found Lauren and knew that things were going to be different but she was going to make it work. She was determined from the start. I am a naturally anxious person and this being my first child did not help with the multitude of other things that seemed like obstacles. She sat me down quite a few times before our due date and explained it all to me went over some excersizes and things she thought would be helpful to me. These weren't generic things. She genuinely took the time to cater these techniques to my personal journey. Lauren not only was there for me as a doula but genuinely made me feel like I could trust her with anything. The night my water broke she took care of it all, well most of it. She did make me advocate for myself, but being around such a strong woman made me feel like for once I could stand up for what I wanted. I was only allowed a doula and my significant other in the room and as we know sometimes the significant other can have a hard time knowing how to help. She guided him in what would be helpful to me so that they equally supported me. I know everyone has great stories for their birth stories but having Lauren there made it one of the most unforgettable and calming things I have ever done! She is such a strong and kind human being and having her advocate for me and be by my side was the best decision I could have made and I will never be able to thank her enough for it."
- Mariah Schmitt
"Lauren had no easy task. Starting with me during the height of the pandemic I was in a panic. I luckily found Lauren and knew that things were going to be different but she was going to make it work. She was determined from the start. I am a naturally anxious person and this being my first child did not help with the multitude of other things that seemed like obstacles. She sat me down quite a few times before our due date and explained it all to me went over some excersizes and things she thought would be helpful to me. These weren't generic things. She genuinely took the time to cater these techniques to my personal journey. Lauren not only was there for me as a doula but genuinely made me feel like I could trust her with anything. The night my water broke she took care of it all, well most of it. She did make me advocate for myself, but being around such a strong woman made me feel like for once I could stand up for what I wanted. I was only allowed a doula and my significant other in the room and as we know sometimes the significant other can have a hard time knowing how to help. She guided him in what would be helpful to me so that they equally supported me. I know everyone has great stories for their birth stories but having Lauren there made it one of the most unforgettable and calming things I have ever done! She is such a strong and kind human being and having her advocate for me and be by my side was the best decision I could have made and I will never be able to thank her enough for it."
- Mariah Schmitt
I was first introduced to the notion of doulas when I was in nursing school. One of the DNP students at my university was doing her thesis on the benefits on having a doula and had several of the undergraduate students volunteer shifts at a birthing center helping provide some of those services. I got the chance to assist in 2 deliveries and I knew after that I wanted a doula to be a member of the team for my birth experience. Fast forward to 6 years later during my first pregnancy. I’m working as an AF nurse in Germany during COVID and Afghanistan refugee missions well into my third trimester. To say I was stressed and overwhelmed is an understatement. Lauren was such a comfort to talk to and reminded me to check into how I was feeling and not overthink the labor that was to come. As I got closer and closer to my due date, I was nervous and excited. However, my due date came and past and I was still pregnant! Lauren helped me remain calm and helped me find peace in waiting until my son was ready to make his way into the world. Lauren was available day or night for me to ask about the sensations I was experiencing, ways to position myself and tips to help promote labor. Nine days after my due date, I went to the hospital for a scheduled induction. Unfortunately, due to COVID restrictions, only my husband was able to be present for my labor. However, Lauren was available via FaceTime to coach me through the thick of my contractions, reminding me to stay present, and sending lots of encouragement. She was also a huge help to my husband in coaching him how he could best support me. Having a doula as a part of our birth team made a world of difference for us and helped me having an overall positive birth experience. Lauren is an amazing advocate and a great support and any woman would be blessed to have her be a part of their labor!
-Kaitlyn Steele
-Kaitlyn Steele