How I moved to Seattle and became a full-time doula
I grew up in Switzerland where I finished high school and went on to study midwifery in St.Gallen. After graduating in 1984, I spent 2 years working as a young midwife at a hospital in Switzerland, delivering babies and learning about birth in all variations. In 1986, I took a leave of absence to study English in San Francisco and to spend some time rock climbing in Yosemite Ntl. Park. During that time I met my husband and after getting married 2 years later, decided to make Seattle my home. Although I moved away, I was lucky to receive annual invitations from different hospitals in Switzerland who asked me to help out for 2-3months at a time. These visits were extremely helpful to stay connected with my work as a midwife. During the rest of the time I either guided mountaineering trips for local guide services, or just went traveling and climbing with my husband.
When our daughter, (now 21) was born in 2000, I had a first experience with the birthing system here in the States. I received very good medical care, but realized that personal guidance and emotional support were a luxury that the modern system had left very little space for. This inspired me to go through the Doula training in 2003 so I could help laboring women navigate the politics and technological standards of hospitals, integrating my more medical background with the more emotional and caring support of the doula work.
Over the past 10 years I have accompanied and supported more than 200 couples in their process of becoming parents. As a Seattle Doula, I have established a trusting and mutually respectful relationship with doctors, midwives, and nurses at Swedish First Hill, Swedish Ballard, Northwest, and University hospitals, – and I am very grateful for their supportive referrals.
I continue to advocate for women who are having their babies naturally, or with the help of an epidural, or for those who end up needing a c-section.
I aspire to achieve a Good Birth with all my clients.
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