Here are a few questions to help you understand Brittany a little better!
1. How did you first become involved in birth work? When I was in kindergarten and was asked "what do you want to be when you grow up?", I responded with "I want to be the person who gives people their babies!". So technically I've been involved as long as I can remember. But, in terms of working hands on in the birthing space, I really started roughly 2 years ago following the birth of my daughter. I had an amazing Midwife who truly opened my eyes to the birth world and all of the possibilities there-in, and the rest is history! 2. Do you have any other training/education/specialties besides the Sprouting Families training? Not at the moment, although I fully intend to branch out and latch on to as many different areas as possible! I have hands-on experience with breastfeeding assistance as well as first hand experience as a parent myself. I love learning and I am always finding new ways to best support the people I have the honor of supporting. 3. Do you attend all births in all spaces? Yes! Hospital, home birth, or birth center, and anything in between! 4. What do you believe advocacy in the birth space means? Birth is an incredibly vulnerable experience, and as a doula my goal is to make sure that you are comfortable, informed, and heard. As the birthing person, you have a say and a choice in what you want and how you want to experience pregnancy/birth/postpartum. My motto is that if you don't know your options, it's almost as if you don't have any. 5. How would you help to advocate for me in the birthing space? As a doula, part of my job is to act as a trusted companion who can facilitate better/ more clear communication between you and medical personnel. Often the word "advocacy" is coupled with the idea of "speaking on behalf of someone", but in the doula space this isn't the case. For me, advocacy means helping you as the birthing person to find your voice and supporting you in your right to make informed decisions regarding your body and baby. When it comes to your experience, you're the boss! 6. How would you describe your "doula style"? I'd describe my style in 3 words: Personalized compassionate care. 7. How do you practice self care? Most of my self care revolves around things that bring me simple joy. A warm cup of coffee, yoga, and speaking to others in the community- As well as spending time with family and friends! 8. Why do you attend births presently? The birth world is where I feel most at home. When I am not attending births or working with clients- I work as the social media manager here at Sprouting Families! This includes creating educational graphics/pamphlets/booklets about anything and everything regarding pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and more. I am constantly immersed in this space and I couldn't be more honored to have the opportunity to live and breathe something that is so vastly important to me. 9. What is the funniest memory you have from a birth? I can think of funny memories from practically every birth I've attended, birth can be a real hoot believe it or not! There is one that still continues to make me laugh when I think back on it, though. I was supporting a couple in hospital, and we were chatting after baby was delivered and everyone was settling in. We were all very happy to be there, albeit a little tired. We had gotten to chatting about our families, and the topic of professions came up. I told them about how my mom went to school to be a nurse and how she had a heart attack while in class- and the students saved her life! Following my story, the partner said (or so I thought) "Oh! My sister got a lobotomy!" I asked bewildered, "What?!?" and he said, "Why is that so surprising?" and I said, "I don't mean to be rude, but lobotomies are NOT common practice!" Cue the laughter, he said that his sister got her degree in phlebotomy! Oops! 10. What do you do in your free time? In my free time I love crocheting, making music, watching Survivor, playing with my daughter, and FaceTiming with my grandma! |
AuthorI am a student midwife and doula serving families in the North Country, and living life with five littles. Archives
July 2023
Categories
All
|