Prior to the birth of my children, I worked for three and a half years as a full time veterinarian. Presently, I reside in Denton and am a stay-at-home mom of four beautiful children. My own personal birth experiences include one unmedicated hospital birth and three home waterbirths. The wonderful experiences I had with their births were what fueled my desire to help other women achieve their own positive birth experiences. Working with expectant parents is something I believe God has called me to do, and I view it as a ministry. I am certified with the Childbirth and Postpartum Professionals Association (CAPPA) as both a labor doula and a childbirth educator, and am an accredited La Leche League leader. I continue to work on increasing my knowledge and improving my skills through additional trainings and conferences.

My views on birth have evolved over time, and I have come more and more to see birth as a normal, natural, and enjoyable (yes, enjoyable!) process. I believe that God designed our bodies, that His design is perfect, and that women should have faith in the birth process, not fear. I believe that women are able to give birth most effectively and enjoyably when they are allowed to labor wherever they feel the most comfortable, in whatever position they prefer, with whomever they desire for emotional and physical support. I view my role as twofold - to supply the expectant parents with the information they need in order to make the choices that are best for them and to provide encouragement, reassurance, and physical comfort measures for the mother. I have supported women in hospital, birth center, and home births, and I am familiar with and supportive of alternative medicine practices.

When I was trying to put my birth philosophy into words, I thought for a long time about which ones would most accurately describe the things that I felt were most important in the birth process. I eventually settled on four: knowledge, faith, strength, and peace. Here's a little bit about why I chose each one.

• Knowledge - It's crucial to making good choices regarding your birth. The old saying "knowledge is power" couldn't be more true. Without knowledge regarding prenatal care, labor, and birth, you don't even know you *have* choices, much less what they are, and which ones are right for you. You need to take the time to educate yourself as much as possible, and I am here to help provide you with information. The companion to knowledge is wisdom - knowing what to do with the information you acquire.
• Faith - in God's design of our bodies is also important. If you can see giving birth as a natural process, something that He designed us to do, it changes your perspective. Many people today are afraid of birth - afraid it will hurt, afraid something will go wrong, afraid they won't be able to handle it. While it is prudent to be aware of and monitor for complications that can develop, you need to be realize that those complications are the exception, not the rule. Self-fulfilling prophecy happens a lot in birth - if you live in constant fear that something will go wrong, it probably will. If instead you choose to trust in Him and believe He has given you the ability to bring forth the life He began in you without a lot of interventions, then chances are good you can do just that.
• Strength - I do believe that strength, both physical and emotional, is important for birth. Birth can be physically demanding, and it is important that you prepare for it physically. But it is also important that you are strong emotionally, prepared to make difficult choices and firm in your beliefs. Many women find birth to be an incredibly empowering experience.
• Peace - A peaceful birth environment is beneficial to both mom and baby. If mom can be calm and relaxed, labor will progress more quickly and easily. This means less stress for baby in transit, and a gentler entry into the world. All that translates into healthier moms and healthier babies, as well as a more pleasant birth experience.

Now that you know a little about me, I'd love to get to know you! Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like to set up an interview.

"Although I had no way of knowing until after my birth, I truly feel that I needed Laura during my labor. Thank goodness she rarely left my side, and instinctively knew what would comfort me. She also knew when I needed to be alone and rest. My gratitude for Laura goes beyond words; she was instrumental in my having a peaceful, gentle birth at home. My entire family is grateful for her caring help during our special time." - Kary B.

---