« Return to About Rachel Index Frequently Asked Questions What are all those initials after your name? My parents are very proud of me for having so many credentials. And actually, I am fairly proud too. I worked very hard to get them. Here is what they mean, and where they are from: CCE - Certified Childbirth Educator, BirthWorks CD (BirthWorks) - Certified Doula, BirthWorks, Labor Doula CD (DONA) - Certified Doula, Doulas of North America, Labor Doula CLE - Certified Lacation Educator, Childbirth and Postpartum Professionals Association CPD - Certified Postpartum Doula, Childbirth and Postpartum Professionals Association CPDT - Certified Postpartum Doula Trainer, Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association Do you have additional trainings, besides those that are certification level programs? Yes, I have taken advanced doula workshops on aromatherapy with a naturopathic physician (Her site is located at theherbpeddler.com.<), Optimal Fetal Positioning, and Birth Balls in Labor & Postpartum from Polly Perez (she wrote "the book on it"!) and Caroline Corning Creager. I also took an overview training seminar on healing energies and their applications in birth--Healing Touch, Reiki and other energy work disciplines. I have also attended professional seminars on High Risk Pregnancy, SIDS and Infant Death prevention… I use an eclectic approach in working with families. I am always looking for new opportunities to grow as a professional in the childbirth arena. No one discipline, especially traditional western medicine, has all of the answers. Every discipline offers a glimpse into how to better serve families. As my client, you don't have to believe in alternative therapies. If an approach will "do no harm" and may be beneficial, I will use it as appropriate. In short, I am constantly adding to my training and always seeking to expand my knowledge base in order to serve my clients in the best way possible. Why do you belong to other organizations besides those you are certified through? I like to be current on research, trends and different approaches to birth and parenting. I am not certified with ICEA, but they have fabulous quarterly journals that I find to be mandatory reading for this line of work. Do you hold any other certifications? Yes, I am also certified in adult, child & infant CPR. Are there any other trainings you have that may be relevant? A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away, I was a volunteer fire fighter for 4 years. While much of the training is not directly related to the birth world, knowing how to cope under stressful situations, team work and many other strategies learned carry over in my work today! Do you belong to any local organizations? I was also Secretary of the Birthing Circle, a group that meets monthly in Frederick, Maryland until 2006. The Birthing Circle is open to pregnant women, new parents, doulas, childbirth educators and anyone interested in birth. Check out the group's website at birthingcircle.org for meeting information! How did you become a childbirth professional? What did you do before this? It was the births of my two precious children that lead me to this path. I originally trained as a childbirth educator, then as a doula and finally as a postpartum doula. The more I learned, the more I wanted to do in the field! Before working with new families and expectant parents, I worked many different jobs. While still a student, I was a volunteer firefighter in Texas, from ages 16-20! I also worked in various business to business positions with customer service, direct marketing (yes, I probably sent you junk mail … I am so sorry!), even resource scheduling and meeting planning. But, I was never happy until I started working in the birth world! Do you have back-up support? Absolutely! Any doula worth her salt should have a solid back-up support protocol. I have a primary back up doula. If you hire me, I give you her name & all her contact information so that if you cannot reach me you are not stranded. I also maintain a list of other backup doulas as well. When can I call you if I am in labor? Call me anytime, anywhere if you are in labor, even if you are in early labor and do not need me yet. I would much rather have a "heads up" call, than to get a call saying "I have been in labor for 5 hours, meet us at the hospital". This allows me to make any rearrangements in my schedule and to be ready to leave at moment's notice to be at your side. Never hesitate to call if you think you are in labor. My phone rings at all hours of the night, and 24-hour on-call status is part of the service you are paying me for! Can you do labor support in my home? I join you when it is your request. I can meet you whereever you would like for me to! Yes! Absolutely! I encourage this! While there, I can help you decide when to leave to go to the hospital. Or, I can meet you at your birthing place… either one is fine with me! If I take your childbirth class, do we still do 2 prenatal visits? I leave this decision up to you. Usually, if you have taken my childbirth class, I have a pretty good idea of "what you want" from your birth based on our prior conversations. If you would prefer, we can just do 1 prenatal to go over your birth plan and any other important details before the big day… What happens if I have my baby early and we don't get both prenatal visits with you? I try to cover all of the most important information in the first prenatal visit, just to cover this possibility. If you do "go early", then I am happy to add a postpartum visit so that it all equals out in the end! After all, I have committed to a certain number of visits with you, it was not your fault that the baby came earlier than expected and I like to be fair! What happens if I have a quick labor? Do I get a partial refund? No one can predict in advance the course of her labor. And, just as it would not be fair to penalize a mother for having a long labor, I cannot "reward" another for having a fast one. Please review my fee structure, you will see that my fee covers more than just attending your labor. How long did you breastfeed your own children? I am a very firm believer in breastfeeding. I also believe in child-led weaning. I breastfed my children until they decided when they were finished nursing. What were your birthing experiences? Both of my vaginal births were unmedicated and without epidural anesthesia. My second birth was hastened via induction with both cytotec and pitocin. Yes, even with an induction, you can birth without pain medications! I felt that my births were positive, empowering experiences. I learned a lot about myself from them. It was the births of my children that lead me to this path. Do you have one or more backup doulas for times when you are not available? May we meet with the backup doula? Yes, I have backups and I provide you with her contact information. Whether you meet with her and if there are any fees incurred for that is up to her discretion. What are your refund policies? As per my contract, refunds are only available if there is a breech of contract on my part. Tell me/us about your philosophy about childbirth and supporting women and their partners through labor. This is explained many times elsewhere in this website. Tell me about your experience as a postpartum doula I have been a postpartum doula since 2000 and a certified postpartum doula trainer since 2004. I have served many types of families, with many different types of needs. What is your philosophy about parenting and supporting women and their families during postpartum? I believe in serving families by providing a positive model, through education and easing the transition into parenthood. I subscribe to the "attachment parenting" model of child rearing that is flexible to your situation. But my overriding philosophy is "As long as it is safe...What works for you, works for me"… "and sometimes it takes a while to figure out what works… that is ok!" What is your experience in breastfeeding support? Extensive. I have been providing breastfeeding education, support and training since 2000. I am also in the process of finalizing certification as a Lactation Educator (completion target date April 2004). I am in the process of documenting my hours towards eventually achieving lactation consultant certification. Have you had a criminal background check and a recent TB test? Do you have current CPR certification? Yes, yes, and yes. I work on a contract basis with Holy Cross Hospital and all of the above are required as per federal regulation. You can see my CPR card on file if requested. What other interests do you have? What are your hobbies? I love science fiction movies, travel and gourmet cooking. I enjoy spending time with my family with simple family activities like going to pick-your own farms or other local educational opportunities. I learn from my children and my marriage each day!