Hi, I’m Vanessa. I’m a wife, Mama to 4 kids and a Doula. I love Jesus, laughing, thrift shopping and family dinners - when you’re the oldest of 7 and have your own kids, that means it’s a party! I have lived in New Braunfels, Texas my whole life and can’t imagine “home” being anywhere else.
I tell everyone I meet that being a Doula was never in my plans. I went to college, got a degree and began my career right after getting married. It wasn’t until my first daughter was born that my world began to change. I (reluctantly) became a SAHM when she was 13 months old and I’m so thankful I was brave enough to make that decision. Soon after, baby girl #2 came along and that VBAC birth experience is what opened up a whole new world to my family. The support and care I received with my Midwives throughout her pregnancy and birth amazed me and made me WANT to give birth again! And I did, with twins! Ha. Mama-hood rocked me for 4 years before God led me to my Doula training...phase 2 of being shaken up!
Being able to witness the miracle of birth, a woman become a Mom AND a man turn into a Dad is pretty amazing. It’s also very humbling and has caused me to do A LOT of self examination of who I am as a Mama, wife and woman. Whew! Halfway through my training, I realized that all of the struggles, long days and hard work I had put in with my children were for a bigger purpose. It was time to use my real life experiences to help other families - and becoming a Doula is how it was going to happen!
After 3ish years of Doula work, I’ve had the opportunity to attend over 60 births...and counting! My goal is to be a source of encouragement and support to expectant families whether that be in pregnancy, labor, birth or the postpartum period. I also hope that through sharing childbirth education, knowledge and resources, I can help parents step into their roles with more understanding and confidence. Overall, I just want to be a blessing to anyone that crosses my path as I follow this calling into birth work.
-Vanessa
