meet mary

Hi! I'm Mary, a mother of four and a Holland native who finds joy in traveling and embarking on adventures with my family. My birth journey has been both challenging and rewarding, defined by two cesarean deliveries and two successful vaginal births after two cesareans (VBA2C), all made possible with the comforting support of my birth team, including a birth doula!

​

My path to becoming a doula began after my first child was born unexpectedly via cesarean delivery. I approached my pregnancy with little preparation and a 'wing-it' mentality, which left me feeling uninformed about the options available regarding my maternity care.

 

After my firstborn arrived, I struggled with breastfeeding, feeling pressured to adhere to a strict pumping schedule to increase my milk supply. As a new mother healing from major surgery, I felt overwhelmed, exhausted, and anxious in my adjustment to motherhood. When my second daughter was born, I faced yet another cesarean, and I felt deeply disheartened, longing for the best possible birth experience for my child and me. These feelings of dissatisfaction fueled my desire to learn more about my options moving forward.

 

As I explored my choices, I discovered the invaluable role of a birth doula. I instantly felt a connection to its purpose: to support and empower families through the journey of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, offering a helping hand and a listening ear when it matters most.