Blessed Birth Services (757) 896-9809 or (757) 622-2791 Southeast Virginia's Homebirth Resource

Christine Morales

Christine L. Morales, CD (DONA) --helping women and their loved ones experience the joy of childbirth-- Hampton, VA (serving all areas from Va Beach to Williamsburg) 757.851.7371 cell: 757.303.5775 morales.birthdoula@verizon.net

I am the mother of four fantastic boys, ages 1 to 10 (as of this posting in the fall of 2007). In spite of the hospital setting, the birth of my first son was an empowering (and drug-free) experience that involved almost no medical intervention (such as an IV or electronic fetal monitoring). This was possible because of our efforts at educating ourselves in advance of the birth and making decisions about how we wanted ourselves and our baby treated. I also made sure I surrounded myself with loving people who understood and supported my goal of a natural birth. Our second son was born with the attendance of midwives, in a Jacuzzi, in a birthing center in Norfolk. My third child was born 5 weeks premature because of suspected preeclampsia. His birth was induced and therefore required me to be subjected to continuous monitoring and an IV. But I was determined to have another drug-free birth--and I did. My fourth son was born back in that same Jacuzzi, with midwives, this time with the love and support of my doula, Robin Weisbrod.

My experience birthing our first son in 1997, contrasted with the stories told to me by so many women who were unhappy with their birth experiences, inspired me to want to help others have the most joyful birth experience possible. I completed my training with Penny Simkin (who I like to call the “ultimate doula”) while pregnant with my second child and became certified through DONA.

It is my honor and privilege to share in the birth of a new life. Please call or e-mail (morales.birthdoula@verizon.net) to set up a free consultation. Once hired, my services include the following: emotional support during pregnancy (by phone and e-mail); handouts, videos/DVDs, CDs, etc. on a variety of issues relating to birth and breastfeeding; use of a birth ball for the latter part of pregnancy and during labor; one or two face-to-face meetings near the due date to go over the birth plan, comfort measures, pain medication preferences (if relevant), hopes, fears, etc.; visit with mother to her care provider and/or hospital tour, if relevant; 24-hour on-call availability beginning two weeks before the due date; continuous support during labor and delivery and the first hour or two afterward; one postpartum visit; and a detailed birth story. I have back-up doulas available if needed.