My Instinctual Birth
Birth Doula in Phoenix, Arizona
“We have a secret in our culture, and it’s not that birth is painful. It’s that women are strong.” ‒ Laura Stavoe Harm
HELLO THERE!
I want to support you to feel powerful, safe, and informed at every step along the way. I want your heart to flutter when asked to recall your birth for feelings of safety, love, and forever nostalgia of the beautiful day you where offered your body and gave life to your baby.
MY INSTINCTUAL BIRTH
Birth Doula, Birth Photography, & Childbirth Education
Our mission is to remind families that pregnancy & childbirth are not illnesses, or conditions, it is a natural process that our bodies are hardwired for. Trust the process, trust the emotions, and even trust the pain.
Pain is NOT the same as suffering, and any birth can be an empowering and joyful experience with the right birth team and mindset.
Services & Prices
What is a Doula?
A birth Doula is a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support before, during and after childbirth.
What does Doula support look like?
Doulas may provide physical support such as pressure, soothing touch, massage, and embrace. I strive to create a calm environment where the birthing person is feeling nourished and powerful.
Utilizing encouragement, praise, optimistic thinking, and my informational presence, I work to guide you through the emotional "rollercoaster" of labor.
l strive to provide you with enough evidence-based information and compassionate support that you feel confident embracing birth and trusting your body's innate ability.
A Doula is NOT a healthcare professional and does not perform any clinical tests or checks. Doulas do not diagnose or prescribe any medications or conditions.
As a Doula, I do NOT speak on your behalf, but I can encourage you to ask questions and speak up for your wants.
What does a Doula not do?
What does the evidence say about Doulas?
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25% decrease in the risk of Cesarean; the largest effect seen was 39% decrease
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8% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth
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10% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief
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38% decrease in the baby’s risk of a low five minute Apgar score
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31% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience
In 2017, Bohren et al. published an updated Cochrane review on the use of continuous support for women during childbirth. They combined the results of 26 trials that included more than 15,000 people. To read more about this collection of studies, click here: Cochrane Review
What is the Maternal Mortality Crisis?
Black women in the US are 3-4x more likely to die from pregnancy or childbirth than women of any other race.
Multiple factors contribute to these disparities such as:
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variation in quality healthcare
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underlying chronic conditions
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structural racism
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implicit bias
2021 Statistics of the Maternal Mortality Rates, CDC
National Mortality Rate = 32.9 deaths per 100,000 live births
Non-Hispanic White women = 26.6 deaths per 100,000 live births
Non-Hispanic Black women = 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births
To meaningfully improve Black maternal health outcomes, we need systemic change that starts with the health care system improving access to care and making the places Black women live and work healthier, more fair, and more responsive to their needs. Learn about this crisis, read about it, tell your friends, share it on social media. Get the word out.
CONTACT
Taylor Frank
@myinstinctualbirth
My Instinctual Birth
Text or Call: 602-418-9173