Why Midwifery?
A long time ago a friend mentioned to me her belief that a woman, whether she was 16 or 60, would never forget the birth of her children. When I heard it I realized that bringing another life into this world MUST be UNFORGETTABLE. When it was time for me to have children of my own, I understood the importance of the choices I was about to make. I felt I needed to guarantee that the experience I remembered would be one of peace and LOVE!I come from a very large family and many of my sisters were having natural childbirth
in the hospital. I had one sister tell me of her first birth, which was in the hospital and how she felt during and after the process. She went on to explain her birth experience with her next child, which was a homebirth. The stories could not have been more of a night and day difference. I realized that my choices could create a birth that I could remember with JOY
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All four of my children have been born at home. Two of them were water births (which I absolutely LOVED)! I feel I have created a remembrance for myself of EXACTLY what I wanted in the birth of my children. By doing this, I have been empowered in so many other ways in my life. Granted, birth is not exactly how we plan. By understanding this and fully educating ourselves before and during pregnancy, we can except and find peace with whatever takes place. My wish for all woman is that they will understand the power within themselves to feel this JOY through taking control and having the BEAUTIFUL birth experience they have always wanted.
I am currently taking clients along with my partner, Alicia Waterlyn. Our services are unique in their approach. We regard all aspects of well being during pregnancy. We aid in caring for the physical as well as the emotional and spiritual. We believe that when a woman tends to and is aware of all of the changes that are taking place within her and sees to opening her heart and understanding these changes, phenomenal things can then begin to take shape in her pregnancy, birth and even life thereafter. What we offer will empower a mother with the belief that she, along with her loved ones, will create the pregnancy, labor and birth that she truly desires. 
Inspiring a Mother
Disease and sickness are rampid in our country. We are dying of diseases that are TOTALLY preventable. Obesity now ranks #1 killer in our nation. We have more childhood disease than we have EVER had before.
One of my favorite quotes from a very inspired man which states that "we are digging our graves with our teeth." (President Ezra Taft Benson)
As I watched my clients try so hard to make the needed dietary changes to regain health, I thought to myself that there had to be an easier way. Through my personal experiences, I felt strongly that if I could inspire a mother to make healthy lifestyle changes, then MAYBE she would teach that information to her children. By feeling empowered over herself, she could change GENERATIONS of disease and early death. My hope and prayer is that this can take place.
Doula Services
"Giving birth to a baby is so much more than a physical phenomenon; it engages parents-to-be in a transformational experience, a key life event full of emotion and meaning. A doula who accompanies a woman in labor mothers the mother, taking care of her emotional needs throughout childbirth. A doula also provides support and suggestions for partners that can enhance their experiences of birth. A postpartum doula continues that valuable emotional support and guidance, helping a family make a smooth transition into new family dynamics." (quoted from the DONA website)
During the pregnancy of my second child, I was showing symptoms of pre-eclampsia. It was four days before my due date and my water was broken to induce labor. This was a VERY stressful delivery. The pressure and pain I was feeling seemed to be so intense that I couldn't handle it. One of the apprentices at my birth intuitively knew this and proceeded to help me in any way she could. Through her soothing words and soft touch and focused attention, she aided in keeping me calm and in control. She taught my husband ways that he could be more of a support to me when he didn't have a clue how. It was this situation that led to becoming a doula. I realized my place in being able to offer this same service to other women.
So many times, we have desires that we want met in order to have the birth we really want. Sometimes our husbands don't know how or in what manner to help us. A doula can help in SO MANY ways to aid in the fulfillment of the birth that we desire. I hope I can be this to any couple who might need that support.
I am currently taking doula clients. Here is what I offer.
- 2-3 prenatal vistis (these visits are an ideal time to answer questions and address concerns, as well as to discuss what you want for your birth experience)
- Information as to where you can find all forms of educational material
- Availability to me through phone call or emails anytime
- On-site labor support as soon as you need me
- Additional aid with any concerns after the birth
- Aid in breasteeding after delivery
- Postpartum visit within 3-7 days after delivery
Testimonials from a few of Rachel's clients:
"I had two children previously in a hospital and had never heard of a doula before. Rachel offered her services to me and after experiencing what a wonderful job she did, I highly recommend it to any mom-to-be. It is so nice to have that extra support, one who is there to mother the mother. Rachel provided such great information on diet, lifestyle, alternatives while birthing, and support. She helped me realize I had the power to control how I wanted my birth to be. With her support I decided to try a natural birth. Little did I know that my labor would go so fast and smoothly. Rachel was there and delivered my son in an unplanned situation at home. It was such a wonderful experience! After this great contrast of hospital vs. home, I want to have all my other children at home and hopefully with Rachel as my midwife. Rachel also went the extra mile and wrote a beautiful summary of what my birth had been like. It is something my son and I will treasure. I also learned the truths about circumcision and I'm so grateful for Rachel educating me on that! (and so is my son! ha-ha)! - Bonnie
"I was very glad that we decided to have Rachel at our birth. I really wanted to stay relaxed during labor and she had a calming influence on the situation. Having her nearby gave us confidence and time seemed to go by quickly. I would recommend Rachel to any woman who values the support and encouragement of a competent and experienced woman." - Jamie
"Rachel is an ideal companion for a birthing mother. As a husband it was important to me to be involved during labor. I was very comforted to have someone so experienced with us during the labor; she certainly recognized the important role of a father and helped to create the experience we envisioned." - Ryan
"I went to my Dr. with the idea of trying a VBAC. Rachel was a recomendation that we recieved and I knew from the moment that my husband and I interviewed her that she was the woman for us. This is especially important because my husband was very picky about who he was going to let in to the birth of our second child. All of the contact we had up until about the month before the birth was very informative. The idea of having someone that could do energy work as well as the traditional doula role was very appealing to me and I used it to work through some very real fears of a repeat c-section. This was, in-effect, my body's first birth and so it was a trial and error situation in understand what was real labor and what was just teasing me. I had four bouts of false labor over the last month of my pregnancy and Rachel was very patient with me through it all. (She even sat through 8 hours or braxton hicks with me at the hospital.) Rachel gave (my husband) the direction that he needed to feel really helpful and part of the birth. She knew what I needed through talking before and through some inate ability to just understand and was so supportive and loving and wonderful. I could not have done it without her and hope not to have to in the future. She has become a cherished friend and I am so greatful that I found her. Our lives have been blessed by her involvement." - Alisha
I met Rachel after she provided doula services for my sister. I had my first baby in a hospital but was due 
with my second and was hesitant to experience "normal" hospital procedures in the Provo area. I met with Rachel and one of the midwives she apprentices for and immediately knew that a homebirth was the right thing for me. Rachel was able to act as my midwife under supervision. I always felt confident in her education and ability to act. She empowered me with knowledge, and showered me with positive thoughts about my birth. I feel that she played a large role in my overall health with nutritional counselling and herbal remedies. She was always available to me and went out of her way to help me at a moment's notice. My birth was unforgettable and I would love to have all my future births at home and wouldn't hesitate to call Rachel again for each one. I bled quite a bit after the delivery and I never worried that they wouldn't be able to handle the situation - she acted very quickly and treated me with the dignity and respect that any woman should have. She has become like a sister to me and continues to do all she can to educate and support me in all areas of life. She makes me feel like I did something extraordinary, even if millions of women do the same thing every day.-Jenny
As a Man Thinketh
"All that a man achieves and all that he fails to achieve is the direct result of his own thoughts."
-James Allen
Energy Work
Science has now proven that we are all energy. Einstein showed this truth with his mathematical equation of E=MC2. Through our unique system of charkas, our energy is in constant motion. This aids in homeostasis. When energy becomes stagnant, homeostasis cannot take place. Our own bodies and souls are EXCELLENT healers, and when we give them the tools amazing miracles take place. Energy work is just one of the tools to bring about MIRACLES!
Co-Op Questions
Often times people ask me about the co-op I belong to. It is called Azure Standard and anyone intersted in joining can contact Charlene Stott at 785-0943.
The benefits include getting organic food for a wholesale price.
Here is a link if you want to view the kinds of products that are offered, but again, contact Charlene if you want to join up.
Love the Journey
In January of 2001 I arrived on the path of health through nutrition by reading the book Sugar Blues. I immediately began my transition by eliminating refined sugar from my diet. Within six months I had eliminated all whites (milk, sugar, rice, flour). Within a year I was 100% vegan. My total transition time to raw food was eighteen months.
Looking back on my journey to this point, I do not know that I ever had in mind that I would be a raw or living foodist, or a vegan or vegetarian. I have eaten a 100% raw food diet for almost four years yet I am still transitioning. For me, it has been important to place my emphasis on the journey instead of the destination. My rule of thumb is to pay attention to the signals my body is constantly sending me in determining what I feed it. This takes place as I learn the difference between cravings and true hunger. By listening to those signals, I refuse to label myself, instead my goal is to be the healthiest person I can possibly be. I achieve this goal through constant education and daily meditation.
I would like to emphasize that it has, at times, taken my entire store of self discipline to stay on this path. If I have succeeded, it is because I have discovered a higher purpose along the way. God bless you, and may you find happiness in YOUR journey.
Transitioning Tips
Educating yourself will be one of the best things you can do to stay focused. A good goal for me was trying to read a book a week. Be prayerful as you decide what books to read. Utilize the internet. It is the most inexpensive way to learn! I love it! Here are a few guidelines to help you along the way:
Sugar: This is the first thing I cut out and I believe the most important. You will stop some strong food cravings just by doing so. Read Sugar Blues, by William Dufty and any other book that can teach you about the addictive qualities of sugar. Replace sugar with honey, xylitol, agave nectar, or maple syrup.
Whites: These include rice, breads, tortillas and pastas. Transition these with 100% whole wheat products. With bread, make sure it is honey whole wheat. As time passes, you can make another transition moving into sprouted grains. Once again, read books discussing the side effects of processed foods. A good book is Beating the Food Giants, by Paul A. Stitt. 
Pasteurized Dairy Products: Extremely mucus forming! The book called Milk The Deadly Poison, by Robert Cohen tells of what effects it has on the body. Replace pasteurized milk products with unheated dairy or soy products. Lars Woolsey has state licensed unheated goat and cow milk. It is excellent. His number is: 362-6586
Avoidance of Meat: Try to cut out as much meat as possible. Read books on eating large amounts of meat and the negative effects it has on the body. There are studies that show that 
consuming large amounts of meat can cause cancer. Replace meat with steamed vegetables and squashes. A excellent book that discusses this is called The China Study, by T. Colin Campbell.
As you begin, eat at least a 50 percent raw food diet. That really is not difficult. Replace one meal a day with a large salad. While going through your transition, eliminated more and more cooked food from your diet and replace it with raw food. Also, read as many raw food books as you can (see some great recommendations on the right-hand column of this webpage). Search the internet - there are tons of recipes. Pay attention to how you are feeling. Be grateful for the abundant health and happiness you will be creating for yourself. Remember, this is FUN and EXCITING!!! Enjoy the ride.