Joyfully birthing

Katya Simon, doula and childbirth educator
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"As women enter the childbearing stage of their lives, they explore the nature of the birthing process, and the choices to be made in childbirth and beyond.  As a doula, my goal is to make sure that the families I work with make informed decisions at important time in their lives, and also that the joy of a birth, the greeting of their baby into the world, stays with the parent(s) in the warm memories of the birth and early weeks of the child's life." - Katya

 

Current member of the:
* Doulas of North America *
*  LAMAZE International *
Active participant in the * NYC Metropolitan Doula Group *
I miss many friends at the * Lafayette Area Doulas * in Indiana!
How did I become a doula?
 
In 2003, I gave birth to my daugher Valentina.  My doula Faith Bontrager did an amazing job for my husband and me, helping us make informed choices in a difficult situation - I was induced for a complication in my pregnancy.  Faith's support did not only help me birth my daughter quickly and without the aid of pain medication, but most importantly I was able to look back at the birth date of my daughter with a sense of accomplishment and calmness.
   
Shortly after becoming a mother, I became active in Live Journal Russian-language parenting communities.  For 2 years, I applied my scientific background (I completed the work towards an MS in chemistry) towards untangling all sorts of pregnancy and postpartum questions.  Often I did extensive research to answer a question to my satisfaction.  The community I put together for parents of infants and toddlers grew to over 3500 users during that time.  That experience allowed me to build a strong background in questions commonly asked by expecting or new parents.
 
It eventually became clear to me that I strongly desired to work with mothers and babies in the context of natural labor.  I called Faith and asked if she was looking for a apprentice.  As it turns out, she was!  At this point, I have attended 25 births, with obgyns and midwives, all in the context of a hospital birth. 
 

To ensure that every family I work with gets all the doula care they desire, I take no more than 2 clients per month.  I do not limit visits and phone calls.  I feel comfortable working with families within 1 hour drive from my house, which includes all of Long Island and much of the NYC metropolitan area.  Please give me a call if you have a question or just want to talk about pregnancy and birth.  I may know something about the hospital or the doctor you are working with, or about the childbirth choice you are considering, and there is no committment involved.  I am looking forward to hearing from you!