Meet Sydney
Hi! I'm so happy you found Devoted Birth, I'm Sydney, the doula. I live in Indianapolis with my husband and daughter. I am a stay at home mom when I am not being a doula. Here are some fun facts about me!​
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My favorite pastime is talking to people
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I am training for a duathlon in the Fall
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I make an iced latte every morning
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I enjoy playing golf
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I cloth diaper our baby (most of the time ) :)
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I love making and eating sourdough bread
Why Devoted Birth?
When I was pregnant with my first baby, Margaret, I was fascinated and so excited for labor and birth. I studied some 80 hours of a birth course in preparation for her arrival. When I was about 38 weeks, I thought my water broke while I was at work so I went in to get checked. While there, baby's heartbeat decelled and I was then instructed to just walk to labor and delivery to have our baby. Excited and also frustrated, we walked over. I knew this would mean induction.
Through an intervention heavy labor, I delivered my beautiful baby girl unmedicated in the bright hospital room, hooked up to machines, completely opposite of my birth plan. Yet, I was still met with the most incredible experience imaginable. While in pain and unexplainable joy of delivering Margaret, I couldn't help but realize how divine the whole process was. No matter how out of control my birth plan was, I was able to see so clearly how perfect God's plan was. This was God's design and I was His great cooperator in it all. How blessed was I to be able to experience this beautifully chaotic birth. In reflecting on my experience, I saw my birth as a devotion not only to God, but my family.
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I was inspired to become a doula to help families through the challenges of labor and birth. I hope to show mothers how birth is not a medical issue to be scared of or to fix quickly but rather a process that was designed perfectly by the one who created us.
The Doula Difference
What is a doula?
When asked the question, "what is a doula?" I have a hard time finding a precise sentence to describe what a doula is and rather, find myself listing the many things a doula does. However, in the simplest terms, a doula is a birth helper. The word doula actually comes from the greek root, "doule" which means female servant. As a birth helper, a doula can provide all kinds of comfort and support to help you birth safely and positively.
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There are many things a doula can do for you during labor and birth. When you begin active labor, your doula will meet you in your birth space whether you are having a homebirth, birth center, or hospital birth. In active labor, your doula will provide you with comfort measures, position changes, physical assistance, and emotional support. The scope of what a doula does is so vast and individual to each mama and birth. Every experience is different, that a doula shows up for all the details, big and little, to help you feel cared for and confident in one of the most important events in your life.
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It's important to think about your birth space before finding a doula. When you think about what you want your labor and delivery to be like, you should be looking for a doula that will organically fit in that space.
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As a doula, my personality fits authentically into my role in the birth world. Others have described me as having a maternal spirit and a compassionate heart. I am an oldest daughter, and find myself acting as a big sister to friends and family. I am fiercely loyal and protective of the ones I care for. I am passionate about my faith, caring for others, and birth. In my training, I learned about the entire physiological birth process, and understand the intricate yet safe birthing process that can happen with the right support. I value natural care over systematic processes. I am confident in finding alternative solutions with providers and advocating for my clients needs. I love serving others in big and small ways, whether that is running to get you your first postpartum meal, translating medical language, or braiding your hair, I am here for it all.
While, I LOVE babies, I have found myself wanting to care for the mothers that bring them into the world. In a time when everyone is excited to check on baby, I will be the one checking on YOU, mama. You need care in ways you might not know yet or maybe this is your second, third or so on, time around and you're looking for it after not having it. Whatever the case is, I will be there for you.