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Beautiful Beginnings of Kingwood Personalized Birth Doula Service
Leigh was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa and followed a long career in the legal and corporate world until moving to the USA in March 1995 with her husband, Neville, and older son, Dylan. She has two children - Dylan (24) and Kyle (8). After Dylan's birth in 1982, Leigh became interested in the psychology and physiology of normal birth as a result of her own experiences and so began her part-time career of supporting pregnant and laboring Moms. Both of Leigh's children were born naturally, with Kyle being the "Bradley®" baby, born in Kingwood, without any interventions or drugs, and following The Bradley Method®. As there was no Bradley® teacher nearby, Leigh and Neville read Dr Bradley's Book - "Husband-Coached Childbirth" and put his ideas into practice for Kyle's birth. After Kyle was born and realizing there was an urgent need for a Bradley® teacher in the Kingwood/Humble/North Houston area, Leigh contacted the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth (A.A.H.C.C.) in California, and booked her training course to become a Bradley Childbirth Educator. Once training was complete in Honolulu, Hawaii, Leigh flew home to Kingwood (just north of Houston) to complete her academic requirements, research and studies for the Bradley Method®. Over the following months, the idea to become a full-time Doula, as well as a Bradley® Instructor, was 'conceived'. After having supporting laboring women for many years in various ways, she attended the DONA training course (Doula's of North America) as a formality. Doula is from the Greek word meaning "slave". Today we use this word to describe a woman attending a woman or a couple in childbirth. As a Doula (professional birth assistant) my job is to bring you information, to give you choices during your pregnancy and birth, to support you mentally and physically, and to "mother" you through your labor and delivery and beyond. As a Doula, my Service Includes the following: The first meeting: I can answer your questions about Doula's and how they can assist you. We can also chat about your attitude toward birth (expectations and fears), your care provider, your pre-natal period, birthing location, expectations for labor, delivery, immediate postpartum, I give you birth plan assistance by explaining the risks and benefits of common procedures so you may strive for the birth that you desire. The second meeting: We go over the plan for laboring at home or your birth place, we review your birth plan and talk about any changes you may wish to make, we discuss and may try any techniques we feel might be helpful in labor (massage, acupressure, aromatherapy, visualization, movement, positions, etc.) Labor and Delivery: I will arrive whenever you deem necessary during your labor. Under normal birthing circumstances, Moms often labor at home as long as they feel comfortable. I accompany you to the birthplace and support you until you deliver your baby and first latch-on has occurred successfully. I take digital photos if you wish and e-mail them to you after the birth. I also chart your labor progress for my records, which I'll share with you. Postpartum: Once you are home, we can schedule an optional postpartum visit or I will follow up with you per phone and e-mail if you prefer. We can exchange ideas on how your birth went - things that you might not remember or things that you are foggy about - a natural consequence of labor ;) I answer any questions you might still have about your birth and make sure you and your family are well taken care of and coping with your new addition. Of course I am available to you at any time for questions and assistance from the time you sign up with me. If you are interested in chatting to me about using a Doula, please e-mail me and we can set up a time to meet.
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Leigh Hudson is the Sole Owner of Beautiful Beginnings of Kingwood.
