My Name is Samantha Griffin I am a certified Birth doula, postpartum doula, lactation counselor and childbirth educator. I am a childbirth and parenting blogger and podcaster as well on my website Chasinglittlebears.com where I provide tons of support for all birthing and parenting families. I live in Redmond Oregon but serve all of the Central Oregon area. I am so fortunate to have been able to work with over thirty families ranging from prenatal support through birth, postpartum, lactation and into parenthood.
You can contact me on my website Chasinglittlebears.com or by email at Contact@chasinglittlebears.com
1. What inspired you to begin your doula journey?
Years back before I chased my birth worker dream I helped support a friend who needed someone to be there for her during labor and childbirth. I had NEVER attended a birth and the only birth’s I had ever been to were my own. I have had three children all by cesarean section so I didn’t really know what to expect as far as labor and delivery but of course said I would be there for her. Arriving I didn’t really know what to do but I just jumped in and did my best to support however I could in that moment. Everything just felt really natural to me and I just felt in the moment the whole time and I didn’t really want the experience to end. After a long labor her baby was born and I remember hearing that baby cry and the room just began to spin and the cry was just so beautiful. I was on a high and in that moment I thought “wow I cannot wait to do this again”. I remember going home and I was exhausted but I just kept replaying the event over and over and said yep, I want to become a Doula.
2. What training and experiences do you have?
I attended Childbirth International and am a certified birth doula and postpartum doula as well as a lactation counselor. I have attended Bebo Mia for childbirth education and will begin my journey into midwifery in the very near future.
3. What is your purpose/mission/style as a doula?
When I think about “purpose” I think about empowerment. My overall goal as a birth worker is to EMPOWER every birthing person and to make them feel that they can do anything that they want to. I want my purpose as a doula to be inspiring, I want to feel that I can make anyone feel capable and brave. My overall goal as a doula is to educate and make every birthing person feel safe and comfortable and strong and just overall empowered. My overall goal is to make a positive impact in the birth world and to help educate people to where they feel strong and capable.
4. What makes you unique as a doula?
I am very animated and honest,I tell it how it is and I am not afraid to be myself around people. I have always had a very bubbly personality which over the years has helped me bond with pretty much anyone who has crossed my path. When someone asks me a question I am very straightforward and tell them what they want to know without sugar coating anything.
5. How do you think doula’s positively impact birth?
I used to think birth was just giving birth. Then I became a doula and I soon realized it was so much more. Doula’s educate, comfort and give the birthing person the power to stand up for themselves and accomplish their birth goals. If they don’t accomplish said goals, they know that they did their best. Doula’s are positively impacting the birth world because we help the family gain that confidence that they CAN do it and that empowerment lasts forever.
6. What advice would you give to someone looking to hire a doula?
The connection is everything. You have to “Feel it” If you do not feel it then it isn’t a good match. The eagerness to answer your questions is everything! Someone who is educated and cares about what you are saying is someone worth having on your birth team.You want someone who is going to encourage and support you no matter what your birth goals are and if they change 100 times. If you can look at that person and think “This person makes me want to learn and makes me feel empowered” then that is a person worth having on your team. Your birth isn’t about us. It is about you and that is all that should matter.