Tell us about you.
“My Name is Stacy Higginbotham from Stacy Higginbotham Birth Doula.
I am a certified Birth Doula I live in a small town in Amish country Ohio and usually travel to bigger cities for my service. I have been married to my husband for 12 years and we have three children together, a girl and two boys. I enjoy photography and incorporate that into my doula services if my client wishes. I also love to paint and craft.”
I am a certified Birth Doula I live in a small town in Amish country Ohio and usually travel to bigger cities for my service. I have been married to my husband for 12 years and we have three children together, a girl and two boys. I enjoy photography and incorporate that into my doula services if my client wishes. I also love to paint and craft.”
What drove you into birth work? What was your former career?
“I have been a Doula for three years. Initially, I started out as a medical massage therapist but, after a back injury, I was unable to go back to the field. Ever since I first heard of doula I knew that it was something I wanted to pursue. I have always wanted a large family but with each pregnancy, I had severe Hyperemesis Gravidarum which is a debilitating pregnancy sickness. I spent the majority of my pregnancy in the hospital on the labor and delivery floor. On the bright side, this helped me in the long run as I got to know everything about the monitors and pumps and what everything did. What drove me the most to become a birth doula was that I did not have much control over my pregnancy. I had to take a lot of medications that most people would not if they had a choice. But I knew I was able to control my labor and as a birthing mother, I think it’s vital to be able to have the ability to do just that. I knew I wanted to help these women control their births and birth the way they want.”
What is your favorite thing about Madriella?
“Madriella gives you the tools and knowledge you need to become a successful Doula. When I became certified I knew I was ready to jump into the birth field immediately!”
I know you’ve got a birth story to share. Let’s hear it!
One of the most memorable births was a very young female. she hired me as her Doula. she knew she had nobody and wanted support. Here is this girl young and scared no family, not any friends just me and her and she knew she did not want any interventions. She opened herself to me, an almost complete stranger, and I was able to just hold her and comfort her and tell her everything was going to be ok. I am so grateful to have been able to experience that!
What is your favorite moment of your career so far
Helping with the birth of a Christmas baby! There was something just so special about that!
I absolutely will still being birth work forever! Right now, I am only a birth doula, but in the future I am planning on expanding. when my three children grow and do not need me much anymore I will become a postpartum Doula as well.
Do you have any hobbies or guilty pleasures?
I do not have much down time being a mother to three children and doing birth work but when I do I paint reborn babies! I also love to t.v binge on the I.D. Chanel.
Do you have any words of encouragement for those just starting out?
I would share with someone who is new in the field is it takes time! Don’t get discouraged and don’t be to hard on yourself. Also I never expected the friendships I would create and getting to watch much of the babies I was able to witness come into the world grow and have their birthdays! Its really a special career.
by Toni Hill, CD, PD, AWP, DEM, CLC
Madriella Advisory Board Member & Approved Workshop Provider
Tupelomidwife.com