We've chosen our doula!  Her name is Linzi, and she has an accent.  I assure you, that is not the reason we chose her, though it didn't hurt.  It sounds British; I'll have to find out later exactly where she's from.

She has three children, two hospital births and the youngest a home birth with a midwife.  It was not until she had the home birth that she was able to recognize how harmful her in-hospital births had been.  She became a doula because she believes every woman should feel how empowering childbirth can be when they are allowed to birth naturally with themself and not doctors behind the wheel of a process that their body was meant to perform.  What I LOVED was when she said, "I know it sounds dumb, but I feel that if more women were able to birth this way, it could change the world!"  I loved this because it's how I get whenever I am passionate about something.  I've probably said just about that same phrase.  I know I've at least felt it before - many times in fact.  It was so honest and heartfelt, and it caused me to feel a strong kinship with her.

Additionally, she is a CPT (certified personal trainer) and specialized in prenatal fitness.  She looks at preparing for labor "just at you would a marathon or triathlon".  Holy cow!  I have said those exact words many, many times.  She believes both the body and mind have to be trained for the act.  Again!  I'm right there with her. 

People have told me that it's important that you 'click' with your doula, and boy, I felt like I was meeting myself!  I even found myself thinking, 'maybe I should become a doula'.  Anything's possible.  Dan just shakes his head and says, "Let's just get through this birth first". ;)         

Long story short, Dan and I both really liked her.  Pickle and PongoMan were also fans and loved on her the whole time she was at our house.  She's also worked with the Witches before, and they really liked her, so I'm happy to know our 'birthing team' already has an established relationship.

It's getting closer!!  And I can't wait!