My name is Christy Parish. I am a Doula and a proud Military Spouse. We currently are located in Shiloh, Illinois. I am available for Labor Support at many of the hospitals the St. Louis Metro area, birthing centers, or in your home. I am also available to provide Prenatal and Postpartum Support in your home, for you and your family.
My love for birth started before I ever even had children and I have always been fascinated by the whole process. I loved being pregnant and enjoyed the experience that I had with my own pregnancies and births, but I know now that I would have really enjoyed and appreciated the help of a doula. When I had my own babies, I was told to lay in bed. So, that is what I did because I didn't realize I had other options. Little did I know, I had many more options and would have loved the opportunity to labor in my own way. If only I knew then what I know now.
In 2002, I worked in Labor and Delivery at an Army Hospital in Germany as a Med Tech. As a Tech, I provided the support of a Doula and much more. This is where I first learned about Doulas and fell more in love with the whole birth process. In 2004, I completed a DONA Doula training course and requirements. While living in New Mexico in 2005, I was one of 19 doulas in a doula practice at one of the local hospitals. With the hospital, I completed many other training requirements as well. I work there for 7 months before moving back to Germany. Once back Germany, I worked as a private Doula for the military families in the area. In 2008, we returned to the states an are currently in Northern VA, where I practice as a private doula. Since 2002, I have attended over 75 special birthdays.
In addition to my DONA Doula training and Labor & Delivery experience, I birthed two beautiful children. One with an epidural, and one without, and successfully breastfed both of them. In 1999, I was trained as an EMT and have also worked many years as a Medical Assistant. I also have 3 years experience in home daycare and have training in breastfeeding, childcare, and child development, and am currently a nursing student working towards my BSN/RN. I take pride in having helped a desperate mother with a six day old baby who wouldn't breastfeed (mother was feeding her with a syringe), who after my help, went on to breastfeed for well over a year.
As a Doula, I do not preform medical duties. Please feel free to contact me for more information. I look forward to assisting the parents of Northern Virginia with my knowledge, skills, and heart, to help them achieve a safe and satisfying birth experience!
*Having a doula to assist during childbirth is highly recommended by healthcare professionals, mothers, fathers or birth partners, no matter how much support you may have. Enlisting the services of a doula would also be a great recommendation for mother's who's spouses or partners are deployed, or if you are a single parent.
Providing Professional Doula Services to the Families of Southern Illinois and the St. Louis Metro area
