My name is Kris Rauschert. I'd like to begin by providing you with my credentials:
- Certified Birth Doula (CD), certified by DONA® International, "the oldest, largest and most respected doula association in the world."
- Leader of the Chicagoland Chapter of Dar a Luz Network, Inc., which is a "non-profit organization dedicated to providing knowledge and
support for women during their pregnancies, births, and early
motherhood".
In the Fall of 2008, I will be completing education to become a
Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator (LCCE). Classes will be soon to follow. Certification will be issued directly by
Lamaze® International.
I have been a Birth Doula since March of 2005, and began helping moms right away. Only six months later, I had the honor of representing Birth Doulas at what would become numerous Baby Fest Weekends, held by Babies "R" Us, at their Schaumburg, Illinois location.
In the Fall of 2005, training provided by La Leche League® International allowed me to become a
Breastfeeding Peer Counselor. Just a few months later, Babies "R" Us asked me if I would provide seminars on breastfeeding. Soon after, at the respectful request of Babies "R" Us, I also provided seminars on Birth Doulas, and eventually Infant Massage.
Infant Massage Instruction was added to my resumé in April of 2007. Not long after, I began offering classes to parents, teaching them how to perform infant massage on their own children. I have personally witnessed the benefits of infant massage, and I am truly amazed at the bonding and security that comes with massage.
In June of 2007, I was the subject of a photographic journal in the print-version of the Northwest Herald newspaper of McHenry County. I felt that it was a wonderful opportunity to expand the exposure of Doulas, and I take great pride in being chosen as the subject for the article.
I was happy to accept an invitation to be a speaker at the 50th Annual La Leche League International Conference held in Chicago, Illinois in July of 2007. At the conference, I taught a condensed infant massage class to lactation consultants, nurses, physicians, childbirth educators, health care providers, parents, and of course, children. I am extremely thankful to the folks at La Leche League International for choosing me to represent infant massage instructors at the 50th Annual La Leche League International Conference.
As a Birth Doula, I have a distinct duty to serve the mother, and her family. As part of that duty, I will do everything I can to create informed clients. Information is a key element of reaching your goals for your birth. Informed clients are better-prepared to address potential complications that may arise during childbirth, and better-prepared to make sound decisions.
Educating clients about the birth process is the foundation of the Birth Plan. The Birth Plan's design is intended to mirror your own wishes for birth, as well as accommodate adjustments to the plan, based on the actual events of your birth. I will help you prepare for, and customize, your birth.
It is my belief that a Birth Doula should provide informational, physical and emotional assistance, be a strong advocate, and dedicated to mother, her partner, and her family. A Birth Doula should be a source of strength, comfort and reassurance.
