Want a positive, empowering birth?I'm here to help you!
Do you want an empowered birth?
Do you want to be heard and have options? Do you want to have a birth that you are excited to share and talk about? I have lived in Bozeman for over 22 years. I am the owner, home birth midwife and primary doula at Saddlepeak Birth, as well as the primary assistant midwife and back-up midwife at the Bozeman Birth Center. I been involved in local and regional midwifery organizations for over 10 years. I began my journey in birth work in 2013 when I discovered my passion for birth and for the autonomy of women, when I attended my first home birth. It was in 2013 that I started my midwifery training at Midwives College of Utah, as well as my passionate career as a birth doula. My passion continues to grow with every birth that I have the honor of attending. I highly believe in women, in their bodies, and in their babies. I believe that women should be powerfully informed and a be given evidence-based information to make the decisions that are right for their family. I acknowledge and honor the authority of the father in the sacred birth space. I believe every birth should be powerful. I believe every birth is life-changing. I believe every birth should be empowered and celebrated. To every one of my precious families… I want you to know, I find no greater joy in this life than the moment a mother holds her baby for the first time and realizes that birth is normal, birth is powerful, birth is the hardest thing she will ever do in her life, and she just did it! It doesn’t get much better than that! and what an honor to be the person that gets to behold this miracle with her! |
Photo Credit: Natalie Zepp Photography
My Credentials
|
My birth stories changed my life, my identity and my calling as a birth worker. They made me who I am today. Don't every disregard your story and feel it just needs to happen. Your story and the emotions around it will change your life and stay with you until the day you are no more. Choose empowering care, choose safety, choose a skilled team to walk beside you.
Zoey's Hospital Birth Story
Photo Credit: Mi Di Photografi
|
After finding out we were pregnant, my husband and I started the planning process. We decided that we were going to labor at home and head up to the hospital just before Zoey arrived. We had a detailed birth plan, a kick- butt doula, and our hospital bag packed. Nothing was going to get in our way....until February 16th rolled around. After 22 hours of labor I was 8 cm dilated so we headed up to the hospital. After getting checked, I had regressed to 1 cm. Back home we went to labor some more...... After another 6 hours of labor I was 7 cm so we headed back up to L&D ..... again! After being checked...I had regressed to 4 cm.
I was so discouraged at this point. I was ready to give up, my husband felt totally helpless, and our doula was giving us her whole heart to try and get us through our birth naturally. My third time through transition about killed me (or at least it felt that way). Somehow, by the grace of God and wisdom of our doula, we made it. After being in early labor for 19 hours and active labor for 17 hours we had our daughter in our arms. We were able to make it through without medication, but it was the hardest thing I have ever done. Nothing else ended up as planned. I ended up tearing horribly because I rushed the pushing process (I knew better), I had to get an IV, I had to receive medication for the bleeding, I was put on pain medication, and we had to spend 3 days in the hospital. I was within minutes of needing a transfusion because I bled so much. |
From this process I learned how powerful a woman truly are. I learned that birth rarely goes the way you expect! I learned to be flexible. And the most valuable take away from my birth..... NEVER go into it without an amazing, skilled, knowledgeable support team!!!
Zander's Home Birth Story
Photo Credit: Saddlepeak Birth and Infinity Photography
|
and said, "This can't be labor, babe. But if it is warming up we better get some rest."From the moment I felt Zander's presence for the first time, I knew he was meant to be. His process felt so different. I had a vision about him and knew he was a warrior. Not a harsh warrior, but one of mercy and fierce but gentle power. The whole pregnancy was different. I had extreme nausea, but earlier and for a shorter period. Complications with blood pressure because of stress. Changes of care providers 4 times. So many moments that worked on my practice of surrender. Surrender to the process... surrender to pain... surrender of my intuition... surrender to the whole process.
My planning primarily went into preparing my heart and my postpartum to care for my body and soul. Lots of quiet moments commenced. Herbs were prepped... oils were made... and lots of sleep found us. My preparation for sweet Zander was a gift I will never forget. The whole day was relaxation and many almost unnoticeable contractions found us as we cleaned, watched movies, cuddled, and rested. At 10 pm I just couldn't sleep, so I found my way into my husband who was also sitting awake feeling the energy. I asked if we could sit and talk. As the contractions became more noticeable I just chatted and lounged with him talking and having a wonderful, late night babymoon date together. |
As we neared midnight my husband suspiciously pulled out his phone and told me he was going to record my contractions. By the time the 30th rolled around, he informed me they were 4-6 minutes apart. I laughed
As we turned off the light I tried my best to follow the advice I give my mamas.... REST. By the time 12:30 rolled around I could no longer lay down. "Man, this is some powerful practice contractions." I thought to myself as I pridefully stood up to let them do their magic. I then proceeded to do my warm up in the shower, in the hallway, and in the living room by the beautifully lit Christmas tree. I even said to myself, "Dang these hurt so bad. They feel real, but maybe I am just over exaggerating. I will just do these alone because I don't have anyone to perform for." As the waves found me stronger and more frequent... I woke my husband who proceeded immediately to call our midwife. As I got on the phone I cried to her and said, "These hurt so bad. They are every 2-3 minutes but they can't be real.... there is no blood. I am going to feel so stupid being a birth worker if this is false labor and I have you come over." As my sweet midwife smiled... she transmitted such confidence through the phone as she said, "You are never stupid and I am getting on my clothes."
An hour later she made her way into the house around 3:30am and my husband quietly started to set up the birth tub. She checked me and said, "Well done! you are 5cm." I about came out of my skin. 5 cm!!!! Take me to the hospital.... I need to be 9cm. With this comment everyone jumped in and followed me to the toilet as I powerfully moaned and found my deep, roar and my seemingly scattered rhythm. By the time I had yelled despirately that I need the birth tub filled... Donald informed me it was only 7 inches filled at 4:45. I didn't care at this point and inched my way between contraction in at a pace that seemed excruciatingly slower than a slug. Alas the water surrounded me... sweet relief. Then the next wave came upon me and I realized nothing... not even the water was helping. So I once again dug deeper and knew I had to surrender. When 5:05 rolled around I yelled for everyone to call my doula and photographer. Donald, understandingly, obliged and called the photographer. By the time my midwives checked me I only had a lip and could feel my baby descend into the final stretch.
My final words found me, as my husband reluctantly placed the phone aside knowing he hadn't been able to get the doula called... " Donald get in here or you aren't catching him." My amazing husband climbed into the tub as my first push unexpectedly came over me as an uncontrollable rage. With the next wave I reached inside and, for the first time, connected with my son through the viel. Powerful, powerful, powerful. Each of the next waves will forever stay burned onto my heart story. My midwife gently placed her hand on my hideous scar that reminded me of my last traumatic birth. She protected my scar, my hurt, my trauma, and my fear and gave it and my heart permission to be in this birth.... to stretch... to heal. As my husband placed his hand below hers and I placed mine above hers we all protected my current story. We allowed it to happen slowly and beautifully... full of belief, empowerment, and power. I changed my pushed to the word "Baby" which allowed his head to ease out over the slowest 7 minutes ever. As his head emerged, fully present, I pushed my body aside for him to enter the veil. As we gazed upon the first pieces of his greatness, our photographer walked in the door and quietly began capturing the most powerful moment of my life to date. PS: I am so grateful she made it. My heart could rest that this would be captured.
Continuing his story... his head rested there during my break, as myself and his daddy stroked his beautiful black hair. At 5:13 in what seemed like a blaze of time, as his body finally arrived I was overtaken with the power and his mighty presence. My husband and I had done the whole thing with a few gentle moments from our midwives. Tears and breathless thanksgiving flooded into my space as I fumbled my way through pain, joy, laughter, disbelief, and utter amazement. I gazed upon my promised, mighty, quiet, gracious son. Immediately we knew he wasn't a Liam.... He was out sweet Zander. The hours after his arrival were quiet, sweet, and empowering. We snuggled in our bed, ate amazing food, rested in the care of our birth team, and beyond fell in love with our son. And guess what.... I didn't even need stitches. I DID IT!! WE DID IT!!! What a start to an amazing postpartum journey. Empowered... I rested and amidst the healing...once again grew as a mom, grew as a midwife, grew as a doula, and fell in love with myself and my story once again.
As we turned off the light I tried my best to follow the advice I give my mamas.... REST. By the time 12:30 rolled around I could no longer lay down. "Man, this is some powerful practice contractions." I thought to myself as I pridefully stood up to let them do their magic. I then proceeded to do my warm up in the shower, in the hallway, and in the living room by the beautifully lit Christmas tree. I even said to myself, "Dang these hurt so bad. They feel real, but maybe I am just over exaggerating. I will just do these alone because I don't have anyone to perform for." As the waves found me stronger and more frequent... I woke my husband who proceeded immediately to call our midwife. As I got on the phone I cried to her and said, "These hurt so bad. They are every 2-3 minutes but they can't be real.... there is no blood. I am going to feel so stupid being a birth worker if this is false labor and I have you come over." As my sweet midwife smiled... she transmitted such confidence through the phone as she said, "You are never stupid and I am getting on my clothes."
An hour later she made her way into the house around 3:30am and my husband quietly started to set up the birth tub. She checked me and said, "Well done! you are 5cm." I about came out of my skin. 5 cm!!!! Take me to the hospital.... I need to be 9cm. With this comment everyone jumped in and followed me to the toilet as I powerfully moaned and found my deep, roar and my seemingly scattered rhythm. By the time I had yelled despirately that I need the birth tub filled... Donald informed me it was only 7 inches filled at 4:45. I didn't care at this point and inched my way between contraction in at a pace that seemed excruciatingly slower than a slug. Alas the water surrounded me... sweet relief. Then the next wave came upon me and I realized nothing... not even the water was helping. So I once again dug deeper and knew I had to surrender. When 5:05 rolled around I yelled for everyone to call my doula and photographer. Donald, understandingly, obliged and called the photographer. By the time my midwives checked me I only had a lip and could feel my baby descend into the final stretch.
My final words found me, as my husband reluctantly placed the phone aside knowing he hadn't been able to get the doula called... " Donald get in here or you aren't catching him." My amazing husband climbed into the tub as my first push unexpectedly came over me as an uncontrollable rage. With the next wave I reached inside and, for the first time, connected with my son through the viel. Powerful, powerful, powerful. Each of the next waves will forever stay burned onto my heart story. My midwife gently placed her hand on my hideous scar that reminded me of my last traumatic birth. She protected my scar, my hurt, my trauma, and my fear and gave it and my heart permission to be in this birth.... to stretch... to heal. As my husband placed his hand below hers and I placed mine above hers we all protected my current story. We allowed it to happen slowly and beautifully... full of belief, empowerment, and power. I changed my pushed to the word "Baby" which allowed his head to ease out over the slowest 7 minutes ever. As his head emerged, fully present, I pushed my body aside for him to enter the veil. As we gazed upon the first pieces of his greatness, our photographer walked in the door and quietly began capturing the most powerful moment of my life to date. PS: I am so grateful she made it. My heart could rest that this would be captured.
Continuing his story... his head rested there during my break, as myself and his daddy stroked his beautiful black hair. At 5:13 in what seemed like a blaze of time, as his body finally arrived I was overtaken with the power and his mighty presence. My husband and I had done the whole thing with a few gentle moments from our midwives. Tears and breathless thanksgiving flooded into my space as I fumbled my way through pain, joy, laughter, disbelief, and utter amazement. I gazed upon my promised, mighty, quiet, gracious son. Immediately we knew he wasn't a Liam.... He was out sweet Zander. The hours after his arrival were quiet, sweet, and empowering. We snuggled in our bed, ate amazing food, rested in the care of our birth team, and beyond fell in love with our son. And guess what.... I didn't even need stitches. I DID IT!! WE DID IT!!! What a start to an amazing postpartum journey. Empowered... I rested and amidst the healing...once again grew as a mom, grew as a midwife, grew as a doula, and fell in love with myself and my story once again.
Averee's Bozeman and Livingston Doula Package
If you choose Averee to walk beside you as your birth doula you will get the below package.
- Over 10 years of knowledge and birth room skills
- Doula services prenatally, during labor and birth, and into the postpartum period
- 2 Prenatal meetings to discuss all of your options in the birth space, birth bag prep, working as a team, partner involvement, and labor tricks
- Discussion of all your major birth decisions as parents for you and your baby
- Birth plan creation if you desire to make one
- On-call in person for your birth from 36.5 weeks through birth
- On-call by phone through 6 weeks postpartum
- Breastfeeding support during the immediate postpartum and into postpartum
- Infant craniosacral therapy at the first postpartum meeting if desired
- Access to the lending library and information library at Saddlepeak Birth
- 1-2 in person postpartum meetings for emotional and informational support postpartum
Want to book the best doula in town? Want to be empowered and take charge of your birth experience?
I would love to sit down for coffee or tea and discuss your needs and desires. I can't wait to meet you and work with your family.
Click below to book a meeting with Averee
I would love to sit down for coffee or tea and discuss your needs and desires. I can't wait to meet you and work with your family.
Click below to book a meeting with Averee