Petals or thorns? It's all in how you look at a rose. Beautiful or messy? It's all in how you look at birth. What a blessing and craziness the past four weeks have been. Three beautiful baby girls entered the world and I was fortunate to provide doula support for each one.

The first, the perfect birth all doulas desire: Mom and Dad were a great team, Mom was gracious enough to allow her mother-in-law to experience the birth (not Mom's first choice), kind and patient nurses attended, when Mom was nearly through transition and felt she could not go on I was Provided with the right words and encouragement so today she confidently knows she birthed her own baby, in her own way, and without intervention. A wonderful birth.

The second birth, three days later, was again wonderful. A Dad home on R&R got to meet his baby girl immediately instead of six months from now. Mom was a picture of strength and sacrifice for her daughter, laboring with pitocin, without an epidural (save one hour of labor), and with a broken rib. In the end she progressed from 4 to 10 in one hour. Her perfect baby girl is such a blessing.

Baby girl number three made her entrance into the world in her own bedroom, in a warm tub, surrounded by her daddy, sister, aunt, grandma, and two great-grandmas. Again, what a blessing to see a Mom and Dad work so perfectly as a team. She is absolutely beautiful and quite possibly being snuggled 24 hours a day!

The blessings continued this month as another client, already doing all she can for herself and her baby, found a place for birth that fits her needs and desires. One of my very first clients announced a second pregnancy - yah for repeat clients! And a third mom, who is need of extra support, accepted my help when I reached out to her.

The life of a doula is emotionally fulfilling, yet draining at the same time. What a privilege I have to support women through a vital point in life. What a gift to have a supporting husband and children. I am richly blessed.