My name is Elizabeth Akkerman and I am a passionate childbirth advocate. I am an advocate and an ally for birth justice. I believe that every person deserves to feel safe and whole throughout their childbirth journey. My role as a Doula and a Childbirth Educator is to support and empower birthing families with an experienced and nurturing approach.
I believe that birth takes place in the body, mind, and spirit of both mother and child. It is my honor and privilege to safeguard that space for the birthing person and their partner. I have supported families in various birth settings, including hospitals, birth centers and at home. I also have extensive experience assisting VBAC births.
My early education included an apprenticeship with a Licensed Midwife attending home births. This experience coupled with the births of my own children has cultivated a commitment to a holistic approach that encompasses the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of birth.
Elizabeth will assist you in the creation of your birth plan by presenting evidence based information and talking you through all of your birthing options. In this process you will be able to make informed decisions about your intentions for birth.
Elizabeth offers education and classes intended to help birthing families process what is happening leading up to, during, and after the birth of the child. Elizabeth is a Certified Childbirth Educator through the Birthing From Within Method. Elizabeth has completed training with the Bradley Method and Spinning Babies.
Elizabeth will come to your home for prenatal and postpartum visits. These visits will be focused on preparation, connection, and facilitation of resources for birthing families. We will work together to ensure that you feel ready to move into your labor journey and stay connected in the early weeks after your baby is born.
“Elizabeth/Doula Wren was a key ingredient in the success of my labor and delivery. My goal was to go as “intervention-free” as possible. I did not want an epidural, constant monitoring, pitocin, or any other additional drugs if it could be helped. I hoped to keep moving and be more active during labor. My biggest goal was to avoid a C-section. Elizabeth/Doula Wren knew all this coming in.....
“Having Elizabeth by my side as I prepared for my VBAC was a game changer. Her knowledge of birth is seemingly endless and the preparation we did gave me so much confidence. She really took the time to get to know me and understand my hopes for the birth and then guided me in a very tailored way from there. Once I was actually in labor, her calm and intuitive approach was exactly what I needed.....
“In November 2021, only a month or so after finding out I was pregnant I started researching doulas. This was going to be my first birth and my goal was to do it with the least amount of interventions as possible. I knew that just like a marathon, you shouldn’t show up to the race without training. I had the pleasure of being matched with Elizabeth who from the very beginning was warm and put my anxiousness at ease.....
“I have been honored to attend a number of births with Elizabeth and witness her deep capacity in how she shows up whole-heartedly for clients. She shows up consistently with compassion, presence, and grounded support. I have always been impressed with her ability to provide excellent educational and emotional care to clients throughout their perinatal experience.....
“We loved working with Elizabeth for the birth of our son, Charlie. She helped us understand the ins and outs of delivery and birth which helped us feel empowered going into it. Elizabeth knows all the magic labor positions and pain management tools – I had extremely painful back labor and she helped position me to keep me as comfortable as possible before getting the epidural.....
“As a first-time mom, I had a lot of questions about pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Elizabeth’s guidance through my pregnancy was tremendously helpful in preparing for labor. I appreciated how much she cared for both my physical and mental well-being. She helped me negotiate an early labor as well as an unexpected last-minute change in hospitals. Elizabeth helped me breathe through each contraction.....
A Doula provides comprehensive childbirth education, covering thepre-natal, birth, and post-partum periods of parturition. Throughout the birthing process, Elizabeth offers emotional and physical support to both you and your partner, advocating for your needs and desiresevery step of the way.
As a Doula, Elizabeth acts as a liaison between you and the medical providers at the hospital helping to facilitate clear communication.
© 2024 • Doula Wren Birth Doula and Childbirth Education Services
Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy
