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Giving birth can be beautiful

Hi, I'm Anne Kathryn. As a birth and postpartum doula in Genoa, Italy, I'm passionate about helping you have the birth of your dreams.

Whether you are looking for support in preparation for childbirth, an encouraging presence during labor, or support in adjusting to life with your new baby, I'd be honored to be there for you.

Wait, what is a doula, anyway?

Imagine that you are traveling to a new land. A doula is like a tour guide. And we can carry stuff for you. So you can focus on the amazing views.

“Birth is not only about making babies. Birth is about making mothers. Strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and know their inner strength.”
— Barbara Katz Rothman

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Birth is powerful

because not only are you giving birth to a new baby, but you are also giving birth to a new you. Read more about how I can support you in your journey into parenthood here:

 
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About Anne Kathryn

In 2017 I completed my doula certification through Mondo Doula, a doula school which focuses on learning active listening techniques, honoring each mother as a unique individual and intuiting her needs, and practical ways of inspiring calm and relaxation during birth and postpartum.

In 2021 I completed my Lactation Counselor (LC) certification through Childbirth International. I am quite fascinated with how breastfeeding works and am happy to share information with mothers that can help them reach their personal breastfeeding goals.

I have a master's degree in Language and Literacy at the Harvard Graduate School of Education in Cambridge, Massachusetts. My courses included topics such as Language and Cognition in Bilingualism, how culture affects reading comprehension, and research in learning disabilities. 

My bachelor's degree is in Spanish Literature from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee. I also studied Latin American culture and literature in the Dominican Republic.

I am proud of my studies and certifications, but my most valuable gifts and talents cannot be learned in a classroom. My intuition, compassion, and the ability to note shifts in energy make me a good doula and a good teacher.

 

 

On the blog....

Featured
It's not about having an easy child or being an easy mother: it's about breathing
It's not about having an easy child or being an easy mother: it's about breathing

I chose to respect (if that is the word) her napping time, her early lunch schedule, her early bedtime. I often left my showers or waxing behind. Then I went back to work. Then I took care of more issues. No, I did not go on carefree holidays thinking that the time with my newborn was sacred. I actually most often have thought that that time was exhausting.

Motherhood stories: The day we became us
Motherhood stories: The day we became us

There hasn't really been an "us" for the first two years. There has always been, on the contrary, a clear, strong, self-affirmative "her". Even before she was born: her legs kicking all over my tummy, her jumps of fear when I would place my hands under that noisy automatic hand-dryer she didn't like. Her hiccups, rhythmic like a gentle tennis match, her disappointment when I would sleep on the side she didn't want me to.

When our baby girl was born it reminded me of how I felt when my dad died. Here's why.
When our baby girl was born it reminded me of how I felt when my dad died. Here's why.

Maria Elena was born at home. In the most perfect way. I think my dad helped. He even made sure it was on a Saturday morning and the bakery was open so we could all have croissants while the sunlight streamed in through the windows. And there they were, the same feelings of awe that I felt at my dad’s passing, I felt at Maria Elena’s birth. Everyone was quiet, we knew the moment was sacred, we knew something big had just happened. I wondered where she came from, I reassessed my life. Gave thanks for my babies and my husband and for each breath I take.

The powerful birth of Irene
The powerful birth of Irene

I was going, I couldn’t stop. Energy came from somewhere inside me, even when it seemed endless. I remember that, ironically enough, the only word I said in between pushes was “Mamma.”

A book about Infant Massage taught me the most valuable parenting lesson
A book about Infant Massage taught me the most valuable parenting lesson

One particular passage in this book was about a mother who couldn't understand why her baby cried during their entire massage, every time. The author asked about her baby's daily routine, and found out that she and her baby spent most of the day apart.

Book Review: Siblings Without Rivalry
Book Review: Siblings Without Rivalry

I read this book when my two kids were really small, and I started applying what I learned right away. The methods that the authors suggest for helping each child feel special and understood are still effective for me 6 years later.

Book review: The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by La Leche League
Book review: The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by La Leche League

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, a publication by La Leche League, is a must have for breastfeeding mothers!

Getting ready to breastfeed: What do I need to know?
Getting ready to breastfeed: What do I need to know?

I enjoyed chatting with midwife and lactation consultant Amberley about breastfeeding frequently asked questions. Here is our recorded interview. Thank you Amberley!

Embracing life postpartum (it's all postpartum from here, honey)
Embracing life postpartum (it's all postpartum from here, honey)

So maybe we can embrace postpartum, embrace life as a parent, asking for help when we need it, giving thanks for this grand opportunity to grow and learn and rethink some of the rules and customs of our grandparents. We might even (gasp!) change a few things. Because, yes, sleeping in on weekends and having alone time was really wonderful and luxurious, but with the right kind of support system, postpartum can be amazing, too.

How to heal from or avoid birth trauma: interview with therapist Sarah Picken from Sacred Healing
How to heal from or avoid birth trauma: interview with therapist Sarah Picken from Sacred Healing

Sarah explains how the nervous system is like a cup, and how every experience that we go through fills our cup. When our cup is full, we are more susceptible to trauma.