Chelle Goodfriend

Chelle Goodfriend

Please click here for a word document of Chelle's answers to DONA's top questions to ask your doula.

1. What do you offer to OC Doula's Customers?
I offer birth doula services, I am also a board certified lactation consultant, childbirth educator and CPR instructor. Though I have taught childbirth, breastfeeding, baby care and infant CPR classes in hospitals all over Orange County, I also offer private classes in the comfort of your own home.

2. Why did you decide to become a doula?
My work as a doula began in 1988 while being a childbirth educator and having many students that would ask me to help them through their labor. After having me guide them through relaxation exercises in childbirth class my students would often say, “if I could just hear your soothing voice during labor I know I would be relaxed.” I was trained as a doula and started helping couples through their pregnancy and births.

3. What are your hobbies or passions?
I love cooking, growing herbs in my garden, sailing, traveling, being in nature, volunteering at birth clinics around the world, and dancing.

4. What is your philosophy about birth?
Birth is a normal physiological process not an illness. Every woman has the innate ability to give birth programmed into her DNA. My job is to help her realize that and to help her tap into her inner wisdom (even though she may not know that wisdom exists.) I believe when women are educated about how their bodies were created to birth and learn how to work with the natural process this gives them the confidence to birth normally.

5. Tell us a little something about your personal life.
I was born and raised in Orange County. I am the Mother of 6 children, 5 boys and 1 girl. So my life is busy, exciting and never boring! My house is always filled with friends and family gathering to enjoy yummy food, good music and lots of laughs. When not at home you will usually find me at the beach or hiking in the canyon or exploring the people and cultures of far away countries.

6. What are your specialties or unique qualities?
I love learning and am always studying something new. I am an aromatherapist, herbalist, have studied Chinese medicine for several years, use homeopathics for pregnancy and birth, and I am skilled at massage. I work with families to clear emotional issues allowing the birth to progress easily and quickly. I have studied various mind/body techniques such as meditation and breathing and relaxation techniques here and in India. I also practice a variety of energy medicine techniques. I kind of have a “dual personality”, I have worked in hospitals my whole career, write articles for medical publications and speak at birth and pregnancy conferences. I like to see scientific evidence regarding pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding. I also use a lot of “alternative” and natural therapies. But I have seen the medical studies on how to incorporate both traditional and natural therapies to get the best outcome for both mother and baby.

Chelle Goodfriend
Certified Doula, Certified Childbirth Educator, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Fertility Specialist

chellegoodfriend@yahoo.com
Tel: (949) 292-5927

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