Nancy Palmer

Nancy Palmer

1. How long have you been a doula?
I became a doula in June of 2003, however since 1998 I have been helping friends and family.

2. Why did you decide to become a doula?
For many years I had a dream of helping women especially with childbirth, but wasn't willing to really take the necessary steps to realize those dreams. It took a life altering event, a tragedy of the worst kind, to make me understand that if I trust-then we will be shown the steps, one at a time, and I was and took the big scary step and fulfilled my dream.Our dreams, when they are for the good of ourselves and others allow us to spread our wings and soar to new heights. Our gifts are unique and our contributions will be ours alone. Every one of us is inspired in individual ways and with individual talents. I will always be grateful for all that I am, for education and the wonderful talented women I have been surrounded with. Each of them has made me a better person

3. What are your hobbies, passions, etc?
My family and friends are my greatest passion. I enjoy reading, traveling, listening to music, going to tea with friends, and helping empower women with their births. nancys_family

4. What is your philosophy about birth?
It is my whole philosophy to provide women with services that bring health and fullness to body and soul. I strongly believe that it is important, in every stage of life, for a woman to be able to choose what is right for her. As an advocate for women and informed choices, I fully realize that what is right for one person, may in fact not be right for someone else.

My goal is to offer support, traditional wisdom, educational information and options in order to help facilitate the desire of the expectant mother and family. I currently offer doula service for any birth setting: home, birth center or hospital. As a doula, I provide assistance in preparation for birth, physical and emotional support for the mother and family during labor, as well as postpartum and initial breastfeeding support.

5. A little something about your life.
I am the proud mother of three sons and three grandsons. My husband, Bill and I have been married since 1975 and reside in Lake Forest. Our oldest Bill III, wife Kathy and sons Ethan, (5) and Connor (18 months live in Ohio. Our middle son Jason died by suicide January 8, 2003l. He was 30 years old and suffering from depression. He left behind a son, Elijah (5) who is autistic. Our youngest son Geoff is 21 and a student at Cal State Fullerton majoring in Marine Biology.

6. What are your specialties, unique qualities?
It has been my privilege to take the UCSD Childbirth Education/Labor Support Specialist Training Course. Additionally I have trained with Michelle Leclair O'Neill in Hypnobirthing.
I also serve as an Emergency Services Volunteer, work at a local Teen Unwed Mother Shelter as both a Doula and Childbirth Educator, with the local Yellow Ribbon Teen Suicide Prevention campaign, Cure Autism Now (CAN) and other grief support groups.

"I think the purpose of life is to be useful, to be responsible, to be honorable, to be compassionate. It is after all, to matter: to count, to stand for something, to have made some difference that you lived at all." Leo C. Rosten"

nancys_son The following inscription is from a poem written by Jason Palmer, my son, who died at the age of 30 by suicide. These precious words are on a bench in the park were he died. To me they say it all.

The Long Road

In Loving Memory of Jason R. Palmer
8/12/72 - 1/08/03
I walked through A Valley and feared not death but life
I welcomed going home. The journey is not about the road of life, but what's in your soul at the end. Just remember when you are weak and the road seems so long God has always been with you.
A loving father, son, brother, and friend.

Nancy Palmer CD (DONA), CCE, CH
nancy@ocdoulas.com
Tel: (800) 962-2649
Fax: (949) 716-7313

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