MEET TORI
Making Childbirth a Healthy and Safe Experience
Hi there! I'm Tori Springer, CD, PCD (DONA).
In addition to being a doula, I am a newlywed wife, toddler mom and have two dogs and one cat! After supporting a family member through her third birth in 2017, my whole world changed to how fascinating and beautiful the birth world can be! Immediately, my pursuit to find my way in the birth world began! I started my journey as a nursing student at Three Rivers Community College. I started in the nursing program and had planned to be a labor & delivery nurse until deciding the medical aspect wasn't for me right now. I felt I would be better as a supportive part of the birthing experience for families, started pursing doula work and graduated with my Associate's Degree in General Studies May 2020!
Being a doula is a passion of mine that goes beyond "just a profession". Growing up multiracial, I’ve seen the differences with access to medical care, evidence based knowledge and advocation for Indigenous peoples and POC. Every mother and family deserves the right to have equal treatment, opportunity, and bodily autonomy during their birth experience. Bodily autonomy is the right to make decisions over one’s own life and future. It is your empowerment to make informed choices. My goal as a doula is to help inform families of their options and instill confidence in one's parenting decisions/skills. All mothers deserve support and to feel heard! Birth work isn’t just witnessing the miracle of birth, it is an act of social justice, taking back the knowledge and power of the female body.
I attended a DONA Birth Doula training workshop by Tara Campbell, CD, BDT(DONA), LCCE, in Spring 2020. That was followed by a DONA Postpartum Doula and Breastfeeding training by Ann Grauer, AdvCD/AdvPCD(DONA), BDT/PDT(DONA), LCCE, FACCE, IBCLC, RLC. After a year of education and experiences, I officially became a Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula through DONA International's program over Summer 2021. I am insured, infant CPR certified and have assisted multiple families through birth and postpartum. In addition to my years of doula experience, now being a mama myself has only expanded by knowledge of infant care and lactation support. Every birth and postpartum experience is different and deserves support to hold space and provide assistance to encourage families to flourish.
HOW A DOULA HELPS
Doula is a word with Greek origins meaning “a woman who serves.”
Today, a doula refers to a labor companion - a trained professional who will provide the emotional, physical and informational support before, during and after childbirth. A doula does not support the medical needs during labor, but research shows that having a doula as a member of the birth team lowers the overall cesarean rate by 50%, requests for an epidural by 60%, the use of oxytocin by 40%, and the length of labor by 25%.
Some worry that the doula may take away from the supportive role of the partner, but this is quite the opposite! A doula is trained to not only support the birthing person, but the family and can provide tips and techniques for your partner to help you during labor and postpartum. Most women have a higher chance of reporting a positive birth outcome with a doula as a part of their team!
MY MISSION STATEMENT
Tori Bee Doula Services, LLC is dedicated to providing professional, reliable and compassionate care during pregnancy, labor and the first stages of parenthood. With the variety of birthing preferences that exist, the goal is to ensure women and families are able to have the birth experience that resonates with them. With nurturing guidance, educational tools and hands-on assistance, you will be provided personalized support with respect, attention and care throughout your unique journey. It is an honor to work with families and help them bring new life into the world!