Anne Hinze, CLEC, LLLL

Doula-in-training

I have been married for seven years and am the mother of two children - Madeleine is 4 and Wyatt is 2.

I am an experienced Lactation Counselor and Educator - trained through the University of California San Diego's Lactation Education and Counseling program. I provide prenatal education in breast feeding and post partum support in the hospital or your home. I am also an accredited La Leche League Leader and active member of our local LLL chapter.

Educated and trained in a full spectrum of subjects when it comes to breast feeding support I am available to assist moms with basic needs to more complicated issues. I can also refer to more specialized LCs and doctors if it is necessary. 

I believe that breastfeeding is not just something done to feed your baby - it's a choice you make about how you are going to "mother" your child. It's choosing to nourish and nurture a relationship with your baby that will endure beyond the days of breastfeeding.

I am available to teach private breastfeeding classes in the privacy of your home where we will take the time to go over what is important for you to know - and any areas of special interest or concern you might have.  One area that I specialize in is helping mothers who plan to return to work - continue the breastfeeding relationship with their child. 

Should you deliver at a hospital that does not employ a lactation consultant or deliver on a weekend - I am available to see you in the hospital if you are having difficulties or just want to make sure things are going well. This visit is included if you are a doula client. 

Postpartum visits are very important - to make sure breastfeeding is going well - and should take place in the first two weeks. During this home visit I also go over basic newborn care and am available to answer any questions you might have about what to do now that your baby is here. The first postpartum visit is included for all of my doula clients.

Included in my postpartum breastfeeding visits are basic newborn care and transition teaching - helping mom and dad recognize what is normal and "what to do" now that their bundle of joy has arrived. I apply the concepts taught by Dr. Harvey Karp in "The Happiest Baby on the Block" to help parents learn how to calm crying and fussiness through applying techniques like the 5 S's (swaddle, side or stomach position, shhhshing, swinging and sucking). 

Doula Services

At this time I am unable to assist moms-to-be as a birth doula. I am willing to offer limited post partum doula services to my breastfeeding clients.

The benefits of hiring a doula are many - including decreased risks of having birth by cesearean, forceps, vacuum extraction, etc. However, doulas are not just for women who have vaginal births - they are also very beneficial if you are expecting to have a cesearean birth as well. I have personal experience with high-risk pregnancies and can offer special support to those experiencing difficult pregnancies, bed rest, diet restrictions, etc. 

Whether you're hoping for a medicated or unmedicated birth, hospital or home birth - I will be there to support and encourage you and your partner - emotionally and physically as you welcome your newborn into the world.

My philosophy about birth is pretty simple. I believe that birth is miraculous and wonderful no matter how the baby enters the world - whether mom is unmedicated, medicated with epidural or other pain medicine or even by cesearean. While I know that an unmedicated birth is what is best for the baby, I understand that it is not possible or realistic for this to happen for every woman. I want women to understand that it's all right to ask questions of their health care providers - and that being an educated consumer when it comes to pregnancy and childbirth can make a world of difference in the outcome of your experience.

Every woman deserves a doula - no matter what she chooses for herself in labor and delivery. I will treat you with love, respect and compassion no matter what you want. It is after all - your birth and my purpose is to help support you and what you want - no matter what!

 Beyond my interests in birth and breastfeeding - I have much experience in photography and journalism and will incorporate my talents as your birth doula. I will capture the special moments as they happen - presenting them to you after the birth of your miracle. I am also available to do maternity portraits for a separate fee. 

My long term goals include taking the IBCLC exam (International Board of Certified Lactation Consultants) and studying to one day become a midwife. For right now I'm studying as much as my little ones allow and hope to become a midwife assistant/birth assistant in the next 3 years or so.

In my spare time I write, play with my kids, work on art projects, sing in the contemporary praise band at our church and just enjoy life. I'm passionately seeking to live a more ecologically responsible life and am on the path to voluntary simplicity. I love to garden and have high hopes for 2009!

We live a pretty simple life - trying to concentrate on what is most important - our family.