Meet Tigist, Your Doula in Tucson!

After she had a healing VBAC birth during her second pregnancy, Tigist decided to provide this immeasurable birth support to birthing families in 2018. During this pregnancy, she was lucky to have her previous midwife preceptor and a dear friend Meghan by her side who flew all the way to Tucson from Cincinnati. She knew she was in safe hands, was confident enough to stay home and was in control of every decision. She was very happy and so proud for having the birth she wanted to have this time. Having all the support during this birth made a huge impact on her recovery both physically and emotionally.

She took DONA International Doula workshop organized by an amazing trainer, Penny Bussel Stansfield and this workshop helped her focus on women’s emotional well being to her already existing medical knowledge. For Tigist, there is nothing as satisfying and rewarding as witnessing birth and supporting women during childbirth. Every birth is different and special in its own way. Every woman is different; how she handles this stress during birth is also different; therefore there is no ‘one size firs all’ thing and she treats everyone based on their individual. There is nothing miraculous and powerful than the process of birth and a woman’s body and she always looks forward for the next birth she is going to be at, the next birthing person she is going to meet/help and the next family she is going to be part of!

As an already experienced midwife, I have observed and attended many births at health center and hospital settings. I have worked also as an instructor in one of highly recognized universities in Ethiopia. Teaching motivates me to learn more! With all my experience, what I have learned and will be learning in the future coupled with knowledge and resources I get as an Evidence Based Birth Instructor, I will educate, guide, support and empower you and your partner during this special journey. I draw up on my professional training, knowledge and experience to provide emotional support, physical comfort and as needed, communication with the staff to make sure that you have the information you need to make informed decisions as they arise in labor. I can provide reassurance and perspective to you and your partner, make suggestions for labor progress, and help with relaxation, soothing touch, positioning and other techniques for comfort.

Birth is a normal physiology. I also understand that sometimes things may happen where full attention and follow up from your providers might be needed and where some of the outcomes might be unexpected. As your doula, I will help you get information for all possible interventions and birth outcomes so that you can be prepared and make an informed decision.

It is my personal belief that, as long as pregnant women are fully educated, have enough support system during birth and are full participants in their care to make an informed choice and decision, mode of delivery and place of birth may not matter.