Hello there! I’m Candice, owner of Woodlands Birth & Baby. I’m a mom of two, birth nerd, and wellness blogger. My little business has been in the works since literally the day I gave birth to my daughter. I was sitting in bed, nursing my hour-old newborn and thought, "Man! If only I could help every mama feel this empowered and supported after giving birth!" The timing, however, wasn't in my hands. Here's my story: 

 

The only thing I knew about birth, before my first pregnancy, was all the scary stories I had heard from friends and family. I had witnessed a few births and always wondered if there was another way. I feel as though I have an instinctual nature about me, and I ignored the fear and stigma surrounding birth. I wanted my birth experience to be rewarding. I wanted to have positive feelings about my birth for years to come. So, I researched it all…care providers, doulas, birthing classes, labor options.

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I gave birth to my daughter at 41 weeks and 1 day, after a quick and unexpected night of laboring. My birth experience – messy, beautiful, challenging, rewarding – changed my perspective in life and empowered me in every sense. I felt all the preparation truly paid off. I realized birth matters. Your birth team matters. Feeling supported and respected matters.

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The birth of my son 2 years later was a completely different experience. I labored for three days with him before surrendering my body and rushing to the birth center in time to push him out. I needed that experience to remind me that birth takes time and things don’t always go as planned. I pulled from the knowledge I had about birth and the confidence I had in the process. I relied on the support and guidance of my birth team to help me through it.

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It was at that point in my life that I felt as though God was putting it on my heart to become a birth worker. I began by helping my friends…find options, build their birth team, and gain confidence in the birthing process. I want to be a positive voice for those, like myself, who are conditioned to fear birth and postpartum and not to celebrate it.

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Every birth is different and I hope to help you feel supported and empowered in your choices, no matter your birth journey. My hope is that you can see my servant heart in everything I do! Colossians 3:23