Danielle A. Elwood is a Connecticut native, born and raised on the Connecticut shoreline in the Lordship community of Stratford. The Wife of a Veteran Marine, and mother of two small boys, Camden and Benjamin, she works heavily in the pregnancy and birth community, as well as the local shoreline parenting community, all while active as the head of a local nonprofit organization called ICAN, which provides support for mothers who have had cesarean section births. She is a doula by trait and hopes to become a midwife some day. For now she wants to help reach as many mothers as she can through ICAN and education.
Hi, Danielle…
I just watched your video on the BirthCut website. I have a few poems posted there, and sometimes go to check out anything new. I feel so grateful for running across your video, and though it sounds cliche, I feel like I know you.
I had an unnecessary c-section with my first child, and it was very difficult for me to accept. Seeing your video brought back some of that pain. I saw you in those pictures and I know exactly what you were going through. The pain, the disappointment, the anger. I was so rooting for you for your second birth, and I felt your pain again when you went in for surgery.
I too got lots of help from my local Cleveland chapter of ICAN, and I hope that more women get educated. My first birth inspired me to become a child birth educator through Birth Works. Check them out…since you are a doula, I highly recommend these classes for women. They are so empowering…not at all like hospital classes.
Anyways, my goal for 2010 is to write a book about the homebirth I had with my second child, and to try and convince women to at least just CONSIDER having a home birth.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and your passion for helping women to have fulfilling birth experiences. Keep up the good work, and know that you are not alone.
Sincerely,
Trisha Lawrie
Comment by Trisha Lawrie — January 1st, 2010 @ 11:54 pm
Hi Danielle,
I’m a Connecticut native, too! Nice to run across your blog (via @BirthBabiesBlog and @mommyheadqrtrs). Keep up the good work encouraging positive pregnancy and birth experiences! Be in touch with me please if I can help.
Comment by Tara — January 28th, 2010 @ 2:46 pm