Soul Birth
Soul Birth is the service mark of DuChene Natural Health Center and Leigh Anne DuChene, BS, PES, CBE, CHPC, Nutritionist, LMT, B.E.S.T. Practitioner.
Hi, I am Leigh Anne DuChene, a Certified Holistic Parenting Coach, Certified Breastfeeding Educator and Counselor, Placenta Encapsulation Specialist, Maternal and Pediatric Nutritionist, Licensed Massage Therapist, and Diplomate B.E.S.T. Practitioner. I am also the Founder and President of Holistic Family Heritage, www.HolisticFamilyHeritage.com. I began my work with pregnancy in 2003 during my massage training. During this time I began working on pregnant women and infants through massage work. Eventually, I began independent labor doula work.
In 2006 I entered chiropractic school. During the first 4 weeks of school my husband and I found out I was pregnant with our son, JP. This began my journey into childbirth and parenting. I have completely immersed myself into holistic living, from birth to parenting. I have left no stone unturned in this area. JP was born on December 11, 2006. We planned a natural birth at a birthing center with a Certified Professional Midwife. After 31 hours of labor, 13 hours of active labor, I was transported to the hospital. I was stalled at 7 cm, meconium was present, the baby was having low fetal heart tones, and they were concerned about cord prolapse. Once at the hospital labor was augmented with pitocin, and I subbornly chose to continue without pain medications, even though I was already exhausted. I was on pitocin for 6 hours and only dilated 1 more cm. The baby's heart rate was all over the place, as was mine. I had not eaten or had anything to drink for 6 hours, since the hospital does not allow it. I was weak, exhausted, and felt like I was going to pass out with every contraction. The OB I was transferred to came in and said he felt he had used up every option for progressing labor and that due to the distress both mother and baby were in he suggested a cesarean section. My heart sank a little further, for this was something I had not prepared myself for, because I had my heart and mind set that I would not have a cesarean unless it was life threatening. Well for me and my present condition I felt that this was the best option. I would have rather chosen the cesarean then have been given one due to a true immediate emergency, because I passed out during a contraction. I was literally blacking-out with each contraction at this point.
Well, a few weeks pasted and JP and I were both doing great. Breastfeeding was going great and I was so thankful he was okay. However, I grieved deep down inside. I would cry unexpectedly and had a longing inside for what I had lost. I lost the connection to my son that a completely natural vaginal birth creates. I longed for that experience and connection. That grief and disconnect was real and at the time breastfeeding was our saving grace. I now experience very little of those feelings as I have successfully experienced my ReBirthSM, which has reconnected me to my son and my birth experience in a new and fulfilling way.
When JP was a month old I went through formal training to become a certified labor doula and childbirth educator. Then when JP was 9 months old I completed my training to become a certified breastfeeding educator and counselor. I had found my true calling in life, to work with mothers through pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, and during breastfeeding. Thus my work began.
Through my own healing process from the cesarean I became aware that due to my own birth experience I had something to offer mothers, something that had helped me.
My husband and I are both Diplomates in B.E.S.T. (Bio Energetic Synchronization Technique). He had worked with me extensively to help me through my grieving and healing process. I realized that I too could help others who had experienced a disconnected or disappointing pregnancy or birth experience. As well as, help mothers experience the spiritual birth they want through gentle guidance, education and treatment.
My interest in advocating, educating, and counseling mothers on breastfeeding lead to me offering services that help mothers enhance their nursing experience and continue the connection from birth or even reconnect.
When JP was 18 months old I returned to chiropractic school, thinking it was still what I wanted, but soon realized it was not. At this time I learned about placenta encapsulation and knew this was something I wanted to do. So I became a Placenta Encapsulation Specialist through PBi. I finished my BS in Anatomy, and am now currently working on my MS in Human Nutrition with specialization in Maternal and Pediatric Nutrition, as this has become my TRUE calling and interest.
So, I now provide maternal and pediatric nutritional counseling and coaching, placenta encapsulation, breastfeeding education and counseling, and natural or conscious parenting classes.
I love what I do. I believe that God made our bodies to know exactly what to do through pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding. Parenting starts before conception. Every decision you make affects your being and thus will affect your children. Learn how to connect with yourself and become the spiritually holistic parent you were meant to be.
"Life is a journey into the soul. Everything you experience is for you to grow spiritually, learn about yourself, and be." ~ Leigh Anne DuChene