www.birthwithariel.com I made aliyah in July 2005.  I live with my husband in Haifa where I studied at the University of Haifa majoring in English Literature and Linguistics and minoring in Israel Studies.  I am passionate about birth, and excited about yours!I have been fascinated with birth and babies ever since I was a little girl.   As a grown woman, I became even more fascinated with the wonder of the female body; how it can create life and bring it forth into the world.  I decided to study to become a Doula after becoming impassioned to help women with this very personal and emotional journey. I began to read books, watch films, and speak to mothers about their births, and finally I decided to go and study birth formally in Jerusalem at Bikur Holim Hospital under the guidance of two experienced and amazing doulas.  The more I learned the more I wanted to be apart of a growing number of women who were interested in more natural birth.  While most of the Western world has gravitated towards medically managed birth, I felt a very strong connection to the idea of going back to a philosophy of believing in the power and intuition of a woman to birth her baby.   I believe that birth is a natural process, one in which the the natural instinct of the mother should always be honored and not something that is a medical event.  Now, this doesn’t mean that I will only encourage you to have a “natural” birth, or that I have my own agenda for your birth.  Your birth is just that, yours, and I am here to help you achieve your best birth.  However, I do want to encourage women to trust in themselves, their instincts, and most importantly, your body.  Women have been giving birth since the beginning of time, and it is sad that most women today are encouraged by doctors and hospitals to ignore their instincts and distrust their bodies.  That is part of what I believe I do, I help each expectant mother delve deep into herself to connect with her instinct to birth and her inner and physical strength through encouragement, support, caring tender touch and guidance.    I currently offer different packages for your labor and birth which can also be customized to meet your needs. I also offer consultations on making a birth plan, and private education classes for expectant couples who seek personal and professional attention in preparation for birth in a supportive and informative environment. I offer birth packages that include two pre-birth meetings, labor support for the birth, and a post-birth meeting for 1,000 NIS.  Other options and services are available based on your needs.  Please contact me for more information. arieljohnston@gmail.com052-5597250I am available to meet with you at your convenience at your home or in my home office.