Worry is the work of pregnancy.
Instead of the tiger stalking you,
What is a Birth Tiger Safari?
Dominant culture tell us that fear in birth will sabotage us. That fear is an externally imposed social construct to be eliminated. That if we just prepare hard enough, we can protect ourselves from unwished-for events.
But what if our fears about birth are not something to be vanquished? What if instead, our fears are actually there to teach us?
This is the guiding principle of a Birth Tiger Safari.
Fear is a primal survival instinct. Accessing it unlocks our intuition. Suppressing or avoiding it keeps us paralyzed.
Within the safety of a guided exercise, we will get close enough to your proverbial "birth tiger" to curiously follow it, and draw out a new understanding of what it means, your ability to cope and most importantly, of yourself.
If you are ready to do some deep, guided work on your fears about birth, and to intentionally turn inward for guidance on how to proceed...this offering is for you.
- diana snyder
Experienced birth doula serving Western WI & MN
Testimonials
"I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this session, but it was exactly what I needed! Diana's gentle, kind voice and compassionate personality made me feel safe to explore some really vulnerable things and get to the root of fears I had surrounding my upcoming birth. I would highly recommend this session to anyone willing to look at their fears through a new lens. Diana will hold space for whatever you're feeling. She helped me access solutions I didn't even know I already had."
~KG, 2x c-section mom & VBA2C hopeful
"If you are a Type A person like me, that cannot live in uncertainty and struggles to engage with undesired outcomes, this is probably exactly the thing you didn't know you needed. After my c-section I was so traumatized. Most of my birth preparation was focused on obsessively doing every possible thing to guarantee myself a different outcome, and I was not able to entertain any other possibility. This gave me a false sense of security, but underneath, I could not cope. Diana very astutely noticed this and was the perfect guide to help me explore it in a nonjudgmental way. After our session I felt so much lighter. My VBAC was not easy and without the skills uncovered in this session, I don't know if I would have been able to push through. It helped me locate strength I didn't know I had, not from any external source, but from inside my own self, and THAT is what I needed in labor. Huge distinction. Highly recommend especially to anyone with trauma in their history who may be devastated by another change in plans."
~NR, c-section & VBAC mom
What to expect: this is a guided meditation designed to look closely at something you are highly avoidant toward, or afraid you can't cope with. Within the safety of a guided exercise, we will get close enough to your proverbial "tiger," and put it to work FOR you.
You will need: a comfortable place to sit or lie down, childcare so you won't be interrupted, a pen & paper, your bravery and an open mind.
Location: over Zoom, or at my office (housed within TruLiving Birth Center) for those who prefer in-person.
Investment: $85 for up to 60 minutes.
*Group sessions are available upon request.
I am an avid student of midwife/counselor Pam England, whose model of birth preparation was critical in helping me navigate the initiation of my own births. In 2025, I was blessed to train directly with Pam in order to bring this specific offering to my community after noticing a need among my VBAC clients specifically.
After over 12 years of working closely with families in various capacities, it is evident to me that people do not need more information to prepare for birth. There is a place for knowledge, yes, but in my practice I also strive to help clients grow their capacity to tolerate the "terra incognita" (unknown territory) of birth. I really observe that my clients who are able to make peace with unwanted outcomes are, perhaps counterintuitively, most likely to "let go" enough to have the birth they want.