Birth can be a positive experience in spite of and because of life’s inevitable surprises. My goal is to help you feel more confident in your ability to decide what is right for you in the moment. I want you to know that you are doing the best you can with your current knowledge and skills in circumstances somewhat beyond your control, and your support people are doing so, too.

Birth Doula Services:

Through my calm, comforting, non-judgmental presence, I’d like to help you have the most positive birth possible. If your husband/partner/friend is present, we can work as a team and I’ll help them be as involved as you both want them to be.

In addition to supporting you during your labor and birth, I’d love to have a couple prenatal meetings with you. I’m also available via phone and e-mail. After your birth, I’ll visit to check on you and rehash your memorable journey.

Background:

My first labor was a shock to me. During my second pregnancy I hired a doula who -- lucky for me -- was fresh from a Birthing From Within Workshop (www.BirthingFromWithin.com). She taught me pain-coping and lent me the Birthing From Within book by Pam England. I was especially grateful for the sidebar on how women giving birth get down and dirty like football players and should be respected for their hard work. I’m thankful to mother two sons born in 1995 and 2000.

My birth doula training is through the “Academy of Certified Childbirth Educators and Labor Support Professionals” and I’m certified through DONA (Doulas of North America) International. I also facilitate Gourmet Childbirth Classes based on Birthing From Within, for which I trained with Pam England. I earned a B.S. from Michigan State University with a minor in Psychology.