Birth Doula, Childbirth Educator

I have been teaching childbirth classes since 1991 and have been attending births as a doula since 1994.  I have had experience with hundreds of births, including natural birth in the hospital, epidural birth, medicated births of various kinds, vaginal twin births, caesarean birth – both planned and unexpected – and VBAC.  I believe all women deserve support that is non-judgmental, compassionate and sensitive to the needs of the mother, her baby and her partner.

My interest in being a childbirth educator and birth doula grew out of a deep and passionate respect I have of pregnancy and birth, having been through it four times myself (of my four children, three are grown and the youngest is a high school junior).  I am a DONA certified doula and an ICEA certified childbirth educator.  As an educator I provide private and semi-private, in-home (yours or mine) education, tailored to your individual needs.  As a birth doula I am available to support you and your partner during your pregnancy, labor, birth and initial postpartum period, including assistance with the initiation of breastfeeding. 

In my doula work I provide physical and emotional support, including massage.  If you choose, I am also willing to assist in documenting your birth with my own digital (amateur) camera or your video/camera equipment.  As a doula I am committed to helping create an atmosphere of harmony and respect in any birth setting and with all members of a birth team be they midwives, obstetricians, nurses or mother-in-laws. 

It has been my experience that women who are educated about the process of birth and who feel well supported throughout this exciting, intense and sometimes mystifying phase of life, find they are able to face the transition to parenting with less stress, increased confidence and ultimately more joy.  At birth a baby is born, but a mother is born as well and both need warm, attentive care during this most creative and transformative time.