As long as I can remember I have had a fascination with the miracle of birth. When my close friends became pregnant, reading the pregnancy and birth books right alongside them gave me a sense of awe regarding the birthing process. In 1999 I was invited to attend the birth of a friend; to be her “Doula”, even though I did not know such a thing existed. It was an honor to be part of such a life changing event, and it changed my life as well.

I began the process of becoming a Certified Doula in May of 2004, and I have truly found my passion in assisting women and their partners through the process of giving birth. I feel that it is very important to support and honor the choices and decisions a woman makes as to how she would like to birth; as I believe that a mother should have her birth be the way she wants it to be.

I feel very passionate about providing the gold standard of care for the birthing family. As a Doula, it is my role to provide emotional, physical and informational support for both the woman in labor and her partner. Attending over thirty-five births, as of this writing (September 2007) has enabled me to gather a wealth of knowledge about comfort measures that include the partner in the birthing event. I also use my caring nature to advocate for the mother's wishes by encouraging her to express her preferences and concerns.

I truly believe that women need the support of caring, nurturing, gentle women in order to have the opportunity to achieve the birth they desire. I try to assist with this by having a calming demeanor, a gentle voice, and soothing touch to provide comfort for women in labor. My belief in the ability of a woman to give birth is very strong and I try to convey that in the support provided.

It is an honor and a privilege to share in the gentle welcoming of a new life into this world. For me, it is a great source of joy and fulfillment to be able to provide assistance as a Doula and to repeatedly witness the miracle of birth. It would be my pleasure to accompany you on this miraculous journey.

In addition to being a Birth Doula, I also provide Birth Counseling for pregnant women who are survivors of childhood sexual abuse and for women who have had a previous traumatic birth. Having such events as part of their life history can affect a woman’s relationship with loved ones and care providers, contribute to her fears of labor and birth, and affect her ability to attach to her baby. It may continue to cause her to have challenges with breastfeeding and parenting.

Birth counseling offers a unique approach to reduce flashbacks, pain and birth complications. It enables me to give practical guidance to reduce symptoms by using containment skills, handling panic, self-talk, grounding, helping a client to express her needs and feelings, planning for tests and birth events, support needs, partner communication and relationship with her caregiver. This counseling aids with preparation for birth, challenges during labor and delivery, breastfeeding and parenting by working with triggers and strategies to avoid them or lessen their effect on the birthing mother.