hello!

My dream of supporting women on their journey through childbirth was sparked by my first son’s birth 37 years ago. It was further energized following the empowering births of my daughter and my second son who were born at home and attended by gifted midwives. But then the tide of life, nurturing family and pets, and myriad other responsibilities, swept me away. Time would pass until the stars aligned and that dream I’d had all those years before was reignited. It was while supporting my daughter through her long and beautiful labors, working alongside her husband and her skilled midwives, and watching my two precious grandsons emerge so innocently into the world, that I decided to redirect my life.

I began my studies at the Healthy Children Project Center for Breastfeeding. I became a Certified Lactation Consultant in 2022 and I look forward to supporting mothers in fulfilling their breastfeeding goals. I became a DONA Certified Doula through Doulas of North America in 2023. Additionally, I recently qualified as a Midwife Assistant at the Santa Barbara Birth Center. This incredible opportunity is giving me a unique learning environment where physiologic birth is the norm. One where knowledgeable midwives create space for safe, satisfying, and respectful birthing.

As a doula, my role is to be a caring, reassuring, and steady presence throughout the mother’s labor and birth. I guide her with relaxation techniques, assist with position changes to encourage the baby’s descent, and provide comfort along the way. I work with and support her partner so they can participate most effectively and with confidence. My hopes are that the mother and her partner feel respected, have the information they need to make informed decisions, and have an optimal birth experience as they define it!

My goal is for the mother to view her birth experience with a sense of satisfaction and empowerment. I know a positive birth experience will greatly benefit her as she eases into her first days postpartum and takes on the responsibility of caring for her baby. A woman’s birth experience stays with her all of her life and having a doula by her side increases the likelihood her memory will be a positive one.

It is an honor to be a doula that supports women in creating that joyful memory. If you are curious about what a doula can bring to your birth, please feel free to reach out to me.