I am here for you and your baby.
I graduated from Virginia Tech with my Bachelor’s in Nutrition. My senior project focused on nutrition during pregnancy and breastfeeding. After graduating, I married my college sweetheart and we moved to California for 4 years. While living in California, our first daughter was born in 2004 and our second daughter in 2006 with a wonderful midwife. I spent much time researching and reading about childbirth and pregnancy, which prompted our decision to birth our 2nd daughter at home in 2006. I supported my sister in labor when she gave birth in 2007, and then afterward trained to be a childbirth educator. I enjoy teaching childbirth classes because I know that I am providing mothers and fathers with knowledge and information so they can make informed decisions about their labor and birth. In 2008 I received birth doula training from DONA International. To date, I am honored to have been a part of 35 births.
I recently began my studies to become a midwife (CPM). I am currently assisting at The Birthing Place. This summer (2011) I had an opportunity to apprentice with Mountain View Midwives and enjoyed gaining more experience in homebirth. In 2008, I spent some time in the Philippines, where I served at Mercy Maternity Clinic that gives free maternity care to mothers living in poverty . I observed and helped with over 10 births during a 2 week period while I was there. My time in the Philippines was an amazing and life-changing experience helping mothers in need.
Qualifications
National College of Midwifery, currently enrolled
DONA International Birth Doula Training, 2008
Lactation Training, 2008
Bradley Method Childbirth Education Training, 2007
Birthed and Breastfed two girls, 2004 & 2006
Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics, Virginia Tech, 2001
I believe in a woman's natural ability to birth.
I believe pregnancy and birth are normal and natural processes in a woman's life. At the same time, growing a baby and working with your body to labor and bring this little one forth is a truly miraculous event. Each birth is unique and should be respected. I am always in awe each time I see a baby emerge from its mother. Laboring and bringing a child into the world is a lot of hard work, similar to that of running a marathon! Thus, a woman needs physical, emotional and mental support and encouragement to sustain her while she concentrates on the task at hand.
Education is essential in overcoming your fears about labor and birth. It is a major part of my job to help the mother and families have the information they need to make informed choices about where they give birth, how they give birth, and with whom they will have at the birth of their baby. I feel that a doula's most important job is to do everything in her power to increase a mothers' relaxation and calmness of mind during her labor and birth.
