Birth Worker
About
I want you to have the most “you” birth experience possible, whether that’s at home, in a hospital, with or without interventions. If you value communication, honesty, science, following your intuition, humor, and movement, we can work together.
I first witnessed the power of a birthing body 20+ years ago, when invited to welcome my nieces, two really different, but incredible adventures. Those experiences stayed with me as I pursued a career as a circus performer, with many other jobs along the way.
I became a birth worker in 2020, when the pandemic pushed me into semi-retirement from the circus. I had been coaching aspiring aerialists for ten years, and feel that many of those skills translate into assisting folks as they grow their families. Performance, birthing, and parenthood require vulnerability, stamina, self-confidence and trust; my varied background has prepared me to help you navigate any path you take.
My training includes the following: DONA Birth Doula Certification, August, 2021 Continuing Education courses with Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings (BADT): Abortion Doula Course, April 2021 Queer & Trans Reproductive Support Course, August 2021 Fertility & Conception Support Course, April 2022 Workshop: Spinning Babies® October 2021 Certified Lactation Support Counselor, March 2022 Workshop: “Pelvic Shape, Fetal Positioning, and Obstetrical Bias: The Role of Pelvic Shape Classification and Optimal Fetal Positioning in the Perpetuation of Bias in Childbirth”, Blossoming Bellies, February 2023 The Institute for the Study of Birth, Breath, and Death: Workshop: “Holding Space for Pregnancy Loss”, April 2023 Workshop: "Understanding Trauma for Birth and Death Doulas", May 2023 Twin Magic for Doulas, Carriage House Birth, June 2023 Acupressure for Birth, Maranda and Evan Bussanich, December 2023 Comforting Touch for Doulas, Yiska Obadia, April 2024 Full Spectrum Doula Certification, Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings, July 2024 Birthsmarter Educator
My Services
Birth Care
The birth package includes 1 or 2 prenatal visits in your home, to go over your preferences, birth plan, q&a, etc. I will be on-call for you from 37 weeks through birth with anytime phone/text support. When your labor begins (spontaneously or as scheduled) I will meet you at home/place of birth, as determined in your prenatal meeting, and stay with you post-birth until feeding is established and you feel ready to have private family time. I will visit you at home within 2 weeks postpartum to follow up.
Other offerings
Postpartum Care
Birth +Postpartum
Package
I love to help families in the early days! I offer daytime postpartum support, which can include the following:
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Guidance with newborn care and feeding
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Lactation support (if applicable)
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Emotional support and nurturing for the new parents
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Help with postpartum care (ie: preparing sitz baths, foot soaks, etc)
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Meal preparation
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Light housekeeping (ie: baby laundry and tidying up)
I also offer support in the following areas:
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for clients during their preconception experience
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those seeking to terminate their pregnancies
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those who desire additional lactation support
Please contact me to discuss these situations, as pricing and packages vary depending on circumstances.
For those who want both birth and postpartum support.
Includes everything listed in "birth care" plus 2-4x per week daytime postpartum support in the first month to six weeks
I mostly work as a solo doula, but am also proud to be a founding member of the Sunnyside Doula Collective. We are a small group of doulas who work together to provide backup for each other, and occasionally work in a partnership model (please inquire if interested in this option). In the unlikely case I would become unable to provide support, one of my colleagues would cover for me, to make sure you are not left without support.