Certifications and qualifications: DONA Certification in Progress

I live in St. Paul with my husband and pre-school aged son. He was born in a hospital without any medications or interventions in an unusually fast, intense first labor with the help of a doula in 2003. In addition to doula work, I work as a nanny part time, and previously worked for several years as a case manager at a day program for developmentally disabled adults. I have also lived in Brazil for a short time and in France for almost 2 years prior to the birth of my son, where I met and married my husband, a Paris native. I speak French, and love to travel, read, and run outside when it's not freezing.

I am currently pursuing certification as a birth doula through DONA, and plan to have all requirements met by the end of 2007. I started attending births as a doula in the summer of 2007, and feel that I have found my greatest purpose, other than mothering my son. I work with families from any background or culture, and support every woman's informed choices for her birth experience. I believe strongly that labor and birth are natural processes that a woman's body knows how to accomplish, and not medical events. I feel incredibly honored and privileged to be able to be present for the miraculous, life changing experience of bringing a child into the world. My goal for each birth I attend is to support the laboring woman and her partner to the fullest extent of my abilities to achieve the kind of birth they desire to have.

As time allows, I like to meet with a couple at least twice during the pregnancy to get to know them well, learn as much as I can about their hopes and expectations for the birth, and talk through any fears that they may have. During these prenatal visits I can also help you prepare a birth plan if you choose to write one, practice relaxation and massage techniques, as well as different positions to use during labor with and without a birth ball. I will meet you as soon as you want me to come once labor has started, either at your home or at the hospital, and will remain with you throughout your labor and birth. I will stay for 1-2 hours after the birth of your child as well, making sure that you have all your needs attended to, get some food, and get a good start with breastfeeding. I will then make one or two postpartum visits in which we can discuss and process the birth experience and answer any questions you may have about caring for your baby and adjusting to the new rhythm of life with a newborn.

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