* birth doula services

My passion with pregnancy and childbirth began with my own first pregnancy. I was fascinated by the process my body was going through and read a variety of books, scoured Websites, and rented a multitude of documentaries. After my son was born in 2002, I resigned my fulltime "at work" position to become a fulltime "at home" mom and freelance creative writer. Serendipitously, my first freelance job was as a researcher and assistant writer to a woman putting together a book about high-risk labor and pre-term birth. Through my extensive research for that book, I learned that there is no "right" way to give birth. I also learned that women have much better birthing experiences if they are educated and supported in their choices--whatever choices they make. Driven by this idea, I began interviewing my friends about their labor experiences and found that they too had wished for more support, both emotionally and physically, during their own pregnancies and births.

After the birth of my daughter in 2003, I began seriously pursuing a career as a professional doula so that I could offer support to women during pregnancy and birth. I have read extensively on pregnancy and childbirth as well as attended several seminars. Since I am passionate about the labor and birth process, I am constantly seeking new information through research and personal interviews.

Education: BA - Bachelor of Arts, Gustavus Adolphus College, English
MA - Master of Arts, University of Iowa, American Studies (emphasis in Women's Studies)

Certifications: CLD - Certified Labor Doula, Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association

Memberships: CAPPA - Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association