I believe that a woman should dream and plan for a pregnancy and birth that is healthy, comfortable, peaceful and easy. She should find herself surrounded by love and support. When her birthing time comes, she should be encourage to follow her body's instinct and make the decisions that are right for her and her baby.
As a doula and childbirth educator, I provide support and information to new parents to help them to make the important decisions regarding their baby's birth. My goal is to help them feel empowered and confident in their choices.
My training and continuing education:
- August, 2009 - Yogi Amrit Desai Yoga Nidra Workshop
- April, 2009 - ToLabor (ALACE) Labor Assistant Training
- May, 2008 - Hypnobabies Instructor Training
- April, 2008 - Hypnobabies Childbirth 101
- February, 2008 - Roy Hunter's The Art of Hypnotherapy Self Study
- 2009 - ToLabor (ALACE) Certified Labor Assistant
- May, 2008 - Certified Hypnobabies Instructor
- May, 2008 - Certified Hypno-Doula
- August, 2000 - Batchelors of Science in Business Administration, University of Pittsburgh
- I began attending births in 2008, and attend 1-3 births per month.
- These births have taken place with midwives at The Midwife Center and UPMC Magee and obstetricians at UPMC Magee, Allegheny General and Clarion Hopsitals.
- During these births I have supported mothers choosing: Hypnobabies, Lamaze, Bradley, nothing, epidurals, IVs, pitocin, narcotics and cesareans.
- I gained experience working with mothers who had: hyperemesis gravidarum, Group B Strep, premature rupture of membranes, pre-eclampsia, posterior babies, fast/precipitous labor, prolonged second stage of labor and long prodromal labor.
- I have worked with first time moms, moms with previous births, single moms and married/partnered moms.
On a more personal note... my interest in childbirth began in 2003, after the birth of my first daughter. After experiencing a medically managed pregnancy and birth, I read the birth stories of women who chose home birth. It amazed me to realize that these women trusted so much in their bodies and that they instinctively knew what to do when their birthing time arrived. It was then, that I knew my next birth would be different with the right support and education.
My daughter and I did not get the hang of nursing for several months. We worked hard and eventually had a long, successful nursing relationship. As a result, I found myself experienced in handling nearly every nursing challenge imaginable.
My second daughter was born in 2006, naturally and peacefully at a birth center with midwives. My husband and I were supported by a birth doula. What a difference it made to be alert, relaxed and aware of every moment. I truly believe that our nursing ease was a direct result of her drug-free, peaceful birth. My doula and friend was my inspiration to pursue my dream of working with pregnant families and babies after my second daughter's birth.
