Midwives are healthcare providers authorized to give medical care throughout pregnancy, labor and birth. Their job is similar to an OB-GYN. Doulas do not give medical care. Rather, they offer informational, emotional, and physical support during pregnancy, labor, birth, and the postpartum period. I am an additional member of your support team who offers continuous care for you and your partner (if applicable). I also care for you in your home after the baby is born so you can heal, rest, and be nourished.

All of them! Hospital births, home births, birthing centers, medicated and unmedicated. As your doula, I make each space comfortable and hold it sacred for you. Birthing at a hospital? I’ll ensure the room is calm, has resources like birthing mirrors and peanut balls, and that your providers are on board with your birth plan. Birthing at home? I’ll maneuver pillows to get you into comfortable laboring and pushing positions, and feed you sips of a nutritious, easy-to-digest smoothie in between contractions. Birthing somewhere else? I’ll come prepared with a bag full of comfort measures and the warmth and encouragement needed to bring your baby earth side.

Then I’ll be right there to support you, help identify a good time to get one, talk you through the process, and help to strategically position you during labor and the pushing phase to ensure you’re comfortable and happy!

Awesome! Having a doula allows you and your partner to focus fully on the baby and your birth experience. I will focus on supporting the two of you. I keep watch while your rest, help communicate with medical providers, help you ask questions and explore options when intervention is mentioned, and liaise with those looking after your little ones at home. I can be an extra pair of legs when food, drink, or a forgotten item is needed. Relax and let your body do its thing — I’ll handle and mitigate any potential stressors.

A doula can benefit everybody, no matter how many times you’ve given birth. During pregnancy, our prenatal visits will address information about how you can expect your body and labor to be different since you’ve done this before. If you had a negative birth experience, we’ll work together to prevent further trauma or distress this time. If you’ve had positive birth experiences (which is my hope!), we’ll work together to try and make this one healthy and happy, too. If you’re seeking a VBAC, we’ll spend time preparing well!

In the postpartum period, I will support your physical needs, like cooking nourishing meals for the family, helping with lactation education, bottle feeding, and helping your new baby sleep. I will play with your other little ones so they receive love and care while you bond with the new babe and rest.

Most of all, I’m here to help you heal, process, and thrive. A well cared for parent means a well cared for baby. I’m here to help you feel held, heard, seen, loved, and whole.

When I talk about advocacy, I am referring to ensuring that all birthing people and their families are equipped with adequate information, tools, questions, and alternatives to receive dignified, consentual care for them and their baby. This means, but is not limited to: not allowing healthcare providers to perform procedures, administer medication, or touch your body without your informed consent; not allowing bullying, shaming, or manipulative talk from providers; making sure providers respect your birth preferences; and not being hurried along in the hospital (by additional medication, cesarean birth, etc.) simply to free up another bed or make your body or baby fit your provider’s scheduling preferences. The majority of those who report negative birth experiences share that something happened during their birth without being consulted. As your doula, I use prenatal visits to talk about consent and teach you what to look out for. In the birthing room, I help you engage in mutual conversations where your body, baby, and mental health are of the utmost importance.

Thanks for asking! Not everyone with the desire to become pregnant or give birth identifies as a woman or a mother. I use inclusive terminology - such as birthing person, pregnant people, or postpartum parent - to create a welcoming and identity-affirming space for all families.

Prenatal visits typically occur at the client’s home. We can also find a quieter public space, like a park or coffee shop, to meet if you’re more comfortable. If you have a partner and they are able to make it, please bring them, too!

I believe that every birthing person and family deserves support and that finances should not be a barrier to receiving high-quality care. Sliding scale pricing and payment plans are available. I offer discounted and pro bono services to migrant and refugee families, as well as others with unique birthing circumstances. Please inquire or send me a message with your budget, what your comfortable sharing about your circumstances, and we’ll see what we can make happen! I also work with Carrot for reimbursement.