I was born into a large, baby-loving family. I am one of five children, aunt of fourteen little ones, and mother of three beautiful beings (ages 7, 4, and 1). My own mother gave birth to me naturally with the support of midwives, which was much less common at that time and something she had to actively fight for. I learned from her at a young age that birth and breastfeeding are beautiful, normal, healthy processes. I’m forever grateful that my mother helped protect these basic instincts within me and for the direction that took me in my life and my career as a doula.
I didn’t know what a doula was until 2010 when I started reading a collection of birth stories in Spiritual Midwifery by Ina May Gaskin. While reading these stories, I realized that I could support parents while simultaneously helping their babies have the best start in life. My heart immediately opened to the possibility of being a doula, and I found myself energized by the raw beauty of birth. I saw themes of transformation, empowerment, healing, and love in its purest form, and I wanted to be a part of it. Six months later, I attended the birth of a dear friend and haven’t looked back since.
When I’m not doula-ing, I love to knit, garden (tomatoes galore!), bake anything with chocolate, and soak up some sweet snuggles with my own delicious babies. I am happiest when I am exploring the forest, climbing a mountain, or dipping my toes in a river with my husband and our babies. Solitude in nature has been the deepest place of peace and joy for me since I was a kid and remains to be so today.
Random Facts about Me
- I am obsessed with fire – making it, tending it, smelling it, gazing at it, chopping wood for it. I even birthed all three of my babies at home by the fire. We warm our house primarily with a wood stove through winter, and it is my salvation through cold, dark, Seattle winters. That, and warm, chocolate chip cookies.
- I’m a wanna-be homesteader. Cooking dinner from scratch from my garden and chopping firewood make me feel like I’m doing it a little bit. But the reality of milking a cow at 5am every morning, 365 days/year is mind-numbing. For now, I just pretend to homestead and laugh when my urban neighbors rightfully look at me like I’m crazy.
- I have close friends and family from both ends of the political and religious spectrums. Because of that, I’m quite comfortable traversing the landscape of a variety of worldviews.
- I am passionate about working toward gender and racial equity. I am committed to growing my awareness of systemic injustices and my own privileges. I believe in love and fighting for justice and equity for ALL people.
- I have a lot of experience with grief and loss, personally and professionally. I’m very attuned to the complexity, heartache, and process of healing. This has been a wonderful gift for my ability to support clients who face various forms of grief and loss around the time of pregnancy and birth.
- I was a point guard from ages 7-18. I
havehad mad baller skills and am super competitive when the time is right. 😉
Training
- Birth Doula Training at Bastyr University (2010)
- Postpartum Doula Training at Bastyr University (2010)
- Advanced Doula Trainings
- Cultural Competence & Anti-Oppression in the Birth Setting
- VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean)
- Using the Rebozo during Labor
- Supporting Families in Grief
- Trauma Stewardship for birth workers
- Massage for Birth
- Powerful Prenatals
Education
- BA in Social Work
- MA in Counseling Psychology