Certifications & Qualifications:
CD(DONA): I am a DONA Certified Doula. DONA certification is a highly respected Doula credential. DONA International certification means that I serve my clients with the highest standards of conduct and professional ethics.
CLEC: I am a UCSD Certificated Lactation Educator/Counselor
La Leche League International : I am a member of the La Leche Leauge International Retired Leader Alumnae.
Trust Line Registered: I am registered with Trustline for your peace of mind. Trustline is a California registry of in-home professionals that have passed background checks.
CPR and First Aid Certified: I am certified in Adult and Infant/Child CPR, as well as First Aid.
Professional Memberships
Attachment Parenting International (API)
Birth Resource Network: Professional Association of Independent Doulas, San Diego California
Philosophy:
Dear Moms,
I believe in you! Your intuition, your body's ability to birth, and your bond with your baby are powerful and beautiful. I am deeply honored to walk along the path of pregnancy and birth with you, to nurture you and protect your space through one of life's greatest passages. Your birth memories are important to me, and I provide carefully chosen questions for discussion, educational resources, 24 hour on-call availability for the weeks surrounding your due date, and up to six prenatal visits to support you in making informed decisions that reflect your values and culture.
As your labor unfolds, you can feel safe and relaxed in bringing forth your beautiful baby, and I provide as needed: massage, positive & soothing encouragement for you and your loved one(s), positioning/ activity suggestions, acupressure, heat/water therapy as desired, use of a birth ball and labor props, music, and aromatherapy. After baby is born I can continue to shelter your first moments together, and allow breastfeeding to happen naturally. I leave when you are comfortable and resting. I will visit you at home later that week, to talk about your birth. We will also cover breastfeeding. I am qualified to assess for normalcy, address latch-on and positioning, provide solutions for common concerns and refer for any complex problems I have identified. My clients have described me as loving, responsible, and diplomatic, and I am continually learning from each family that comes to me.
For thousands of years, moms and babies have had a special time after birth for deep fascination with each other, profound feelings of love, and feelings of contentment. My goal is for you to have this. I have a great respect for newborns, as over the years that I have worked with families, I have seen the beautiful ways that each baby can communicate with their parents. So my intention is to facilitate a calm, comfortable transition for your family, making Doula care no longer necessary as you learn your baby's cues and become confident in your parenting. Some highlights are:
- Kind, practical support for postpartum healing and a good milk supply
- Reassurance and Guidance developed from years of education and experience
- Less chance of complications -more frequent breastfeeding, more rest, nutrition & fluids help. I provide evidence based strategies for all of these key areas.