The term "doula" is a Greek word, meaning "a woman who serves". Doulas may offer themselves in service of others in any situation that requires it, but the most common forms of support that doulas offer are through labor, birth, postpartum, and death. Throughout the labor and delivery process, doulas offer physical and emotional support to the birthing person and their partner through active listening, managing expectations, providing education and resources, comfort measures and techniques including position changes, massage, and acting as a calming presence in the inevitable times of high emotion and unpredictability. 

As doulas, we strive to enhance the experience that was already manifesting before we became a participant, help you make sure your questions are answered, and empower you to advocate for yourself. Being invited into that space is the highest honor, and the benefits of having that kind of unwavering support are endless. The presence of a doula has the ability to ease anxiety, provide comfort and reassurance, improve outcomes, and hold space for the birthing person to recognize the tremendous power from within themselves. 

I am a Certified Professional Doula as recognized by the CPD Board, AlloTribe, and Allo Doula Academy. This certification required 200+ hours of comprehensive training in prenatal, labor & delivery, and postpartum support. To maintain these certifications, I am also required to renew every three years by demonstrating my proficiency in the field and actively participating in continued education. At this time, there is not a "license" for doulas. I carry liability insurance through CM&F Group, Inc. 

If I have the honor of meeting you and serving through your labor and delivery, my terms and conditions regarding payment, services provided, and my scope of practice will be addressed via a formal contract entered into between myself and you. 

A doula does not diagnose, treat, or intervene. This means that I am NOT here to offer medical advice or intervention, deliver your baby, or interfere and/or argue with medical staff. I am not here to advocate for your wishes, but rather to encourage you to advocate for yourself. I also will never make any promises or guarantees for outcomes, because in this space, such a thing does not exist. I will promise to be present and engaged for every twist and turn that your birth adventure may bring. My role as a doula is to be present and hold space through pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum. I will provide emotional and physical support, offer suggestions for non-medical comfort measures, provide evidence-based education, and help you manage your expectations and understand your rights as a birthing person. Working together comes with active listening, genuine understanding, and an environment free of my personal opinions and biases. In this environment, I want to help you feel empowered to actively express your wishes without fear of being judged. Ultimately, the way the birth goes is not about the parents or birthing person, it is 100% up to the baby. While it is important to know and make known what you want out of this experience, it is also important to understand and be prepared that any of your predetermined wishes can turn on a dime depending on your needs and the baby's. I am here to help you grasp that and adapt to changes while embracing and appreciating your own unique process. I will always embolden you to advocate for yourself and ask appropriate questions when there is something you are anxious about or don't understand. I will answer questions that fall within my scope of practice to the best of my ability, provide evidence-based resources and education, and encourage you to engage your medical care providers when I am unable to provide the answers you are looking for.