Elsa's first feeding
When I started attending births I was an independent childbirth educator. My clients could ask me to be present for their births, and, if I was available, I would go. Regular people didn't have cell phones so it was a gamble to know if they would even be able to reach me. The word doula was just a Greek word for servant. We called ourselves labor coaches or birth attendants. I actually prefer those terms or "birth keeper". In the years that followed, I kept adding to my knowledge about fertility, reproductive health, the childbearing year and breastfeeding challenges.
And so I became what is now known as a full-spectrum doula. I offer families the benefit of my experience - as a pregnant and nursing parent, a childbirth educator, a breastfeeding counselor, a fertility and pregnancy bodyworker, and a birth attendant (doula). I walk with my clients through it all, even if there are complications or a loss.
Preparing yourself and your family for a new family member is a big job. We're here to help you put together a great team of providers and a community of support so you can welcome your little one into a well-resourced nest.
And so I became what is now known as a full-spectrum doula. I offer families the benefit of my experience - as a pregnant and nursing parent, a childbirth educator, a breastfeeding counselor, a fertility and pregnancy bodyworker, and a birth attendant (doula). I walk with my clients through it all, even if there are complications or a loss.
Preparing yourself and your family for a new family member is a big job. We're here to help you put together a great team of providers and a community of support so you can welcome your little one into a well-resourced nest.
Molly's experience:
I have attended births of many kinds: at home, in hospital, first-time moms, VBACs, etc. Even a vaginal breech birth!
I have counseled hundreds of women all over the country about breastfeeding.
I have given birth to two glorious children: one cesarean birth after 60 hours of unmedicated labor, and one VBAC at home in 4.5 hours.
I have spent the past twenty-eight years learning all I can about how pregnant people birth, how pregnant people respond to their bodies and why they run into obstacles in labor.
I nursed two children for six years and wrote a children's book about it.
I have helped parents and their families reconcile what they hoped for with what actually happened. I have grieved and celebrated with them.
Coursework completed specific to childbirth:
I have attended births of many kinds: at home, in hospital, first-time moms, VBACs, etc. Even a vaginal breech birth!
I have counseled hundreds of women all over the country about breastfeeding.
I have given birth to two glorious children: one cesarean birth after 60 hours of unmedicated labor, and one VBAC at home in 4.5 hours.
I have spent the past twenty-eight years learning all I can about how pregnant people birth, how pregnant people respond to their bodies and why they run into obstacles in labor.
I nursed two children for six years and wrote a children's book about it.
I have helped parents and their families reconcile what they hoped for with what actually happened. I have grieved and celebrated with them.
Coursework completed specific to childbirth:
- Movement Ecology of Pregnancy, Katy Bowman, Nutritious Movement
- Spinning Babies Aware Practitioner bodywork for pregnancy and labor
- The Matrona's Advanced Doula training in Holistic Childbirth
- Six Month Birthworker Apprenticeship with Britta Bushnell
- Biodynamic CST for Pregnancy and Newborns
- Upledger CST Applications for Conception, Pregnancy and Birthing
- Craniosacral therapy for Infants and Newborns with Lactation Issues
- Arvigo® Advanced Pregnancy "Supporting Pregnancy from Pre-Conception through Post Partum"
- DONA Doula training
- Certified Fertility Doula (Bebomia)
- Yoga for Fertility (Bebomia)
- Gena Kirby's Rebozo seminar
- Evidence Based Birth® Provider
- Infant Mental Health Training
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program
- Bradley Method Childbirth Educator training