When I found myself pregnant at 17 years old I had no idea what to expect or what choices I did or didn’t have. I contacted a local doctor that I found in the phone book and was told that I had to wait several weeks to be seen. I was so worried I would “mess something up before then.” No one close to me had given birth in the last 4 decades and the internet of 2002 was not nearly the vast internet we have today. I looked for books and magazines to help guide me along my pregnancy. Though my labor and the delivery of my first child went well, by my second pregnancy I already had a strong desire to labor a bit differently. Unfortunately, no one around me at that time had an unmedicated labor and delivery so the family and friends attending my birth were unable to be helpful in guiding me through the process. When I was preparing for my third child I knew if I were to have a better experience I would need some help. I reached out to a good friend who had knowledge & training in childbirth & had been the support person present when others delivered their babies. Oh my goodness, I left that birth feeling more empowered and stronger than I ever have in my entire life! I knew I liked labor & delivery before, but not only was my baby born that day, so too was I. I was born as a future birth worker. I had tried nursing school in the past and thought I might rededicate myself to that field and become a labor & delivery nurse. I quickly decided my passion was to focus on the client, instead of the clinical symptoms. So I set out to gain as much knowledge about the natural process of labor & childbirth as I could and discovered my calling as a Doula. Through books, seminars, courses, videos, web instruction, speaking with experts and my personal experience as a birthing mother and a doula I have acquired a wealth of experience and knowledge further seating my passion for this calling.
Learning is a never ending task for a birth worker. As a professional doula I have completed a lot of coursework and many in-person trainings (see Education Section below for a list). Through my own pregnancies I have also experienced birth several ways. I've given birth as a full induction with an epidural, with Pitocin & no epidural & I have given birth fully natural with almost no medical intervention. I have supported clients in many birthing circumstances as well including those needing a c-section. I draw on my knowledge of birth as well as my past experience as a nursing student and EMT to help you better understand and communicate with the medical staff on your team. I am also Reiki Attuned to Master/Teacher level and have had wonderful experiences incorporating Reiki energy upon request with my clients.
I have experience and training supporting breastfeeding & bottle-feeding mothers. I nursed 3 children exclusively for their first year of life. I also have experience bottle feeding with both formula and breast milk, as well as pumping and donating breast milk to be used for premature infants and cancer patients.
My passion is to support, empower, and prepare you to meet your baby your way.
No matter if it's your first, fifth or tenth child, I'll be there for you, every step of the way!
Hospital Birth Doula
One Free Initial Consultation
2 Virtual Prenatal Appointments
In Person Labor Support for the duration of your Labor & Delivery & up to 2 hours Postpartum
Home Birth Doula
One Free Initial Consultation prior to contract signing.
2 Virtual Prenatal Appointments
1 Onsite Visit Prior to Labor (if applicable)
In Person Labor Support for the duration of your Labor & Delivery & up to 2 hours Postpartum.
*MUST HAVE A MIDWIFE OR OB ATTENDING YOUR DELIVERY AS YOUR MEDICAL PROVIDER.
Child Birth Education Class
5 Weeks of Online Personal Childbirth Education Class
2 hours per week.
Some of the Topics Covered:
Beliefs about Birth-The purpose of pain in labor- Confidence Building-Pregnancy Health Relaxation-
Late pregnancy symptoms- Anatomy and terminology- Signs of your birthing time- Phases and stages of birthing- Relaxation-
History of Medical Intervention- Informed consent-Rights of Childbearing People-Third trimester Interventions- Arriving at your Birthplace- Birthing time Interventions- Medical pain management- Birth plans-Cesarean Birth Support
Postpartum Doula
1 Free consultation prior to your delivery
Postpartum packages available to be booked by the hour or in blocks as needed.
As a Professional Doula I am always on the lookout to continue my education through various courses & trainings.
Here is where my learning journey has taken me so far:
2002 Bryan Manor- Direct Care Program*
2003 Rend Lake Collage - LPN Program*
2006 Rend Lake Collage - EMT-B - NREMT*
2006 Rend Lake Collage - EMT- I *
Stopped School for the Hands on Experience of Raising 4 Children
2008 Breastfeeding Peer Support Training
(Worked in various employment sectors during this time)
2012-2017 Read every Pregnancy, Childbirth, Breastfeeding, Doula book I could get my hands on, as well as completing the reading lists of several doula trainings.
2015 Trained with DONA International* Birth Doula Training
2017 Trained & Certified with StillBirthday as a Birth & Bereavement Doula
2017 Trained with Madriella* Birth Doula Training
2018 Reiki Level 1 with Joy Culver Zen Shiatsu School Chicago
2018 Herbal Academy Becoming an Herbalist Course
2020 Reiki Level 2 with Joy Culver Zen Shiatsu School Chicago
2021 Herbal Academy Intermediate Herbal Course
2021 Herbal Street Medic Workshop
2022 Herbal Trauma Medic Course
2022 Reiki Level 3 Training with Joy Culver Zen Shiatsu School Chicago
2024 Certified Food Production Manager Training
2024 Allergen Awareness Certification
I have Completed multiple Adult, Child and Infant CPR and AED courses throughout my education.
2025 Birth & Postpartum Doula Certification- TDS
(* I do not hold/ haven't maintained current licenses or certifications for these fields)