The birth and newborn stages are a short time, but I would like to make them a special time for the family. Birth and postpartum assistance can be the difference between a stressful, frustrating time and an amazing, gratifying time. My goal is to support and encourage parents during labor and delivery, as well as the tumultuous 4th trimester (first 6 weeks after baby's birth). My hope is that you will feel special, supported, enabled, and remembered during this time.
Newborns have always held a special place in my heart. With four younger siblings, foster children, friends' children, and a nephew and niece, my baby experience goes back over 20 years. When I was 14 my youngest brother was born 2 1/2 months premature and diagnosed with Down syndrome. At 18 my family started doing foster care for children ages 2 and under.
My experience includes preemies, high needs newborns, medically fragile newborns, special needs newborns, at risk newborns, etc. I am a DONA certified postpartum doula. I have taken postpartum doula training at Bastyr University, a course on breastfeeding, a course on drug affected infant care, and many more infant care courses. I also attended a DONA approved birth doula training. I worked for 2 years for the health department in Oklahoma to provide doula support for WIC eligible women in the community. My comfort level with newborns is high and I relish helping you experience the joy of a new baby!
Supporting new parents while they birth and bond with their new babies is so rewarding!
