My journey to becoming a doula began in 1998 with the birth of my daughter Courtney.   A childhood friend’s mother, Valerie, had been a doula for many years, and volunteered to attend our birth.  Her loving support was a true blessing, and planted the seed of my new calling.  After the homebirth of my second daughter in 2003 I knew that my goal was to become a doula.

It took a knee injury and multiple surgeries in 2004 to teach me that life was too short to do anything less than the work you love!  I took the Labor Support course at Seattle Midwifery School in 2005 and began attending births just weeks after.  I have supported families birthing at home, at area birth centers, and in area hospitals, attended by midwives, family practice physicians, and obstetricians. 

I fell into postpartum doula work through my work with Navy families and have discovered that I love helping new parents joyfully transition into their new roles.  I think every family needs and deserves extra help during their babymoon and am proud to provide care during this challenging time.

I trained as a childbirth educator through Great Starts in 2007 and am currently teaching private classes upon request.  My next goal is to finish the requirements to teach group classes-stay tuned!

My beliefs about birth are simple- our bodies are made to birth our babies.  Birth is normal, safe, and amazing.  I've devoted countless hours to learning about the process of pregnancy and birth, about how to help women through pregnancy and labor, and how to help families create joyous memories of the births of their babies.  At the same time, I'm committed to helping you make choices that are best and safest for you and your baby.  You deserve good, factual information regarding pregnancy, birth locations, care providers, labor and birth and parenting.  I strive to help families educate themselves so they can feel confident and at peace with the choices they make.  With good information and good support, you can have an amazing birth!

On a personal level, I’ve been married to my great husband Dave for 11 years.   Our family includes Michael (age 17), Courtney (9) and Ellison (5).  When not living and breathing all things birth, I’m a knitter and spinner, a soccer coach, and volunteer at my children's school.  I also volunteer with Postpartum Support International of WA.

To learn more about me and the services I provide, please email me or call 360 659 1886