I am a
Certified Labor Doula through Childbirth International serving Iowa
City, Coralville, and surrounding areas. I live in Iowa City with my
husband and two sons, both born at the University of Iowa Hospitals
and Clinics with the Certified Nurse Midwives.
As a doula
I use my training and background as an instructor and scholar in
physical education and health to help women prepare for and
experience their births as empowered and active participants. I
consider birth to be the ultimate physical event. I
firmly believe in the benefits of physical, mental, as well as
emotional preparation for the labor and birth process. By
practicing a variety of coping mechanisms, the birthing woman and
her team can access different skills, knowledge, and tools as
needed. I am there to support your wishes and individual needs, to
help you and your partner make informed decisions, and to facilitate
your journey to parenthood in an environment of security and
confidence.
It is my
mission to serve the birth community as an informational resource
through this website and through speaking opportunities and
workshops. Ultimately,
I can help you experience a positive, comfortable, safe, natural
birth in the hospital.
In
addition to my role as a doula, I am the founder of the
not-for-profit tsunami relief organization,
HUGS: Help Us Give
Slings, a (former) co-leader for the Iowa City Babywearers, and
leader of the Iowa City
Doulas. December 2010 I became an Educational Consultant with
Discovery Toys in an effort to extend my service with families
beyond the birth through the childhood years.
Professional Memberships: International Cesarean Awareness Network
(ICAN) professional supporter, Childbirth International.
Continuing
Education:
Hypnobabies Childbirth Hypnosis Doula (HCHD), 2011;
Reiki I Certification, 2010; Cesarean Scar Care in the Postpartum Period, 2010;
Journey to VBAC: What You Need to Know, 2009; Father's Role in
Preventing Cesareans, 2009; ICAN Birth Class: Cesarean Prevention,
2009; Homebirth after Cesarean, 2009.
