My career experience has mostly revolved around pregnancy, newborns, and infants. I am a DONA Certified Birth Doula and a Welcome Baby Care Certified Post Partum Doula. I also received training through Bebo Mia to specialize in fertility, antepartum, birth, postpartum, and bereavement. I interned at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, CA in their Labor and Delivery department. I have assisted and supported over 80 vaginal births and over 40 cesarean births. I fell in love with Labor and Delivery. I went to Gustavus Adolphus College and received a Bachelors degree in Sociology and Anthropology (to study the different cultures and societies I would meet in the medical field) and a Bachelors degree in Gender, Women, and Sexuality studies (to study my main clientele, WOMEN). I went on to go to nursing school to become a Labor and Delivery RN but after a year, I realized I didn't want to be giving medications and charting in L&D. I wanted to be the support person and empower women. That's when I became a birth doula.
In my home life, I am a mom and a wife. I have two children. My daughter is a curious, sassy, and talkative preschooler and my son is a playful, adventurous toddler. I have been with my husband since 2012. I enjoy swimming and sitting out on the patio with some iced tea and a good book. I have an obnoxious obsession with realty T.V. like the Bachelor and Catfish. I love to blast country music in my car as I travel to and from the cities. I am originally from Janesville, WI where my family still resides. I moved to Palm Springs, CA to stay with my dad my last few years of high school and then came to Minnesota to go to college. When I met my husband here, I decided to make Minnesota my home. I am a pretty picky eater but love pastas and sweets. Can't go wrong with a simple bar of milk chocolate. Yumm!
My Mission for Pregnant Women
I believe that every woman should have the birth of their specific needs and preferences. I strive to ensure each client has a customized birth plan that fits their needs and supports a comfortable and safe delivery. Whether that be a medicated birth, water birth, natural birth, planned C-section, or more, I will support you through the process. In the event that your birth plan goes astray, I will help keep you informed and assist in providing risks and benefits, so that you can make an appropriate decision. I want you (and your partner) to remember this for generations to come. This is an intimate moment for you and your family and I'll do what I can to make it as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.
I have been a doula since before I had kids of my own. Since I have had children, I have had a whole new outlook on pregnancy, birth and postpartum. I won't ever push my values or decisions or experiences onto your experience but will offer guidance as you wish. I had had both ends of the spectrum in terms of deliveries. I have had a long and traumatic birth and I have had a short, healing, dream birth. I always tell my clients that ask about my birth stories that I will be more than happy to share my stories, AFTER you have had your own birth. I never want to put fear or unrealistic expectations. Your birth and your story are your own! I am happy to be a part of it! After you have your baby, chances are, you are so into your own story, that you won't be interested in mine ;) .
Experience and Training
DONA Certified Birth Doula
Bebo Mia trained Doula
Health Foundations Graduate Doula
Minnesota Birth Center Birth Doula
Welcome Baby Care certified Post Partum Doula
HypnoBirthing Doula
Sociology/Anthropology Bachelor's Degree
Gender, Women, & Sexuality Bachelor's Degree
CPR/AED Certified
Emergency First Responder Certified
Certified Nursing Assistant
Breastfeeding education
Car seat education
Baby Led Weaning Educator
Emergency Transfer experience
Cesarean Section experience
Circumcision Assistant experience
High risk experience
Single Parents
Women over the age of 35 experience
Multiples experience
IVF birth experience
Teen Parents
Sibling Support
2sLGBTQ+
I also have training and experience with pregnancy loss, stillbirth, and infant loss. Should you need support during an expected or unexpected loss, I am available to assist and have an open safe space for you to process.
Holding Space for Pregnancy Loss Training
Traumatic Birth experience
Pregnancy Loss experience
Trisomy 13/21 pregnancy & loss experience
Holding Space for Pregnancy Loss training through The Institute for the Study of Birth, Breath, and Death