I am a DONA and CAPPA-trained birth doula, trained by a wonderful teacher, Debbie Lavin of California.

My college degree is a Bachelor of Arts in sociology (social theory) with some focus in medical anthropology, classical philosophy, and logic.

I studied prenatal and postnatal yoga with a hatha yoga teacher for a year in 1999. I offer individualized yoga coaching for clients who would like this as an additional service.

I have experience providing support to women who have had vaginal and cesarean births, breech presentations, water births, and those who have required emergency transport. I am gifted with the ability to create and maintain a calm, supportive, and gentle birthing environment.

I love what I do and am very comfortable around birth, birthing women, birth partners, and medical care providers. My services focus around the belief that birth is a special and unique experience for each woman and her family. That with unconditional support and constant care, families can feel good about their birthing experiences. I place a lot of value in establishing good professional relationships with families, so I may learn about their birth wishes, needs and intentions.

Services begin with prenatal visits (often at home), unlimited phone contact, 24 hours on call, and labor support beginning at home or hospital. I also provide services to families birthing at home and in the care of midwives.

My services may be active or passive support, depending on the needs of the moment for each woman, and her family. I am a local HypBirth resource, a Reiki master/teacher, and facilitate a parenting group in Shelburne Falls, MA for new and expecting parents. Please visit Classes to learn more about what is offered at my space, the Red Studio, in Shelburne Falls, MA.

I am a founder and President of the Green River Doula Network. This group was created with the knowledge that doulas can be hard to find and families need plenty of choice when planning their births. The Green River Doula Network provides a free listing resource of doulas and other birth professionals providing services to area families.

For more information about my services and references, please email me or call me at (413) 774-5589.

• Have provided services to clients birthing at Franklin Medical Center and Cooley Dickinson Hospitals. Am available to provide support to clients in the Brattleboro area as well.
• Experienced with providing support at vaginal, cesarean, and water births.

Training and Education

• Affiliated with DONA and CAPPA
• DONA & CAPPA trained to provide professional birth support, 2003
• Reiki Master & Teacher, 2001
• BA Sociology, 3.6 gpa, studies included medical anthropology, 1998

Birth Experience

• Have provided professional support to clients attended by both midwives and obstetricians.
• Have provided professional support to clients birthing at Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield, MA and Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Northampton, MA.
• Have provided support at emergency home birth and emergency transport scenarios.
• Have experience with vaginal births, water births, and cesarean births.
• Experience providing support to clients with breech and posterior presentations.
• Experienced with providing breast-feeding support.
• Experience with supporting clients using HypBirth and HypnoBirthing methods of relaxation.
• Experienced using acupressure, aromatherapy, birth ball, massage, and other gentle birthing tools.