I believe all women deserve continuous emotional support, physical comfort and encouragement during their birthing time. I also believe, all women and their birth partners deserve to be educated and supported with their choice of birthing options. This helps in creating a safe and nurturing environment during birth. I provide birth doula services and Hypnobabies childbirth classes. I am there to be an advocate for your birth plan and preferences.

Benefits of having a Doula present during a woman’s birthing time:

• Reduces the use of epidural anesthesia or other analgesic
• Reduces the use of Pitocin
• Reduces the duration of labor
• Reduces the use of forceps and/or vacuum extraction
• Reduces maternal fever & infection
• Reduces postpartum depression
• Reduces anxiety levels
• Increases successful breast-feeding
• Increases spontaneous vaginal birth
• Provides a more positive birth experience for Mother & Birth Partner
• Provides the Mother to feel more in control & secure
• Provides the Mother with a higher regard for newborn & increased
  sensitivity toward newborn
  

*Adapted from Mercola JM, Mermer C. Doulas can improve the health of both mother & newborn (web page). Accessed July 24, 2001


In order to provide the most natural/holistic care according to your individual needs, my Certified Perinatal Support Specialist Services include:

• Our first consultation is free of charge with no obligation
• At least 2 consultations, lasting approximately 1 1/2 hours, to become acquainted with each other and to discuss your birth preferences
• Assistance in developing an individualized birth plan
• Attend one prenatal visit with you and your health care provider to introduce myself and discuss your birth plan
• 24 hours a day support, by phone or e-mail, as your labor day nears
• Accompany you to your birthing place
• Stay by your side during the labor & birth
• As nothing can replace the father’s/birth partner’s role, well work together as a team during your birthing time. I use my expertise to assist you with position changes & massage to aide comfort and efficiency of birthing waves
• Facilitate communication between you, your birth partner and the clinical care providers and explain any unfamiliar medical procedures to you
• Assist in taking photos or video if desired
• One to two hours of continued support during your postpartum time, including breastfeeding assistance
• One postpartum visit at your home

Training:

• BA in Psychology, California State University of Long Beach
• Certified Perinatal Support Specialist, Birth Wisdom
• Hypnobabies Childbirth Hypnosis Instructor, Hypnobabies
• Neonatal Resuscitation, American Academy of Pediatrics/American Heart Association
• Certified Yoga Instructor, specializing in prenatal yoga

Experience:

I have been a birth doula since 2003. My experience includes hospital, birth center and home births. I currently serve as a birth assistant to Beachside Birth Center in Laguna Woods. I am a proud member of DONA and DASC. I am very passionate about birthing and supporting women. I live in South Orange County with my husband and beautiful daughter (I used a doula too!).