My husband and I have lived in Boulder since 1975. My two children, Dane and Kate, were born at Boulder Community Hospital. I first started working with pregnant women when I studied to be a massage therapist. Now about half of my massage clients are pregnant women. The other half are moms, grandmothers and an occasional dad. The questions that my pregnant clients asked and the invitations to be at their births prompted me to become a childbirth educator and a birth doula.

Now, twenty years later I still love what I do. My childbirth classes have evolved over the years, now incorporating the teachings from Birthing from Within. After all is said and done, what really helps in the birth experience are not really the facts that one's learned but how the laboring mom feels about herself (her confidence level), the belief systems she holds, how she faces her fears, knowing places she can pull strength from when things get tough, and the trust she has in her birthing team. My classes are usually fairly small and there is always time for sharing and discussion. I hold them on Wednesday nights all year long.

My work as a doula is so rewarding. I get be be at miracles! I enjoy getting to know pregnant couples, sometimes through my classes, sometimes through massage and also at the two prenatal appointments before a birth. I've been to over 300 births, mostly at Boulder Community Hospital but I also enjoy being a doula at Longmont United and at home births. For couples planning a hospital birth there is often time at home when a doula can be really helpful. Knowing when it's the right time to go to the hospital can be confusing if it's a first baby. Having a doula with you can usually let couples stay home longer. Sometimes dad is able to get some needed rest, knowing his partner has the attention she needs.

I enjoy talking to people about what I do and about what options are available in the Boulder birthing community, so don't hesitate to call if you have any questions.