I have been a California Licensed Midwife (LM) and a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) since October, 2011.  My midwifery education culminated in an Associates Degree of Science in Midwifery from the National College of Midwifery with hands-on training being gained from a 4 year one-on-one apprenticeship with Cindy Haag of Tres Lunas Midwifery, 9 months of training with Judi Tinklenburg at the Sage Femme Birth Center in San Francisco, and 1 month at a rural hospital in Senegal, West Africa.  I also hold a Bachelors Degree in Women’s Studies and Psychology from the University of Michigan. I am certified in neonatal resuscitation as well as infant and adult CPR.

Although I have always been in love with babies, children and pregnant mammas, I first became fascinated with childbirth at age 16 when my aunt gave birth to my cousin with a Doula for labor support, empowerment and to help her have an unmedicated birth.  At university I took many women’s health courses and had the privilege of learning from some of the premier women’s health practitioners and researchers from the University of Michigan Medical and Nursing schools. After experiencing birth in West Africa I have a strong desire to help improve the outcomes of women and babies globally.

I have been attending births as a doula since 2007 and began by providing support to young children attending births which is a really sweet role to play in a birth team. In Winter of 2008 I was trained as a Doula in Elizabeth Davis’ Heart and Hands Midwifery Intensive.   In July of 2008 I began assisting families in the postpartum and have since worked with many families from a few days to a few months and have experience with both twins and singletons.

I live with my partner in South Berkeley at Fairview House, a member owned cooperative where I love to garden and cook.  I’m looking forward to our spring chickens!