Nurturing Transitions

My interest and fascination with pregnancy, childbirth, and the newborn period blossomed as I studied Psychology as my undergraduate major. Child development captured my interest and I directed my passion toward learning more about development during pregnancy and the process of childbirth. I began my doula research and decided to continue onto the University of Maine graduate school to study Human Development. Here I learned more about infant development and wrote my Master's Thesis about women's childbirth experiences. I learned how individual the education and preparation is for such an event and life transition.

 

Following graduate school I worked for a non-profit agency as a home visitor for first-time parents and their babies. Through this universal program I met with many different families providing them education around parenting and child development and offering them support throughout this often challenging period. It was a wonderful experience getting to know these families and learning from them, too. During this time I also became a Certified Lactation Counselor through The Center for Breastfeeding. I aspire to support more breastfeeding families as I work my way to becoming an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).

 

In September 2006 I moved from Maine to San Francisco and am loving the Bay Area. Since then I have been teaching Newborn Parenting and Breastfeeding classes through California Pacific Medical Center's Newborn Connections. I have also been providing my postpartum doula support services since I moved here and am thoroughly enjoying fulfulling my passion. I love meeting and reaching so many expectant parents.

 

Throughout my education and varied experiences I've come to value the transition into parenthood more than ever. It is my goal as a Postpartum Doula and Certified Lactation Counselor to make this transition as comfortable as possible for new and growing families!