My two daughters were born in my home in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont (that's really what they call it!). The treasure of those experiences profoundly imprinted my life. As with most mothers, babies and birth were my favorite subjects. I began attending home births as an attendant and a "coach." I became a childbirth educator through the Association of Childbirth at Home. I continued to teach classes until my girls were in school and the demands of motherhood became much greater. After my girls left home for college and their own life's experiences, my desire to be in the birthing community was reborn. I discovered the term "Doula" and the concept sparked my interest and desire to be back in the world of new mothers and babies and women who care about women. I was invited to attend a meeting at UCSD held by "Hearts and Hands," a wonderful group of people devoted to teaching, encouraging and educating the role of a Doula at the UCSD Medical Center.

With the encouragement and experience I received through Hearts and Hands, I joined the Doulas of North America ("DONA") and became a certified labor doula. I am a member of San Diego Birth Network, Natural Baby Pros, International Cesarean Awareness Network ("ICAN"), and Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS) and the HypnoBirthing Institute. I look forward to actively spreading the love and education found in the birthing community here in San Diego.

My services include the following:

• An introduction phone and home interview to discuss your needs and desires

• Prenatal visits with you and your care provider

• 24 hour phone, email support and networking throughout our contract

• Help with writing your birth plan

• Your birth story from Doulas perspective

• Unconditional support during your labor and birthing

• Labor tools, such as birth ball, relaxing music, positive affirmations, light touch massage, positioning and movement.

• Postpartum visit and referrals

• Birthing pictures of your labor and delivery. I compile them onto a compact disc and give them to you at our postpartum visit along with your birth story.

I provide kind, conscientious, emotional and physical support to you and your family during your baby's birthing and immediately after, whether yours is a natural, medicated or home birth. I charge $850 for labor doula care. I request a non-refundable retainer fee of $425; the balance due within two weeks after your birth.