Novant Credentialed Vendor Doula's

Advanced Courses:

Spinning Babies, A Nurse’s Guide to Managing Common Breastfeeding Challenges, Gestational Diabetes: Overview and Management Strategies, Lactation Review: Breastfeeding Basics, Managing Cardiac Conditions During Labor and Delivery, Placental Anomalies, Shoulder Dystocia: An Obstetrical Emergency, The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative: What It Means for You and Your Facility, The Postpartum Period and the Healthy Newborn. Evidence Based Birth Due Dates, Evidence Based Birth Failure to Progress, Postpartum Cultural Traditions, The Doulas Role in Cultural Safety, Exploring the Self: A Doula's Guide to Discussing Race, Gender, and Privilege in Birth and Postpartum work, Lactation Basics for Doulas, Count the Kicks, and Racial Equity and Inequities in Birthwork.

Bio:

I have been a birth doula here in Charlotte, NC for 21 years and each year I personally serve 70-100 new families who achieve a 7-10% cesarean rate! That is a relative risk reduction of having a cesarean section by 87%! This is not by luck! I developed Charlotte’s first ever full-service Pregnancy Concierge and birth training program through Birth Story Academy. Think of my team and me as wedding planners for your birth! My team and I are on call for you 24-7 from the day you hire us! Our program is centered around childbirth education, community, and accessibility. We teach you about how to have a safe childbirth in a hospital setting and how to use your voice and have your voice heard!

I am also the host of the Birth Story Podcast which is a top 1% podcast. My clients and people from all around the world tune in each week for free education! Many clients have the opportunity to share their birth stories on the podcast too! Listen today anywhere you listen to podcasts!

When my parents raised me to follow my dreams, I did so quite literally. Since childhood I have had a keen interest in all things maternal, frequently dreaming of pregnancy and birth. After college, I made a list of all the things that I wanted to see and do in my life. Staring back at me from my bucket list was “be with a woman while she gives birth.” I realized that dream in 2005, facilitating the birth experience of my dear friends’ first child. The ecstatic moment of their son’s first breath convinced me of my calling to be a doula. Since that day, I have helped over a thousand people on their journey to parenthood and/or birthing. I was a doula for 10 years before becoming a mom myself and my own birth completed the circle for me of divine birthing. I have two children and each birth was very different. I would love to share my birth stories with you. I love traveling, chai lattes, flip flops, long hair, cycle class, soccer, camping and bonfires, poetry, dancing, smiling, playing with my dogs, positive energy, sushi, tacos and queso, recycling, waterfalls, writing in my journal, hot yoga, talking, massaging, throwing pottery, giving every piece of my time and energy that I have to spare away, and loving people.

How many births do you attend? I personally accept up to 2 private clients per month. However, my team of doulas in the Birth Story Boutique always have availability and I am excited to help you find the right fit for your birth!

I serve women and birthing persons birthing at home for home births and in these hospitals: I only cover expecting parents who live in Charlotte, NC delivering at home for home births or the following hospitals: Novant Main (formerly Presbyterian), Novant Matthews (formerly Presbyterian), Novant Huntersville, Atrium Main (formerly CMC), Atrium Pineville (formerly CMC). Our doula collective however, serves a much broader range of hospitals including Caromont Gastonia, the Birth Center in Statesville, Novant  Ballantyne, Mint Hill and many others. Please inquire at www.BirthStoryBoutique.com