During 1981, at the age of 9, I had my first labor support experience.  My father, older sister, and I were my mother's labor support team for the birth of my brother.  This experience shaped my life. I learned that the most important thing in life is life. Cherishing and supporting to the fullest extent possible one's experience in the process of giving birth is absolutely invaluable.  Having strong intuitive support for families in the birthing process greatly supports the family structure in developing strong attachment and a more cohesive transitional period.

Throughout my professional career (as an art and sexuality educator) I continued to support friends and family members through their pregnancy, labor, and postpartum periods.  These experiences drew me closer to my doula nature. At some point along the line, I learned about the profession of being a "doula" and realized this is my life's work.  As a doula, I have experience attending hospital, birthing center, and home births, as well as working with families postpartum in their homes.   

I have been trained by Penny Simkin (co-founder of DONA International, and author of several books, including, "Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn") and 4 other extraordinary Doula trainers who are members of the Board of Directors with DONA International . I am a member of DONA International , The Metropolitan Doula Group, in NYC, and The Childbirth Education Association of NY (where I am a trained and certified as a childbirth educator). I have attended the 2003, 2004, and 2005 Annual DONA International Conference, where I focused on massage techniques for the laboring and postpartum Mom, breastfeeding, perineal massage and pelvic floor muscles, positions for labor, labor, birth, and the postpartum period for survivors of sexual abuse, and how to best support families through the newborn time period.

I am currently certified as a Birth Doula and Postpartum Doula through DONA International; in adult, child, and infant CPR through The Red Cross; and also as a childbirth educator through Childbirth Education Association of NY.  I am in the process of accumulating my 2500 hours of breastfeeding support so I can sit for the international exam to be a board certified lactation consultant.

In addition to my private practice, I am currently an educator and doula at Realbirth. I live with my husband and son (born this past winter, 2005!) in Sunnyside, Queens.  I serve Moms and families in the New York metropolitan area.  My whole heart is truly in the work of supporting families through pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period.  It is an honor to work in this field of life and love.