My interest in childbirth began when I was eight years old and was present for the birth of my own brother. I thought it was amazing and that my mother was so strong! I saw the birth of my sister four years later. My mother was a La Leche League leader so we received many phone calls from mothers in need of support and information.

To this day, I believe that support and information are the two most important things in the event of becoming parents. When parents receive those two things at such an important time in their lives, a beautiful confidence develops.

There are so many decisions to be made before your baby arrives: the birth location, who your care provider will be, what your philosophy and feelings about giving birth and being a parents are. Most parents have many concerns and questions and feel more empowered and relaxed if they can gain information about the process beforehand. As your doula, I can take the time to answer your individual questions during the prenatal time and help you decide what questions you want to ask your care provider about their practices and what questions you have about the policies of your birth location. I am a familiar face during labor and birth that stays by your side from beginning to end. I provide parents with lots of encouragement. We all know how encouragement affects us in a positive way. At a time of uncertainty, it makes a huge difference in how we feel about ourselves and our capabilities.

I became certified as a birth doula in 2006 and as a postpartum doula in 2008 by DONA International, the largest doula organization in the world. I was also certified as a Hypnobabies Childbirth Hypnosis Instructor by the Hypnobabies Network in 2007. In addition to advanced doula trainings, I completed Reiki level I and II trainings in 2010. I have served as a doula at births at most of the hospitals in Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, as well as the Women's Birth and Wellness Center, Womack Army Medical Center, and at clients' homes. I received my bachelor's degree in industrial engineering and a minor in Spanish from N.C. State University.

The births I have attended have taught me so much, and it is always an honor to be invited to be present at the birth of a child. I love working with families and the feeling that I can help make their birth experiences beautiful.

I live in Apex with my husband, Jeff, and our two cats.