5 Things To Know About Me + More
I’ve ALWAYS been a “do it yourselfer”, as my mother would say. Sometimes I climb into the freezers at the grocery store to reach the top back shelf instead of asking for help.
My husband and I self solemnized on a mountain top in Colorado. We hiked for a couple hours, changed clothes in the trees, and married ourselves. I told you I was a “do it yourselfer”!
When I was 7 I told my parents I wanted to be a vegetarian. I was pretty intense about it until my mom started putting beans in spaghetti- my favorite meal! I caved and agreed to eat meat. I’m no longer vegetarian, but challenging myself in the kitchen and pushing towards more sustainable food choices is still something I’m drawn to.
I’ve competed in and judged professional coffee making competitions- yes, that’s a thing. No, I didn’t win. But, I can make a really fantastic cup of coffee while telling you more than you’d ever want to know about terrior, extraction, and tasting notes.
I have the cutest puppy ever. We met serendipitously while walking in the park, and the rest is history. I also have the cutest niece ever. She was born in May 2020, so doesn't totally understand the puppy yet. BUT, I think someday they'll be best friends!
I’m a wife, a sister, a daughter, a gardener, a coffee professional, a great cook, and a fanatic about all things birth. I’m born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. I received my bachelor’s in Social Work from Saint Louis University. I spent 5.5 years in Denver, Colorado where I worked in various aspects of the coffee industry, hiked as much as possible, and met the love of my life. In April, 2020 we decided to move to St. Louis to be closer to family and try something new.
My Birth Work Journey
I’m not sure how or when I became so enamored with birth. I’d not been around many pregnant families. I’d not seen, heard, or conversed about birth growing up. Somehow, I caught the birth bug, and now I just can’t get enough. Planning prenatal visits, connecting with expecting families, and anticipating calls about the start of labor are favorite parts of my work week. Honestly, sometimes I even dream about birth.
Currently, I’m working on achieving my Birth Doula certification from DONA International. I’ve attended several workshops on lactation and Spinning Babies, and plan to continue to expand my knowledge and services.
My Birth Doula Why
I believe birth can be a transformative experience for parents and babies (coming earth side is no small feat). I want to walk alongside you to hold space, and offer encouragement for you to create an experience reflective of you and your desires. I truly believe our world can become a better place if we allow for better birth.
