A postpartum doula is professionally trained to care for the mama/birthing person, newborn baby and family during the first three months after having a baby, often referred to as the “fourth trimester”.

A newborn baby is an amazing, life-changing event! A family will benefit from having a postpartum doula who will support them as they adjust to their new (or continued) role of being parents and the new aspects a little one brings to the family dynamic.

As your Postpartum Doula, I will provide dedicated, nonjudgmental, informed care for you and your family. I will ensure that the new mama/birthing person can physically heal, is listened to and supported emotionally and is able to rest knowing baby is being cared for. I will support the new dad/partner as well, so that as parents, you will feel confident that your unique family’s needs are met during the important fourth trimester.

benefits of having a postpartum doula, include:

• decreased maternal exhaustion, frustration, and apprehension

• decreased infant and maternal health complications due to informed care

• increased and earlier bonding with newborn

• increased breastfeeding success

• decreased chance of postpartum depression and/or postpartum anxiety

I will care for & support new mamas/birthing persons, their partners and newborn baby(ies) and family beginning with the 1st days after having your baby, to the weeks and/or months during the “fourth trimester” the first 3 months after baby is born.

I will

• provide dedicated care including ensuring mama/birthing person is able to physically heal from birth

• hold space for the birthing person to process the birth experience

• give non-medical, evidence based physical and emotional support

• provide breastfeeding and/or formula feeding support

• care for your newborn baby

• allow mama/birth person & partner time for self-care (shower, sleep, eat, etc.)

• give a resource list of local services and practitioners

• meal preparation

• baby laundry (washer, dryer, folding and putting away)

• cleaning & sterilizing baby bottles and/or breast pump

• organization of baby nursery

• Doula Trainings International, Certified Postpartum Doula, CPD (dti) April 2023

• Doula Trainings International, Professionally Trained Postpartum Doula, December 2021

• American Red Cross Certified Infant, Pediatric & Adult CPR, First Aid & AED Training March 2024

• Maternal Mental Health Webinar; MOM2020 and Postpartum Support International September 2022

• Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders Training; Postpartum Support International, March 2022

• Lactation Challenges for Doulas, DTI Workshop, May 2024

• Lactation Basics for Doulas, DTI Workshop, April 2024

• The Art of Nurtured Parenting & How Doulas can Support New Families, Greer Kirshenbaum, PhD, DTI Workshop, March 2024

• QI Speak-Up Champion: Implicit and Explicit Bias Education Training, March 2024

• Confronting Bias on Baby Sleep - DTI Workshop for Postpartum Doulas, Kim Hawley, MA, MPH, IBCLC, February 2024

• Peaceful Nights Course, Mother Nourish Nurture, November 2023

• Guilt Free Baby Feeding with Francie Webb, CPD, BD, IBCLC; DTI Workshop, November 2023

• Affirming Care for Trans & Non-Binary Clients Training; Dr. Kate Watson, Advocacy Academy, March 2022

• Newborn Care: First 48 Hours & Beyond, February 2022

• Breastfeeding Beginnings: What to Expect in the First 30 Days; Tinyhood Workshop, January 2022

• What Does Safe In-Home Postpartum Care Look Like in a Pandemic, Webinar; Bridgetown Baby, January 2022

• Supporting Perinatal Mental Health During Covid-19 Training, April 2021

• Volunteer Newborn Baby Snuggler, 12/2017-1/2020

• Certified Infant Teacher Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care 2007

• Baby Signs(c) Programs, Independent Certified Instructor, 2007

• B.A. Communications Disorders: Speech/Language Pathology December 1989

I have always felt drawn to caring for babies & supporting families beginning at the age 12 as a “mother’s helper” for our neighbor’s toddler, then volunteering a few summers at my mother’s place of work at a childcare center and, finally, to babysitting the neighborhood children until I went off to college. At three other times in my life, I found myself caring for babies as an Infant teacher in Childcare Centers: afternoons when I had my first job out of college at an elementary school, as a stay-at-home-mom (SAHM) working “Mother’s Hours” when my daughters were in school and most recently when they were both in college!

I am excited to have found my true career path in life, what I was meant to be: a Postpartum Doula! I am able to combine my passions for caring for new mamas/birthing persons, their partners and newborns.

I am honored to be able to care for you and your family’s unique needs as you take those first steps into parenthood or continue on your journey of parenthood as a growing family.

I am a Mama to two adult daughters and becoming a mother is something I’d dreamed about since I was a little girl! 

As the 1st of my friends to have a baby, I did not have any peers going through pregnancy, childbirth and life with a newborn.

I was fortunate that I lived in the same town as my parents & to have my mother’s support, guidance & loving care during the first days, weeks & months as a new Mama… something I will treasure, always. 

My mother was “doula-ing” me during my first fourth trimester: making sure I healed, rested, was nourished & listened to; as well as cared for her granddaughter and supported my husband, as we became a new family of three.

When I had our second daughter, I did not have that kind of support as sadly, my mother had passed away a year prior to her birth. Our family and friends were extremely supportive, but they had their own lives to live and were not expected to provide care for us.

Most of my support came from my husband, which left him exhausted as he had to return to work one week after her birth. I felt the need to ‘bounce back’ after birth and care for my daughters and do “all the things”.

It was during those days and weeks that I realized how much I missed my mother’s loving care and the huge impact her absence had on me and my family during that fourth trimester.

I know how important and necessary postpartum care is. I knew when I received it from my mother. I have learned so much more from my trainings about the undeniable benefits and positive impact of having postpartum doula care.

In 2020, I did some soul searching & realized that I had a desire to find a more fulfilling career that would combine my passions: supporting mamas/birth persons, caring for babies & helping families. A dinner chat with my older daughter & her partner sparked an interest in learning more about the importance a Postpartum Doula’s role is in helping families with newborns. I was intrigued & excited because in doing so, I was able to discover a career in what I am truly meant to be: a Postpartum Doula & Newborn Caregiver!

Any time during your pregnancy is a good time to prepare for your postpartum period. Midway through your pregnancy or even a month or two before your baby arrives will allow time to think about and plan for your famliy’s unique needs.

If you have already had your baby (babies) and have decided that you would love some TLC for you, your baby and growing family, please get in touch! I am available to care for your family at any point during your fourth trimester: the first 3 months after having baby.

A “let’s meet” virtual call will be set up with the birthing person and partner to assure we are a “good fit” for one another. If we decide to move forward, I will come to your home for a free 1-1.5 hour consultation where we will fill out a client questionnaire. Once we agree to work together, a contract will be drawn up according to your unique family’s needs and my postpartum care services.