I have been blessed to be able to turn my passion for supporting and empowering women and their families through pregnancy and childbirth, into “work” I love. I founded Birth & Bodywork in Seattle, Washington in 1996 to integrate all my passions.
A Licensed Massage Therapist for 16 years now, my interest in prenatal massage started in 1994 when five of my massage clients became pregnant in the same year. This was a very life enriching time for me as it led to my desire to become a Certified Doula which I did when we moved to Seattle in 1995. Words do not truly describe the joy I experience when supporting women in labor and birth. My role is to facilitate a satisfying birth experience for the woman and her partner, and am deeply honored each time I attend a birth.
Certified in prenatal massage, I enjoy helping expectant Moms find some relief from the common discomforts of pregnancy. I’m especially pleased when the relaxation they are able to achieve during the massage translates to their labor allowing for a more relaxed birth experience or supports their experience as a new mother. I also see many non-pregnant clients for therapeutic bodywork.
I enjoy each of my “jobs” immensely, but it is teaching that brings the greatest joy. After the births of my two sons-one hospital and one home birth-I gained a deeper understanding of the delicate balance of childbirth. I then created Confident Birthing, a childbirth class that focuses on the very practical and FUN preparation for childbirth and the partnership of parenting. Since 1997, well over 250 women and families have attended the Confident Birthing Childbirth Class.
I have personally experienced the possibility of growth and empowerment that pregnancy, birth and parenting brings to women and their partners. I see my role, as childbirth educator, doula and massage therapist as one of holding the space for women and partners to explore and create their unique, individual experience of parenting. Birth & Bodywork was created to support that pivotal time in families’ lives for the greatest growth and experience of empowerment and joy possible.
Credentials: MFA Florida State University, 1986
Licensed Massage Therapist - 16 years and over 1700 hours of professional training
TX and National Licensure: 1989 WA Licensure 1996
Certified Pregnancy Massage - Body Work for the Child Bearing Year, Seattle1997
Certified Doula - Seattle Midwifery School, 1995 Member Pacific Association of Labor Support www.dona.org
Board of Directors, Puget Sound Birth Center since 1999 www.birthcenter.com
My own births - one hospital and one home 1997 and 1999
