Birthing Care

I am a Certified Birth Doula through ALACE (now called ToLABOR), and have been supporting women in birth since 2005.  I attend births in hospitals, birth centers and a few at home, and continue to be awed by the miracle of birth and strength of birthing women, in every way their births unfold. 

Prior to being a doula, I taught and facilitated programs in public and private educational settings. I'm pleased to incorporate education in my doula work, teaching/learning with my clients about pregnancy, the birth process, and new parenthood.  

I have a remarkable family who supports my doula profession in every way.  My fabulous husband, 16-year-old son, 14-year-old daughter and 5-year-old black lab mix all manage to keep the household running as I am away indefinitely at each birth. 

Testimonial, February 2010 

I was under the care of the midwives at Mt. Auburn hospital during my pregnancy, and my husband and I really wanted a doula to attend the birth of our first baby.  A few of our friends had used doulas, and I loved the idea of having someone to support both of us at home during labor, and at the hospital.  As it turned out, it was the best decision we could have made!  We connected with Maria near the end of my pregnancy, and she met with us a few times to discuss birthing preferences and possible scenarios.  When I went into labor (11 days after my due date), Maria came to the house to help us – I wanted to labor at home as long as possible, and she helped to calm me with her loving and generous demeanor.  She rubbed my feet with lavender oil, poured soothing water on me in the bathtub, and helped me focus on my deep breathing.  When we decided to go into the hospital, it became even more apparent how necessary Maria was – the full moon and storm had sent a lot of women into labor, and the midwives and nurses were fully occupied.  If my husband and I had been left on our own in a birthing room for those many hours, it would have been a much scarier experience.  Having Maria with us, we knew we were in safe hands, and that the pain I was feeling was a normal and useful part of giving birth.  She encouraged us to walk and shift positions, and when the baby was in a posterior situation, she recommended ways to get him to shift into the right position for birth.  It was a long 34-hour labor, and Maria’s support was unflagging.  She took some wonderful pictures and video of the labor, and captured our son’s first moments in this world.  At her post-partum visit, she once again overwhelmed us with her kindness and generosity – I look forward to keeping in touch with her as our son grows, and would recommend her to anyone who wants a calm and relaxed birth!