Mapleseed Birth Services

My journey into birth work began with the home birth of my son in 1994 in Omaha, Nebraska. During my pregnancy, I became keenly interested in the culture and practice of birth, and was fortunate enough to find a network of supportive mothers who affirmed my growing belief in the strength and wisdom of the birthing body. I received excellent care from a skilled and sensitive midwife, whose gentle and respectful guidance allowed me to fully experience birth as a sacred and transformative event. I strive to carry this attitude into the work I do as a birth attendant and educator.

In addition to birth work, I am a graduate instructor and PhD candidate in Gender, Women’s and Sexuality Studies at the University of Iowa. I am a midwifery advocate and a founding member and steering committee member of Friends of Iowa Midwives. I am also a member of Iowa City Doulas, Birth Works International, Doulas of North America, the Midwives Alliance of North America, Sister Song, and Citizens for Midwifery.

I am committed to community education, and I’m happy to speak about doulas, midwifery, birth planning, or birth politics to classes, community groups, or educational events.
My academic CV

Childbirth related training, certification, and continuing education:
2011 - Childbirth Education Trainee Reviewer, Birthworks International
2010 - Home Birth After Cesarean: What the Research Says and Doesn't Say (ICAN Webinar)
2009 - Birth Art Process 101 with Pam England and Virginia Bobro
2009 – Continuing Doula Training, DONA
2008 - Supporting Women Through Perinatal Loss with Miriam Maslin
2006 - Working with Childbearing Women at Psychosocial Risk with Penny Simkin
2000 – Certified Childbirth Educator, Birthworks
1999 – Doula Certification, DONA
1997 – Doula Training, DONA
1995 – Certified Childbirth Educator, Bradley Method
1994 - Spinning Babies with Gail Tully