About me
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My journey into birth work began with the home birth of my son in 1994 in Omaha, Nebraska. During my pregnancy, I became 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 my work as a birth attendant, bodyworker, and educator. I hold a PhD in Gender, Women’s and Sexuality Studies from the University of Iowa, where I continue to teach as an adjunct professor. I am happy to speak about doulas, midwifery, reproductive justice, or the history and politics of childbirth in classes, groups, or educational events. |
Training, Certification, & Continuing Education
Current Certifications in Neonatal Resuscitation and CPR/BLS
2020 - North American Registry of Midwives - Bridge Certificate
2019 - Due Dates and Advanced Maternal Age (Evidence-Based Birth)
2019 - PROM, GBS, and Newborn Procedures (Evidence-Based Birth)
2016 - Advanced Practice Midwifery (Wise Woman Education)
2016 - Birth Emergency Skills Training
2016 - Perinatal Mood Disorders
2015 - Certified in Prenatal and Postpartum Massage
2015 - Certified Prenatal Yoga Teacher, Sweet Feet Yoga
2015 - Cultural Competency and Respect in the Provision of Maternity Care (Mercy in Action)
2014 - Craniosacral Therapy for Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum (Carol Gray, Portland, OR)
2014 - Infant Oral Anatomy: How it Affects Breastfeeding (Des Moines, IA)
2014 - Rebozo Techniques for Pregnancy and Birth (Kelly Langfeldt, Iowa City, IA)
2014 - STRAIT Method Scar Tissue Release Massage (Marjorie Brook, Anamosa, IA)
2014 - Postpartum Belly Binding (Sacred Pregnancy)
2014 - Reiki Master Teacher
2014 - Licensed Massage Therapist, Carlson College graduate
2014 - Yoga Nidra Meditation for Pregnancy and Postpartum (Karen Brody)
2013 - Processing Perinatal Grief (Angelique Chelton)
2012 - Certified Professional Midwife, NARM
2012 - Subtle Hands-On Skills and Craniosacral Therapy for Infants (Carol Gray, Portland, OR)
2012 - Board of Directors, BirthWorks International
2011 - Childbirth Education Trainee Reviewer, BirthWorks International
2010 - Managing Shoulder Dystocia and Breech Birth (Gail Tully)
2010 - Home Birth After Cesarean: What the Research Says and Doesn't Say (ICAN)
2010 - Birth Emergency Skills Training (Aviva Institute)
2009 - Birth Art Process 101 (Pam England and Virginia Bobro)
2009 - Homeopathy for Midwives (Marybeth Buchele, Iowa City, IA)
2009 - Continuing Doula Training (Tammy Ryan, DONA)
2008 - Supporting Women Through Perinatal Loss (Miriam Maslin, Cedar Rapids, IA)
2007 - Midwifery Ethics, Charting, How to Become a CPM (Ida Darragh, Iowa City, IA)
2007 - NARM Legislative Workshop (Ida Darragh, Iowa City, IA)
2005 - Working with Childbearing Women at Psychosocial Risk (Penny Simkin, Des Moines, IA)
2004 - Spinning Babies (Gail Tully, Iowa City, IA)
2000 - Certified Childbirth Educator, BirthWorks
1999 - Doula Certification, DONA
1997 - Doula Training, DONA
1995 - Certified Childbirth Educator, Bradley Method
1995 - Reiki I
2020 - North American Registry of Midwives - Bridge Certificate
2019 - Due Dates and Advanced Maternal Age (Evidence-Based Birth)
2019 - PROM, GBS, and Newborn Procedures (Evidence-Based Birth)
2016 - Advanced Practice Midwifery (Wise Woman Education)
2016 - Birth Emergency Skills Training
2016 - Perinatal Mood Disorders
2015 - Certified in Prenatal and Postpartum Massage
2015 - Certified Prenatal Yoga Teacher, Sweet Feet Yoga
2015 - Cultural Competency and Respect in the Provision of Maternity Care (Mercy in Action)
2014 - Craniosacral Therapy for Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum (Carol Gray, Portland, OR)
2014 - Infant Oral Anatomy: How it Affects Breastfeeding (Des Moines, IA)
2014 - Rebozo Techniques for Pregnancy and Birth (Kelly Langfeldt, Iowa City, IA)
2014 - STRAIT Method Scar Tissue Release Massage (Marjorie Brook, Anamosa, IA)
2014 - Postpartum Belly Binding (Sacred Pregnancy)
2014 - Reiki Master Teacher
2014 - Licensed Massage Therapist, Carlson College graduate
2014 - Yoga Nidra Meditation for Pregnancy and Postpartum (Karen Brody)
2013 - Processing Perinatal Grief (Angelique Chelton)
2012 - Certified Professional Midwife, NARM
2012 - Subtle Hands-On Skills and Craniosacral Therapy for Infants (Carol Gray, Portland, OR)
2012 - Board of Directors, BirthWorks International
2011 - Childbirth Education Trainee Reviewer, BirthWorks International
2010 - Managing Shoulder Dystocia and Breech Birth (Gail Tully)
2010 - Home Birth After Cesarean: What the Research Says and Doesn't Say (ICAN)
2010 - Birth Emergency Skills Training (Aviva Institute)
2009 - Birth Art Process 101 (Pam England and Virginia Bobro)
2009 - Homeopathy for Midwives (Marybeth Buchele, Iowa City, IA)
2009 - Continuing Doula Training (Tammy Ryan, DONA)
2008 - Supporting Women Through Perinatal Loss (Miriam Maslin, Cedar Rapids, IA)
2007 - Midwifery Ethics, Charting, How to Become a CPM (Ida Darragh, Iowa City, IA)
2007 - NARM Legislative Workshop (Ida Darragh, Iowa City, IA)
2005 - Working with Childbearing Women at Psychosocial Risk (Penny Simkin, Des Moines, IA)
2004 - Spinning Babies (Gail Tully, Iowa City, IA)
2000 - Certified Childbirth Educator, BirthWorks
1999 - Doula Certification, DONA
1997 - Doula Training, DONA
1995 - Certified Childbirth Educator, Bradley Method
1995 - Reiki I
