What training and education do you have? What is your philosophy about childbirth and supporting women and their partners through labor? When do you try to join women in labor - at our home or at the place of birth? May we call you with questions or concerns before or after the birth? Do you work with one or more backup doulas for times when you are not available? May we meet them? Will you meet with us to discuss our birth plans and the role that you will play in supporting us through childbirth? What is your fee, what services does it include and what are your refund policies? Will you provide references?

What training and education do you have? I am a DONA certified Birth Doula and have been since September 2004. DONA requires their doulas to stay up to date and continue their training throughout. I have kept current by attending the 2005 DONA conferences in DC, the Partners in Perinatal Health Conferences, the BACE conferences and I have recently hosted Miriam Maslin's workshop at my home, Supporting Women Through Perinatal Loss.I have additional doula training through the Hands of Light Midwifery program and completed half of the midwifery training as well. I am infant and adult CPR certified. I am a licensed HypnoBirthing instructor in the Mongan Method (Marie Mongan herself was my teacher!) I have been licensed since August 2005. Prior to my doula work I spent 11 years working in science, in both biology and chemistry. I graduated from the Biothechnology program at Aquinas College Newton in 1994. My postpartum training includes working for Mothercare since March 2006. I taught daycare, both publicly and privately between 1984 and 1994. What is your philosophy about childbirth and supporting women and their partners through labor? My Philsophy is that every birth, every baby, every mother and every father/partner is having a once in a lifetime experience. Every birth should be treated as a sacred event. It's your baby, your body, your birth. I spend a lot of time before your labor getting to know you and what you want your birth to look like. I talk with you about many things you may possibly encounter during your labor and delivery and cover the pros and cons of these things. I then support you in your choices, whatever they may be. I feel that women who are well informed of their choices and not coerced or frightened into doing something they do not want to do will have a better birth story to tell. Birth doesn't just make babies- it makes mothers too. When do you try to join women in labor - at our home or at the place of birth? I join you when you need me. If you prefer your home in early labor to help you stay in your own environment a bit longer I will do that. If you and your partner are working fine together and you would prefer I meet you at the hospital I will do that as well. I would rather meet you early- even very early on-to help keep you calm and focused if thats what you need. May we call you with questions or concerns before or after the birth? Yes, I welcome your calls! Do you work with one or more backup doulas for times when you are not available? May we meet them? I do guarantee to provide a back up doula if for some unforseen reason I would not be able to make it to your birth. I am very well connected in the doula world and have many wonderful women to call apon. If it is a last minute event that stops me from attending your birth there is not always time for you to meet the backup in advance. If however there is a specific day I need to take off that I know about in advance, I will be sure to give you the backup doulas information so that you can call her. My links page has links to some of the doulas I would call in a back up situation. Will you meet with us to discuss our birth plans and the role that you will play in supporting us through childbirth? I provide two prenatal visits, approximately 2 hours each, in wich we cover a wealth of information. This is also a great time to get to know each other before your labor and delivery. The visits usually are at 36 and 38 weeks gestation. What is your fee, what services does it include and what are your refund policies? I will be happy to provide you with a copy of my 'services and fees' document and a copy of my contract for birth doula contract. Will you provide references? I'd be happy to provide you with references.