ABOUT

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Become the boss of your own birth to help make it a positive one. Empower yourself by being informed about every decision regarding your body and your baby. 

Evidence shows that when doula is part of your team, labors are shorter with fewer complications, less pain, reduced stress and fewer unnecessary interventions, like forceps and C-sections. Babies are born healthier and breastfeed more easily. The transition that comes with the arrival of a baby and the birth of a mother is made easier and the risk of postpartum depression is reduced. I can help you get there with knowledge, support and confidence.

A doula was integral to my two pregnancies and births. The power and inspiration of those experiences led me to make a major career shift, after 25 years in design, to supporting pregnant people and families like you.

 I will work with you and your partner to navigate and prepare for any possible scenario. There are even more questions to consider during this time: What are my hospital’s current COVID policies?  How should I modify my packing list? What if my partner has a fever when we arrive at triage? What if I or my baby test positive for COVID? What are my rights as a labor and delivery patient? What if my mom can’t come to help with the new baby because of travel restrictions? We will work together so that you feel calm, supported and respected during your labor, no matter the circumstances.

  While childbirth is challenging and complications can occur, your body is designed to give birth. I will help you understand your anatomy, physiology and the strength of the mind-body connection in a way that is easy to understand.  We will envision and create a safe emotional and physical environment that allows your body to do its thing. If a laboring mother does not have a sense of privacy, safety and dignity, her fight or flight hormones will kick in interfering with the process of labor, thus inviting unnecessary intervention. Knowledge is power, especially in birth.

  You are busy. It is time consuming and can be overwhelming to wade through perinatal information - books, websites, class listings.   I will streamline resources for you. I will provide unbiased evidence based data, answers to your questions and resources that will be most relevant to you and your birth partner.

 Not sure if you and your care provider are a good match? Let’s talk about why or why not.  Have no idea which classes to take? I can provide options that work with your schedule and budget. Wondering what you can do to prepare your body for labor and birth? I can provide information tailored to your learning style. Want to learn and practice coping techniques for labor? We can do that over Zoom. Aren’t sure if you are in early labor? Call me and we can talk it through. Struggling with breastfeeding?  We can do a FaceTime consult to assess baby's latch.

In addition,  as a virtual doula, I am able to be present for you in whatever way feels right in the moment during your labor, regardless of hospital in-person support restrictions.

  I am DONA (Doulas of North America) trained, an ALPP Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) and educated in Spinning Babies®  labor comfort and progress techniques.  I am a Professional Member of Evidence Based Birth® and receive frequent continuing education on the best practices in the field.  In addition, I am a member of the Metro Doula Group COVID Response Team, providing PPE kits to birthing people and communities in need in New York City.

I received my Bachelor of Arts in Art History from the University of Vermont and a Master of Architecture from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, receiving several awards for design and research.  I was Founding and Managing Principal at SHoP Architects for over 20 years. 

Beyond my passion for birth and design, I enjoy my lifelong engagement in dance and photography. I live in Manhattan with my two daughters and spend as much time as I can with my family in Maine.