About

What Brought Me To Birth Work

Shortly after completing my undergraduate studies, I connected with the local Red Tent in my area. This experience quickly revealed how little I truly understood about reproductive health, birth, and the diverse experiences within our community.

Learning from those involved in the Red Tent was eye-opening and sparked my interest in providing comprehensive care for all individuals. While this may sound broad, I've come to realize that holistic, well-rounded care encompasses a wide range of needs and experiences.

As my awareness grew regarding how our society often fails to honor diverse health needs, with research frequently overlooked due to lack of funding or interest, I felt compelled to provide more options for individuals and families in my community.

My primary goal is to become a home birth midwife. While I continue to work toward this as a student midwife, driven to increase access to needed care options, I also acknowledge there are numerous ways I can support individuals and families during the childbearing years before this next chapter.

In 2017, I trained through DONA International as both a birth and postpartum doula. Through this, I gained valuable insights into the birth experiences of families in Western PA. Some experiences filled me with hope, while others highlighted the inadequacies of a one-size-fits-all approach to care.

Now, in 2025, I've been serving families for over eight years. My journey into birth work was fueled by a desire to provide more options. My passion for supporting families continues to drive my growth and learning, allowing me to better serve my community.

Birth Philosophy

You already know what's best for you, your baby, and your family. My role is to provide you with education and guidance so you can feel completely confident in the decisions you make.

Ultimately, I'm here to support you and the unique vision you have for your birth.

There's no one-size-fits-all approach to birthing. Every family deserves personalized care and attention. This isn't just another day for you; it's a rite of passage that deserves to be honored and celebrated.

Educational Background

BA in Psychology & Anthropology 
Honors College & Honors Psychology Program
Graduated Summa Cum Laude
Traditional Midwifery Student

Certifications, Credentials & Trainings

NR-EMT (Nationally Registered EMT : Active Credential, though no longer working as an EMT)
NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program) *sometimes babies need a little extra help transitioning from womb to world. 
Helping Babies Breathe (neonatal resuscitation for low resource areas)
Certified DONA Birth & Postpartum doula
Trained Baby Loss Doula/Bereavement Doula 
Trained Home Birth Midwifery Assistant

Formerly Served the Community

Outpatient Mental Health Counselor
EMT with Local Ambulance/First Responder Service
Domestic Violence Shelter Advocate & Hotline Volunteer

Currently Serving Local Community

Ìyá Pittsburgh Project Board Member - Secretary
https://www.iyapittsburgh.org/board

Independent Study Interests

Baby Wearing
Safe Sleep 7
Parenting Approaches
Montessori
Waldorf
Attachment Theory
Child Development
Cycle Breaking
Medical Anthropology
Herbalism

More Than Doula Services

I offer more than traditional doula care—what I provide is layered, adaptive, and rooted in trust.

Whether you're planning a homebirth, navigating a high-risk pregnancy, or looking for guidance through the intensity of early labor at home, my care meets you where you are. As a doula, monitrice, and student midwife, I bring a blend of emotional, physical, and (when appropriate) clinical support to help you feel informed, held, and powerful in your decisions.

Birth is not one-size-fits-all. That’s why I offer a range of services tailored to your specific path:

  • Specialized Doula Support for high-risk hospital births under MFM care (Maternal Fetal Medicine)

  • Monitrice Care for families laboring at home before transferring to a hospital or birth center

  • Homebirth Midwifery as a student midwife under supervision with Igi Osè Midwifery

Each of these options provides different layers of support, but all are centered around the same core values: transparency, autonomy, and unwavering care.

My approach is trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and deeply committed to reproductive justice—especially for BIPOC, Queer, and Trans families. With me, your story is honored, your choices are respected, and your birth is yours.

Back Up Support Disclaimer

If you choose to have me as your doula, I want you to know that I take great care to ensure I will be present during your labor. However, life can sometimes throw unexpected challenges such as illness or previously committed births. I maintain a small client load each month to minimize the chances of overlapping labors. While it's always possible for a doula to be unavailable due to the unpredictable nature of birth, I work closely with trusted backup doulas to ensure someone will be there to support you promptly in my place if needed. Please refer to the Referral Spotlight section to meet your potential backup doulas.

Introduction of Affiliation and Collaboration with Ìyá Pittsburgh

I am honored to share my collaboration with Ìyá Pittsburgh, an organization dedicated to providing accessible and inclusive midwifery care and essential community resources. At Ìyá Pittsburgh, we strive to create new and unique projects that will eliminate the barriers that prevent BIPOC, Q, and T people from receiving joyful and loving care. Our goal is to change the measure from merely surviving birth to fostering thriving families.

Through this partnership, I am proud to contribute to a range of impactful projects, including:

  • A free/reduced cost perinatal supply pantry, ensuring that essential items are accessible to all families.

  • Funding services that are otherwise out of reach, such as home births or doula care, so that everyone has the opportunity for a personalized and supportive birthing experience.

  • Providing access to books, supplies, and training for birth workers, supporting them to deliver high-quality care to their communities.

This collaboration allows me to extend my support to a broader community, working alongside a network of passionate professionals who share a common goal of equitable and comprehensive care for all families. Together, we are committed to breaking down barriers and fostering a nurturing environment where every family can thrive.

If you would like to learn more, get involved, or donate to Ìyá Pittsburgh you can do so at their website --> https://www.iyapittsburgh.org/

Transparency

As your doula, I promise to be open and honest about my boundaries. If that means I’m not the right fit for you, then I trust that it brings you one step closer to finding someone who is.

When I can, I will gladly connect you with another doula who might be a better match.

I don’t claim to have all the answers, and I don’t believe it’s my place to make decisions for you. What this looks like in practice is me being honest when I don’t know something, and asking you about your thoughts and feelings. At the end of the day, you are the expert on your own body and experience. I can promise to seek out information when needed so that you feel confident and supported in making informed choices.

I will stand beside you—especially in the uncertainty, in the hard moments, and when answers don’t come easily.

I will believe your feelings, honor your truth, and remind you of your incredible strength. You can do hard things.

Boundaries

My boundaries include, but are not limited to:

  • Birth location limitations: While I would love to be present at your birth, your location must fall within my service area to ensure my ability to attend.

  • Client capacity during your estimated due date: I may be at full capacity and unable to take on new clients. Exceeding my limit increases the risk of missing your birth and compromises the quality of care I can provide to you and others during that time.

  • Acting as a healthcare provider: While I am a certified Doula, trained Monitrice, Midwife Assistant and Midwife Apprentice, my scope depends on the role you hire me for:

    • As a Doula: I provide emotional, physical, and informational support but do not perform clinical tasks such as taking vitals.

    • As a Monitrice: I can offer limited clinical monitoring (e.g., taking vitals, listening to fetal heart tones) but only as supplemental support, not as a replacement for your primary care provider.

    • As a Midwife (still in apprenticeship): I may provide clinical care under supervision when hired specifically in this role, and I will clearly communicate when and how this applies.

  • Monitoring your rights and safety: I will speak up if I notice something that seems to violate your rights, safety, or consent.

  • Respecting philosophical differences: If our birth philosophies or my style of support don’t align, I will gladly help guide you toward someone whose approach resonates better with your vision for birth.

  • Remaining within my scope of services: Tasks such as nannying, babysitting, or cleaning are outside my scope of practice. My primary focus will always be on providing dedicated support during your birth journey.

  • Supporting the family unit: My role is to support the birthing person and their family during this life transition, tailoring my care to the specific role for which I am hired.

  • Ensuring the right fit: If at any point you, your partner, or I feel that our personalities or energies don’t align, it’s essential to prioritize your comfort and sense of safety in your birth space. If I’m not the right fit, I completely understand and will gladly assist in connecting you with a doula who feels right for you and your family.

Mandatory Reporting

Because of my roles as a doula, monitrice, and traditional student midwife—and due to state law—I am a mandated reporter in Pennsylvania. This means I am legally required to report any suspected child abuse to the Department of Public Welfare.

That said, please know that I approach this responsibility with care, discernment, and humanity. My goal is never to cause harm or disrupt families, but to ensure safety and support. When I see unmet needs or situations of concern, my first step is not to involve Child Protective Services. Instead, I collaborate with a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) to connect you with the resources and support systems you may need.

The only time I would bypass this supportive approach is in cases of clear abuse, where immediate action is necessary to protect a child’s safety.

For transparency, I hold a valid Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance and a clear Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check.