About

Prior to founding Joyful Birthing in 2014, I taught high-school English for ten years and earned my master’s degree from Middlebury College. When I became pregnant with my first child, I took a HypnoBirthing class, which sparked my passion for safer, more informed and empowered birthing. After the power of my two birthing experiences, I left my career as an educator to pursue my passion for birth work and have completed training with The HypnoBirthing Institute, DONA International, Gena Kirby Rebozo, Spinning Babies, Evidence-Based Birth, Academy of Lactation Practice and Policy, and Center for Pediatric Sleep Management.

I hold current certifications as a HypnoBirthing Practitioner, Birth Doula,  Lactation Counselor and Sleep Consultant. In this work, I have found that one area of expertise tends to lead to the next!

I am passionate about all things birth and baby but especially empowering women and their partners to make informed decisions about their birthing, to approach birth with a sense of trust and calm, and to ultimately have a safe, joyful birthing experience- one they feel completely at peace with- and a successful transition into the new demands of parenthood.

I believe that proper education, preparation, and support can make all the difference and can lead to what I always wanted for myself: an empowering and joyful birthing experience. Each and every birth I attend– whether natural, epidural or Cesarean– humbles me. Time and time again, I am awestruck by the beauty of birth and so deeply proud of the courage, love, and perseverance of each and every mother.

Since 2014 I have attended over 100 births, taught HypnoBirthing® to hundreds of couples, and I have expanded Joyful Birthing & Beyond to include a variety of online classes, a team of birth doulas, and a robust Mentorship Program for birth professionals. In addition to managing Joyful Birthing & Beyond, I also work for Cleo as a Family Guide, Birth Specialist, and Sleep Specialist helping hundreds of families navigate the demands of pregnancy, postpartum, lactation, newborn care, sleep challenges, parenting, and the transition back to work.

My work in this field led me to become a mother once again. In the fall of 2021, I gave birth to my third child. In this way, I have a renewed sense of what it means to be pregnant, a birthing person, and a new mother!

I am a mother, birth advocate, HypnoBirthing Practitioner, birth doula, lactation counselor, and sleep consultant. It is a great honor and privilege to support families in these ways.

MY CERTIFICATIONS

In January 2018 the Boston Voyager Magazine featured me as one of Boston’s most inspiring entrepreneurs. Check out the full article here: Boston Voyager Magazine.

Radio interview in 2019 where I talk all about Joyful Birthing: All Business Media Radio

Guest speaker on podcast Down to Birth in September 2022, “Creating Healthy, Independent Infant Sleep Habits”

My philosophy as the founder of Joyful Birthing & Beyond is that this is your birth and baby, so only you can determine what is best. Our goal is to help our clients understand the many choices available to them so they can make informed, autonomous decisions for themselves and their children. With compassion, respect, and without judgment, we will support all of your choices and help you seek a positive birthing and early parenting experience.

I am blessed to have a team of remarkable women working alongside me to expand our offerings and support. All team members share the vision and passion for helping women and their partners achieve healthy, empowering pregnancies, births, and a successful transition into the joys and demands of parenthood.