I didn’t set out to become a doula — birth found me slowly, through my own experiences. After moving from Michigan to Missoula in 2007, I earned my degree in medical assisting, got married, and welcomed my first baby in 2010. That birth opened my eyes to the incredible capability of women’s bodies and the challenges families face when navigating their options.

Over the next few years, I felt a growing pull toward supporting women through this powerful transition. I trained as a doula just before my second baby was born in 2013, and from there I continued learning everything I could: childbirth education, Spinning Babies®, hypno‑birthing, neonatal resuscitation, and traditional rebozo techniques.

My own births shaped me just as much as my training. My 2016 homebirth taught me what it feels like to labor freely, safely, and supported. My 2017 loss taught me the depth of grief and the importance of compassionate care. And my 2018 homebirth reminded me of resilience and the quiet strength that lives in every woman.

In early 2021, life shifted again when my family moved to Billings for my husband’s career. I stepped away from doula work, but I never let go of the hope that I would return. As all four of our kids settled into school, I finally had space to ask myself what I wanted next. I went back to school and became an RN, imagining that labor and delivery would be my sweet spot.

When we moved back to Missoula in 2024, I began working on the post‑surgical unit at Community Medical Center. I learned a lot, but my soul was dimming a little more with every shift — I missed the connection, the purpose, and the transformative nature of birth work. Eventually, I was offered a part‑time position on the pediatric unit, where I often float to the mom/baby unit. Being back with the population I love — supporting families, witnessing those early moments, and working alongside providers who care deeply — reminded me exactly where my heart belongs. After just a couple of months, the pull toward birth work returned stronger than ever.

I’ve supported families in hospitals, birth centers, and homes. I’ve walked with women choosing unmedicated birth, induction, epidurals, and planned cesareans. What matters to me is not the route — it’s that the choice belongs to the woman, and that she is supported every step of the way.

As a member of the homebirth community, I also believe strongly in bridging the gap between medical and homebirth worlds. When a transfer becomes necessary, families deserve respectful, collaborative care that honors their autonomy and keeps the shared goal at the center: a safe, supported birth.

This work is my passion because birth is transformative. It deserves presence, knowledge, and unwavering belief in a woman’s strength.