Tell me about your training, credentials and experience.
v I have been a Registered Nurse working in a variety of Obstetrical settings for the past 30 years. I have worked in both 'high risk' and 'birth center' environments and I have Antepartum, Labor and Delivery, Postpartum and Nursery experience.
v
I
received a Diploma of Homeopathy from the British Institute of Homeopathy in
1994.
v
I
have been a Reiki Practioner since 1990 and I have been trained in both
Therapeutic Touch and Gentle Bio-energetic Massage.
v
I
have been a Labor Doula since 1998, having attended over 50 deliveries as a Doula
(in addition to continuing to work actively as a Labor and Delivery Nurse locally
at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Torrance and Kaiser South Bay Medical
Center in Harbor City).
v
In 2003 I obtained DONA
certification
as a Labor Doula.
v
In 2004 I obtained DONA Certification as a Postpartum Doula and CAPPA
Certification
as a Lactation Educator and Childbirth Educator.
v
In 2005 I completed the Lactation Consultants course at the
University of San Diego Extension. I am currently an IBCLC (Internationally Board Certified Lactation
Consultant ) working in the Lactation
Clinic at Kaiser Bellflower and an in-patient consultant at Kaiser South
Bay.
v I have one breastfed daughter and two tandem nursed grandchildren.
v I am an active member of the Breast Feeding Task Force of Greater Los Angeles in addition to Doulas of Southern California and the international professional organizations for Doulas and Lactation Counsultants.
What do you think is the most important part of your job?
v To work myself out of a job by providing confident guidance to parents as they learn how to care for their new baby or babies.
v To provide personalized breastfeeding support.
May we meet with you to discuss our plans and the role you will play in supporting us?
v Absolutely - I am more than happy to meet with you in person so that we can determine if we can work together in harmony.
v There is no fee for this introductory meeting.
What is your fee, and what does it include?
v Labor Doula Services: Currently not available
v Postpartal Doula Services
v $30/hour
v One prenatal appointment to get to know each other better, to discuss your expectations, special concerns, and to make sure that everything is prepared for the homecoming. This also includes personalized breast feeding education.
v One or more Hospital visits if you are having difficulty with breastfeeding.
v Individually arranged postpartal care dependent upon your needs to include assistance with breastfeeding and infant care.
v Light house-hold tasks such as laundry and kitchen clean-up to make sure that you get the rest and assistance that you need.
v A calming presence with compassionate understanding and non-judgmental support.
Are there any limits to your availability?
v I do not contract for clients during a time that I know I will be unavailable. I usually only contract with one client at a time so that I am able to be flexible in my availability for that family.
v I work in the South Bay area - Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Torrance.
Do you have a back-up, and may we meet with her?
v If I will be unavailable for any period of time during my contract with you - someone else will be available for back-up and you can meet with her if desired.
May I contact others who you have provided Doula services to in the past?
v Names and phone numbers are happily provided on request.