Philosophy
My belief is that every new mother, and every experienced mother with a new baby, deserves extra
physical and emotional support. In many cultures around the world and in some of our own communities,
women do have this support built into their family systems and their lives. This support enables them time
and space - physical, emotional and spiritual - to bond with their new baby. There are other people to take
care of the household, to watch siblings, to cook meals, to bring the family what it needs. But women and
families who do not have relatives and friends who are able to help out in the period right after birth are
faced with handling all of these important tasks virtually alone or with intermittent help. It can feel
overwhelming and stressful. This stress - if not addressed - can lead to problems with breastfeeding and
mother and baby bonding, 'baby blues' or postpartum depression, disharmony between spouses and a rough
transition for an older sibling. Research by anthropologists and psychologists shows that these issues are
rarely found in cultures where there is good support for a mother with a newborn and plenty of time for
bonding between them.
This is a fleeting yet perfect time to enjoy every moment of your newborn's precious life, to recover from birth, to regain energy for the work of nurturing your baby and yourself, and ultimately to make a happy start in this new life. The presence and care of a postpartum doula allows you these gifts - for your baby, yourself and your family.
My belief is that every new mother, and every experienced mother with a new baby, deserves extra
physical and emotional support. In many cultures around the world and in some of our own communities,
women do have this support built into their family systems and their lives. This support enables them time
and space - physical, emotional and spiritual - to bond with their new baby. There are other people to take
care of the household, to watch siblings, to cook meals, to bring the family what it needs. But women and
families who do not have relatives and friends who are able to help out in the period right after birth are
faced with handling all of these important tasks virtually alone or with intermittent help. It can feel
overwhelming and stressful. This stress - if not addressed - can lead to problems with breastfeeding and
mother and baby bonding, 'baby blues' or postpartum depression, disharmony between spouses and a rough
transition for an older sibling. Research by anthropologists and psychologists shows that these issues are
rarely found in cultures where there is good support for a mother with a newborn and plenty of time for
bonding between them.
This is a fleeting yet perfect time to enjoy every moment of your newborn's precious life, to recover from birth, to regain energy for the work of nurturing your baby and yourself, and ultimately to make a happy start in this new life. The presence and care of a postpartum doula allows you these gifts - for your baby, yourself and your family.
Qualifications
Certified Postpartum Doula (DONA International) training in process
Mother of two lovely girls, born in 2005 and 2007 at Martha Jefferson Hospital and breastfed (with difficulty at first,
but ultimately very successfully!)
Social services management and direct client contact (Chicago Department of Human Services, Jefferson Area Board on Aging
(Charlottesville) and the Alzheimer's Association, Central & Western Virginia)
Volunteer with immigrant and refugee families (IRC/Charlottesville and immigrant services/Hamburg, Germany)
MA in Social Service Administration, University of Chicago 1995
BA in Anthropology, University of Virginia 1991
Special Interests in Doula Care
Breastfeeding
Mother's mood and well-being/postpartum depression
Infant & maternal attachment & bonding
Photo by Jennifer Byrne
Certified Postpartum Doula (DONA International) training in process
Mother of two lovely girls, born in 2005 and 2007 at Martha Jefferson Hospital and breastfed (with difficulty at first,
but ultimately very successfully!)
Social services management and direct client contact (Chicago Department of Human Services, Jefferson Area Board on Aging
(Charlottesville) and the Alzheimer's Association, Central & Western Virginia)
Volunteer with immigrant and refugee families (IRC/Charlottesville and immigrant services/Hamburg, Germany)
MA in Social Service Administration, University of Chicago 1995
BA in Anthropology, University of Virginia 1991
Special Interests in Doula Care
Breastfeeding
Mother's mood and well-being/postpartum depression
Infant & maternal attachment & bonding
Photo by Jennifer Byrne
