my story
Chrysalis Birth Services started as a dream and a conviction - that the way we treat women and children forms a basis for the whole fabric of society. Every pregnant woman deserves respectful and appropriate care. The manner in which she is supported to birth her child into this world has a huge impact on both her and her baby’s well being for life.
The practice of midwifery directly addresses these issues. MANA, or the Midwives’ Alliance of North America, describes it in this way:
“Midwifery care is uniquely nurturing, hands-on care before, during, and after birth. Midwives are health care professionals specializing in pregnancy and childbirth who develop a trusting relationship with their clients, which results in confident, supported labor and birth. While there are different types of midwives practicing in various settings, all midwives are trained to provide comprehensive prenatal care and education, guide labor and birth, address complications, and care for newborns.”
I spent my young adulthood married and raising my children. Doula work allowed me to help expectant families part-time. Now that each of my boys is “successfully launched”, I have begun my formal midwifery studies and can devote much more time and effort to developing my birth network connections. I bring a rich and unique history, philosophy and skill set to this work.
Updated to add: It is now July 2024. I have finished coursework with the Midwives College of Utah to complete my Bachelor’s of Science in Midwifery. I have also passed the NARM exam to become a Certified Professional Midwife. I am incredibly excited to provide amazing care to expectant families both in my community and elsewhere!
education and associations
Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Business Management from Molloy College in Rockville Centre New York December 1987
post graduate courses in education from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse 1990-1991
doula training with DONA (Doulas of North America) in June 1996 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri
became an accredited La Leche League Leader in August 1999
doula training with ALACE (Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators) in July 2007 in Rolla, Missouri
pre-nursing classes at East Central College in Union, Missouri 2011-2013
enrolled at Midwives College of Utah in 2019 to pursue a Bachelor’s of Midwifery to sit for the NARM (North American Registry of Midwives) exam to become a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM)/anticipated graduation 2025
Certified Doula with Cardinal Birth in March 2020
completed Resolving Shoulder Dystocia with Spinning Babies in July 2020
completed Rethinking Second Stage: Letting Baby Out Versus Getting Baby Out with Gold Learning May 2021
current with BLS and NRP - recertification every 2 years
Suturing of Injuries to the Anal Sphincter February 2022
Birth Justice is Black Midwifery: The Hxstory of a Movement February 2022
Free Herbalism Project with Mountain Rose Herbs March 2022
enrolled in Breech Without Borders St. Louis Workshop for April 2022
active member with Missouri Midwives Association
NACPM webinar entitled Postpartum Hemorrhage and Third-Stage Management in Planned Midwife-led Home and Birth Center Births in the United States with Melissa Cheyney PhD April 2022
GOLD Midwifery Conference webinar Augustine Colebrook MA, MCHS presents "Ironing Out the Details: The Hidden Crisis of Iron Deficiency During Pregnancy" February 2024
Best Practices for Preterm Labor Triage: A Conversation about Shared Decision Making webinar with Dr. Richie Broth, Dr. Charlie Hirt and Jessica McNeil-Santiel, CNM February 2024
Unlocking Preceptor Mastery: Supercharging Learning Across All Achievement Levels with Des Moines University Medicine & Health Sciences April 2024
graduated with BS in midwifery with Midwives College of Utah May 2024 and passed the NARM CPM certification exam in July 2024
Missouri Midwives Association Annual Retreat July 10-12, 2024 in Fenton, MO