In 1993, my best friend Mary Beth asked me to attend the birth of her second child. I was honored and felt privileged that she wanted me to share such a private and special event with her and her husband. I was elated, nervous, and excited all at the same time. I asked myself many questions: "Would I say the right thing, do the right thing, could I help her?"
My three babies were born "naturally" and because I had experienced birth firsthand, I felt I could support Mary Beth. For a woman, childbirth is one of life's most challenging processes. A woman's strength and determination will shine as she brings new life into this world. I would be there to guide her, honor her and provide her with confidence at a time when women can feel overwhelmed and vulnerable.
Mary Beth's beautiful baby girl, Lee was born with me at her side, and our deep friendship was cemented forever. We share a special bond and often reminisce about that special night in March.
I was born in Switzerland, my dad was Swiss and my mother is from England. I grew up mostly in Paris, and moved to the United States as a teenager. I lived for 20 years in New York City where my 3 children were born. I have lived in California since 1995, and became certified as a doula with ALACE in June 2000, and later with DONA.
I pursued my teaching career and became certified to teach childbirth education with ALACE in 2007 and then in 2009 with ICEA. I taught for a year and a half at Kaiser Permanente in Orange County. I presently teach a weekend intensive childbirth preparation class at Orange Coast Memorial in Fountain Valley. I will begin teaching in 2011 at Torrance Memorial Medical Center. I volunteer my educator and doula services at a maternity home and also a pregnancy resource center in West Los Angeles.
When I am not teaching or birthing, you can find me riding my pony Bacardi, hanging with my fabulous kids, or going to the movies with my husband!
