About Me

I come to the world of birth as a woman and as a mother; as a student and as a teacher.  I have three boys, each with his own unique birth story.  My travels through motherhood have helped guide me towards my professional work as a doula, childbirth instructor, and breastfeeding counselor.  In addition to my work with expectant and new families, I am also available to address groups on a variety of topics relating to conception, pregnancy, breastfeeding, babies, and the postpartum period.

I try to lead a very simple life.  Overscheduling is something I work hard to avoid, not only for myself but also for my family.  Typically, you can find us at home -- mugs full of hot chocolate or lemonade -- sitting on the porch playing Yahtzee, or reading books in bed.  My husband has a flexible schedule and he understands babies come when babies come -- this allows me to be available to my clients around the clock, with very short notice, in a minimally distracting way for my family.  

Associations/Certifications
Accredited Leader, La Leche League International  (LLLI)
Member, Lactation Advocates of Northern California  (LANC)
Certified Birth Doula, DONA International
Certified Childbirth Educator, Lamaze International

Relevant Experience
2000-Present       Birth Doula (attendance at 100+ births)                                                                                                                    2003-Present       Leader, La Leche League International (3000+ direct breastfeeding counseling hours)
2003-2006            Online Chat Host/Message-Board Moderator, La Leche League International
2003-2005            Secretary, Butte County Breastfeeding Coalition (now "LANC")
2005-Present       Childbirth Educator (500+ hours)
2006-2007            Moderator-Online Breastfeeding Support Forum
2009-Present       Columnist, Journal of Perinatal Education       

Publications
"Good Days, Bad Days," New Beginnings¹, Vol. 21 No. 5
“Chance Made Us Co-Leaders…” Leaven², Vol. 42 No. 3
“I Made It!” Grapevine³, Vol. 28 No. 3
“A Mother’s Right to Breastfeed…” Grapevine, Vol. 28 No. 2
“Every Mother Knows Her Baby Best,” Grapevine, Vol. 29 No. 2
“Folding Mothers Into LLL,” Grapevine, Vol. 30 No. 3
“Finding an Applicant,” Grapevine, Vol. 31 No. 3
¹New Beginnings, LLL International’s Journal for LLL Members
²Leaven, LLL International’s Journal for LLL Leaders
³Grapevine, LLL of Northern California, Northern Nevada, and Hawaii’s Area Journal for Leaders

Conference Presentations
October, 2005        "Older Nurslings:  The Caring Continuum," LLL of Northern California & Hawaii Area Conference,

Continuing Education
April 2004               “Born to Breastfeed,” LLL of Northern California & Hawaii Area Conference, Santa Clara, CA
September 2004   DONA Doula Training, Rohnert Park, CA
October 2005         “Essential Pieces,” LLL of Northern California & Hawaii Area Conference, Sacramento, CA
February 2006        Lamaze Childbirth Educator Seminar, Sacramento, CA
April 2007                “Setting the Stage for Breastfeeding Success,” LANC, Chico, CA
April 2008                “Lactation Research and Clinical Practice,” LANC, Chico, CA
November 2009     "A Day with Catherine Watson Genna & Diane Wiessinger," LANC, Chico, CA