Born to Birth
These are the most important moments, and movements, of your life. You want to walk into them confidently, surrounded by people who deeply believe in you.
Preparing for Birth: Heart, Mind, & Body
I’m here to make this easy.
My intention is that you will walk into labor feeling strong enough, smart enough, and safe enough to give birth to your baby in the way you and your body choose. It can be so hard to navigate all the pregnancy and birth information, to know what really matters. I’ve been up the mountain you’re about to climb many times, and I know these trails. I’ll provide evidence-based research, sound biomechanical principles, and emotional training for both you and your partner as you prepare for the journey. During and before labor, I’ll help you to understand your options and to communicate well with your care team. You are going to accomplish this in your own way and your own power, but my support for you and your partner is continuous. I won’t leave your side until your baby is in your arms. Then I’ll check in with you frequently, with tools for restoring your body gently, for caring for your baby, and for moving confidently toward the next beautiful vista.
I’m not exaggerating when I say that choosing Meredith as our doula was the best and most important decision we’ve made in our lives in recent years. As first-time parents, we both learned a tremendous amount from Meredith about babies and birth — and learning about nutritious movement transformed the way that we think about our daily lives and choices, far beyond the birth experience. She served us so graciously as a wise teacher, as a calm guide through the wild journey of birth, and as a compassionate confidant in these hazy postpartum days.
I read a lot of articles, 2-3 books, spoke to a number of new parents and took a birthing class; but when it came to my wife’s actual pregnancy none of that held a candle to help and confidence I received from Meredith.
Moving Through Pregnancy
While I love the labor process, the most important work I do with my clients happens prenatally. We’ll follow the below steps to optimize your chances for a smooth transition to parenthood.
Build Your Team
I’ll help you assess which care providers and birth place are the best match for your physical and emotional needs. I work collaboratively with all providers, but I consider you the boss.
Prepare Your Body
As a Restorative Exercise Specialist I’ll customize a routine for your body, to stack the cards in your favor for a comfortable pregnancy, an uncomplicated birth, and a smooth recovery.
Craft Your Plan
Let’s discuss the evidence, and the risks and benefits of your birthing options. I’ll also prepare you and your partner with physical and emotional measures to support a physiologic birth.
Train Your Mind
My hope is that during labor you’ll be able to get out of your brain and into your body, peaceful in the knowledge that you will be well taken-care of.
Do You Need a Doula?
You might be surprised: I think it’s possible you don’t. Doulas haven’t always been built into the childbirth infrastructure; in fact many women through the ages have given birth alone or attended by family. But this is an age of sedentarism, conditioning toward pain avoidance, medicalization, and in many cases social isolation. Depending on their birth hopes, some women do need a doula: to guide their physical preparation, to facilitate the informed choice process, to support mind and body through childbirth, to watch over the postpartum transition, and to believe utterly in the mother.
How do you help me prepare my body for birth?
Not just birth, but recovery! The tools I give you will also help reduce the symptoms of common pregnancy complaints such as Pubis Symphysis Dysfunction, Diastasis Recti, and hip or back pain. I will assign exercises customized to your body, but more importantly will help you assess in detail how the way you use your body throughout the day may contribute to or prevent pain. All of this will also prepare your core and pelvic floor for birth, and assist a smooth recovery.
What will you do for me in labor?
I observe and support your natural rhythm. I offer comfort measures, educated positioning guidance, and emotional reassurance. I help you know what questions to ask so you know all your options. I trust you.
Can't my partner be my support?
Absolutely! You are going to need each other, and my job is to support you as a team. I’ll be watching out for your partner’s emotional and physical needs as well as yours. Your partner knows you; I know birth. One of my favorite parts of being a doula is seeing a partner rise to the occasion, informed and prepared to meet your needs.
Will you advocate for me?
Yes. One of my roles as a doula is to help facilitate constructive conversations between you and your care provider when needed, so you are able to gather all the information possible before making your informed decision. I will train you prenatally in your birthing rights and in self-advocacy, and will support the whole team in honoring your autonomy. I value a spirit of collaboration and respect as I work with every team member.
What if I am not an "exerciser."
We’ll get along great. Neither am I. I’m a mover though, who understands the biomechanics of natural movement. We’ll work together to see how you can start to move in new and better ways. One of my clients said it best. She told me, “All of a sudden, I feel JOY when I move. It’s completely different than before.” And for you folks who love to hit the gym, we’ll teach each other some great new moves too.
Getting Started
Schedule a Free 1:1
Let’s meet in person. I’d love to hear about your specific goals, and explore the ways I can support your family through this transition.
Choose a Package
Whether you want comprehensive support or just a slice of the pie, I’d love to work with you.
Rest Easy
Now you and your partner have a clear plan for preparing for birth, and one solid friend behind you. I know you can do this.
The Everything Package
- Phone and email consultation throughout your pregnancy.
- Full access to my online childbirth program, Intentional Birth.
- 3 detailed 90-minute birth prep sessions so you feel READY to make the decisions surrounding your birth, and CONFIDENT in your body and team.
- 3 additional 60-minute prenatal/postpartum private movement training sessions, to optimize your body for a STABLE & STRONG pregnancy and labor.
- 90-minute fetal positioning consult as needed
- Customized slide deck detailing your prenatal and postpartum movement plan, updated throughout your pregnancy, so moving is EASY for you.
- Full set of equipment for all required exercises.
- Evidence-based research on all things birth, so you can have INFORMED conversations with your care provider.
- 24/7 on-call time from 37-42 weeks.
- Continuous presence, comfort measures, and information throughout your labor, so you are consistently SUPPORTED
- 1-2 Postpartum check-ins
- Breastfeeding support, and newborn care education.
Who's This For?
You’re a go-getter. A leave-no-stone-unturned kind of woman. You want all the information and training you can get as you prepare for what you know is a transformative and intense moment of change for your body and for your family—and in the end you want that moment to be peaceful, joyful, and easy. Contact me for all the details! I can’t wait to walk with you.
The Basic Package
- Phone and email consultation throughout your pregnancy.
- Full access to my online childbirth program, Intentional Birth.
- 2 detailed 90-minute birth prep sessions so you feel READY to make the decisions surrounding your birth, and CONFIDENT in your body and team.
- One 90-minute prenatal/postpartum private movement training session to get you off to a great start.
- 90-minute fetal positioning consult as needed
- Customized written prenatal/postpartum movement plan
- Full set of equipment for all required exercises.
- Evidence-based research on all things birth, so you can have INFORMED conversations with your care provider.
- 24/7 on-call time from 37-42 weeks.
- Continuous presence, comfort measures, and information throughout your labor, so you are consistently SUPPORTED
- 1-2 Postpartum check-ins
- Breastfeeding support, and newborn care education.
Who's This For?
You want a guide, someone who will give you a solid roadmap as you prepare to give birth and welcome a child. Your primary focus is on having compassionate and knowledgeable support at your birth, and someone who is in your corner throughout your pregnancy and newborn days. Contact me for more details about our journey together.
Just Teach Me the Moves
- 90-minute initial assessment and training
- Three more 60-minute private sessions prenatally or postpartum
- Customized slide deck detailing your prenatal or postpartum movement plan, updated as we work together
- Equipment for all assigned exercises
- 90-minute fetal positioning consult as needed
- Regular email follow-up to keep tabs on your questions and keep you moving!
Who's This For?
You’ve already got a doula, or a rock-star partner, but you want to stack the cards in your favor for a pain-free pregnancy, a smooth labor, and a breezy recovery. During our work together you’ll learn so much about your body and how to move it well—you’ll be on course for not only a better pregnancy, but a better life. Contact me to learn more.
À la Carte Offerings
- Fetal Positioning Consult
- Prenatal or Postpartum Exercise Training
- Birthing Rights and Options Consult
- Birth Partner Training
- Labor Comfort Measures Consult
Who's This For?
Baby on the way?
I can’t wait to hear the news. Drop me a line, and we’ll set up a chat!