What is a postpartum doula?

That’s what I asked when my friends Joeley—a birth doula, and Hannah—a midwife, said “you should be a postpartum doula!”

They saw in me a love of women and a desire to support and care for them.  

Doulas in the U.S. take their lead from women in other cultures who have beautiful traditions of caring for postpartum moms. 
I want to help fill in that gap here with hands-on, nonjudgmental, emotional, and physical support for families.

New moms get to know their babies by holding, feeding and caring for them.  My aim is to support you to that goal. 
I’d love to lighten your load so that you can focus on the necessary work of self-care and bonding with your baby.

On airplanes we are told to put on our oxygen masks first, and then put one on our child(ren).  Your self-care is your oxygen.
Resting, eating well, hydrating, and promoting healing are essential so that you can best care for your baby.

Mama: you focus on the baby and my focus will be on your needs for comfort, nourishment, emotional care and encouragement in those early days after birth. 


A little bit about me.

The road my husband, Jeff and I traveled to parenthood could make a good riddle.  

How do we have six children after two pregnancies and a vbac with multiples and the grief of infant loss, while not fitting into the category of a “typical” or “blended” family?

Is “typical” still a thing? 

It’s a long story that I’d love to share with you.  But the point is: I GET IT.  
Families can be very messy and parenting takes so many different forms. 

Whatever your path has been to this beautiful and uncertain role of parenting,
all of us can benefit from the support and care of someone who has done it before.

I am located in Phoenix, Arizona, but am also available for travel bookings.

The road to loli.

Many years ago when I had babies in the NICU, I learned about volunteers who rocked babies. 
I dreamed that someday I would have an opportunity to serve families in such a beautiful and practical way.  As a postpartum doula, that long time dream is being realized. 
The Greek word “doula” means “women who serve.”  That’s what I do!  It would be my joy to support you in your early days of parenting your new precious babe.

“Loli” is the fun endearment my grandpa came up with when I was a little one.  My brother continues to call me Loli even today. 
As my excitement grew around the arrival of our grandson, I began looking up alternative names to “grandma” and to my astonishment and delight, “Loli” was on the list! 
So now that endearment enters a new stage.  Not only will it be what my grandchild(ren) will call me, but it will also be my doula name. 
It feels like the perfect fit as I strive to support new mamas.

Peace of mind.

I am a Childbirth International certified postpartum doula, have a current level one fingerprint clearance card for the State of Arizona and have infant CPR and first aid certifications.