Serving families throughout Southcentral Wisconsin                                                        

   

 

Providing professional physical, emotional, and educational support before, during, and after birth

 

What is a Doula?        

Meet Your Doulas

Dads & Doulas

Economics of a Doula

Fees and Services

Service Agreement

Community Service

What is a Postpartum Doula?

Fees and Services

Service Agreement

Fees and Services

Benefits of Water

Rent a Spa Tub

Blessing Ways

Belly Casting

Mendhi Art (Henna Tattooing)

Lending Library

Links to Professionals & Sites

Birth Plans

Meet our Doulas

                             

   Emily S                         Gretchen               Ruby                          Emily W                     

   (920) 219-2223            (507) 271-0847      (415) 290-1866         (248) 408-7197 

   Emily@                         Gretchen@          Ruby@                      EmilyW@


beautifulbirth.org

 

 

Emily Shier

Doula Philosophy

I have supported over 100 amazing women through the birth process.  I believe birth is a sacred phenomenon that should be preserved and protected for every woman. I want to help you and your partner focus on the essence of your experience, freeing your mind and body of unnecessary anxiety that might otherwise cloud your environment. I emphasize that this is all your experience; I am the quiet voice right behind you, the calm hands supporting you, but never an influence casting a shadow over you, your partner, or your baby.

I want to encourage you with the decisions you make, without judgment. I consider it the highest honor to help you achieve the miraculous birth you are dreaming of!

 

Personal Information

My husband, Dr. Ben Shier, and I live in Fox Lake, Wisconsin. I typically spend about 4 days per week in Madison, for my work as a childbirth educator and doula.

My husband is a chiropractor at our family business, Shier Family Clinic in Beaver Dam.  We are dedicated to a holistic lifestyle, a practice that we are convinced had a major role in the very healthy pregnancies, births, and early childhoods of our own 3 babes.

 

Credentials

  • Birth Doula since 2001, Certified through DONA (Doulas of North America)
  • Childbirth Educator
  • Master of Science Degree-Education
  • Personal Experience! Proud mother of three beautiful, breastfed healthy boys (births supported by my amazing husband, invaluable doulas, and awesome midwives)

 

Additional Professional Organizations & Memberships

 

 

 

       

 

Gretchen Struve

Doula Philosophy

During my undergraduate studies at UW-Madison, I realized that I needed to surround and support women as they move through life’s transitions.  I am drawn toward the beauty of motherhood, awed by the strength of the human body, and fueled by the miracle of birth.  After completing my formal doula training, I decided to become formally educated in massage techniques and attended East West healing Arts Institute.  I am now a nationally certified massage therapist, licensed in the state of Wisconsin.  In addition to birth doula services, I have a private studio in my home where I provide prenatal massage services.

 

Personal Information

I grew up in Minnesota.  I live in Madison on the near-east side.  My “day job” is at a local farm & nursery nurturing plants, growing greens, and working on landscaping.  I am a musician- surrounded by and experimenting with music whenever I get the chance.  I am a member of the Handphibians, a vibrant group of Madison-based musicians dedicated to playing and promoting Brasilian-style percussion.  I also belong to a Capoeira group, playing the berimbau.  Between playing music, working the earth, and doing massage- I keep my hands practiced & powerful!

I also love traveling (when not on-call for births!) and have a long list of places been and places to-be.

 

Credentials

  • Birth Doula since 2007, trained through DONA (Doulas of North America)
  • Bachelor of Science Degree-Sociology
  • Certified Massage Therapist

 

 

 

 

Emily Wright

Doula Philosophy

Growing up I heard my birth story every year on my birthday. I learned birth was an experience that was empowering and was always going to be remembered. 

While in nursing school, my labor and delivery clinical inspired me to begin independently studying different birthing techniques while also engaging in independent projects to research and educate expecting parents about their options.   As a birth doula, I have enjoyed every miracle I have been a part of.

 

I enjoy educating expecting parents and working to design a birthing plan for your ideal birth. I work to decrease anxiety and promote confidence to allow you to embrace the day of your birth, rather than fear it. I will stay by your side throughout your labor and provide calm reassurance while being your advocate and your coach. As an ER nurse I can offer medical education and explain hospital policies. I am also able to translate medical terminology to ease the anxiety of the unknown, but as a doula, I will not offer medical advice.  I focus on providing education to allow you to make fully informed decisions then support your choices though out your pregnancy. If at any point you forget, I will be the voice that reminds you "you can do it."

 

In addition, I enjoy helping out with infant care!  My parents have been foster parents since I was in high school and I enjoy teaching the little tricks I've learned with infant care and helping parents transition with their new baby!

 

Personal Information

I grew up in Michigan, and I currently live on the near east side.  I work in the Emergency Room as my day job, but find a balance to that chaos on my time off.  I love playing music, going to coffee shops, and am studying to be a midwife!  I take every chance I get to talk about birth, and am finding out that birth and birth education is my true calling in life!

 

Credentials

  • Birth Doula since 2007, Certified through DONA (Doulas of North America)
  • Registered Nurse
  • Bachelor of Science Degree-Nursing
  • Nurse Midwife currently in training at Frontier School Of Midwifery And Family Nursing
  • Childbirth Educator Certification In Progress
  • CPR Certified
  • Infant Care Courses through Department of Human Services (Michigan)
  • Member of a certified foster family

 

Additional Professional Organizations & Memberships


Ruby Vanderzee

Doula Philosophy

Ruby will attend any woman who needs a doula. Your philosophy is her philosophy. Ruby sits on the DONA certification committee and received her DONA training through the Chapman family center in Santa Monica, CA. She also works as a menstrual educator with Reddy’s Pads (www.reddyspads.com) and teaches women and girls about their hormonal cycles. She started her doula work in Manhattan with RealBirth under the tutelage of Erica Lyon, (author of the Big Book of Birth) and is now based in Madison. She is a believer in the power of women’s bodies and the importance of a supportive birth team. Ruby brings movement, massage, presence and healing foods (soup for the birth, casserole for the postpartum visit) to the births she attends. She is completing her certification as a Childbirth Education Certification with CEAMNY to bring more information to her doula clients and the Madison community.  Services & Skills include Positioning, relaxation, Hypnobirthing, movement, birthball, initial breastfeeding support, referrals for chiropractic, acupuncture, CBE, lending library, prenatal and postpartum phone and email support, postpartum care, relaxation/visualization assistance, massage during labor, Spanish speaker.

 

 

Credentials

  • Birth Doula since 2005, Certified through DONA (Doulas of North America)
          through Chapman Family Center in Santa Monica, CA
  • Childbirth Educator training through Childbirth Education Association of Metropolitan New York, 2008-2010
  • Small Miracles Orientation Summer 2008. DONA National Conference, 2009

 

Additional Professional Organizations & Memberships

Doulas of South-central Wisconsin