Welcome! I'm Chelsea, a mom of 2, and owner of Moonlight Maternity, where I practice as a Full Spectrum Doula, Lamaze International trained Childbirth Educator, and Newborn Care Specialist! I truly feel my purpose is to spend my life trying to make a positive impact on motherbaby health and wellness, and to help foster thriving families from the start. Changing things for the better in the maternal healthcare field is a monster to tackle, but I know that being able to positively impact even just one family at a time will lead to a generational ripple effect, and there's nothing more beautiful to me than to imagine a future like that. For as long as I can remember I wanted to be in the world of birthwork! My favorite show as a kid was "a baby story", (I know... I was a weird kid lol) a show that followed pregnant people through their journey and birth experience, and by the time I was a teenager I knew I wanted to become a Midwife. I was enrolled in a Midwifery program for over a year and on the way to making my dreams come true. Then, when I was 19, I found myself unexpectedly pregnant and everything came to a temporary halt while I spent time focusing on raising my son as a single mother, and working full time to support us. The birth of my son was an incredibly traumatic experience unfortunately, but inspired within me an even greater drive and passion to make a difference. I knew more than ever how important information, advocacy, autonomy and empowerment are during pregnancy and birth experiences. Having those things directly relates to how confidently you begin your motherhood journey, the way you trust your intuition, and the way you raise your babies. I realized on a more personal level exactly how important it is to try to prevent negative outcomes and experiences in the birth space...something which I knew before, but deeply understood now. Over the years, I spent my free time educating myself more, reading anything I could get my hands on, watching birth vlogs on YouTube- still always deeply passionate about birthwork, and longing to find my way back to it. I found my wonderful husband along the way when my son was 2 years old, and we got married a few years later. He has always supported my love of birthwork and encouraged me to chase my dreams. I helped friends and family through pregnancies, birth, the postpartum period, and breastfeeding using everything I had learned, and loved any opportunity I had to talk to people about the subject. The idea of becoming a doula was something I talked about frequently, but didn't feel it was possible for me to act on timing wise. The people in my life who love me always encouraged me and believed I could do it, and one day, a conversation with an amazing friend flipped that switch for me to take the leap, and the stars finally aligned! That same day, I immediately started researching training organizations and what type of doula I could become, spent a while finding the program I felt was best for me, went to start the application, and it just so happened they had a scholarship opportunity available that closed the very next day. The requirements were to write an essay about why I wanted to become a doula, any issues or hardships that have kept me from doing so, a bit about my life story, and to share how I dreamed I could impact my community through my work. To me, this seemed like a no brainer and the easiest, most exciting thing I had ever written...my dreams becoming reality were on the other side of that essay. I got it done quickly and submitted my application for the scholarship before dinner time that night. I nervously waited to hear back, and a week later, I received an email congratulating me with a full scholarship opportunity! The most beautiful and affirming part of all of this to me, is that the day it all happened- the conversation, taking the leap, the scholarship opportunity... just so happened to be my birthday...a sign I took to be the universe confirming & guiding me on the path to my life's purpose. I still get chills thinking about how it all fell into place perfectly, and am so grateful it did. Once training began a few weeks later, it affirmed further everything I felt about my passion for this work... I finally felt aligned with my dreams, and a sense of knowing that this is how it was all supposed to happen- all in the right timing for me.
In 2022, I had now been a Full Spectrum Doula for over a year, and my husband and I were elated to find out we were pregnant with a baby girl! I felt so much more confident throughout my pregnancy, knowing that this birth was going to be fulfilling, redeeming, and everything I had always hoped for. My experience was truly something incredible...I was able to see the beauty of knowledge, empowerment, and healing come full circle. I gave birth on my own terms, my body and my choices were respected and held with care, I was surrounded by support and love, and my soul was healed as my daughter was born- a re-birth of me as well. A beautiful opportunity to step into a new phase of motherhood and womanhood confidently! Experiencing pregnancy and birth again myself through new perspective was cathartic, eye-opening, and truly life changing for me. I will forever hold that in my heart, and an experience like that is ALWAYS my goal for my clients.
In practicing birthwork, I offer a holistic and practical approach, ensuring that in the balanced approach I take, my clients feel confident in themselves and in my support. I take pride in being able to support the entire reproductive journey and have a personal connection to each modality of care that I offer, so my heart is in it all. Whether you're with me for pregnancy & birth, fertility, postpartum, loss support, or anything else, I will give you an unmatched level of attention and care- something I hold with the utmost importance. I will always offer quality time and opportunity for real connection. I don't believe in being surface level with each other, because birthwork is intimate and sacred. Connection is comfort and a nervous system at ease. I want you to feel safe, nurtured, and at-home in my presence. I want to hold space for your thoughts, feelings, needs, and comfort. I'm always a safe space, a non-judgmental listening ear, and shoulder to lean on when you need it most. All of it matters to me, and the way it impacts your experience is important.
During your pregnancy, we will spend plenty of time on evidence-based education, so you feel confident and empowered in informed decision making, and more clear on what you may experience during your birth. We will craft your ideal birth plan together so we can prepare to make it attainable. I'll make sure you understand the "why" behind birth experiences changing (as they always will), and that in creating that birth plan, what we're really doing is creating a woman who feels confident in standing strong in her choices, and in control of her own birth. I will never judge you for changing your choices or doing what you feel is best for you in the moment, and will continue to make sure you feel confident and supported no matter what. I will always be authentic and forthcoming, because I don't believe in infantilizing women when you deserve transparent information. Inauthenticity is not the kind of person I am anyway lol, and I hope that encourages you to be yourself around me too! Authenticity builds trust, comfort, and a feeling of safety in communication. I want to build on that connection with you, learn about you, have conversations that make you feel seen and held, and allow you to get to know me as well. As I said above, It means everything to me if you feel safe, nurtured, and at-home in my presence. Birth is intimate, raw, humbling, and empowering- honoring that for you is an honor to me.
By extension, fertility beforehand, the postpartum period afterwards, your lactation journey, newborn care, and every part of the path to and through parenthood is intertwined. That's why I chose the path of Full Spectrum work, to be able to support you through any and every part of your journey should you want me to. I will dedicate myself to you, respect you, hold space for you, be a friend to you, and help you see that YOU are the most powerful and important part of it all. I'm excited to be a part of your journey- we're in this together ❤️
