Lizzy was born and raised in the Kansas City, Missouri area. Before becoming a doula, she got a degree in Psychology at the University of Kansas in hopes of becoming a Clinical Psychologist, but all these ambitions changed when she was expecting her first child in 2022. She fell in love with pregnancy and birth and knew she was called to become a doula. Just as Lizzy felt educated, supported, and empowered in her own birth, she hopes to help mothers and their families feel the same. She received her birth doula training through the Global Education of the Midwife (GEM) and is currently pursuing education to become a postpartum doula through Lifespan Doula.

General services as a birth doula that I provide: - Two to three prenatal visits to get to know parents and discuss birth philosophy/goals - Recommending reading materials and videos - Assistance in writing a birth plan - Phone consultations during prenatal period, early labor and two weeks postpartum - Continuous support from active labor until the baby (or babies) is born - Referrals to other resources/ professionals upon request or necessity Labor/Birth support services I provide: - Phone consultation in early labor to guide primary partner/ father and assess progress - Attend to the laboring mother when she is in active labor or feels the need to have the doula come - Provide information throughout labor and birth about what is happening - Use comfort measures for pain management. This can include techniques like massages, relaxation, heat/cold presses, hydrotherapy, birth ball, counter pressure, rebozo, breathing patterns, meditations, prayer, etc. - Provide suggestions that to enhance the environment and relaxation, such as music, dimmed lights, aromatherapy, candles) - Assisting with stimulation to help with labor progress and comfort, such as with position changes - Help involve father or primary support person by giving he or she ways to help - Remind mother to eat, hydrate, and urinate - Sharing birth preferences or goals with the medical staff - Encourage and support informed decision making, such as asking questions that may aid in a decision (ex. What are the risks on an intervention) - Accompany the parents if an unplanned transfer must occur - Assistance with positioning and latching the baby for the first time when breastfeeding - Remain after the birth for two hours, or longer if complications arise