I am a trained professional midwife, doula trainer and mom to 2 boys. If you’re here, you’re on one of the most exciting journeys of your life - becoming a mom. Or maybe this isn't your first baby but want this next experience to be different (especially if you're preparing for VBAC).
These few months can be a time filled with excitement, and, let's be honest, a bit of uncertainty too. That's where I come in. I’m here to walk this journey with you, every step of the way, supporting you to have the most positive, healthiest birth possible.
Let's connect and talk about your dreams...fears and any regrets from a previous birth. Let's explore how I can support you to have the most positive birth possible - as YOU define it.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Midwifery (Ireland) (2013)
Masters in Mindfulness Studies (2023)
Certification and training
DONA Intl Birth Doula Certification (2006)
Lactation Educator – University of San Diego (2008)
Birth Trauma Training – Sheila Kitzinger, UK (2009)
Acupressure for Midwives (2009)
Dancing for Birth Instructor Training (2011)
Mindful Schools K-12 Curriculum training (Mindfulness for children and teenagers). (2014)
Mindful Motherhood Training (2014)
Mindfulness for Difficult Emotions (2015)
DONA Birth Doula Trainer Certification (2007)
DONA Intl Birth Doula Renewal of Trainer Status & Certification (2023)
Waterbirth for Midwives - Ethel Byrnes (2010)
Waterbirth during Covid - Dianne Garland (2020)
Prenatal Yoga Instructor (2021)
Mindful Pregnancy (DK Publishing) (2020)
Maternity Innovator Award for the GentleBirth App (2017)
GentleBirth - Your Positive Birth Begins Here (Book) (2018)
Memberships and affiliations
American Mindfulness Association
Credentials
CBECD (DONA)CLE
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Specialties
Acupressure During LaborAnxietyAromatherapyBirth and Lactation Birth AssistantBirth DoulaBirth TraumaBrain Based HypnotherapyBreastfeeding Assistance and SupportBreastfeeding ConsultationChildbirth EducationDoula TrainerEvidence-Based CareHome BirthHypnobirthing MethodInfertilityLabor DoulaMidwife SupportMindfulnessNatural BirthNatural ChildbirthNipple and Breast PainPain Management PanicParentingPerinatal Anxiety and DepressionPerinatal Mood DisordersPostnatal YogaPostpartum CarePregnancy ComplicationsPregnancy LossSelf-ActualizationSelf-CompassionSelf-EsteemSpiritualitySupport during Labor, Birth, and PostpartumTelehealthVaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)Water birthYoga
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Languages
English
Service introduction
In my quest to provide you with the most empowering and positive birth experience, I've carefully curated a suite of unique pain management tools designed to support your journey into motherhood with more ease. These aren't just tools; they're your companions in creating a birth experience that celebrates your strength and resilience.
My package is $2500 and includes 2 in-person prenatal consultations, unlimited email/phone support throughout your pregnancy, continuous birth support and 2 postpartum consultations.
A one-stop shop for all of your professional birth preparation needs. Services include access to my 8hr digital GentleBirth Masterclass, my award-winning GentleBirth App, and Mindful Breastfeeding program. This carefully curated, evidence based curriculum provides you and your partner with comprehensive digital resources tailored to equip you with knowledge, techniques, and confidence. From understanding the stages of labor to mastering relaxation techniques and preparing for a positive postpartum recovery, these resources cover it all.
**Winner Flow Breathing Regulator**: Breathe your way to a more peaceful and controlled labor with the Winner Flow Breathing Regulator. Exclusive from Europe, this innovative device is designed to enhance your breathing techniques, ensuring a steady flow of oxygen to both you and your baby. It's not just about breathing; it's about harnessing your breath's power to create a calm, centered, and empowered birthing experience.
**TENS Machine**: Discover the transformative comfort of the TENS machine, your secret weapon for managing labor pain with ease and confidence. By delivering gentle electrical pulses to the body, it helps to block pain signals sent to the brain and stimulate the production of endorphins, your natural painkillers. It's a touch of modern technology that supports your natural strength, offering a drug-free path to pain relief and control during labor.
**Red Light Therapy**: Experience the soothing power of red light therapy, a groundbreaking approach to in-labor and postpartum analgesia. This gentle, non-invasive treatment uses therapeutic red light to promote healing, reduce inflammation, and provide natural pain relief. It's an oasis of comfort, helping you stay relaxed, focused, and empowered throughout your labor journey and beyond.
These are more than just tools; they are a testament to the personalized, holistic care I provide as your doula. Each one has been chosen for its proven effectiveness, ease of use, and ability to support a positive, empowering birth experience. Together, we'll use these tools to navigate your journey to motherhood in a way that feels nurturing, supported, and empowering.
You'll also receive complimentary access to all of my digital products including the GentleBirth App, GentleBirth Childbirth Ed Masterclass and Mindful Breastfeeding Program.
Packages
Positive Birth Package
2 prenatals, ongoing support during labor/birth, support establishing breastfeeding and 2 postpartum visits.
$2,500.00
USD Flat rate
Positive Birth Package
2 prenatals, ongoing support during labor/birth, support establishing breastfeeding and 2 postpartum visits.
$2,500.00
USD Flat rate
Ratings and reviews
Be the first to write Tracy a review!
Frequently asked questions
What is my philosophy?
I’m often asked about my philosophy of birth. My philosophy is whatever YOUR philosophy of birth is – medicated or unmedicated.
My goal is to support you to have the most positive birth possible – as defined by you.
An epidural is just another tool in your toolkit – and if you need it you need it.
I am a continuous presence (starting in your home) and throughout your labor. If your L&D unit is busy you will not have a nurse with you throughout your labor.
I can help you make informed decisions before during and after your baby’s birth.
When requested I will provide you with the latest research on your options to discuss with your care provider.
I will help you explore your birth preferences and develop comprehensive evidence based birth preferences.
I can come to your home in early labor when you need support and stay with you until you decide to go to the hospital and make the journey to hospital or birth center as smooth as possible.
I do not restrict my labor support only to active labor or when your contractions are coming every 5 minutes.
I’ll be a familiar face at your hospital, offering suggestions for labor positions and comfort measures for your positive birth with or without medication.
I assist in facilitating communication with staff in a collaborative way.
I will help you get breastfeeding established.
When requested I can support you at home after your baby’s birth as you adjust to being a new parent.
Is there anything you don't do?
There’s very little I don’t do. You can ask your doula to do anything you can think of to help you on the day.
An experienced doula will anticipate your needs so you don’t even have to think about what you might need. Whether it’s a position change,making sure your partner gets a break, helping you into the shower or simply making sure you’re never left alone in labor – I’m there for you.
But there are a couple of things that I don’t do.
I don’t speak for you – I will provide you with information so you can make the best decision for you and your baby. Having a doula will give you and your partner the confidence to ask key questions about your care plan.
I don’t make medical judgments or diagnoses.
Although I am a medically trained midwife I do not perform any clinical procedures in my role as your doula including any physical examinations at home.
What's the Difference Between a Doula and Midwife?
Doulas do not perform any clinical tasks. I am a medically trained midwife but my role as your doula does not include your clinical care.
As your doula I am 100% focused on your emotional and physical comfort. This is the part of the job that midwives and nurses enjoy the most but sometimes staffing levels can make it impossible to provide that extra support a Mom needs.
Although many hospitals promise 1:1 support throughout your labor this rarely the case. Often your nurse will be looking after at least one other mom in labor.
Evidence clearly shows that women with independent – non hospital doulas have better outcomes. Doula care is also associated with better outcomes than women providing support from Mom’s circle of friends/family.
Your doula does not replace your nurse but works alongside her in a collaborative way as they complete clinical tasks and documentation. As your doula I fills that gap when your nurse is busy with other patients, is on break or goes home at the end of her shift.
I Might Want an Epidural - How Can You Help Me?
Great question!
If this is your first baby I recommend keeping all of your options on the table including medication. You never know you might just surprise yourself!
Even if you have planned on getting an epidural early on you will be having an unmedicated labor for at least some of the early stages (even if it’s just the car ride to the hospital).
As your doula I can provide you with support during pregnancy and come to your home in early labor to support you with other comfort strategies until you are at a point when an epidural will be available to you.
My clients LOVE using the TENS machine I provide at 38 weeks. It’s also worth considering that being admitted to L&D before 4cm dilation is associated with more interventions and unplanned cesarean births so you may choose to stay home a little longer – as long as you are coping.
Going to hospital with the first contraction does not guarantee you will be immediately suitable for an epidural – you may be sent home. In that case having a doula is invaluable and it’s not unusual for first time moms to go to the hospital too early. Delaying the epidural until you are in active labor can help to minimize some of the epidural risks, such as fetal malpositioning or slowing of labor progress.
I can help you with physical and emotional comfort measures to help you with to cope with the sensations until you decide you want an epidural. I will also facilitate position changes on the bed when you have your epidural and provide additional information and support to reduce the likelihood of you having an instrumental birth.
In the event your epidural doesn’t work 100% I will be there to help you stay focused and in control
What happens in the prenatal sessions?
Our prenatal sessions will be tailored to your unique birth vision (medicated unmedicated or planned cesarean). We’ll discuss your birth preferences, signs of labor and when to go to hospital, activities for labor, birth positions and hands-on support with your partner. We’ll also review questions not answered in your prenatal classes and preparation for baby’s homecoming and early postpartum period.
Postpartum Visits
The steep learning curve after birth needs expert support and advice. It’s an exciting and scary time for most parents. Working together I’ll help you maximize rest to speed recovery and help you and your partner to understand your newborns needs and behavior. You’ll feel more confident and capable as a new parent right from the first breastfeed.
Prenatal Education / Birth Preparation
Taking a comprehensive childbirth class maximizes your chance of having a positive birth. As the Founder of GentleBirth I provide my doula clients with extensive birth preparation through my online Masterclass and GentleBirth App so you and your partner can complete your childbirth prep classes completely online at your own pace. My award-winning GentleBirth app and brain training techniques and support can significantly reduce your need for pain medication if you are planning an unmedicated birth or prefer to use medication as late in your labor as possible.
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