About Me
Hi, I'm Linda!
I live in the Steel Valley area with my husband and our rescue pup, Juno. I'm Pittsburgh born-and-raised and the mother of three adult children. I studied Biological Sciences at Pitt with a minor in Chemistry and post-baccalaureate work at Montgomery College.
In addition to my credentials as a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, I'm also a DONA-trained doula and certified as a Perinatal Doula by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
So, how did I end up here?
I've always been interested in the miraculous process of pregnancy and birth, and in fact, once considered becoming an OB or midwife. But what really propelled me into birth work was the traumatic experience of my first birth. It gave me the determination to want to help other women avoid similar situations.
As I planned my own home birth, I began working with a local midwife as her assistant and serving as a doula for her clients. Shortly after the perfect home birth of my second child, I trained as a homebirth educator and doula. My third child was born at an out-of-hospital birth center in the Washington DC suburbs. Again, it was a beautiful, healing experience. So, you might say I've done it all – surgical birth, home birth, and out-of-hospital birth!
My Why:
I find it incredibly fulfilling to help guide birthing families toward a safe, satisfying, and healthy birth experience. I believe I was called to this work, and I can't imagine a profession I could love more.
My Superpower:
Nurturing relationships with my clients so that they trust me and feel comfortable with me. My clients know that I care deeply about them and their baby's well-being. My personality tends toward a laid-back calming presence, but I'm good in a crisis. I also have a knack for coming up with good ideas on a moment's notice!
I especially enjoy working with:
First-Time Parents, Primary or Repeat Cesarean Birth, VBAC/ToLAC, High-Risk Pregnancy, and those who have experienced traumatic births in the past.
What do I do when I'm not working?
When I'm not doing birth stuff or reading or thinking about birth stuff, I'm either tending my herb garden, doing the NYT crossword, writing, petting dogs, or antiquing. I'm a dedicated film fanatic and voracious reader, always striving to learn new things.