Can I Do This?
Is it actually possible to fit all of who you are into one page on the internet? Surely not, but I can at least give you a glimpse into the life that I have lived and passions that cling to my soul.
When I’m not behind the camera, educating, or actively listening, you may find me in nature. I’m an avid hiker, having explored over 20 National Parks between North America, Ireland, + Australia, alongside countless national forests, state parks, preserves, + more. My husband and I have made it a goal since becoming a family of three to hike all of the National Parks in the United States together!
I’m quite passionate about preserving this beautiful earth of ours, and was raised to homestead, so finding ways to reduce waste, reusing what I can, and recycling what’s left is my way of life. Largely influenced by my Eastern European immigrant farmer heritage, I spend as much time as possible in my garden, and comparable time in the kitchen. I believe that organic, whole foods, moving our bodies in meaningful ways, and the natural remedies of our ancestors are key to a fruitful life and longevity.
This holistic mindset has followed me through my formal education in the sciences, my work in pharmaceuticals, my experience in the elderly population, and has deeply rooted itself in how I parent. However, not just how I parent, but also how I treat myself as a vessel for life. We may not be able to protect our babies from every malady of the world, however we do have more control about how they begin to brave this existence than we’ve been led to believe — and I’m eager to teach you how.
Motherhood
I cannot describe a more rewarding, healing, spiritual, rollercoaster of a journey than this.
After more than a decade of health struggles, delays in diagnosis, numerous doctors, etc., etc., my partner, Derek, + I officially took a serious look at parenthood and decided it was time for us. It took lots of tests, two surgeries, and almost two years to conceive our son. We anticipated difficulty, however actually experiencing it was exponentially taxing.
But we were so insanely lucky. Blessed. Thankful, grateful, and full of bliss when we finally became pregnant.
We announced to family on Christmas, and to the world on Valentine’s Day. The timing made for the sweetest gifts we could ever give to our loved ones.
I have no other word to describe my pregnancy more succinctly than “spiritual.”
That is genuinely how I felt, despite all of the not-so-uncommon conditions that accompany the antenatal period, like ridiculous insomnia, hip pain, depressed mood, + RLS (that has yet to depart my existence), alongside the rare (and evidently, one of only two conditions that ‘scare” my OBGYN) Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy.
The diagnosis of ICP led my care team to deem a scheduled induction at 36 weeks. This induction was a total wrench in my “natural” birth plan, that would undoubtedly cascade into unnecessary chaos, yet further drive me to support birthing parents in the future.
Photo Credit: Amanda Goodin Photography
It probably should have occurred to me sooner to better advocate for myself after the lack of screening and education provided during my pregnancy, but it didn’t. I trusted that the hospital care team and IBCLC would take care of me. Unfortunately, there were many times that I felt that support fell short. So our journey into breastfeeding was R O C K Y. We faced so many struggles with such little guidance in the postpartum period. My anxiety was through the roof; I barely slept for the first few months, only closing my eyes if someone was awake with the baby. We supplemented with formula at the recommendation of our pediatrician. We learned that men can experience postpartum depression.
We learned.
We learned so much that first year. Like the fact that there are real options that don’t include lactation cookies. We learned in the next year, too. Like the role of a doula, the effects of medical interventions on labor, delivery, and lactation. We will learn even more in the third year, I’m certain of it.
Historical Formal Background
After graduating from a small town high school, I went on to study biology, chemistry, and neuroscience at Baldwin Wallace University. There, I obtained a Bachelor of Science, countless laboratory and research hours, and some incredible pathological experiences during my time in the Delta Omega Chi – Pre-Medical Society.
Following college and concurrent health issues, I opted for a “gap” before the prospect of applying to medical school. In this time, I took up a patient-facing role in the pharmaceutical industry, with a subsequent addition of an FDA-certified laboratory position. One thing was certain – there was no pleasure in lab work for me! I quickly found myself missing patients and having that direct relationship.
Some of my volunteer experience lies in hospice – an experience I recommend to every caregiving title. Here you will learn about life, compassion, patience, and purpose.
After three years in the lab (and stabilizing life), I left the lab and moved into a clinical role (if you ever need a “leap of faith” story, let’s talk about this one). I absolutely adored this position, the people I worked with, and the measurable impact our efforts contributed towards. Without a doubt, this was the kind of work I was meant to do.
Along my journey with this company, however, I found myself climbing a corporate ladder that I never meant to step on. Patient interaction had gone to the wayside and instead the priorities pushed on me focused on numbers rather than people. I felt trapped in middle management, with few good ways out of it and back into fulfilling work. This wasn’t the space for me.
So I left.
Photo Credit: RE Photography
Relevant Background
After years of working alongside pharmacists and medical providers, having an insider's view of corporate healthcare, and healthcare as an overall in the country, having personal experience in primary care and obstetrics, birthing and lactation, it became very clear that the right space for me was not in medical school. It’s not in this gridlocked system that exists at the mercy of insurance companies. So I had to take my passions and put them elsewhere.
As a doula, I have trained through two DONA-accredited programs for birth and postpartum support. Additionally, I’ve completed multiple courses on breastfeeding and infant feeding, earning a formal certification through Lactation Education Consultants.
Alongside these birth work-specific courses, I’ve found it important to obtain certifications in Reiki, Trauma Informed Care, and Mental Health First Aid, as all of these tools can be crucial in supporting a family during any life transition.
I have personal + research experience in a broad spectrum of conditions and life events, including endometriosis, adenomyosis, PCOS, infertility, the dying process and significant loss.
And last but not least: our latest endeavor as a family is working towards becoming licensed foster parents! I have dreamt of adopting since I was a child, and to know that we can increase that scope into fostering as well is just an incredible opportunity.
Hard to say just what exactly will be next, although remaining an ever-evolving, forever growing human being is an indispensable trait of mine, so connect with me if you’d like to witness my way to full bloom!