I founded Serenade Childbirth Services as a doula practice in 1998, when I became a certified labor and postpartum doula. I studied midwifery with Jan Perrone from 2000 to 2003 and then served as an apprentice in two homebirth practices, where I had the opportunity to expand my knowledge under the guidance of four different midwives. In February 2004, I completed a six week clinical rotation at Casa de Nacimiento. I have attended over 330 births, both in hospitals and at home. While working at the Full Circle Center for Integrated Medicine, I provided health education to pregnant women and their families, as well as coordinating the Comprehensive Perinatal Services Program. I am a certified La Leche League breastfeeding counselor and a member of the Humboldt County Breast Feeding Task Force.  Additionally, I have been teaching holistic childbirth preparation classes since 2000.  I maintain my certification to perform Health Care Provider CPR and Neonatal Resuscitation and regularly engage in continuing education activities.  I am an EMT-1 and a member of the California Association of Midwives and the Midwives Alliance of North America.

I am the mother of two children, my ten year old daughter, Adriana, and my three year old son, David. Giving birth was the single most profound and transformative experience of my life. Pregnancy, labor and birth completely reshaped my view of myself and led me to my calling as a midwife. It is my hope that other women may have birth experiences which are equally uplifting and joyful and my goal as a midwife is to facilitate this process for the families I serve. It is an honor to participate in one of the most sacred and intimate events in the life of a family. I believe that health care should be a collaborative partnership between the midwife and her client and I believe every pregnant woman knows, deep inside herself, exactly what she needs to achieve an optimal pregnancy and birth experience. I believe in supporting my clients in making their own best choices and I recognize that the best choice for one family may be very different than the best choice for another. To this end, I strive to offer "explanations, not advice". I am dedicated to providing families with the safe option of birthing at home and I believe that a woman's body is designed to give birth without intervention or interference.

 I have been a semi-serious dancer for most of my life and I am an avid fan of Balkan folk music.