When is the best time to attend each program?

I recommend participating in the Beyond Healthy and Safe course starting in your second trimester. This course is 8 weeks long and is intended to conclude by week 36 to make sure you’ve had a chance to complete all coursework well before your due date. 1:1 coaching can be spread between pregnancy and the postpartum period according to where you think you need the most support. Workshops are the most flexible in terms of timing because the material is condensed. If you are close to your due date or have time constraints that limit your ability to show up week-to-week then a workshop is a great option.

How is this different from therapy?

Group courses, workshops, and 1:1 coaching are designed to create a proactive plan for your fourth trimester. Our work together will unpack expectations and build a plan for your recovery. Plans will include practical guides for seeking mental health services, and are not intended to replace those professionals.

What is your experience in the perinatal space?

I have a love of all things perinatal and a deep desire to see families thrive. I hold a master’s degree in Public Health with a focus on Maternal Child Health from The George Washington University and a bachelors degree in Gender and Health from the University of Michigan. From 2006 - 2008 I trained as a doula and attended births in the Detroit Metropolitan area while working with a local community center and midwives from the University of Michigan hospital. While earning my master’s in Washington D.C. I worked for the National Healthy Start Association planning congressional briefings and national conferences. After moving to Indianapolis in 2012 I began working in the reproductive health education space, writing curriculum and teaching in the community and have since branched out into policy work and advocacy in the early childhood education sphere.

What program is Right for me?

It depends on your goal. If you want to meet other parents who are expecting a baby around the same time as you, my 8-week course might be your best fit. If the thought of being in a group is too much but you still want accountability then 1:1 coaching might be more your style. And if you’re closing in on your due date and have had a sudden “oh sh*t!” moment — it’s not too late to sign up for a workshop.

I already have kids. Will this information still apply to me?

Whether this is your first baby or your fifth, every birthing parent deserves a plan that fits your needs. We’ll start with a comprehensive assessment to see where your pain points are and make a plan to meet your unique goals and needs.

Why the name Birthing parents?

There are two meanings behind the name Birthing Parents and both reflect the core values I hold and aspire to bring into this space: Community, Authenticity, Compassion, Trust & Courage, and Curiosity. The first meaning comes from the quote, “The moment a child is born, a mother is also born.” One of the great joys of welcoming a new baby into the world is watching as their parents are born into their new role. My goal with Birthing Parents is to support parents on their journey. The second meaning is to embrace the dynamic nature of gender expression and sexual orientation - not all who birth children are mothers and not all mothers birth their children. Birthing Parents celebrates the diversity of gender expression, sexual orientation, the parenting experience and is committed to affirming those experiences.

Do you offer payment plans?

Birthing Parents offers several options for payments plans. Additionally, if your work offers a professional development stipend, check with your HR to see if 1:1 coaching or courses are covered.